Project ID: IA1221

Title: Effects of Grazing Management on Sediment and Phosphorus Losses from Pastures

Focus Categories: Nutrients, Surface Water

Keywords: Phosphorus, Water Run-off, Riparian Areas, Pastures, Grazing

Start Date: 03/01/2001

End Date: 02/28/2004

Federal Funds: $9,500

Non-Federal Matching Funds: $22,101

Congressional District: Iowa 3rd

Principal Investigators:
James R. Russell
Professor, Iowa State University

Wendy J. Powers
Assistant Professor, Iowa State University

John L. Kovar
Unknown, Iowa State University

Thomas M Isenhart
Professional Staff, Iowa State University

Steven K. Mickelson
Associate Professor, Iowa State University

Richard C Schultz

Abstract

The proposed project will benefit Iowa agriculture by quantifying phosphorus transport from paddocks under different grazing management practices. Thus, the results of the project will provide regulatory organizations with data necessary to develop TMDLs that consider the benefits of improved grazing practices on the prevention of nutrient losses in runoff water as well as improved forage yield and quality. Furthermore, determining the relationships of nutrient loss with soil and sward characteristics and modeling phosphorus intake, excretion, and runoff will allow the development of methods of monitoring and managing phosphorus losses from grazed and fallowed pastures. The relationships and models developed from this project will be tested in an associated project in which sediment and phosphorus loads in streams will be determined on 18 farms with different riparian grazing management strategies.

Progress/Completion Report PDF