Mimicking Predator-Forced Bison Behavior for Soil Restoration

The Misunderstanding About Natural Grazing Patterns

There's a misunderstanding about what natural grazing looks like on the land. Many believe that letting cattle roam freely across the whole ranch is the way God intended. But after the fall, predators changed the game and the natural systems we see today are part of that.

Herds concerned about predators bunch up and roam together. Rarely will one member be off by itself. This is because numbers provide safety. Note that with many predators the goal is to single out one member of the herd so that they are more vulnerable.

Short-Duration Intense Grazing From Bison Herds

Translate that predator pressure to the land. Animals were seldom in the same location for very long. Even the vast herds of bison would cross a specific location in a few hours, or perhaps a couple of days at most. So the pressure on any given location was intense, but very short and seldom, perhaps no more than two or three times a year.

The ruminants were only on the land long enough to graze the tops and trample some of the grasses into the soil. They left behind their natural fertilizer as well. It's the perfect storm to massage the land and create the optimum environment for the soil, and all that grows in it, to thrive.

Protecting Perennial Roots Up to Eight Feet Deep

When cattle are allowed to free-range without these patterns, they gravitate towards what they like best, often the perennials. And since they have all the time in the world, they eat them down to nothing. The perennial grasses are an incredibly vital part of any pastureland.

The roots of perennial grasses, if nurtured and thriving, can extend over eight feet into the ground. This is eight feet of nutrient creating, moisture holding, soil protecting goodness. But it's impossible if the land cannot rest for the vast majority of the year. As the perennials are grazed down, the roots shrivel up in accordance. Mimicking the predator-forced bunching and short stays allows the long rest periods these roots need.

Building Soil Organic Matter and Water Storage

This approach increases ground cover. The biology of the soil will increase with more ground cover, because the sun can't bake it so badly. The roots in the soil, as well as what's trampled when the cattle come through, act as both a shield from the sun's rays and a sponge, holding moisture in the ground.

Just 1% of organic matter in the top one foot of soil in an acre provides over 20,000 gallons of water storage. Considering that it's possible to get up to around 8% organic matter in our topsoil, it's feasible to store over 160,000 gallons of water in just the top foot of soil in each acre. Each situation is unique, but this is how mimicking predator-forced bison behavior restores the soil.

Real Results Seen in Practice

Of course, each situation is different. The folks at Birdwell & Clark Ranch up near Henrietta have been doing this for over a decade now and have gotten to where they move 5,000 head once or twice a day without their cattle returning to the same pasture for at least around 90 days.

If you pursue this mimicry of natural patterns on your land you will notice ground cover increase dramatically, resulting in healthier soil. The land will become far more drought tolerant and resistant. Carrying capacity will begin increasing. Every situation is different, and results depend on your context, but the mechanism of short intense grazing followed by long rest builds the soil.