Grazing animals as part of regenerative land use

Cattle, sheep and goats are often regarded primarily as a burden in sustainability debates. The decisive question, however, is not merely whether animals live on land, but how they are integrated into the particular ecosystem. Well-managed grazing can fulfil ecological functions; poorly adapted grazing can damage the same land.

Using grassland appropriately

Many grassland and pasture landscapes are unsuitable for regular arable cultivation because of drought, steep slopes or sensitive soils. Ruminants can use plant material there that people cannot eat directly without ploughing up the permanent vegetation cover. This is sustainable only when animal numbers and grazing pressure match the site’s actual carrying capacity.

Disturbance needs recovery

Grasslands in many regions evolved together with herbivores. Animals graze vegetation, trample plant residues and return nutrients through dung and urine. Grazing is initially a disturbance. It can become regenerative when brief, targeted use is followed by sufficient rest for plants to rebuild leaves, roots and energy reserves.

Rigid schedules therefore fall short. Rainfall, temperature, season, plant species and soil condition determine when land can be used again. Good grazing management observes actual regrowth and continually adjusts duration of stay, animal numbers and return periods.

Soil life, carbon and water

Living plants move carbon into the soil through roots and root exudates, feeding a diverse food web. Moderate grazing can stimulate new plant growth; trampled material protects the surface, while dung and urine return organic matter and nutrients. This can support soil cover, water infiltration and biological activity.

These effects are not automatically positive. Excessive pressure, wet soils or excessively long stays can cause compaction, damage to the sward and erosion. Additional carbon storage also does not replace a complete climate assessment: methane and nitrous oxide emissions must be considered alongside soil type, climate, initial conditions and the permanence of possible improvements.

Grazing animals in mixed agricultural systems

Animals can also be integrated temporarily into crop rotations, for example by grazing cover crops. Living roots and soil cover remain, forage is obtained and nutrients return directly to the land. This can close cycles, but requires careful coordination of soil moisture, sowing dates, crop rotation, feed requirements and the following crop.

Biodiversity and animal welfare

Pastures with diverse vegetation can explore different rooting zones and create habitats for insects and other organisms. Permanent selective grazing can also reduce that diversity. Soil cover and plant composition must therefore be monitored alongside forage quantity and animal performance.

Animal welfare is not a secondary consideration. Clean water, shade, weather protection, appropriate feed, preventive healthcare and calm handling are indispensable. A system that improves individual soil indicators while overburdening animals is not regenerative.

No method works everywhere

Climate, soil, vegetation and farm structure set their own limits for every grazing strategy. High animal densities and insufficient recovery can be particularly problematic in dry regions. In drought years, animal numbers may need to be reduced early and rest periods extended. ‘Adaptive’ therefore means continually adjusting decisions to visible changes.

RED perspective

For RED, animals are neither isolated production units nor a universal solution. They can be actors within a soil ecosystem whose effects emerge from the interaction of vegetation, microorganisms, soil structure, water, climate and human guidance.

The human task is to create conditions in which ecological processes can become effective again: through targeted use, sufficient recovery, protection of sensitive areas, good animal welfare and attentive observation. Where a site cannot support animals, consciously choosing not to graze is also part of responsible management.