We’ve all heard the saying that goes something like this; “Did you eat today? Thank a farmer.”
While the statement is valid there are some things wrong with it, which bring up an entirely new issue that I won’t go into today. However, we do need to realize that people need to eat 3 times a day(on average).
So, why am I saying that grazing management is one of the best skills you can have? Easy. The sun. What other business do you know of that can harvest free solar energy? Most businesses need suppliers. Boxes for their products, manufacturers, trucks, employees, payroll software, accountants, HR departments, call centers, customer mailings, insurance, workers comp, lazy workers and the list goes on. As grass-based livestock managers we have such an unfair advantage that if the rest of society knew that we were harvesting free solar energy they would be sick! We’d have to somehow start taxing the sun according to some people! I won’t be surprised if they figure out a way to tax that next. Anyway I digress.
Even solar panels are not a good example of harvesting solar energy. They are very inefficient compared to leaves. However, livestock harvest this energy and then convert it into high quality meat, milk or fiber for humans. Sure we can feed these livestock grains and other products, but nothing compares to harvesting free solar energy.
Just because this resource (the sun) is free doesn’t mean you can just go about using it anyway you see fit. You have to properly manage the resource in order for it to be sustainable. This is where managing the solar collectors (grass) and the soil comes into play. Of course there are many other factors that you need to manage like finances and human relationships.
However, the sun is a limitless energy supply as far as humans are concerned. The amount of time before it burns out and no longer provides us with an energy source is so far into the future that we have a hard time comprehending it.
So when oil prices start to rise, like they have been the past 5-10 years, you will be more insulated from the negative effects this has on society and your bank account, especially if you can produce something of value, like beef or organic produce, with very little inputs.
I want to challenge you to make a commitment to learn more about harvesting free solar energy from the sun. The more you know about grazing management the more likely you are to start (if you haven’t) and succeed. Whether it’s 2 or 200 acres, you need to manage grazing properly!
Wouldn’t it make sense for you to learn how to properly manage grazing animals to humanity’s benefit?
