Ozarks Farm & Neighbor Newspaper – written for, by & about farmers

Each farmer, rancher, and agronomist brings different ideas and levels of learning into an operation. Holistic Management is the term applied to the practice of viewing the entire operation as a whole. According to Cody Holmes, owner of Rockin’ H Ranch in Norwood, Mo., the practice of taking all things into consideration is holistic management. "Holistic management says, ‘How can I produce more grass or hay in that field without destroying something?’” Holmes practices what he calls “Holistic Planned Grazing” on the thousand acres he owns. He directs his holistic management at the point of grazing because he feels nothing is more important than growing grass.

When you walk into a grocery store, you’re surrounded by choices of several branded beef lines. This is a relatively new development, promising better beef, that has become most apparent in just the past 10 years.

The Center for Rural Affairs, a non-profit corporation, has a mission statement to establish strong rural communities, social and economic justice, environmental stewardship and genuine opportunity for all, while engaging people in decisions that affect the quality of their lives and the future of their communities. With this in mind, the center, located in Lyons, Neb., created the national program Land Link.

The booming agricultural market of two years ago made selling large tracts of land much easier than it is today. There are several options available to property owners ranging from selling the land directly, to putting it up for auction.

How do you recommend producers prepare for direct marketing products and livestock off their farm?

You can’t blame cattlemen for feeling they’ve been victims of circumstances – from BSE scares that cut off export demand, to a recession that sapped domestic consumption, to droughts that have prevented herd rebuilding.