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Grazing Practices: a Review of the Literature

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Grazing Practices: a Review of the Literature Grazing Practices: A Review of the Literature D. L. Osmond, Soil Science D. M. Butler, Crop Science* N. R. Rannells, Crop Science* M. H. Poore, Animal Science A. Wossink, Agricultural and Resource Economics J. T. Green, Crop Science North Carolina Agricultural Research Service North Carolina State University Raleigh, North Carolina Technical Bulletin 325-W April 2007 This research was conducted in the departments of Soil Science, Crop Science, Animal Science, and Agricultural and Resource Economics at North Carolina State University. * Former Crop Science member Grazing Practices: A Review of the Literature This literature review presents numeric information in the original measurement system in which they were presented. Thus, there are both metric and English units. Citation of this document should be as follows: Osmond, D.L., D.M. Butler, N.R. Rannells, M.H. Poore, A. Wossink, J. T. Green. 2007. Grazing Practices: A Review of the Literature. North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, Technical Bulletin 325-W. North Carolina State University. Raleigh, NC. Acknowledgements: We would like to thank Janet Young for layout. This document would not have been possible without her help. Grazing Practices: A Review of the Literature Table of Contents 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Livestock production and environmental management ........................................................... 1 1.2 Previous literature reviews ...................................................................................................... 2 2. Animal health and production ....................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Water quality ........................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Waterborne animal pathogens.................................................................................................. 5 3. Nonpoint source pollution from grazing ....................................................................................... 7 3.1 Buffer strips ............................................................................................................................. 7 3.2 Nutrients and bacteria.............................................................................................................. 8 3.3 Sediments .............................................................................................................................. 12 3.4 Channel morphology and aquatic habitat .............................................................................. 16 3.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 17 4. Grazing management ................................................................................................................... 18 4.1 Definition of riparian as it is related to grazing ..................................................................... 18 4.2 Definition of grazing management......................................................................................... 18 4.3 Grazing terminology .............................................................................................................. 18 4.4 Characteristics of livestock species that potentially impact riparian use ............................... 19 4.4.1 Vegetation preferences and grazing patterns ................................................................. 19 4.4.2 Riparian usage habits ....................................................................................................................... 21 4.4.3 Feces and urine production and distribution patterns .................................................... 23 4.4.4 Learned behavior and training ....................................................................................... 24 4.4.5 Response to weather factors, soil characteristics, and landscape ..................................................................................... 24 4.5 Practices that impact riparian zone use by livestock ............................................................. 25 4.5.1 Grazing intensity ............................................................................................................ 25 4.5.2 Seasonal use ................................................................................................................... 26 4.5.3 Alternative water sources............................................................................................... 26 4.6 Site characteristics affecting the impact of hoof action ......................................................... 28 4.7 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 29 5. Ecosystem parameters .................................................................................................................. 30 5.1 Streambank stability .............................................................................................................. 30 5.2 Wildlife habitat....................................................................................................................... 31 5.2.1 Fish ................................................................................................................................ 31 5.2.2 Other wildlife ................................................................................................................. 32 iii Grazing Practices: A Review of the Literature 6. Economic considerations of grazing BMPs ................................................................................ 34 6.1 Fencing .................................................................................................................................. 35 6.2 Buffer width........................................................................................................................... 35 6.3 Controlled grazing/haying ..................................................................................................... 35 6.4 Watering, feeding, and shading facilities ................................................................................ 36 6.5 Absolute and relative impacts of grazing are site specific ..................................................... 37 6.6 Cost versus environmental improvements ............................................................................. 37 6.7 General riparian area management principles ........................................................................ 37 References .......................................................................................................................................... 39 iv Grazing Practices: A Review of the Literature List of Tables Table 1. Percent reduction of surface-delivered pollutants by vegetative filter strips................................................................................................. 7 Table 2. Median annual total N and P load value by land use ...................................................... 8 Table 3. Dissolved nutrient concentrations of streams draining the Chesapeake Bay .......................................................................................... 9 Table 4. Soil loss, soil runoff, and cover on grazed, reclaimed, and native pastures ...................................................................................... 15 Table 5. Sediment losses on two watersheds under varying grazing treatments ........................................................................................................ 16 Table 6. Summary of average dietary botanical composition for all seasons ............................................................................................................... 20 Table 7. Change in average daily gain (lb/day) with elimination of trailing to water ..................................................................................... 28 Table 8. Pasture species resistance to treading ............................................................................ 29 v Grazing Practices: A Review of the Literature 1. Introduction 1.1 Livestock production and environmental management Traditionally the greatest concern of livestock producers who primarily graze their animals has been maintaining high levels of productivity to maximize profits. Recent interest by the general public and government agencies in conserving the environment has mandated reevaluation of production systems to minimize environmental impacts while maintaining farm viability and profitability. Surface water quality is a concern in most watersheds in the United States. Since 1972, with the passage of the Clean Water Act by Congress, great strides have been made in controlling point sources of pollutants, and currently there is an increased emphasis on nonpoint sources (NPS). A small portion of NPS pollution is a result of natural ecosystem processes. Most NPS pollution, however, is caused by human ac­ tivities. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2000), agriculture is the primary source of pollution for 50% of the impaired river and stream miles and 40% of the impaired lake and reservoir areas. Agricultural sources of pollution include both cropland and livestock production. In North
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