Recently my friend Walt Davis wrote what I believe is a really accurate article in The Grazier’s Gazette (see The imminent implosion of grass-fed beef). In it, he accurately refutes some of what I call the "new stupidity."

He uses the natural model and good science to disprove hypotheses and assumptions that are far from true as to CO2 and global warming.

Speaking of such things, Albert Gore’s farm is only 35 miles or less from my headquarters and he has several close ties in our community. I would be surprised if he presently does not realize that the grazing of cattle in high densities on completely recovered pastures and savannahs is a permanent fix to the carbon excesses he claims are the cause of global warming. The cattle certainly are not the cause!

Although set-stocked cattle are a different story, even they are not the problem.

Interpretation is everything in such endeavors.

As perhaps the ultimate example, the Holy Scripture is without error but the interpretation has and continues to cause major conflict. The Bible includes bunches of literal truths, allegorical messages and truths, parables of truth, and at least three definitions of the word “day.” Many of the differences in interpretation result in battles that need not be fought. In an open letter to Pope Leo X, Martin Luther the church reformer said, “I acknowledge no fixed rules for interpretation of the word of God.”

Interpretation becomes important when we look at and study and learn animal health. If we fail to connect soil health, plant health, animal health and human health we are missing the boat of true knowledge.

Recently I have again been studying some research findings regarding Kentucky 31 fescue, as well as several other fescue varieties and some other cool-season grass species. Several facts stand out that affect our animal’s health and productivity as well as our health and profitability.

Here are some points I have picked up:

To summarize the whole deal on a practical basis, think about my following interpretation. As we deal with heavier clay soils we need to manage toward having more tall, warm-season (C4) grasses, forbs and legumes. As we manage for more organic matter in depth the result will be an increase in animal health and production. This is most pronounced in clay soils.