The power of soil — and cows — to be a climate solution
Can regenerative farming practices improve carbon capture and help build a more sustainable future?
“Soil — healthy soil — should be alive,” said Allen Williams, a sixth-generation family farmer from Alabama who is a pioneer in the field of regenerative agriculture. “And as a matter of fact, in an acre of healthy soil, there should be enough microbes to equal the weight of two elephants … in just the top six inches of that soil.”
For Allen — a founding partner of Understanding Ag; the Soil Health Academy; and Regenified — helping people see soil as a living, breathing resource is second nature. Most people might not think about soil very much, but it’s one of Earth’s most important resources. And what might come as a surprise to many is the essential role cows play in keeping it healthy and thriving.
With much of the focus on issues like meat and dairy consumption, large-scale farming and climate change, it can be easy to overlook the positive ways cows contribute to the environment. Advocates of regenerative farming like Allen and Gabe Brown — a partner in Understanding Ag, the Soil Health Academy and Regenified who owns Brown’s Ranch in Bismarck, North Dakota — understand firsthand that the potential solution to many of the problems we face is right under our feet.
The term regenerative agriculture refers to a system of farming principles and practices that aims to improve and restore ecosystem health by enhancing soil fertility, increasing biodiversity, improving water cycles and sequestering carbon. It focuses on practices that rebuild soil organic matter, strengthen the resilience of agricultural ecosystems, and improve the long-term productivity of the land.
Research shows that farms with well-managed grazing systems, like adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing, can capture up to four times as much carbon as conventional grazing methods while reducing cows’ methane emissions by up to 10%. These farms also have healthier soils, with 33% more insect diversity, 25% more microbial activity, improved water retention capabilities and three times as many grassland birds. AMP grazing supports grassland bird populations by promoting thriving, sustainable ecosystems that provide essential habitats for breeding, shelter and foraging.
While advancements in conventional grazing and feed technologies are also helping producers reduce emissions and improve efficiency, adaptive grazing offers an additional advantage by mimicking natural herd movements to regenerate ecosystems. This approach not only supports biodiversity and soil health but also creates more resilient and productive land over time.
“Adaptive grazing is about using animals like cows as a tool to help heal the ecosystem,” said Gabe. “We’re simply mimicking nature.”
AMP grazing — also known as rotational or holistic grazing — is inspired by the natural cycles that built the Great Plains, and it’s surprisingly simple. Let’s take a look at how it works.
Farmers and ranchers have always been stewards of the land, carefully balancing the needs of their herd and the environment. By leveraging their expertise and a deep connection to their land, farmers and ranchers can lead the way in creating more resilient agricultural ecosystems.
Many ranchers have long utilized rotational grazing practices, dividing land into smaller paddocks to manage forage and herd health. Regenerative ranchers build on these principles, moving cows even more frequently — sometimes multiple times a day — to improve soil health, biodiversity, and the overall resilience of their land. This approach not only enhances the land but also supports healthier cows and greater profitability.
At Understanding Ag, a regenerative agricultural consulting company, Gabe, Allen and their team are now consulting on more than 36 million acres of land. By developing customized grazing plans, evaluating soil conditions, and providing educational resources and training, Understanding Ag supports farmers and ranchers explore practices that enhance soil health, profitability and sustainability.
While large-scale agriculture has been vital in meeting global food demands, regenerative practices offer an opportunity to enhance these efforts by building long-term resilience into farming systems. By working alongside existing methods, regenerative approaches can help producers unlock new ways to improve soil health, biodiversity and sustainability.
“It’s simply about understanding how ecosystems function,” said Gabe. “How’s the biology? How’s the fungal component in the soil? How’s the predator-prey relationship? The natural nutrient cycle? Do they have soil armor? Is the soil well-aggregated? How’s the water cycle working?”
While asking these questions comes naturally to Gabe, he said that many farmers might benefit from learning more about the relationship between soil health, plants and animals in our ecosystems.
“I have two college degrees in agriculture and my son has three college degrees in agriculture,” said Gabe. “And nowhere did they explain how the ecosystem works — how the soil aggregate forms, and how those aggregates are critical to water infiltration, nutrient cycling, the building of rich, deep topsoil, and just how crucial the role of grazing ruminants is. Education is woefully lacking today. No matter where we go, all over the world, these natural ecological processes just aren’t being taught.”
While regenerative agriculture is gaining recognition, according to Gabe and Allen, there’s still more work to be done.
Without a clear understanding of how ecosystems work and the role of grazing ruminants within them, misconceptions about cows and their impact on the environment will continue to persist. And by failing to account for differences between regenerative and conventional farming practices, the environmental impact of cows will continue to be overstated
Factors that may be overlooked in environmental research on cows — but that could change how their impact is measured and evaluated — include differences in:
“All ruminants, wild or domestic, digest the same way, because they’re ruminants,” said Allen. “So wild ruminants — like bison, elk, deer, elephants, antelopes and so on — burp methane just like a cow does. They’re not that different. So why didn’t we have these methane issues eons ago when we actually had more wild ruminants on this planet at one point than we now have domesticated ruminants?”
“Over the past five years, we’ve been told that methane levels in North America continue to rise — (and) they continue to blame the cow,” he added. “But over the same past five years, the number of cows in North America has declined to below 1960s numbers. How can fewer cows be producing even more methane?”
The answers to these questions are not black and white, but they do remind us of one very important thing: Cows have the potential to restore soil health, capture carbon and boost biodiversity — if we focus on solutions, rather than placing blame. And with regenerative farming practices, producers are proving that agriculture can be a solution to some of our planet’s biggest challenges.
By oversimplifying the role of cows and their impact on climate, we hold ourselves back from creating a more sustainable future. But by asking hard questions and starting conversations that are rooted in science and solutions, cows can become a climate solution.
In a world where farmers are tasked with feeding a growing population while using fewer resources, regenerative agriculture may not solve every problem — but it can sure make a difference.
Can regenerative farming practices improve carbon capture and help build a more sustainable future?
A closer look at what science says about the role of red meat in a healthy diet
New Year’s resolutions often involve healthy eating. Here’s why you can feel good about keeping red meat and dairy in your diet.
Many regions are already protein-insecure. Would we be able to meet the world’s dietary needs in a world without cows?
Would holiday traditions be the same in a world without cows?
Silvopasture creates healthier soil, increases biodiversity, and has the potential to increase carbon sequestration
As climate change intensifies and the world’s population continues to grow, the pressure on our global food production system mounts. You can play an active role in shaping a more sustainable planet for future generations. Fill out the form below to learn more about how you can partner with us.
