While raising our cattle we try very hard to look at this as a whole and not just a business. Allan Savory's Holistic Management looks at this in a unique way. Ecosystem is Community Dynamics-Water Cycle-Mineral Cycle-Energy Flow. In our farming everything has an effect. We look at the grass, streams, animals, birds, insects and micro organisms and we know that none can live with out each other. We continue to plan, monitor and re-plan, because things always change. Our cattle can help and hurt every one of these cycles and to assume they can't or don't is very dangerous. When they make an impact to the land, water and air we want to make it a good impact. We will leave a footprint and something left behind but when we return we want it to be better when we come back because of our impact.
To reflect true profit, a successful business must also enhance the soil and water and the life within them that fuels their production. If the soil is destroyed rather than enhanced, or water polluted or depleted of life, the profits gained will not be genuine because biological capital is being consumed. However, when you enhance biological capital, you benefit not only the land but also yourself.... Allan Savory