N.D. Rancher Builds Biological Capital

Case Study

Newport, A. (2009) N.D. Rancher Builds Biological Capital. Beef Producer. January BP7.

Key Takeaways

This 2009 article in Beef Producer magazine follows Gene Goven and his 1,500-acre ranch in South Dakota, USA.
Researchers have documented that grasses on the high knobs of ranch, which were previously almost entirely covered by algae and the few plants penetrated only 3 to 5 inches, now send down roots four to 10 times as deep with the soil nearly all covered in actively growing grasses or litter.
From 1982 to 2001, water infiltration in his soils increased from 0.8 to 6.2 inches/hour.
"As the soil and soil life have thrived under Goven’s management," says the author, "they have paid him handsomely with more beef, more wildlife and a longer grazing season — 230 to 270 days now vs. 150 to 180 days in years gone by."

Summary

Over the past 40 years, Gene Goven has proven the real financial value of biological capital on his ranch in Turtle Lake, N.D.. Since Goven changed his entire management style in 1982, his soils and forage have improved so much he has increased stocking rate by 345% and his daily gain on heifers and steers combined by just over one-half pound per day from birth to 205-day adjusted weaning weight.

Goven and the scientists he works with also have demonstrated tremendous improvement in his soils’ ability to take up water. Before 1982, the average infiltration rate was 0.8 inch per hour.

About eight years ago, it was scientifically quantified at 6.2 inches per hour. Goven’s own data now shows some areas are up to 10 inches per hour. In the old days, Goven’s thin hilltop soils once produced only 400 to 500 total pounds of forage per acre per year. Goven says he now leaves a minimum of 1,000 pounds of forage behind after the final grazing. This is significant in that 100 pounds of dried soil with 1.5% to 2% organic matter will hold 35 to 40 pounds of water, and 100 pounds of dried soil with 4% to 5% organic matter can hold 165 to 190 pounds of water.