The Cornerstones of Healthy Food Systems

Guest Dean Anderson On Grazing Management with Virtual Fencing

November 24, 2023 Dean Anderson Season 2 Episode 16
The Cornerstones of Healthy Food Systems
Guest Dean Anderson On Grazing Management with Virtual Fencing
Show Notes Chapter Markers

Proper management of grazing land is critical for keeping ranchland profitable for ranchers.  It is also critical for providing ecosystem services that society as a whole values.  In today's episode, animal and rangeland scientist, Dr. Dean Anderson will share insights that led him down the road of invention.  During his career at the USDA Jornada Experimental Range, Dr. Anderson conceived and developed virtual fencing as a way to manage animal grazing very precisely.   Virtual fences allow ranchers to:

  • move livestock more easily 
  • implement very precise, ecologically sound grazing management 

Dean will also discuss bonding between cattle and sheep to form "flerds"  Flerding

  • increases animal biodiversity.
  • ensures better utilization of diverse vegetation.
  • provides protection against predators. 

Questions may be sent to  Dean Anderson at:
Dean Anderson
5998 Pennsylvania Ave.
Beulah, Colorado 81023
Please include an email address or phone number for faster replies.

Scientific Papers Published by Dean Anderson: (This is not an affiliate link)
Note:  Scientific papers that are not accessible online can usually be obtained through interlibrary loan from your local library. 

Books Recommended By Dean Anderson

  1. Arnold, G.W. and M.L. Dudzinski.  1978.  Ethology of free-ranging domestic animals.  Elsevier Scientific Publishing, New York, NY. 
  2. Smith, B.  1998.  Moving ‘ em – A guide to low stress animal handling.  The Graziers Hui, Kamela, HI. 

Further Reading on Grazing Management (affiliate links)
Books purchased through these links provide us with commissions that help support our podcast. 

  1. Judy, Greg.  2008.  Comeback Farms: Rejuvenating Soils, Pastures and Profits with Livestock Grazing Management. Green Park Press.
  2. Savory, Allan.  2003 The Grazing Revolution. Savory Institute
  3. Savory, Allan with contribution by Butterfield, Judy.  2016. Holistic Management, Third Edition: A Commonsense Revolution to Restore Our Environment.  Island Institute.


  

The Cornerstones of Healthy Food Systems Podcast Introduction by David Lucero.
Theme music by Zakhar Valaha 

This version was updated in summer, 2023, when we decided to remove the cornerstones.endofite.com website reference.  The only change was to remove the word cornerstones from the website reference. 

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Virtual Fencing 1973 to present
Mob Grazing on a Fixed Schedule
Alan Savory's Influence and Surrounding Controversy
Extrapolating Beyond Measured Data
Stationary Fences Impede Optimization of Dynamic Plant and Animal Systems
Virtual Fencing is Not a Substitute for Stationary Fences
Ethical Challenges Prevent Advancement of Neural Stimulation Technolgoy
Virtual Fencing Allows Optimal Utilization of Vegetation
Virtual Fencing Fosters Low Stress Mangement
Can Expert Herdsman Inform AI?
Lag Time between Invention and Adoption
Bonding to Create "Flerds" may Reduce Predation of Small Livestock
Ecological Benefits of Mixed Species Grazing