Plant Diversity & Livestock Health

A live webinar event

A healthy pasture has the capacity to fuel its dependents with all the nutrients they need to thrive — this includes soil microbes, plants, and animals. The role of major nutrients in livestock health is well known, what is less known are the functions of many phytochemicals or plant secondary compounds (PSC), which are more abundant in diverse pastures.

Phenols, terpines, and alkaloids are a few examples of PSC that improve health and the environment. Some of their roles in plants and animals include:

• Increase plant drought tolerance, pest resistance, seed mass and germination rates
• Foster plant/soil microbe symbiosis for nutrient cycling, and in livestock:
• Reduce parasite loads and facilitate mechanical expulsion of worms in
• Enhance nutrition and protein utilization
• Enhance detoxification of pesticides
• Alleviate bloating

Primary and secondary compounds differ in plants from day to night, day to day, season to season, and place to place. Research is showing that these PSC in various combinations are precisely what improves resilience in plants, animals, and the humans that eat them.

This Talkin’ After Hours webinar, presented by Professor Fred Provenza, takes a dive into the world of PSC’s, the impact of diversity on their availability and their impact on livestock health.

Our podcast with Professor Provenza recorded earlier this year gives you a sneak preview of what will be in the webinar:

Who is Professor Fred Provenza?

Professor Emeritus, Dept. Wildland Resources, Utah State University. For the past 30 years, Fred and his team have produced ground-breaking research that has laid the foundation for what is now known as behavior-based management of livestock, wildlife and landscapes. This research led to the creation in 2001 of a consortium of scientists and land managers from five continents  called BEHAVE (Behavioral Education for Human, Animal, Vegetation and Ecosystem management). Fred has recently published a book on his research titled Nourishment: What Animals Can Teach Us about Rediscovering Our Nutritional Wisdom

Event Logistics

When? Tuesday August 27th, 9.00am to 10.30am

Where? You can participate in this webinar from the comfort of your own home!

How? Once you register you’ll receive a confirmation with a link to the  webinar. As this is a LIVE, ONLINE webinar you’ll be able to ask questions during and after the presentation.

After the webinar we’ll send you:

• Access to the recording of the webinar
• A PDF of the presentation

Cost? This is a free event

This event also forms part of the Lower Blackwood LCDC’s Regenerative Agriculture in Practice Program and is supported through the Shire of Augusta Margaret River Environmental Management Fund.