Annotations - dzud

NOMGON SOUM, MONGOLIA—A massive sandstorm is crashing in over South Gobi province, darkening afternoon skies over the village meeting house where dozens of chattering herders from far-

The opening paragraph, introducing a sense of threat and uncertainty. #dust-storms #dzud #threatened-herders #volatile-prices #china-price-fixing #pressure-for-quality -- Set up as a cluster of factors, the situation appears to be so complex that herders themselves would be unable to untangle things.

We would love to see a market where herders are rewarded for managing their herds sustainably and within the carrying capacity of their pasture, rather than rewarding herders with large herds and high yields that overgraze pasture and are at increased risk from dzud and climate change.