GRAZING MANAGEMENT FOR POLLUTION ABATEMENT

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GRAZING MANAGEMENT FORPOLLUTION ABATEMENT

• HOWARD MOECHNIG
• NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

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Comparison of Grazing Systems

• Continuous Grazing
• vs.
• Managed Rotational Grazing

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Continuous Grazing
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Managed Rotational Grazing
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Managed Rotational Grazing
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Soil Health/Condition

• Continuous Grazing
• Compaction
• Little infiltration
• Increased runoff
• Erosion hazard
• Little biological activity

• Managed Grazing
• Very little compaction
• Increased infiltration
• Very little runoff
• Soil building/formation
• Active biological component

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Impacts of Good Grazing Management

• Transport mechanism is disrupted
• Movement of materials is greatly reduced
• Treatment mechanism in place
• Biological component is active

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Comparison of Poorly Managed Grazed Riparian
Areasvs. Well Managed Grazed Riparian Areas
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Feedlot on Stream
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Streamside Grazing-Poor Management
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Streamside Grazing-Poor Management
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Pond-Poor Management
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Spring-Poor Management
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Streamside Grazing-Good Management
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Grazing Streamside-Good Management
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Methods of Managing Streams

• Total exclusion
• Deeply incised channels, very unstable soils,
  inadequate room for livestock movement
• Separate the corridor from the pasture
• Allow flash grazing
• Combine the corridor with a paddock
• Normal rotation allows adequate rest periods

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Comparison of Land Use and Treatment
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Cropland
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Forest Land
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Grazing Lands-Good Condition
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Comparison of Cropland and Grazing Land in Good
Condition

• Cropland
• High N application
• High herbicide use
• High insecticide use
• High rate of runoff
• High erosion rate
• Reduced soil health

• Grazing
• Low rates of N input
• Low herbicide use
• Low insecticide use
• Low rate of runoff
• Minimal or no soil loss
• Enhanced soil health

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Forest Lands

• No N or P input
• No herbicide use
• No insecticide use
• Moderate to high soil erosion
• Good to poor soil health

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Feedlot
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Bales Set Out
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Livestock On Site
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Late Winter
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Overwinter site spring
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Overwinter Site Summer
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Effects

• Increased organic matter
• Fertilization from manure and urine
• Seed from the hay
• Serious animal impact
• Improved forage production
• Can improve poor sites

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Guidelines

• Do not allow manure pack to form
• Must be done on established sod
• Must be rotated to different areas each year
• Ten mature cattle per acre
• Water for livestock can be up to 0.5 miles from
  feeding site
• Avoid sensitive areas

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