#81 Greatly Increase Your Productivity with Less Work

Hello, I am Jim Elizondo from Real Wealth Ranching, and it's a pleasure to be with you. All of us, livestock owners need to get together to defend our way of life and our businesses, if you already own some livestock, you are on my team and I highly value you! Our grazed livestock is the key to improving our grasses, our soil, and our environment!

Today we are going to go through different ways that you can increase your grass productivity with less work and more livestock. Sounds interesting?

There are some crucial aspects to achieving this and we are going to identify them in this podcast.

You might know the saying: we should not try to become efficient at doing things that are not necessary.

Why do I say this? Because many times we spend our efforts on things that do not give a good return for our efforts. Like the Pareto principle, where 20% of our efforts give 80% of our results and 80% of our efforts only give us 20% of our results.

Many times, we unknowingly dilute our efforts across an array of tasks, including those that, while important or enjoyable, don't substantially accelerate our progress. We'll explore the consequences of spreading ourselves too thin and how it can hinder our ranch's growth.

Efficiency in ranching begins with a discerning eye – one that distinguishes between the vital and the trivial. We'll discuss the importance of identifying the core activities that drive results and those that may, though enjoyable, contribute less to your overarching goals.

For example: I can be very efficient driving a tractor and plowing the land, but, would that be necessary? Will that improve my soil? Could it be that there are other ways to improve my soil without plowing? Most likely yes. This is just an example, of course, we need a tractor sometimes and I am not a purist. We should use the tools we need to use to accomplish our goals but, after passing them through close scrutiny. Efficiency is not about doing more; it’s about doing the right things better. We need to ensure our efforts are channeled where they matter the most.

It is very important for our well-being and to have a happy life to identify the most important parts of any endeavor we might want to start. By identifying the activities and chores that give us the largest part of our results we should become efficient in doing them correctly.

Remember, the essence of ranching lies not in doing more but in doing what truly matters, better.

A while back, I pondered over the question: what's the most productive use of my time?

Combining the benefits of concentrating on what yields the best results with increased efficiency is incredibly rewarding!

The following information is crucial and sheds light on the reasons why numerous farms and ranches that practice grazing are struggling to maintain high levels of productivity and profitability. This is a revelation that has often remained elusive, concealed in the depths of traditional practices. Today we are going to shine a light on this game-changing insight.

And here it is: on a grazed livestock farm or ranch, the most important part, the part that determines productivity and soil improvement is the number of livestock you can maintain at a low cost. This is by far, the main determinant factor. This revelation, though simple in concept, is transformative in practice. Stocking rates are the linchpin of productivity and soil enhancement; reshaping the landscape of farming profitability.

It took me some time to realize this but by reading a book on grazing from New Zealand, a long time ago, it became very clear, I hope you can make your own numbers and realize that a high stocking rate with your animals in good body condition is what drives prosperity and land regeneration. Every farm has different activities but once the puzzle pieces of them are laid bare, it's time to prioritize. I recently evaluated all the activities on my grass farm and discovered that some activities yielded higher returns, while others yielded smaller returns or no returns at all. This helped me focus my efforts on the most important aspects of my business for success.

Okay, we have established the first and very important aspect: Stocking rates determine productivity, profitability, and grass/soil improvement IF we manage our grazing correctly!

As a seasoned grazing consultant, I have had the opportunity to travel to various countries and environments, ranging from wet tropics to deserts, temperate and wet, and dry tropics. During my travels, I have been fascinated by the countryside and how it is managed, as well as the type and class of livestock being grazed. However, despite the differences in location and livestock species, one thing has been consistent: low stocking rates and degraded pastures and soils. It is important to remember that the stocking rate is the main determinant of profits and productivity, and unfortunately, this problem is prevalent in most places around the world where livestock is grazed.

What could be behind the widespread land degradation we're seeing? Some point fingers at climate change or less rainfall, but could it be something to do with grazing management? Perhaps? Or definitely?

The main problem with grazing management is grazing a plant before it has fully recovered, also known as overgrazing. This leads to decreased grass productivity, drains the plant's energy from its roots and crowns, degrades the soil, and allows undesired plants and brush to take over pastures. In drier regions, it can cause erosion and eventually lead to desertification. Don't mistake overgrazing for overstocking.
Why? Because grass and forages store energy in roots and crowns, the energy that they expend when initiating regrowth and if there is not enough recovery period for the new green leaves to store energy again in roots and crowns, the plant will start to get weak and the roots will be shorter, making the grass susceptible to lack of moisture when it gets hot and dry.

This means that we've pinpointed one of the most critical aspects of a grazed farm or ranch, which is grazing management!

These two very important aspects of a grazed livestock farm or ranch determine the productivity, profitability, and health of your land and it is why we have put together a free class for you.

I want to invite you to my free class: Triple your Stocking Rate with Lush Pastures and Thriving Livestock, where we will go over these and other very important aspects to achieve success in your grazed property, at the end we will have a Q&A session to answer your questions. This will be of great benefit to you and your land, there are two options On Oct. 24th at 6 pm and Oct. 25th at 12 pm,
save your seat at www.rwranching.com/masterclass.

Here is an interesting fact for you: avoiding overgrazing can boost forage productivity by 3 to 5 times! 3 to 5 times higher!

This is especially true in semi-desert environments, where the increase can be even higher. Overgrazing is a similar concept to cutting our lawns too frequently - it can harm the roots and make the plants more vulnerable to short-term water shortages.

It is a known fact that avoiding overgrazing will boost grass productivity. Stronger and deeper roots of grasses/forages will help them survive short-term droughts by reaching moisture with their deeper and stronger roots. Furthermore, carrying more productive animals per year can lead to higher profits and productivity. The question then becomes how can we achieve all of this without overgrazing, while still maintaining a high number of productive livestock at a low cost and with less effort?

That is precisely what we are going to go through in the class on October 24 at 6 p.m. or October 25 at 12 p.m. Houston time, secure your seat at www.rwranching.com/masterclass.

To avoid overgrazing with low labor there are some things we can do. A good option is having fewer groups of livestock, preferably one, and not allowing them to stay in a paddock for longer than 3 days in the Spring when everything is growing fast so they do not re-graze the regrowth. And, by using temporary electric fences to have your livestock where you want them, for as long as you want them. This is easier than it seems, believe me, hundreds of livestock owners are doing this now.nmv

Some students have expressed that they only have 6-8 paddocks and are interested in improving their grazing management. My advice to them is that any effort towards better management is better than none at all. Even if it means keeping the herd or flock in one paddock for longer than 3 days in the Spring, leading to some overgrazing, they can still reap benefits by allowing those paddocks to recover over time. Those slightly overgrazed paddocks can be reserved for stockpiling for next Winter. Although it may not be perfect, this approach is much better than continuous grazing or selective rotational grazing. It's important to remember that perfection is rare, and achieving 80% excellence is a great accomplishment. I am pleased with any progress towards better grazing management! Taking the first steps is incredibly important!

Recap and conclusions:

1. If you want to greatly increase your grass productivity with less work, here is what needs to happen.
2. Stop or diminish overgrazing or re-grazing a plant before its full recovery, as much as you can. Remember that grazing your grass before it is fully recovered will shorten its roots and make it weaker whereas invasive or nondesirable plants can displace them.
3.  Maintain the highest stocking rate possible without your animals losing body condition. I will explain this grazing management in the free Zoom class on October 24 and 25, you get to choose which one to attend.
4. Is it possible to maintain a high stocking rate, prevent overgrazing, and minimize labor? Yes, it is achievable if we are open-minded and willing to explore options. Managing numerous livestock groups with continuous grazing or set-stocking can be challenging and labor-intensive when trying to avoid overgrazing. However, managing one or two groups of livestock makes it easier to move them around and requires less work than managing multiple groups scattered throughout the property.
5. If having a high stocking rate of livestock, due to growing more grass, while avoiding overgrazing sound like the holy grail to you? I prepared the free class “Triple your stocking rate, create lush pastures with thriving livestock” in October with you in mind.
6. Start with what you have, where you are.

This means, do not wait to have everything perfect. Harvest the low-hanging fruit of stopping or diminishing overgrazing with low labor, start with the paddocks or pasture divisions you already have. Even if it is not perfect, it is a step in the right direction. You can always improve on this later.

So are you ready to take your ranching journey to new heights? If you're passionate about enhancing your grass productivity while reducing costs and effort, we have an exclusive invitation just for you. Join our free masterclass, "Triple your Stocking Rate with Lush Pastures and Thriving Livestock," and embark on a transformative adventure towards a more prosperous and sustainable ranching future. It's all about working smarter, not harder.

Flexibility is key, so mark your calendar for either October 24th at 6 p.m. or October 25th at 12 p.m. Select the session that suits your schedule. Seats are limited, so don't delay. Reserve your spot at www.rwranching.com/masterclass today. It's your passport to a future of thriving pastures and livestock.

Now, the learning doesn't stop with the free masterclass. Subscribe to our free weekly podcast, "Fat Cows, Fat Wallet," available on our website at www.rwranching.com. Explore a treasure trove of insights at your fingertips.

Connect with like-minded ranchers and land stewards on Facebook and Instagram at Real Wealth Ranching. Dive into our YouTube channel to access a wealth of visual resources that complement your journey.

Secure your seat at www.rwranching.com/masterclass and extend the invitation to fellow ranchers and land stewards who share your passion for ranching excellence. Together, we'll forge a future of abundance and sustainability. See You at the Masterclass!

Thank you for your dedication to the world of ranching. We eagerly anticipate your presence at our masterclass and the positive impact it will have on your ranching journey. Until then, may your days be filled with ranching success and fulfillment!