Half of Mexico is characterized by arid and semi-arid climates, and therefore vulnerable to drought. By the end of May 2024, nearly 76 percent of the country was experiencing drought conditions. These prolonged dry spells take a heavy toll on ranches, depleting grazing lands and triggering a cascade of negative impacts on ecosystems and livestock. 

Boomitra’s Northern Mexico Grasslands Project is combatting these challenges by empowering 139 ranchers across 2 million acres with regenerative practices designed to build drought resilience and restore ecosystems. 

In this interview, we speak with Octavio Andres, a fourth-generation rancher and Boomitra’s Northern Mexico Project Manager. He shares his firsthand experiences with ranching in Mexico and insights into his community’s evolving climate challenges. 

Can you tell us about your ranch? As a fourth-generation rancher, what changes have you observed on your ranch?

Octavio: My family’s ranch has been with us for 35 years. Over this time, we’ve experienced it all: droughts, heavy rains, and harsh winters. However, the changes we see today are far more noticeable than they were 15 years ago. In the past five years, we’ve faced extreme weather—intense downpours over short periods instead of the steady rains we used to get over two or three months, or prolonged droughts that seem endless. Thirty years ago, we could count on the rainy season starting in June. Now, ‘uncertainty’ defines everything we once knew about the weather. 

That said, ranching remains a viable business despite climate change. But we, as ranchers, must adapt. We must become more resilient to things we can’t control, like the weather. This transition is challenging—it requires more training and tough decisions about how we run our ranches.

“However, the ranching community in northern Mexico can stay strong in the face of these changes, and I’m confident we can continue to thrive by evolving with the times.” 

You recently visited Santa María Ranch, which adopted regenerative practices through Boomitra’s partnership with Pronatura Noreste A.C. What are these practices, and how have they transformed the land?

Octavio: Rotational grazing is an essential practice used at Santa María Ranch. Ranchers strategically move cattle between paddocks to prevent overgrazing, giving the land time to recover. The ranch also implements water conservation measures, which are essential for efficient water use in the desert. Since rainfall is growing increasingly scarce and precious, these efforts are vital not only for this ranch but for all ranchers across northern Mexico.
 

What is interesting is how Pronatura Noreste uses bird conservation as an important indicator to monitor the health of the ranch. Birds are an essential part of the ecosystem, and their presence—or absence—can tell us a lot about the environment’s health. They can fly away if the conditions aren’t good. So, native birds choosing to be at the ranch is a sign that the ecosystem is healing and becoming more resilient to environmental stresses like drought.  

How did Santa María Ranch compare to its neighboring ranches during the most recent drought period?
 

Octavio: It’s important to note that each rancher is working with the resources they have, and no two ranches are alike—even if they’re neighbors. At Santa María Ranch, a more holistic approach to regenerative practices is in place, including the use of renewable energy like solar panels to power water pumps for the well and provide electricity for homes. This setup has significantly improved the quality of life for residents, who rely on solar energy as the only source of electricity in this region.  

The ranchers at Santa María recognize that building resilience isn’t easy, since regenerative practices come with costs like electric fencing, water pipelines, and drinkers (water troughs). Neighboring ranches that do not use the same regenerative principles that our partner has taught to Santa Maria Ranch, struggle with fewer cattle, less grass, and more soil erosion. With careful financial planning and the support of Boomitra and our partner, Pronatura Noreste, incremental improvements have been made, leading to greater drought resilience at Santa María.

The climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis are certainly connected. From what you have seen, how have regenerative practices impacted the biodiversity and climate resilience of the ranching communities in Boomitra’s Northern Mexico Project?

Octavio: On ranches enrolled in our project, I have observed how regenerative practices significantly boost biodiversity—in both plant life and animal species. As ranchers restore the soil, new grasses emerge, which attract more birds, insects, and other wildlife, creating a thriving ecosystem. This increase in biodiversity sets off a positive chain reaction, strengthening the entire environment.  

Biodiversity is closely linked to climate resilience because diverse ecosystems are better at adapting to and recovering from climate stress. By supporting vital services like clean air, water filtration, soil health, and pollination, a healthy ecosystem ensures that communities are more resilient to climate challenges.  

As both a rancher and a Boomitra team member, what does it mean to you to witness firsthand the impact that regenerative practices are having on ranches on such a large scale? 

“It’s inspiring to see ranches that have embraced regenerative practices now thriving with greater biodiversity.”

Octavio: Every time I visit one, I’m motivated by how much resilience the ranchers have built, even in harsh weather conditions. As both a rancher and a Boomitra team member, my goal is to support my ranching community, which holds deep personal meaning for me. Growing up in a ranching family, I understand the challenges of sustaining a business and supporting a family through it. 

I also believe in the urgent need to protect our ecosystem. For years, we’ve exploited natural resources unsustainably, and it’s now our generation’s responsibility to reverse that damage. Whether through small or large efforts, we must ensure we leave a healthier planet for future generations. I hope my work inspires other ranchers and people to take positive action for the environment, because it’s not merely a choice—it’s a necessity.

Discover how Boomitra is driving global climate resilience by exploring our projects.
 

Pooja Sreenan

Senior Communications Associate