As part of our SoilHealthLabs podcast series, Joe Dickie and I sat down to talk with Dr. Fred Provenza, who helped us delve into the deep connections between healthy grasslands and healthy livestock. Fred's stories bring those connections to life, beginning with Henry DeLuca, a rancher Fred worked for as a senior in high school, throughout college, and for two years after he graduated. Henry began to ranch in the late 1800s and was a man who knew his land intimately. He retained his own replacement heifers because he understood how crucial it was for animals to “know the range”. Henry’s wisdom left a lasting impact on Fred, shaping his understanding of the intricate bond between soil, plants, livestock, and humans.
As our conversation unfolded, Fred shared how livestock mothers teach their young—but also how the young teach the mothers. He told us about a mother cow and her calf, explaining, “The calf might explore a plant the mother won’t touch, and if the calf doesn’t get sick and thus learns to eat the plant, the mother may eventually try it too. It’s a two-way street, and that interaction helps the herd adapt to changes in their environment.”
Fred also recounted a fascinating story about training animals not to eat saplings. “We had a problem with cows nibbling on young trees, which was bad for both the trees and the cows. So, we started rubbing the saplings with a bitter, non-toxic substance. It only took a few tastes before the cows learned to avoid them entirely. The key was making sure the experience was unpleasant but safe, so the lesson stuck.”
This part of the podcast offers us insights into why healthy prairies (with, say 50 or more species of grass and forb) are vital for healthy livestock. The stories Fred shares highlight the dynamic learning that happens between animals and their environment—a relationship that is essential for the well-being of both. Tune in to our upcoming podcast to hear more about these connections and the wisdom that Fred, inspired by mentors like Henry DeLuca, has gathered over decades of study and experience.
Dr. Fred Provenza is professor emeritus of Behavioral Ecology at the Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University. Fred is also the author of three books, including Nourishment: What Animals Can Teach Us about Rediscovering Our Nutritional Wisdom; Foraging Behavior: Managing to Survive in a World of Change; and The Art & Science of Shepherding: Tapping the Wisdom of French Herders - a book he co-authored with ecologist, animal behaviorist, nutritionist Michel Meuret.
In the case that Dr. Provenza may have escaped your attention, we recommend the link below which is a really informative talk given by Dr. Provenza at Utah State University: The Web of Life Event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjUgX91VZpk
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