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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #170452
Title: INFLUENCE OF GRAZING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON SOIL QUALITY PARAMETERS

Author
item SAVIN, M - UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
item Cassida, Kimberly
item BELLOWS, B - NCAT/ATTRA
item TOMLINSON, P - UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
item PAYNE, K - UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2003
Publication Date: 10/20/2003
Citation: Savin, M.C., Cassida, K.A., Bellows, B., Tomlinson, P.J., Payne, K.R. 2003. Influence of grazing management practices on soil quality parameters. In Agronomy Abstracts (CD-ROM), American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Rotational grazing is recommended as a sustainable system to improve pasture health, cattle growth efficiencies, and decrease dependence on commercial feed. A four-year study in southern AR resulted in improved cattle weight gain and reduced hay feedings on rotationally grazed plots. Cattle were stocked on pastures at below, average, and above average rates in two grazing systems (conventional vs. rotational). This study was undertaken to determine how those grazing treatments affected soil quality parameters. Penetrometer readings showed significantly lower compaction in rotational grazing treatments at both medium and high rates of grazing at the surface 0-5 cm and at high rates of grazing at the 5-10 cm depth as compared to conventional grazing. There were no significant differences between grazing treatments for total phosphorus or potassium (0-15 cm depth) or for soluble phosphorus (0-5 cm depth). As expected, in both systems, nutrient levels increased with increased animal numbers. However, there were very few differences among treatments in pH, DOC, microbial biomass C, N, or C/N, although microbial biomass C/N ratios tended to increase with more animals (0-15 cm depth). While rotational grazing improved physical properties, effects of grazing systems and animal numbers were not as apparent in bulk chemical and biological parameters.