The Hulun Buir meadow is being reborn thanks to modernized breeding and sustainable and cooperative practices.
A flock of sheep on the vast red-headed sheep breeding base in Old Barag Banner, August 1
On the immense prairie of Hulun Buir, in northern China, the steppes undulate as far as the eye can see. Renowned as one of the four great grasslands of the world, this land nicknamed the “kingdom of flora and fauna of northern China” has always been the cradle of an ancestral nomadic culture and a pillar of pastoral breeding.
But behind this idyllic image lies a more vulnerable reality. Decades of climate change, overgrazing and traditional practices have weakened ecosystems. In certain areas, the grassland is withering, biodiversity is declining, livelihoods are faltering.
Faced with this ecological emergency, local authorities have made the fight against overgrazing a strategic priority, particularly in the autonomous banner of Ewenki, where livestock breeding is a vital activity, as well as in the banner of Old Barag, the left banner of New Barag and the right banner of New Barag. Their challenge is clear: restore ecological balance while increasing the income of breeders.
A balance between nature and modernity
Hulun Buir is banking on a two-step strategy. On the one hand, conservation measures have been strengthened: temporary grazing bans, rest rotations and ecological restoration programs. On the other hand, the modernization of livestock farming has accelerated: feeding in enclosures, development of a local fodder sector, and promotion of agricultural products through promising brands.
In the autonomous Ewenki banner, a fodder processing factory embodies this new situation. There, machines grind, mix and package straw, corn silage and forage grasses into standardized total mixed rations (TMR). For Mengyuan Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Development, this technology marks a turning point. “They reduce losses by around 30%, ensure balanced nutrition, reduce the risk of disease and allow livestock to maintain their weight, even in winter. »
Mechanization also makes it possible to lower labor costs, while rations can be adjusted according to the nutritional needs of the livestock. Mengyuan now produces some 200,000 tonnes of cattle and sheep feed each year, an asset for its profitability, as well as for breeders.
This collaboration between companies and communities, at the heart of Hulun Buir’s strategy, guarantees a stable supply of fodder, reducing pressure on pastures while modernizing livestock farming.
Cattle in a barn at Mengyuan Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Development, August 1
Focus on brand image
To better promote livestock products and promote a quality sector, Hulun Buir is focusing on the development of organic, ecological and high-end meats, like the red-headed sheep from the Old Barag banner, which has become a flagship product.
The meat of this rustic breed, prized for its firm texture, strong color and nutritional richness, obtained recognition in 2022 from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs as a “new specialized agricultural product”.
A standardized breeding base was established in Huhe Wendu’er Gacha as part of a pilot project aimed at strengthening collective economies and enhancing the income of breeders.
Each sheep is equipped with an electronic tag, accesses intelligent water points and passes through recognition gates, under the eye of cameras which watch over the pastures. Thanks to a digital platform developed by the Banner Bureau of Agriculture, Livestock and Science of Old Barag, the complete life cycle of each animal is now traceable. “This system prevents overgrazing while strengthening the brand image and value of the product,” said Wang Jia, an official from the Bureau.
Around the Morigele River, the initiative combines breeding and cultural tourism, making red-headed sheep an exceptional product anchored in the region. Driven by e-commerce and tourism, it is now conquering markets with high added value.
Reinventing the pastoral economy
The rebirth of Hulun Buir is also based on an in-depth reform of the pastoral economy. Resources become assets, financing is transformed into shares, and breeders become shareholders.
In the autonomous Ewenki banner, this shift is embodied through a network of cooperative service stations covering 16 villages. Thirty-seven managers provide specialized services such as sheep cleaning, fodder storage and veterinary care.
At the same time, these cooperatives work with financial institutions to ensure strong support for livestock production and operations. They also offer free legal advice, training and inclusive financial products, guided by public policies, thus ensuring comprehensive support for local breeders.
The results are remarkable: savings of tens of thousands of yuan on veterinary care, more than 45 million yuan in additional turnover, and preferential rate loans exceeding 760 million yuan. Hulun Buir has set up 51 village service stations and deployed 160 field agents to provide targeted support, enabling herders to save money, reduce their costs and increase their income.
“These reforms are not just financial,” emphasizes Wang Jingshun, director of the Hulun Buir Academy of Agricultural and Livestock Sciences. “They respond to the very real difficulties that breeders encounter on this vast, sparsely populated meadow. »
Today, Hulun Buir’s pastures are regenerating, livestock are healthier, and herders are beginning to reap the benefits of these reforms. Within the broader framework of the national rural revitalization strategy, the region is becoming a model of synergy between ecological preservation and economic development.
Hulun Buir’s experience offers a valuable lesson to the world: even under ecological and economic pressure, innovation, reform and cooperation can write a new chapter for one of the most remarkable grasslands on the planet.
