Have less stress, grow more grass with a holistic approach

Organic dairy farm, Dharma Lea, experienced economic, social and ecological benefits when making the switch from rotational grazing to Holistic Planned Grazing. Improvements over three years included:

• A 120% increase in the number of grazing days per year, from 76 days to 167 days per year,

which translates into an annual savings of $27,300.

• A drop in feed cost from 60% to 48% of the total cost of production.

• Improved profitability with a gross margin of 41%.

• Increased carrying capacity of the land, with a 68% increase in grass harvested by cattle on

pasture.

• A significant improvement in livestock health, with a key indicator – mastitis – dropping from

73% to 3% within the herd.

• Improved milk quality, with a 10% increase in total milk solids.

• Improved quality of life for the entire family, including more time to spend together, more

wildlife to enjoy, a sense of community, and a lot less stress.

• Improved financial position, enabling the family to purchase an additional farm that would

triple the size of their land, provide a new family home, and allow expansion of the herd and

milking parlor.

Research from University at Albany, New York

“Holistically-managed pastures had 1.5 and 4.5 times higher average abundances of obligate grassland birds than minimally rotated or continuously grazed pastures, respectively.”

Research showed how holistic planned grazing benefitted soil microbiology, plant diversity, and ground-nesting birds. Species richness of plants and microbes was significantly higher after just one year with high stock density and frequent rotations, compared with continuous grazing at low stock density, or compared with no grazing at all.

Grazing & the coupling of biodiversity in vascular plant and soil microbial communities

The effect of grazing regime on grassland bird abundance in New York State

The Van Amburgh’s Story

Paul and Phyllis Van Amburgh, of Dharma Lea, have been practicing holistic management since 2014, and are featured in this Savory Institute video, The Story of Dairy .

Phyllis Van Amburgh, of Dharma Lea Farm, will discuss the results they’ve had after practicing holistic management for four years. Download full case study here.