The Holistic book recommendation thread

[Crofter64]

Savory’s Holistic Management, looking forward to it.

I’m afraid I have struggled with Savory as much as with Massy. It feels like too much information On the other hand I breezed through Andre Voisin.

 

[Macsky]

I’m afraid I have struggled with Savory as much as with Massy. It feels like too much information On the other hand I breezed through Andre Voisin.

Yup, Voisin was a very interesting read. That is a book that should be mandatory for all livestock farmers.

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

The first half was better than the second which got a bit too theoretical, hypothetical and religious for me, but then I did spend time at Utah State University where I heard Fred speak a couple of times and I know I am over sensitive when Mormon type thinking surfaces as the place traumatised me somewhat.

I still found his writing on grazing and nutrient selection fascinating as I have always been more taken with “holistic rotational herding” using people, horses and dogs, which I have seen and taken part in in various countries than fenced “holistic planned grazing” which while great for (semi)intensive grass is not as practical for extensive areas. The labour costs are a problem however, but all could change in the paradigm shifts facing the UK in the coming years.

Agreed. An excellent book but it does let religion creep in after the interval....

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Yup, Voisin was a very interesting read. That is a book that should be mandatory for all livestock farmers.

And agriculture degrees.

 

[Crofter64]

The follow on books from David Montgomery:

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And

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Well worth a read. Between the 3 books of his there is some repetition but they cover the issue with farmland soils and what we can do about them in a readable style.

They are well referenced acting as a good further reading list.

He’s coming to Montreal in March for the Living soils symposium and I will definitely go to hear him speak.

 

[Woolless]

I’m afraid I have struggled with Savory as much as with Massy. It feels like too much information On the other hand I breezed through Andre Voisin.

What's the synopsis of the Voisin book? I have enjoyed Savory so far but there's a lot to take in and I have paused it at the moment. Something a little lighter might be benficial!

 

[Crofter64]

What's the synopsis of the Voisin book? I have enjoyed Savory so far but there's a lot to take in and I have paused it at the moment. Something a little lighter might be benficial!

I read the Voisin years ago, at the beginning of my grazing journey. It was not an easy read but I still couldn’t put it down. He had a deep understanding of cattle and grazing which I found compelling. A much easier to read book which repeats much of what Voisin said is Bill Murphy’s ‘Greener pastures on your side of the fence’.

 

[Macsky]

I didn’t find Voisin too hard a read, have since looked at bill murphy’s version and didn’t like it, I thought it was a bit of a rip off tbh.

 

[Samcowman]

Having had a bit of down time. I have read ‘For the love of soil’ by Nicole masters an interesting book and has given me another book to read. I like the way it is referenced.
Currently on ‘Sapiens’ despite only being on page 36 it is fascinating.

 

[Farmer Roy]

I’m surprised at all the people who say Call Of The Reed Warbler was a difficult book

I just breezed through it, couldn’t put it down

Maybe it’s a cultural thing

 

[Farmer Roy]

Sapiens is a brilliant read

it will make you question many aspects of our civilisation & the role agriculture played . . .

I got the sequel for Christmas

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Having had a bit of down time. I have read ‘For the love of soil’ by Nicole masters an interesting book and has given me another book to read. I like the way it is referenced.
Currently on ‘Sapiens’ despite only being on page 36 it is fascinating.

I've been on a bit of a binge too, Sam
Being a bit backwards and inside-out by nature, I thought I'd see what I could learn via osmosis and observation - then read the theory to pick up points missed

I tend to learn best by mistakes

These have kept me out of trouble the past couple of nights, agree with the reviews and the themes 100%
Sometimes the phrases are eerily similar to the rubbish I find myself saying, so that in itself is incredibly comforting, seems like my general "feeling" is vindicated somewhat

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Sapiens is a brilliant read

it will make you question many aspects of our civilisation & the role agriculture played . . .

I got the sequel for Christmas

Prepare to be slightly disappointed imho. It repeats quite a lot from the first book and is not nearly as enlightening.

Sapiens is excellent though.