The interview with me, Naturalist Says Grass-Fed The Way, The Daily News, June 11 suggests that I said or implied that "cattle kill birds." I said nothing of the sort.
I speak with ranchers all the time, have nothing but respect for the way most of them treat their grassland and I own native grassland that we graze with cattle.
Besides that, it is a basic tenet of grassland ecology that grazers are required to keep the soil, grass, and biodiversity at optimal health. Cattle grazing is the best substitute we have for the natural grazing regime that buffalo provided. While there are many forces that are hurting our grassland birds, sound ranching practices are the best way to help them.
TREVOR HERRIOT
Regina, Sask.
