Project ID: 2002IA7B

Title: Effects of grazing management on sediment and phosphorus losses from pastures

Project Type: Research

Focus Categories: Nutrients, Surface Water, Solute Transport

Keywords: Grazing, pastures, riparian areas, water run-ff, phosphorus

Start Date: 03/01/2001

End Date: 02/28/2003

Federal Funds: $14,500

Non-Federal Matching Funds: $29,808

Congressional District: Iowa 3rd

Principal Investigators:
James R. Russell
Iowa State University

Wendy J. Powers
Iowa State University

John L. Kovar
USDA-ARS

Steven K. Mickelson
Iowa State University

Richard C. Schultz
Iowa State University

Thomas M. Isenhart
Iowa State University

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