FAST FACTS
Different Holistic Management (HM) practices will have different outcomes, depending on the brittleness of an environment, or how much moisture it receives in a year.
There is no specific ‘recipe’ for HM, as each farmer’s production context is different.
All HM decisions made should be continually monitored, and changed if need be.
The Kroon family has always been environmentally conscious, with brothers Malcolm and Norman Kroon erecting fencing in the 1950s to reduce the size of the camps and rotate their Merino sheep and Angora goats across their farm, Klipdrift, near Graaff-Reinet.
When their Namibian farm was expropriated in the 1960s, the family sought the help of an independent ecologist to provide proof in court that the land was worth more than what the government was offering. That ecologist was Allan Savory, the pioneer of Holistic Management (HM).
Inspired by Savory, Malcolm fenced Klipdrift into 50 paddocks in the shape of wagon wheels, with the cells of the ‘wheels’ opening out into central areas where the animals could be managed, and where they could drink and receive additional feed.
The sheep and goats were then divided into mixed flocks that were rotated from one cell of the wheel to the next every five to seven days. Cells were given 60 to 70 days to recover before being grazed again.
Denne historien er fra July 16, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra July 16, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
ARC names best dairy producers of the year
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) recently announced the winners of the 2024 National Master Dairyman Awards at an event hosted by AgriExpo in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
Lion breeders to give up bone stockpiles?
The Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment issued an official notice in mid-November in which it called on lion breeders to voluntarily hand over their lion bone stockpiles to the state as soon as possible.
Thousands of British farmers march on parliament against inheritance tax
Thousands of UK farmers gathered in London, England, on 19 November to demand the government repeal a proposed inheritance tax on agricultural land, which they argued threatened the future of family-run farms (see page 4), Al Jazeera reported.
Avocado frittata with sundried tomatoes, feta and olives
This wholesome, vibrant frittata is perfect for brunch or a light supper. Recipe and photo: The South African Avocado Growers' Association.
Feed, hay, and other costs are up, so it's time to get creative
Breeders and riding schools need to explore innovative ways to generate income in order to ensure their survival, says Dr Mac.
How to make polystyrene seedling trays last longer
While thinking about how to prolong the lifespan of polystyrene seedling trays that are exposed to harsh sunlight, Bill Kerr began to wonder if a coat of paint might offer a solution.
Living the 'culture' in agriculture
Creation Wines has won numerous awards, was ranked fourth in the World’s Best Vineyards in 2023, and more recently won the V d’Or award for the Best Brand Experience. The owners, Carolyn and Jean-Claude Martin, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how their winery became a top tourism destination.
Time to take a deep breath on the slopes of the Magaliesberg
Around 100km from both Johannesburg and Pretoria in Gauteng and a tad over 40km from Rustenburg in North West, Farmer’s Weekly found a fine retreat on a working farm where couples may kindle their romance.
African penguins could be extinct by 2035 how to save them
Protecting the critically endangered African penguin is good for the environment, other animal species, and the economy, say Lorien Pichegru and Dr Alistair McInnes of Nelson Mandela University, Katrin Ludynia of the University of Cape Town, and Peter Barham of the University of Bristol in the UK.
An urgent need to confront Nassella in SA
South American grass species from the genus Nassella were unwittingly introduced to South Africa over 120 years ago and continue to invade montane veld. As Mike Burgess writes, research-based action is required.
