Principle No. 6

One of the main problems of modern agriculture is the loss of connection with the animal element. Some think that this disconnect might seem like a negligible aspect, something the modern farmer can do without. However, it was the advent of heavily chemical-based agriculture, particularly artificial fertilizers, that encouraged this disconnect.

In the past, however, animals were an integral part of the agricultural ecosystem. Their organic wastes, carefully composted, contributed naturally to soil fertility.

The removal of animals from agriculture has broken what we can call a natural symbiosis. This loss has compromised fundamental ecological services such as the control of insect infestations or the regeneration of pastures, often leading to the need for artificial solutions. A paradoxical example is artificial pollination, which is becoming an increasingly common practice in many countries where the decline of natural pollinators-bees, butterflies and other insects-has reached critical levels.

Industrialized and specialized agriculture has shifted the focus to crop intensification, often sacrificing sustainable practices. It used to be normal for farmers to raise livestock to produce meat, milk or wool. This production, in addition to being a source of income, was part of an integrated and sustainable agricultural system.

Fortunately, there is now a renewed interest in the inclusion of animals in agriculture. Practices such as biodynamic agriculture integrate animals into the agricultural cycle, using their presence to improve soil health and promote biodiversity. Similarly, permaculture aims to create agricultural ecosystems that include animals, thereby optimizing natural cycles.

However, this approach still remains an exception. The relationship with animals, over time, has degraded and today is often reduced to:

• Intensive exploitation: overcrowding, massive use of antibiotics.
• Environmental impact: greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, deforestation.
• Loss of biodiversity: prioritizing the most profitable species at the expense of less productive ones.
• Dehumanization of the human-animal relationship: a relationship increasingly removed from respect and understanding.

The Natural Sustainable Agricultural Method (MANS) recognizes the fundamental importance of animals, both domestic and wild, in creating balanced agricultural systems. Integrating animals into agriculture, as well as fostering better coexistence between wildlife and agricultural activities, is not only an ethical choice, but a smart strategy for creating productive, resilient and sustainable systems.

Wildlife connection and benefits.

It’s true: many wild animals, such as wild boar, deer and porcupines, can cause significant damage to vineyards. In Tuscany, for example, cultivating vineyards without proper fencing is now virtually impossible. However, in many cases, these problems have been created by man himself.

Some wildlife management policies, in fact, have led to the introduction of wild boars for hunting purposes, often belonging to more prolific species or subspecies, capable of giving birth several times a year, larger in size and with a more demanding diet. Added to this is the reduction of natural spaces and the lack of protection areas. In addition, current agricultural patterns characterized by intensive crops and high-calorie monocultures-such as extensive vineyards-have fostered this problem. It is therefore not surprising that crop damage is increasing.

Animal inspiration in vineyards.

Many of our vineyards draw inspiration from animals. Examples such as the “Green Woodpecker Vineyard” (Sangiovese), the “Butterfly Vineyard” (Sangiovese, Colorino del Valdarno, Merlot) or the “Nightingale Vineyard” (Tempranillo, Trebbiano, Malvasia) are not just suggestive names. Indeed, birds and insects are indicators of a healthy and balanced ecosystem: nutrient-rich soils, diverse vegetation, availability of water and food. In other words, a viable environment.

Beneficial animals in vineyards.

Many animals, wild and domestic, contribute to biodiversity, reduce the risk of pest infestation, and support vineyard resilience. Here are some examples:

Useful insects:

• Ants: They help control pests by preying on eggs and larvae.
• Bees and bumblebees: They pollinate surrounding plants, improving biodiversity.
• Solitary bees: They do not pollinate vines directly, but carry pollen that enriches the agricultural ecosystem.
• Carabidae: Voracious predators of larvae and parasites.
• Ladybugs: Natural predators of aphids, mealybugs and other small insects that infest vines.
• Night moths: They pollinate surrounding wildflowers and are a food source for bats and nocturnal birds.
• Butterflies: Sensitive indicators of a healthy environment and contribute to plant diversity by feeding on melliferous plants.

Mammals and small vertebrates:

• Hedgehogs: Excellent bioindicators of a healthy environment.
• Shrews: They feed on insects and larvae in the soil, reducing pests.
• Foxes: They regulate rodent populations, preventing damage to roots and clusters.
• Badgers: They feed on larvae, earthworms and insects, contributing to biological control of pests.

Birds:

• Hoopoe: Feeds on beetle larvae and soil-damaging insects.
• Swallows and swifts: They hunt flying insects, including pests such as flies and vine moths.
• Jays: They help disperse seeds and maintain the biodiversity of the surrounding environment.
• Ox guard: A sign of a healthy and integrated ecosystem where there is a balanced relationship between wildlife and human activities.

Reptiles and amphibians:

• They prey on insects such as flies, aphids and small spiders, acting as a link between the vineyard and surrounding ecosystems.

Soil organisms:

• Earthworms: They improve soil structure, increasing soil drainage and fertility.
• Mycorrhizal fungi: They form symbiosis with vine roots, improving nutrient and water uptake.
• Decomposing insects (e.g., collemboles, dung beetles): They break down organic matter, enriching the soil with essential nutrients.

Ecological balance as a goal.

Each animal that contributes to biodiversity strengthens the vineyard against pests and diseases. Promoting the presence of these natural allies is critical to creating a more resilient, productive and sustainable agricultural system.

Presence of insects and birds: indicators of fertility and land health.

The presence and variety of insects and birds are the best natural indicators of the fertility and health of an area. Monitoring and fostering biodiversity through sustainable agricultural practices not only improves soil and crop quality, but also helps preserve the environment for future generations.

Increased biodiversity reduces the damage caused by pests in vineyards. This is because biodiversity acts as a biological control network in which predators, pests, plants and other organisms interact to maintain the natural balance. Predators such as insectivorous birds, bats, spiders, and predatory insects (e.g., ladybugs, praying mantis, and carabids) keep populations of harmful insects such as aphids, moths, and other pests in check.

The role of hedgerows and agricultural diversification.

To maximize the benefits of biodiversity, vineyards should not be too large (to reduce the damaging effect of monoculture) and should be surrounded by hedges and trees. These provide shelter and nesting sites for birds and predators that feed on larvae and harmful insects.

In a rich ecosystem, harmful species must compete with others for food and shelter. This natural competition reduces the likelihood of population explosions of harmful species. In addition, in vineyards with plant cover, pests have more difficulty concentrating exclusively on vines, finding distractions and ecological barriers.

Integration of grazing animals and biological control.

There are excellent experiences highlighting the benefits of integrating grazing animals such as sheep, cattle and horses into vineyards. These contribute to weed control and natural fertilization. In addition, hens and ducks are used with excellent results in countries such as South Africa and New Zealand for biological pest control, although their management requires careful planning.

The experience of Pian del Pino Vineyards.

Numerous insectivorous birds, including some increasingly rare ones such as nightingales, have been observed in the Pian del Pino vineyards, which have been cultivated for more than 20 years using the MANS method without using external fertilizers. Their presence helps maintain a balance among insect populations.

Birds use vineyards as hunting areas, especially when surrounded by hedges and trees, which provide shelter and nesting sites. This balance enriches the vineyard ecosystem, contributing to its resilience.

The ecological role of the nightingale.

The nightingale, known for its melodious song, plays an ecologically significant role in vineyards and agricultural ecosystems. During the breeding season, it feeds mainly on insects and small invertebrates, including larvae and caterpillars that can damage vines.

It hunts in the twilight and night hours, supplementing the action of other insectivorous birds active during the day. In addition, the nightingale creates an ecological bridge between forest and vineyard, linking forest and agricultural ecosystems.

Encouraging the presence of the nightingale means enriching biodiversity and enhancing the vineyard aesthetically and culturally as well, making it more attractive to wine tourism and nature lovers. To encourage its presence, it is essential:

• Preserve hedges and marginal areas.
• Minimize chemical treatments.
• Create microhabitats with wild vegetation, groves and tree plants within or at the edge of vineyards.

The contribution of the green woodpecker.

Green woodpeckers also play an important role in vineyards, being a natural predator of pests and insect pests. Its rare but valuable presence is often indicative of a healthy and diverse ecosystem.

This bird feeds on larvae and insects that could damage vines, thus reducing the need for chemical interventions. It is a specialist in hunting ants, helping to maintain ecological balance.

The Value of Fauna in Vineyards.

Integrating and enhancing wildlife in vineyards not only contributes to an ecologically balanced environment, but also improves the quality of the final product. This enriches the sustainable and cultural value of agriculture.

In the MANS method, horse compost plays a crucial role: it stimulates vegetation and feeds the entire life system, demonstrating that everything is interconnected. By following the models that mimic nature, we can clearly see how each element supports the cycle of life.

An Indicator of Balance: The Sphinx of the Vine.

It is exciting to find rare animals such as the vine sphinx(Deilephila elpenor) in vineyards. Have you ever seen it? Besides being fascinating, it is one of the greatest indicators of a healthy and diverse environment.

This species thrives only in balanced habitats and is also an important pollinator. It encourages wild vegetation around vineyards, enriching the surrounding ecosystem and supporting other beneficial species. However, to ensure the presence of these animals, they are necessary:

• Natural habitats: hedges, shrubs and wild vegetation around vineyards.
• Pesticide elimination: to protect the most sensitive species and preserve biodiversity.

The reflections of philosophers, farmers and poets remind us of the importance of the connection between animals and agriculture:

Famous Phrases and Popular Sayings.

• Albert Howard, pioneer of organic farming:
  “Agriculture is the art of befriending nature, and animals are its messengers.”
• Masanobu Fukuoka, father of natural agriculture:
  “Animals are at the heart of every agricultural ecosystem: where they are, there is balance, life and fertility.”
• Rachel Carson, biologist and writer:
  “In every healthy soil there are millions of invisible creatures working with us, not against us.”
• Leonardo da Vinci:
  “Animals share with us the privilege of having a soul; in agriculture, they are the custodians of the earth they tread.”
• Rudolf Steiner, founder of biodynamic agriculture:
  “Animals are the farmer’s allies: they transform the soil, nourish it and make it alive.”
• African proverb:
  “Where the cattle graze, the soil sings and the trees grow strong.”
• Traditional proverb:
  “The barn near the field is a guarantee of abundance all year round.”
• Gandhi:
  “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals. The same is true of the land it cultivates.”
• Tagore, poet and philosopher:
  “Agriculture is the poetry of the earth, and animals are its living verses.”

The Philosophy of the MANS Method: A Holistic Synergy between Man, Animals and Nature.

The MANS Method fosters a harmonious synergy between domestic animals, wildlife and plants, creating ideal conditions for rich and resilient biodiversity. This ecological network integrates predators, pests and vegetation into a natural biological control system, ensuring balance and sustainability. With time-honored practices such as grassing and the use of horse compost, the “real black gold,” MANS regenerates the soil, promotes vitality, and supports agriculture that is respectful, productive, and in tune with nature.

In the next installment…

We will cover water management and waste reduction. Stay connected!!!