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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #91426
Title: PASTURES ARE CLEAN AND GREEN

Author
item Owens, Lloyd
item BARTHOLOMEW, HANK - OSU EXTENSION

Submitted to: Great Lakes Basin Grazier
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/23/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Water quality is a hot issue in agriculture today with emphasis shifting to non-point sources of pollution. Many graziers may be surprised to learn just how good pastures are from an environmental standpoint. Over 20 years of research with a variety of pasture systems at the North Appalachian Experimental Watershed near Coshocton, OH have shown that reasonably managed pastures are among the best systems in mainstream agriculture from a water quality and soil erosion standpoint. Unfertilized pastures often have better water quality than ungrazed woodlands. Fencing livestock from streams will reduce soil erosion on the stream banks as well as improving water quality. Major loss of nitrogen in surface runoff rarely occurs, and to minimize these losses nitrogen applications should not be made on saturated soils where runoff is likely to occur with the next rainfall event. Legumes should be the primary source of N for pastures with nitrogen restricted to strategic timing to overcome summer slump or stockpile in the autumn. Nitrogen application levels should not exceed 100 lbs per acre each year taking into account manure, purchased fertilizer, and legume contributions.