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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #187283
Title: PASTURE ASSESSMENT AT THE WHOLE-FARM SCALE

Author
item Sanderson, Matt
item Goslee, Sarah
item KLEMENT, KEITH - RANGELAND MANAGEMENT

Submitted to: Agronomy Society of America, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/24/2005
Publication Date: 11/7/2005
Citation: Sanderson, M.A., Goslee, S.C., Klement, K. 2005. Pasture assessment at the whole-farm scale[abstract]. Crop Science Society of America Abstracts. Paper No. 6108.

Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required.

Technical Abstract: The pasture condition score system (PCS) currently is used to assess and monitor pastures in the Conservation Security Program (CSP). Information is lacking, however, on how PCS results vary within and among grazing seasons and within and among farms. We applied the PCS on five farms across the northeast in 2004 and 2005. All pastures on each farm were evaluated according to the published PCS methodology in spring, summer, and fall of each year. Vegetation was assessed in each pasture by identifying and estimating canopy cover of all species in 10 to 30 0.25 m2 quadrats on line transects. A modified Whittaker plot technique was used in selected pastures (5 to 8 on each farm) to assess plant species diversity at multiple scales. Soil in all pastures was sampled at 0-5 and 0-15 cm depths at the start of pasture monitoring. We will discuss how pasture and farm management along with environment have affected pasture condition scores during the two years.