153-10
Soil Compaction From Cattle Grazing in No-Till Winter Wheat Systems.

Poster Number 2832

Monday, November 4, 2013
Tampa Convention Center, East Hall, Third Floor

Alexandra Elizabeth Cumbie and Jason G. Warren, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
The dual-purpose use of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as forage for beef cattle is a common practice throughout the Southern Plains. In areas such as the North Canadian River watershed, where dual-purpose wheat is the dominant cropland management system, the adoption of no-till has been limited due to concerns about soil compaction. This study was conducted to evaluate compaction in no-till wheat under dual-purpose management scenarios on different soil types, and the effects of cover crops and their alleviation of pre-planting compaction. Grazing treatments were established in the fall of 2011 by placing exclosures at three locations on a Cyril fine sandy loam (course-loamy, mixed superactive, thermic Cumulic Haplustoll), a Dale silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, superactive, thermic Pachic Haplustoll), and a Bethany silt loam (fine, mixed, superactive, thermic Pachic Paleustoll). Exclosure treatments were used to simulate grain-only and dual-purpose management; arranged with three replications. Soil cores (0-10, 10-20, 20-30, and 30-45cm) will be collected from all exclosures. Soils will be analyzed for bulk density, moisture, and penetration resistance; residue cover will be determined. Data collected from this study will provide an assessment of the extent of compaction resulting from dual-purpose wheat management. This research will demonstrate the impacts of grazing in no-till wheat to allow producers to make decisions on grazing intensity based on differences in the susceptibility of different soil types to compaction from grazing.
See more from this Division: SSSA Division: Soil & Water Management & Conservation
See more from this Session: Soil Quality

Show comments