Wildlife Conservation Society Argentina outlines the general guidelines for the recommended methodology to promote regenerative livestock management.
Over the past century, high livestock densities introduced into the Patagonian steppe, combined with extensive management practices that failed to consider the dynamics of forage production, have negatively impacted soil health, wildlife, and vegetation—and, consequently, the livelihoods of producers. On one hand, 30% of Patagonia is in a severe state of desertification, impacting both native biodiversity and livestock production. Furthermore, in some areas, many native herbivores, scavengers, and carnivores—such as foxes, Andean cats, condors, pumas, and guanacos—have been culled to prevent competition with livestock or predation.
Given this situation, and with the goal of promoting regenerative, wildlife-friendly livestock management across one million hectares of Patagonian steppe and scrubland by 2030, WCS Argentina is working alongside livestock producers to help protect nature while enhancing long-term economic sustainability and land productivity.
What is regenerative and wildlife-friendly livestock management?
The proposed practices are part of an adaptive management approach for livestock operations; they are conceived and designed to adapt to the specific conditions of each producer and aim to improve production outcomes by increasing productivity, without requiring substantial changes to current management practices. In addition, a monitoring system is being developed to evaluate the response of pastures and soil to management practices, both in the short term and over the long term.
In practical terms, some of the actions to implement this approach include assessing natural pastures to estimate their carrying capacity; adjusting stocking rates based on field surveys using scientifically validated methodologies; implementing grazing rotations according to pasture carrying capacity and available production infrastructure; adjusting the livestock reproductive management schedule to improve resource utilization; as well as considering the forage consumption of wild herbivores in livestock planning.
WCS Argentina provides an overview of the methodologies and activities carried out by the organization:
1. Grassland surveys to establish baselines for vegetation and soil conditions and to estimate livestock carrying capacity.
2. Estimation of the density and distribution of wild herbivores.
3. Stocking rate adjustments.
4. Grazing plans.
5. Installation of long-term grassland and soil monitoring systems.
6. Provision of information on grassland productivity using satellite data.
7. Tools for coexistence between livestock and wildlife.
8. Support and guidance for regenerative and wildlife-friendly measures.
For more information about this methodology, please contact María José Bolgeri, Regenerative Management Manager at WCS Argentina: mbolgeri@wcs.org.
For press inquiries, please contact Debora Mazzola: dmazzola@wcs.org.