D. Zone 3: Cropping and Large Animal Husbandry
Extensive Free Range, Wildlife, Broadscale Systems
Broadscale and Forage Systems
• Fukuoka “no tillage” system of sequential rotation and sustainable soil building
• Use of leguminous trees (acacia, leucaena) as pioneer species to improve soils for later orchard plantings
• Self-forage for sheep, cattle
• Windbreak systems
• Water systems development (large impoundments)
• Fences and gates
Feeding Cycle of Beef
• Annual grasses, carbohydrates (winter), perennial grasses, winter twigs and bark, sugar pods (summer)
• Browsing animals like coprosma, tagasaste, pampas grass, banna grass (Pennesetum purpureum),
laucaena, comfrey, willows, poplars, honey locust, and carob pods
• On intensive tree forage systems, stocking rate can be up to 14 animals per acre, rather than 1
per 20 acres. Watch out for compaction, especially on low country in winter.
• Goats and peacocks are a “no-no” on farms. If must have goats use Rosa rugosa, roses, blackberries,
tagasaste, and boxthorn.
• Important book: “Fertility Pastures and Cover Crops” by Newman Turner available from Bargyla
and Gylver Rateaver, Pauma Valley, California 92061. Discusses herbal pastures, particularly
for dairy cows. Also “Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable” by J. de Barclay-Levy, published by
Faber & Faber, London.
Rangeland Management: Well managed rangeland is very productive, contains wildlife, fodder trees,
windbreaks and shelterbelts, herbal pastures, rotated pastures, and is fenced appropriately. Must not be
overstocked.
Functions of Animals in the System
• Elements of the forest
• As pollinators, many are specialized for species (bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, flies)
• Are seed distributors (ducks: algae & sedges; cattle: seeds of sugary pods; dogs and foxes: loquat,
grape, lychees; jays: oaks)
• Are regulators: 1) of forests (“weeder” species in evolution of forests) and of 2) other animals
(predation to regulate population)
1. Hardy trees and species, ungrafted plants, forage species, grafting
2. Water systems throughout this zone
3. Protected by shelterbelt, windbreaks and firebreaks
4. Spot mulching and protection of young trees
5. Self-forage systems and browse for large animals
6. Herbal pasture
7. Nut tree forests
8. Soil building
9. Wildlife
10. Animals and animal care (shelter, food, water, etc.)
a. Sheep
b. Goats
c. Dairy cows
d. Bees
e. Geese
f. Pigs
11. Broad-scale forage systems: Fukuoka rotational basis
12. Alley cropping and main crop (perennial rows/annual rows)
13. Grass fed, Salad-bar beef
Urban Permaculture (more Urban Strategies in section on “Settlement Design”)
• Take over the lawns in urban back and front yards for fruit trees and vegetable production
• Use dwarf varieties of fruit trees, or espalier prune against fences
• Put glass houses onto sun side of house for vegetables. Quail can also be kept there.
• Small animals can be kept if local ordinances allow it (poultry, quail, guinea pigs, bees, rabbits)
• Reduce lead levels by screen planting of non-edibles near roads
• Plant in small areas: window boxes, porches, near door outside, on roof if flat.
• Organize with like-minded people to plant in a local community garden
References:
-Barclay-Levy, J. de, Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable, Faber and Faber, London, 1986.
-Demerow, Gail, Barnyard in Your Backyard, Storey Publishing, North Adams, Mass, 2002.
-Ekarius, Carol, Small-Scale Livestock Farming, Storey Communications, Pownal, Vermont, 1999.
-Fukuoka, Masanobu, The Natural Way of Farming, Bookventure, Madras, India, 1985.
-Heiney, Paul, Country Life, DK Publishing, Inc., London, 1998.
-King, F.H., Farmers of Forty Centuries, Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA, 1911.
-Mollison, Bill, Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual, Tagari Publications, Tyalgum Australia, 1988.
-Russel-Smith, Tree Crops: A Permanent Agriculture, Harper, NYC, 1978.
-Salatin, Joel, You Can Farm, Polyface Inc., Swoope, Va., 1998.
-Savory, Alan, Holistic Resource Management, Island Press, Washington DC, 1988.