After almost a decade on the regenerative agriculture path, the signs of veld recovery are evident. Twice as many cattle are being kept on the same amount of land. However, always keep in mind the balance between grass and animal production – if one is benefited, it is always at the expense of the other.
By Gerrit van Zyl, Bonsmara stud farmer of Hanzyl Bonsmaras at Dewetsdorp
The natural world was perfectly created. There was a plan in God’s mind for how this creation should function. Humanity’s task was to inhabit and cultivate the earth. But if we look at today’s statistics and the state of our environment, we have failed in that task. Why?
In earlier times, enormous herds of wildlife grazed across the landscape – the wildebeest of Africa, the reindeer of North America, the American bison, and of course the springbok of the Free State and other wildlife species across large parts of South Africa. These animals were kept moving by the predators that hunted them. They migrated to new grazing, allowing previously grazed areas the necessary rest.
Humans eventually became the greatest predator due to the indiscriminate killing of animals for various reasons. Property rights and farm boundaries influenced these natural processes. Fencing, wire, and the eradication of predators gradually eliminated animal movement and the ecological effects it brought.
Input costs and the growth of the global population created a need for increasingly artificial farming methods to increase food production. Over the years, these human mistakes have brought us to a point where natural grazing has deteriorated to such an extent that we must now think differently to restore it.
Over the same period, we bred livestock genetically towards higher-maintenance animals because individual performance was valued above total production – in other words, profit per hectare. These animals require more inputs.
Regenerative agriculture aims to obey natural laws and encourages farmers to replicate nature’s original rhythms within their farm boundaries. As input costs rise faster than meat prices, we are almost forced to manage input costs more effectively through nature’s design – our greatest asset. Use precise management rather than money to produce meat.
Also read: ‘Regenerative agriculture saves me R38 million per year!’
For nine years we have been striving to understand nature better and work with it, instead of trying to manipulate or artificially control it. Yes, we have paid plenty of school fees and had much to learn. We also had to work hard on improving livestock genetics – selecting adaptable animals capable of thriving in the new environment.
The key is careful observation: regularly walking through the veld yourself, avoiding harmful chemicals, and making adjustments as needed. It is a dynamic, ongoing process requiring flexibility and attentiveness.
Also read: Eight golden rules for success with regenerative agriculture
Ten Benefits for the Veld
After years of trial and error, learning and correcting mistakes, these ten benefits of good veld condition stand out:
- Better ground cover across the entire surface. On my farm, a few bare patches remain in old lands, which we are now preparing and overseeding with species like Smuts finger grass.
- More palatable grass species appear over a larger area. As the veld improves, we see more Stormberg flatleaf (Tetrachne dregei) and brown crowfoot (Eustachys paspaloides), which currently serve as our indicators.
- Less runoff due to improved plant cover and higher soil infiltration. Years ago, 20 mm of rain almost caused flooding, but now even after generous rain, our ground dams receive very little water.
- More dung beetles in greater variety.
- More natural legumes present.
- Noticeably larger insect, bird and wildlife populations. There is simply more food available for everything to feed and survive.
- More earthworms and moles.
- Grass responds vigorously after only 20 mm of rain.
- Higher Brix values in grass. For example, the Brix of red grass improved from 9.4 °Bx to 9.7 °Bx.
- A greater variety of non-grass herbs remain present even in winter, meaning more green, living roots in the soil for longer.
Taken together, all these benefits help us keep more cattle sustainably than before in a high-density system. It is an attempt to imitate nature, with the result that our veld can now carry twice as many cattle as before. This naturally has a favourable impact on our profitability per hectare.
Natural Recovery Is Possible – If You Allow It
It is always a matter of balance. There must be a balance between grass production and animal production. If you favour the grass too much, the cattle will pay the price – and vice-versa. You can trust that nature is eager to recover when your management closely aligns with natural laws.
When discussing “the laws of nature” in the context of natural grazing, you are referring to the behaviour and ecological principles that determine how herbivores graze in their native environments.
Here are a few key aspects:
- Mobility and migration. In natural grazing systems, herbivores often migrate and move across landscapes in search of fresh forage. This movement prevents overgrazing in any particular area and allows vegetation to recover.
- Rest and recovery. Natural grazing requires periods of rest. After herbivores graze an area, a rest period allows vegetation to renew. This ensures ecosystem sustainability.
- Predator dynamics. The presence of predators influences herbivore behaviour. Fear of predation encourages herd behaviour, which affects where and how herbivores graze. These predator-prey dynamics can have a domino effect throughout the ecosystem.
- Nutrient cycling. Herbivores contribute to nutrient cycling by consuming plant material and depositing dung, urine, and saliva, which return organic matter to the soil. This improves soil fertility and supports ecosystem health.
- Adaptation to local conditions. Herbivores in their natural environment have evolved to adapt to local climate, plant species and terrain. This contributes to the resilience of both the animals and the ecosystem.
- Seasonal patterns. Natural grazing is influenced by seasonal changes in plant availability and species type. Herbivores may migrate or adjust grazing patterns according to seasons, supporting sustainable land use.
On our farm, for example, animals graze young acacias in late winter, while leaving them untouched for the rest of the year. When these natural grazing patterns are considered, it becomes clear that ecosystems have adapted through a delicate balance involving various species and environmental factors. Replicating these natural processes in managed grazing systems can contribute to sustainable land use and the conservation of biodiversity.
This approach is central in regenerative agriculture. We can rely on nature to restore itself – if we simply allow it.
Also read: Veld restoration and grazing: Turning a thorny problem into a solution
