Healthier Soils and Stronger Herds

By Briley Richard

Every grazing decision leaves a mark on the land and affects the herd that depends on it.

Effective land stewardship goes beyond isolated practices, requiring an understanding of how each decision affects forage growth, cattle performance and long-term stocking rates. When land is the foundation of the business, producers are more likely to invest time and resources into managing it intentionally.

Certified Angus Beef’s Kirsten Nickles and Hugh Aljoe, director of ranches, outreach and partnerships at Noble Research Institute, discussed land stewardship practices at the 2025 Angus Convention in Kansas City, Mo., in November.

“When we start thinking about land stewardship, think about the legacy of the land,” Aljoe said. “All of us want to be more profitable. All of us would like to see our land improve. But how do we go about intentionally making it happen?”

Aljoe expressed how management directly affects soil biology, forage recovery and carrying capacity. Concepts such as maintaining adequate residual forage, shortening grazing periods and extending recovery periods were explained as essential tools for producers who seek to protect and improve their resources.