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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Agroecosystem Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #421543
Research Project: Integrated Agricultural Systems for a Resilient Circular Bioeconomy in the Central Plains

Location: Agroecosystem Management Research

Title: Does grazing affect soil health in integrated crop-livestock systems

Author
item HALL, ALYSSA - University Of Nebraska
item SINDELAR, MEGHAN - University Of Nebraska
item Schmer, Marty
item REDFEARN, DAREN - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Agronomy Society of America, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/11/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sustainable crop, forage, and integrated livestock systems can contribute to greater production efficiencies, enhanced soil and water use, and increased return on investment. More information is needed on how soil health indicators are influenced in diversified, integrated agricultural systems. Objectives were to measure corn grain yield, aggregate stability, soil bulk density, soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (SOC), and total soil nitrogen (TN) following six years of livestock integration into a corn-soybean (C-S) and corn-soybean-wheat (C-S-W) cropping system. Data reported are from 2024 to evaluate residual effects of livestock integration and cropping system diversity. For C-S, corn residue was fall/winter grazed and manure was not applied. For C-S-W, an oat cover crop was planted in late summer following wheat harvest. Oat cover crop and corn residue were fall/winter grazed. Manure was applied prior to corn. A no manure control was included for C-S-W to differentiate crop rotation and manure application effects. Additional manure and fertilizers were not applied in 2024. Overall, we did not measure any differences on soil health indicators due to livestock grazing. Grain yield was 2.2 Mg ha-1 greater (P < 0.0001) for C-S-W with manure than C-S or C-S-W without manure. Soil aggregate stability for C-S-W with manure was 3.1% greater (P = 0.0743) than either C-S or C-S-W without manure. Likewise, SOM for C-S-W with manure was 0.3% greater (P = 0.0947) than either the C-S or C-S-W without manure. No differences (P > 0.1) in soil bulk density (1.3 g cm-3), SOC (36 Mg ha-1), or TN (3.4 Mg ha-1) were measured. Cover crop and corn residue grazing had neither positive nor negative effects on corn grain yield or indicators of soil health. Incorporating manure into C-S-W created positive effects for grain yield, soil aggregate stability, and SOM.