David Will: Serengeti Grazing and the Power of Dung Beetles

In this episode of The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast, Texas rancher David Will shares his firsthand experience implementing Serengeti grazing—also known as High Density Zero Rotational Grazing (HDZR)—on his 65-acre ranch.

After the devastating 2011 drought, David set out to find a grazing system that could thrive even under extreme stress. Inspired by Mr. Sabino Cortez Jr., he began experimenting with compost applications, irrigation, and concentrated grazing on just one acre. The results were remarkable—rapid manure decomposition, vigorous grass growth, and record weight gains, including a young bull that gained 600 pounds in 190 days on a single acre.

The episode explores how this system transforms soil fertility through the natural activity of dung beetles, compost microbes, and mineral balance—proving that regenerative solutions can turn challenges into lasting resilience.

🔑 Key Points Covered:

1. Origins of Serengeti Grazing: How David discovered the method through Sabino Cortez Jr. and why the claims initially sounded too good to be true.

2. Drought as Catalyst: The 2011 Texas drought that motivated David to rethink grazing for long-term resilience.

3. Implementation Process: How compost, irrigation, and patient observation led to a thriving one-acre system.

4. The Role of Dung Beetles: Why eliminating medications toxic to beetles is critical for manure cycling and fertility.

5. Grass Management: The importance of species like Bermuda and Bahia grass and maintaining ideal sward height.

6. Economic and Practical Benefits: How the system sustains herds during drought and increases profitability through efficient land use.

🌱 Actionable Insights:

1. Ensure cattle are medication-free for at least six months before starting to protect dung beetle populations.

2. Apply about five tons of compost per acre to build soil life and fertility.

3. Supplement with sea salt to boost plant and animal health.

4. Use well-aggregated or sandy soils for best results and test drainage before beginning.

5. Consider Serengeti grazing as a drought-management tool or a way to rebuild productivity on limited acreage.

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👉 Tune in on your favorite podcast app—just search The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast—and discover how one rancher’s determination reshaped his pastures from the ground up.