Regenerative Grazing, Soil Health, and Climate Change | Paige Stanley, PhD

Can grazing livestock help restore soils, support biodiversity, and even mitigate climate change? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, rangeland ecologist at Colorado State University, Dr. Paige Stanley, shares her research on regenerative grazing systems and their potential to benefit both landscapes and livelihoods.

Paige explains how well-managed grazing influences soil carbon dynamics, plant communities, and ecosystem resilience—and why not all grazing systems are created equal. We discuss the science behind methane emissions from cattle, trade-offs in land use, and how policy and incentives can help expand regenerative ranching practices that balance productivity with environmental stewardship.

Highlights from the episode include:
• How regenerative grazing differs from conventional grazing and why management matters
• What the latest research says about grazing’s role in soil carbon sequestration and biodiversity
• The methane puzzle—short-lived climate pollutants and strategies to reduce emissions
• Opportunities and challenges in scaling regenerative ranching for both ranchers and policymakers

Paige brings a nuanced, evidence-based perspective on the role of grazing animals in sustainable food systems—cutting through polarized debates with insights from the field.

Find Paige Stanley on X and at her website.

Connect with Ty on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Read his publications on Google Scholar. Sign up for Ty's Newsletter.