Thank you for taking the time to elaborate your answer and yes, I agree on your terms and data. To my understanding holistically planned grazing has different potential then the industrial agricultural complex (large industrial feed lots, dairy and pig operations) also accounted for in the data in your reference [0].
Grazing operations can of course differ, but regenerative agriculture and HM are tools which can be used for the betterment of carbon-, nutrient and the water cycle. All tools can be used wrong and therefore cause harm.
I agree that industrial agriculture has gotten out of the planetary boundaries and according to this study actually the contributing factor transgressing 5 boundaries. [1]
There is no ecosystems without animals and we will have to steward the rewilding of things, over time restoring ecosystem. I am aware of the size needed, I am working with this professionally, the natural hydrology needs vast areas to function properly.
We are trying to set the right boundaries in the Anthropocene, agriculture is a vital part of this, I guess my argument is that agriculture can be the segway for stewarding the naturebased inititatives on the vast areas. Regenerative agriculture as an output orientated and holistic approach can function as the middle way granting us a planetary healthy diet [2] (mainly plantbased) and leave room for healthy ecosystem. So much work to do, it's important to recognize the conversion loss as you are stating in animal based nutrients. We can spare a lot of land changing our diets, but we need animals in the landscape to disturb the biological succession of ecosystem. Grass is a great perennial crop.
I will put no arguments forward maintaining the exaggerated industrial agricultural complex, besides we need a fair exit plan for all the involved people. We are only practicing for the much larger exit plan for petrol states.
Myshpa, I am a farmer. The livestock mimicking the movement of wild herd is a compromise stewarding the land with what is at hand and possible. Yes we should do large scale rewilding projects, but managing brittle environment need disturbance and livestock can do that it's not trying to be the same as a wild and regenerated landscape but it can be a part of the natural succession and furthermore it's being done. It's working and profitable for the landowners, I am aware that things could be better, it's a longterm project regenerated living ecosystem. One step at the time, regenerating land and ecosystems.
Hi Vindarel.
Have you read Allan Savorys book Holistic Management? Savory Institute has successfully developed tools for farmers, grazing planning, decision making and economical planning. The book does a fascinating job explaining a holistic principles first thinking process for managing the ever changing, evolving context of a farm and land stewardship.
I could imaging you would enjoy reading <teaming with microbes> about the life of soils.
Paul Hawken does a great job explaining a broader scene with <Drawdown> and <Regeneration>
George Monbiot writes a fascinating book <Regenesis> but comes to my understanding to the wrong conclusion.
Planetary Boundaries is my go to reference and the documentary on netflix is always recommended.