After posting about Australian ’carbon positive’ beef methods [ie, growing it seqesters more carbon than it adds to the atmosphere] the folks at one local farm sent along this comment:
At Arrowhead we produce carbon positive Beef, Pork, Lamb and Chevon using a technology known as Rotational Grazing—very similar to the management system used in Australia.Using our Rotational Grazing System we fence off individual sections of cropland. When the crops have been harvested the Livestock are rotated to that field to graze on the leftover crop residue and weeds. As they graze they leave nutrient-rich manure behind them. In the Fall we plant a winter cover crop after the stock is rotated to the next field. This crop is allowed to grow into the Spring producing a large amount of bio-mass. This cover crop is then tilled into the soil, raising the organic matter in our soils and sequestering large amounts of carbon at the same time This system was designed for Arrowhead by USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service, but it is basically the way my Grandfather raised beef before the invention of Ag Chemicals and the consolidation of US beef production.
Our livestock breeds at Arrowhead include Heritage Breeds such as Jersey cattle raised for beef, Romney Marsh Sheep, Yorkshire Hogs, and Spanish and Boer Goats; all breeds we have chosen for superior flavor of meat.
This is a hard system to beat—Improved soil organic matter, healthier crops, reduced soil erosion, carbon sequestration, heirloom genetic preservation, and extra flavorful local meats produced right here in town. The folks Down Under have nothing on us in Newburyport. Eat Local!