Jaime Elizondo

[Brendon Bumpkin]

I've been approached about hosting Jaime Elizondo at the end of September/beginning of October so am seeking feedback from those who might potentially be interested (asking elsewhere too, of course). The suggestion is a two-day event.

From what I see of material about him as well as hear about him, it seems in no doubt that he is 'legit' as they say out there, in terms of being a very regenerative grazier, but if I'm putting on an event I want to be sure it is relevant to sufficient people here - that a) it will be viable, and b) it will serve a valuable purpose.

My main concern in this case is that his climatic context is so different to ours, but at the same time there are of course core principles which still stand and his experience in itself surely has value as inspiration of what is possible. So personally I have mixed feelings, and have had mixed response from others - but would like to get clearer.

I can discuss content / approach in more detail with him, but before doing so I want to ask:
- what you think/would want/be interested in from him, if anything
- what role you think a visit from him to the UK could play in moving us forwards, if any

I'm attaching the documents I was sent and a couple of links to youtube videos. It would be just him, but you can see that he has worked closely with Johann Zietsman as well as others.

All constructive comments welcome - thank you!

 

[Johnny Whiteheads]

Very

I've been approached about hosting Jaime Elizondo at the end of September/beginning of October so am seeking feedback from those who might potentially be interested (asking elsewhere too, of course). The suggestion is a two-day event.

From what I see of material about him as well as hear about him, it seems in no doubt that he is 'legit' as they say out there, in terms of being a very regenerative grazier, but if I'm putting on an event I want to be sure it is relevant to sufficient people here - that a) it will be viable, and b) it will serve a valuable purpose.

My main concern in this case is that his climatic context is so different to ours, but at the same time there are of course core principles which still stand and his experience in itself surely has value as inspiration of what is possible. So personally I have mixed feelings, and have had mixed response from others - but would like to get clearer.

I can discuss content / approach in more detail with him, but before doing so I want to ask:
- what you think/would want/be interested in from him, if anything
- what role you think a visit from him to the UK could play in moving us forwards, if any

I'm attaching the documents I was sent and a couple of links to youtube videos. It would be just him, but you can see that he has worked closely with Johann Zietsman as well as others.

All constructive comments welcome - thank you!

Very Interesting interview

 

[The Ruminant]

Really interesting person with a great background story. However, given that he’s from such a different climate to us, much of what he has to say - about forage type and cattle breeds etc - aren’t really relevant here in the UK.

That’s not to say the principles behind what he’s doing aren’t the same, they are (ie high density, short duration grazing with long recovery periods, diverse swards, focus on soil insects and soil health etc etc) but there are many speakers out there who could talk about this and have experience of cooler, damper climates.

I wouldn’t pay to spend two days listening to him but would happily watch an hour long video of an interview in the evening, when the work is done!

 

[Ribble]

I think Jaime would probably be able to do a good job adapting and help us understand how UHD methods might apply to a damp and cool UK.

I say this because he is quite obviously versatile and hasn't just worked his own ranch for 20 years. He has worked in various countries, he's been a dairy farmer, a feedlot manager, he's done the desert in Mexico and the Mashona herd from a much wetter Florida.

I think he could possibly offer some interesting insights into how to make things like winter stockpile work in a wet British winter.

I certainly have alot of questions about that side of things, for example: is standing stockpile just going to go rank and give animals hoof problems if you're in Wales, not in the sunshine?

 

[Kiwi Pete]

It depends if you want it to work, or not - just like anything else. If you follow a recipe then it will fail, if you take the principles and make them work in your conditions they work.
To a certain degree, that's why they had summer and winter farms in Wales in the first place, to allow for full rest and recovery of the other farm?