MAN, CATTLE and VELD

Man, Cattle and Veld by Johann Zeitsman records the journey of one of South Africa’s foremost cattleman from a practitioner of the disastrous range management methods of American and African universities to a practitioner of Allan Savory’s range management principles and, eventually, a pioneer of mob grazing.The book is divided into three parts, which follow the title’s outline. (Veld is the word used in southern Africa to describe open, uncultivated rangeland.)“Man” discusses social attitudes that are blocking common sense ranching. It is a combination of history and philosophy that could be subtitled “smart people doing dumb things.”Zeitsman criticizes the ranching community for its many destructive practices including dips and de-wormers which breed poison-resistant parasites, and, harm the environment by killing dung beetles and other beneficial insects. Instead he says we should be developing parasite-resistant breeds, which would have included all African cattle before the African “experts” adapted European husbandry methods.He excoriates feeds, center pivots, calf meal, poisons, low stocking rates, bush and weed eradication, burning of moribund grasses as “man versus nature”, which actually plunders biological capital.According to Zeitsman, the proper objective of any rancher should be maximum sustainable profit per acre because the “per animal production” metrics completely ignore profits.“Cattle” is the book’s section longest and also my favorite. Here Zeitsman expresses his physiological theories through the prism of economics and concludes nature’s way will always make the most money.Cattle are integral to the ecosystem. In his analysis, the smaller and heavier the cattle are the better—for many reasons to which he devotes 70 pages. He offers a comparison between 25 cattle breeds, broken down generally between Bos taurus (European) and Bos indicus (India-Africa). I found this enlightening and had no idea the African breeds are so diverse.He advocates planned grazing concepts pioneered by Allan Savory. His cattle recommendations are based on which breeds perform best under ultra-high density, or “mob grazing” (the Australian term) of which he was an early pioneer. Mob grazing puts very large herds on small areas for short periods and requires cattle that thrive under such “competitive” conditions. Generally, these aren’t the European breeds.He says ranchers should focus breeds that exhibit parasite resistance and reliable reproduction combined with an ability to tolerate high concentrations and almost continuous herding.(Noteworthy, though unmentioned in the book: He consults regularly with ranchers in the Northern Chihuahuan Desert grasslands located between the Sierra Madre Oriental and Occidental mountain ranges. In that country and climate which is similar to far-West Texas, he recommends Angus x Brangus crossed to Mashona, a breed originating in eastern Zimbabwe)Zeitsman maintains that profitability is a function of total return not individual animal performance. Smaller animals are a better choice. They mature faster. The range will support and produce more pounds of beef using these animals.He thinks it a mistake to measure productivity according to an animal unit instead of a land unit. The same land will produce more pounds of beef per acre using smaller animals under these methods. Big, inefficient animals may look pretty and ultimately gain more weight but require costly feed, antibiotics, parasite medicines, hormones and longer growing periods to do so.“Veld” centers on what we Americans call rangeland. This section showcases his philosophy, which simply stated is: ranchers should mimic nature. He supports this supposition with many direct and anecdotal insights.This is a book about animal impact and nonselective grazing. Its conclusions and recommendations are driven by the real world implementation of these concepts, which will be familiar to wildlifers who view cattle as a substitute for nomadic large grazers such as bison in systems that evolved with huge animal numbers.In this last section there are a lot of good, practical ideas on how to do things like using electric fences, planning your grazing, and applying concepts of planned grazing according to the specific climates and habitats which can vary so widely across African grasslands. All of this readily translates to North America.Here are just a few range observations:About Over RestingIn order for grasses to stay vigorous and palatable, they must be severely grazed at intervals that allow sufficient recovery. This is particularly true of grasses that coevolved with severe grazers and that have growth points close to the ground. Most environments have grasses of varying palatability, where even utilization can only occur at high stock density and total utilization.I agree that the foregoing describes the perennial challenge of selective grazing where a single species—cattle—is the only grazer. Non-selective, ultra-high density grazing deals with this physiological need as does what we do at Circle Ranch. We maintain a dozen other large grazing species to overlap with and compensate for selective grazing by the cattle and to reach areas, particularly in the mountains, where the cattle can’t or won’t graze.Regarding Trampling and TimeThe hooves of any hard-hoofed animal can either compact or loosen soil depending on stock density and time.1 cow X 365 days is not the same as 365 cows X 1 day.Frequent moves result in improved utilization and a lower drop in body condition because of competition, fresh, nutrient-dense grazing, offering a more even plane of nutrition and a more stable complement of rumen microbes.Regarding Brush ControlCattle grazed in ultra-high densities will drastically increase their browse intake. Why? In response to grazing, browse develops tannin, which tastes bad to cows, but tannin development takes time. A massive herd does its browsing quickly before browse and forb plants can develop their defensive tannin. Under these circumstances, large, concentrated herds can help control brush by eating it before tannin develops.On Soil LifeOnly through concentrated grazing can we put the litter and dung on the ground necessary to feed earthworms and dung beetles, two species directly responsible for soil health.We can increase soil fertility without fertilizer because all of the ingredients of fertile soil are freely available in the ecosystem. We have only to enhance these processes by managing appropriately.Of Humans, Cows and WildlifeIn East Africa, as nowhere else in the world, there is an ancient interaction between humans and their herds, because here, cattle depend on humans for protection against predators. Consequently they have developed a strong affinity for man and have an inherently strong herd instinct, which makes herding much easier. Such traits make these cattle ideal for improving the land where the primary objective is enhancing wildlife habitat as opposed to the maximizing beef production.His Conclusion“I know of no more cost effective way of improving the land and increasing ranch profitability than time-controlled high animal impact and non-selective grazing made possible by the appropriate use of electric fences.”A “Politically Incorrect” Point of ViewZietsman, with the bluntness for which Rhodesians are well known, examines reasons that mankind persists with destructive ranching practices as well as the reasons universities, agencies and professional breed organizations resist adopting better ranching practices.Here are a few “politically incorrect” observations regarding researchers, range professors, breed show judges and breed inspectors.In nature, interactions are non-linear and unpredictable. We cannot manage natural systems from a mechanical perspective as currently attempted.In nature, one plus one does not equal two.The reductionist approach is inappropriate.It is better to know a little about a lot than a lot about a little.Advanced range education is characterized by specialization. More and more is learned about less and less until the student knows a lot about very little.Professional academics eventually know everything about nothing and nothing about the greater whole—the grass-grazer-predator relationship—which is the minimum ranchers can work with.It is better to know less about more than more about less.Predators are essential; they change grazing impact from bad-for-range without predators to good-for-range with predators.Studies about enhancing natural processes are essential but scarce.Intervening in natural processes leads to quick fixes but the price paid in the longer term is very high and unacceptable in terms of environmental damage and related problems.Most research is interesting but irrelevant.Much research is absolutely useless.How many agricultural scientists, each specializing in nutrition, pastures, physiology, economics or genetics, realize that their specialized knowledge has very limited application in a “whole” consisting of a myriad of nonlinear interactions?The important is made irrelevant; the irrelevant is made important; and [livestock] judging is, by virtue of its nature, concerned with the superficial.Due to the emphasis that breed societies place on appearance, without appreciating the limitations of visual appraisal, there is a total reversal of the value of traits relative to productivity.And so forth…Whether you are a conservationist, wildlife advocate, cattleman or someone wishing to advance restoration ecology, do yourself a great service and read this book. There are two versions, black & white and color. The full color version is well worth the extra money.

I quite liked the text, made me think amount cattle raising and what selection pressure should be brought to bear.A principal complaint of commercial producers is that show ring animals, while really "pretty" are less functional. For an example, an animal that stands very tall and high on its toes will have reduced longevity. If I include labor cost, the show animal cost of gain will be multiples of what is break-even. Show animals are the extreme, but with commercial operations there are similar situations- say if I select for bigger piglet birthweight, I have a tendency to reduce litter size. In cattle should I select females for 1st calf at 2 years of age, or 2nd calf at 3 years of age? If I select for growth, I select for bigger animals that require substantial inputs, such as North American dairy animals, tremendously productive, basically self propelled udders, these cows do not nurse calves, they have their feed delivered in the bunk, on a hoof trimming schedule, have cow comfort stall scores and AI. That said, if the dairy cow does not show up with lots of milk, they get trailermycin. Single trait selection is a big carrot.I got a lot out of this text, provided any number of things to think about. The author questions the conventional wisdom. If I am going broke using the conventional wisdom, I need to question the utility of conventional wisdom.

Excellent book on managing grass and cattle for low cost production and profitability. He includes examples for north america.

Lots of great information throughout this book. It goes against conventional wisdom and that is great! Instead it causes you to see how to do things naturally saving money by reducing your inputs and using animals that are suited to your environment instead of trying to force your animals to endure your environment that they weren't meant for. Your neighbors will think you are crazy for not doing it the conventional way anymore, but since it works, they are the crazy ones! Fits well with Joel Salatin, Greg Judy and holistic management. You may be laughed at by conventional ranchers, but you can laugh at the bank!

Liked his practical approach and his solid point of view but wished he explored more varied cattle raising environments and grazing systems. But then that is not his thing. It is making the most economically and ecologically appropriate choices by selecting the correct breeds and depending on that to make your operating profitable. Very opinionated but rightly so since he is an expert about what he is talking about.

THIS WAS FOR MY HUSBAND. HE LOVES THIS BOOK. HE IS A SERIOUS "COW MAN". NO HORSES ON THE PLACE! IT IS ALL ABOUT THE LAND AND THE COW. HE HAS GIVEN SEVERAL OF THE BOOKS TO FRIENDS IN THE CATTLE BUSINESS. HE LOVES IT AND SAYS IT IS TRUE AND GOOD!

Extremely good book, a must read for every cattle farmer who wants to really understand the fundamentals to get to a sustainable end goal (ecological and financial) and not get bluffed by the conventional "academic" literature.

Excellent advice from a very experienced cattleman. He has really thought things through and looked at the results. We are hoping to implement some of his recommendations in our grass-based dairy herd. Years ago we had read Jan Bonsma's "Man Must Measure" book, which we really thought good. Zeitsman takes things even further, and his sensible improvements are invaluable.

Loved it. Could do with colour images that are in focus.

Johan Zeitsman is a genius! Every cattleman should have this book and study it. His management techniques put him light years ahead of the traditionalists. If you want to keep cattle profitably and improve your grazing at the same time, this is the book for you.

Great introduction to high density grazing. An illustrated practical work book showing different techniques and situations would be a very beneficial addition.

EXTRAORDINARIO Y AUTENTICO APRENDIZAJE PARA MI VIDA Y QUE HACER COMO GANADERO

great book