Off-stream water sources for grazing cattle as a stream bank stabilization and water quality BMP
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Authors: R. E. Sheffield, S. Mostaghimi, D. H. Vaughan, E. R. Collins Jr., and V. G. Allen
Date: 1997
Journal: American Society of Agricultural Engineers
Volume: 40
Number: 3
Pages: 595-604
Summary of Methods: The effectiveness of off-stream water sources (watering troughs) to reduce stream bank destabilization and increase water quality was measured on two, cow-calf farms in southwestern Virginia. Each of the three study pastures has a first order stream running through it. One pasture had a high stocking rate while the other two pastures were moderately stocked. Off-stream water troughs were installed in the pastures where the previous water source was only the stream. Visual observations of cattle behavior (drinking and presence in stream area) were made over two, three-day periods – pre and post trough installations. Streambank stability/width and water quality were also measured before and after trough installations.
Article Summary / Main Points: Cattle drinking from the stream were reduced by 89% and total time spent in the stream area was reduced by 51% following the trough installation. Cattle preferred drinking from the troughs. Streambank soil loss decreased after the troughs were installed. Total dissolved solids and fecal bacteria decreased significantly following trough introduction, but other water quality indicators only decreased slightly.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands Tame Pastures
MLRA Ecoregions: 128 Southern Appalachian Ridges and Valleys
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Pastures Resource Management
Article Review Type: Peer Reviewed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: water quality, erosion, animal behavior, best management practice (bmp), off-stream water source
Annotation: This study provides scientific evidence to back up anecdotal evidence that off-stream water troughs reduce the amount of time cattle spend in the stream. The results of this study might not be applicable to Western open range operations as this experiment was conducted on medium size farms on the east coast with relatively small pasture sizes. Widespread application of these results should be done with caution.
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