Conserving water and soil - beef cattle ranching in the Cerrado

Fruit of a partnership begun in 2008 among WWF-Brazil and Embrapa Beef Cattle, the booklet Conserving water and soil - beef cattle ranching in the Cerrado brings basic procedures to conserve natural resources in the creation of cattle. Soon, serves to the diffusion of appropriate farming practices tha respects to the legislation and benefit both the production field and in the protection of the environment.

Conserve water, soil and pasture is essential to sustaining farms and a number of economic activities, and also ensures the survival and improves quality of life of people living in rural areas where production is properly conformed to sustainability ecological criteria.

Maintain the natural vegetation of each region on the banks of springs, rivers and streams, and also on top of hills, helps to contain erosion and flooding, purify water that quenches the thirst of people and livestock, facilitates pollination and crop production and keep the soil fertilized and productive. In addition, these green corridors typically refuge animals and plants and reinforce the properties´health to address the threat of climate change.

The benefits, in turn, directly affect the pockets of the producers. Well-managed properties have lower production costs, taking advantage of the services offered free by preserved native forests and use smaller amounts of chemical inputs. They also suffer less from pests and diseases common to regions where production does not act in partnership with the environment.

By so doing, farmers maintain the force and value of your property, and may secure and open spaces in national and international markets that are increasingly demanding sustainably produced items.