Component Analysis of a Holistic Resource Management Project in Central Kenya

Abstract

While the proportion of ranches engaging in rotational, ‘Holistic Resource Management’ grazing practices worldwide has never been greater, scientists have reported no consistent trends linking the utilization of rotational grazing strategies to increased production on the ranches in question (ex. Savory and Parsons 1980, Holechek et al. 1999, Briske et al. 2011a). Our project addressed this contradiction by investigating biological production and cattle health under three regimes, a departure from the traditional two-model approach. This third scenario offered a means of disassociating the rotation- and density-based impacts of rotational grazing. Beyond classical ranching assessment, the study additionally tracked wildlife presence over time within the various treatments. The Westgate Conservancy, with which we worked quite closely, hopes to host tourists on tribal property in the coming years; therefore, the proposed grazing solution for these herders must account for impacts upon wildlife migration and feeding patterns. The primary conclusion of this study was that both the rotational and high-density stocking elements of the Holistic Resource Management menu negatively impact rangeland condition by decreasing vegetative cover. Wildlife did not seem to prefer using land under any particular grazing treatment.