Case study: How one farm used rotational grazing to address a business challenge

When low financial margins in their beef operation had brothers Arron and Shane Nerbas seeking viable solutions, they turned to a rotational grazing production system. Now, you can almost physically feel the biodiversity in their grazing lands. That biodiversity is something the brothers are quite proud of – not just for its ecological value, but because it makes good business sense.

The operation

The Nerbas family is in the beef business, operating 500 Angus cow-calf pairs under their company, Nerbas Bros Inc., near Russell, Man. They also market breeding bulls and heifers and operate a small direct-to-consumer meat business in the nearby town.

High pasture biodiversity, a result of their intensive rotational grazing production system, is a critical component to it all. Indeed, rotational grazing has been a real boon for their bottom line, bringing cost savings and improvements in animal health, while adding value to their beef and genetics brand.

The business today looks much different from it did two decades ago, however. Not always an easy process, the brothers say the transition from conventional open range grazing to an intensive rotational system was one of the best decisions they ever made.

Why change was needed

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