Assessing the effect of management intensive grazing on water quality in the northeast U.S.
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Authors: W. L. Stout, S. L. Fales, L. D. Muller, R. R. Schnabel, G. F. Elwinger, and S. R. Weaver
Date: 2000
Journal: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
Volume: 55
Number: 2
Pages: 238-243
Summary of Methods: Stout et al. used experimental data from the northeast U.S. and the literature to assess the relationships between stocking rate and nitrate leaching losses beneath an intensively grazed pasture. A relatively low cumulative seasonal stocking rate (as little as 200 cows) would result in 10 mg nitrate-N concentration in the leachate beneath an intensively grazed pasture. This means that while management intensive grazing can improve the profitability of small and medium sized dairy farms and can provide erosion control, it can have a significant negative impact on water quality beneath pastures. The extent to which this impact can affect water quality, within a specific watershed, needs to be evaluated in context of the other cropping systems and land uses within the watershed. Management techniques need to be developed to address the specific nutrient problems associated with management intensive grazing.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: nitrate, leaching, water quality, grazing management, stocking rate
Annotation: The three stocking rates were those that utilized 60% of the available forage, 80% of the available forage, and 80% of the available forage with grain supplementation equal to 33% of the dry matter intake of a lactating 512 kg dairy cow.
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