This course is designed to demonstrate how achievable it is to improve the condition of your land using appropriate management of grazing livestock. Graziers, by definition, have the most basic resources and most important tool to regenerate land at their disposal – plants, soil and livestock.
The format of the course program is designed to first provide the context of just how important grasslands are to our nation both ecologically and economically. They are a truly great asset, generally undervalued and most, sadly, are significantly degraded.
The next series of 3 modules deal with some of the theory relating to a range of critical processes associated with each of the key components of grasslands. The theory provides evidence from the research of Judi and others to support the rationale behind the proposed management actions required to achieve improved ecosystem function using grazing livestock as the agent for change.
The second half of the course is more focused on management. The general range of grazing management options available to graziers and the impact of each on long term land condition are broadly outlined before introducing the importance of monitoring and planning the grazing. The land planning module offers some practical ideas that can be implemented in the process of working toward developing the infrastructure needed to support the application of regenerative grazing practices.
The final module provides an introduction to the basic principles of the Holistic Management framework that has been the at the forefront of Judi’s approach to land management and education when dealing with graziers.
The course includes an introductory module that highlights the importance of grassland ecosystems and the important role of livestock in maintaining and regenerating grassland health and production. It also outlines Judi’s journey and experience with pasture and grazing management and how she has applied the principles of Holistic Management on her own property ‘Glen Orton’.
The next three modules focus on theoretical aspects of the three key components of grazed grasslands; grasses, soil and livestock. The physiology of grasses, how they grow and respond to defoliation, how the frequency and intensity of defoliation effects growth and production, different growth cycles and how environmental factors influence plant growth are covered. It also explains why plant roots are the most important and vulnerable organ of the grass plant. The soils module explains how soil health is the foundation of productive grazing enterprises. It covers the important role of plants in contributing to soil health as well as explaining the physical and biological processes within the soil. The grazing animal module looks at the interaction of livestock with individual plants and how this impacts the health of the grassland. The interaction can be positive or negative depending on management. The role of animal nutrition and health is also covered briefly.
The grazing management module acknowledges the complexity of the interactions that occur in grazed grasslands and outlines the four basic factors which management can control. It describes the range of approaches to grazing management and the effects of each on the landscape.
The capacity to measure available herbage mass and plan the grazing based on available forage is essential to the application of regenerative grazing management. The monitoring module includes simple techniques to measure herbage mass and pasture growth rate to ensure that your stocking rate is matched to the carrying capacity of the land. A simple tool for feed budgeting to achieve this outcome is introduced.
Grazing planning is the most important activity in any grazing enterprise. This Planned grazing module describes the key elements of the plan and provides a user friendly excel spreadsheet for graziers to use in the development of the plan. Guidelines for determining the appropriate number of paddocks are presented which leads into the module on property planning. In this module some practical suggestions for infrastructure development are provided in addition to the process involved in planning.
The final module provides a brief overview of the principles of Holistic Management. The framework provides a process for evaluating decisions and is particularly important when those decisions impact grazing and land management. From creating your Holisticgoal and the decision testing process, the four ecosystem processes and tools to modify the environment the approach ensures that people land and money are considered in every decision. The planning processes ensure you are moving toward where you want to be.
It is suitable for – people who are focused on regenerating their grasslands. Those who are over the ‘battle’ and looking to work with nature and natural processes to restore ecosystem function. The course will provide you with an understanding of ecosystem processes and how to work in tune with natural cycles.
– graziers who are either considering, or are in the process of, converting to more sympathetic (regenerative) management practices, reducing input costs and/or use of chemicals that are harmful to the environment. The course will provide you with some direction as to first steps on that path and the tools to plan for a regenerative future.
– graziers interested in increasing the carrying capacity of their land. Increasing stocking rate is the most effective method to increase profitability of any livestock enterprise. Planning the grazing to restore soil health increases pasture growth rate and production. Growing more herbage mass with greater diversity improves animal health and production potential.
If you would like to be one of the first to gain access to Judi course please sign up below.
This form will put you in the running for Earl Bird discounts & Early Access. Good Luck!