Tongue in Cheek

A GRAZIERS QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE TO DYNAMICALLY CREATING YOUR NEXT WORST DROUGHT IN HISTORY.

I wrote this a while ago. And was prompted to re-write it.

Following recent travels through areas of Central Queensland following rainfall events over the latter half of December 2019, & to January 20, 2020 the following advice came to mind.

ABSOLUTELY UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MATCH STOCKING RATE (number of livestock) TO CARRYING CAPACITY (available forage).

Over utilization, & landscape degradation is best achieved by having far too many livestock! If you require a top up to get overstocked, buy in some more, or take on agistment stock. The agistment option creates a cash flow, as well as speeding up the rate of utilization to pasture, & land.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES REST PASTURES.

Resting can lead to increased diversity, more 3 P grasses (palatable, productive, perennial), improved soil structure, healthier grass plants, deeper rooted grasses, & more grass growth per mm of rain.

ALWAYS KEEP PASTURES EATEN TO THE GROUND.

Allowing grasses to grow up leads to deeper root systems, more stored energy in the roots, increased rainfall infiltration, & increased soil water holding capacity. These things are to be avoided at all cost, as they can lead to drought proofing of landscapes.

ENSURE THAT YOU GATHER AROUND YOU AS MANY “SACRED COWS” AS POSSIBLE.

For example: If you breed brahman cattle, then maintain a red herd, a grey herd, a brangus herd, & a euro cross herd. You now have a few herds that cannot be combined (thus avoiding the risk of having paddocks resting). See # 2 above. Now you can have all these genetically superior herds, express their unique genetics as land degradation tools of magnitude! How does it get any better than that?

CLING TO AS MANY “URBAN MYTHS” OR OLD PARADIGMS AS POSSIBLE.

• Livestock will be horrendously expensive, & in short supply at drought end.
• Seasons will return to normal.
• It’s got to rain soon.
• Yours are the best line of livestock on the planet, & you will not be able to replace them ever, so you must hang on to them at all cost.
• Always drought feed your stock.
• The pastures will recover as soon as it rains.

ALWAYS ENSURE THAT ALL TREES ARE REMOVED FROM YOUR GRAZING AREAS.

Trees can & do cycle nutrients, add diversity both above & below ground, increase rainfall infiltration rate, increase grass protein levels, provide browse for livestock, cool the environment, create more rain, & provide shade & shelter.

NEVER ALLOW SOIL ORGANIC MATTER LEVELS TO RISE ABOVE 1%.

Excessive soil organic matter can lead to a four fold increase in soil water holding capacity. This can prolong a good season, which is not conducive to creating a drought.

AVOID PERENIALITY IN PASTURES.

Pereniality can lead to unacceptable rainfall infiltration rates (up to 300 mm per hour). Perennial pastures can also lead to reduced soil erosion, & retaining nutrients on farm.

DO NOT REST PASTURES AT BEGINNING OF GROWING SEASON.

Resting for as little as 60 days at this time can lead to root systems that are up to 4 times as deep. This then encourages, increased rainfall infiltration, increased soil water holding capacity, & greater nutrient availability.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES SEEK ADVICE OR EDUCATION IN HOLISTIC, OR REGENERATIVE METHODS.

These disciplines can reverse degradation in landscape, & spoil a good drought. Stick with your degradation strategy, as it is totally trashing your solar, mineral, & water cycles.

IF YOU HAVE READ THUS FAR, CONGRATULATIONS. I TRUST THESE 10 PRINCIPALS OF DYNAMIC DEGRADATION, & WORST DROUGHT CREATION, HELP YOU TO CREATE LESS, WHILE CONTRIBUTING MORE TOWARDS TURNING AUSTRALIA INTO A DESERT, DRYING UP THE UNDERGROUND AQUAFERS, SILTING UP THE STREAMS, FERTILIZING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF, & MAKING YOUR BUSINESS LESS PROFITABLE, WHILE STRESSING YOU TO THE MAXIMUM. 

HAPPY WORST DROUGHT IN HISTORY!