Grazing winter rye cover crop in a cotton no‐till system: Soil strength and runoff

Abstract

Grazing cover crops (CC) could provide an economic incentive to increase adoption rates in the southeastern United States. However, understanding grazing effects on soil properties is lacking for most soils of the region. Effects of grazing or rolling a cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) CC prior to no-till planting cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were determined in 2009 after 4 yr on Cecil soil, in the Southern Piedmont near Watkinsville, GA. The four catchments had a previous long history of no-till cropping with CC. Wet spring conditions in 2009 resulted in visible surface roughness from cattle hooves. Average soil penetration resistance (PR) for the 0-to 30-cm profile was 14% greater following rye CC grazing than rolling (1.95 vs. 1.53 MPa) and was still apparent the following February (1.86 vs. 1.58 MPa) after cotton harvest. Increases in PR at 2.5-to 7.5-and 7.5-to 15-cm soil depths were observed following CC grazing but not rolling. Depth to 2 MPa resistance, considered sufficient to impede root growth, was similar for CC grazing and rolling treatments in March prior to grazing but decreased in the grazed treatment to 10.7 cm in May and 15.6 cm in February. Seasonal runoff data for 2006-2009 indicated no differences between grazed and rolled CC management. We concluded that grazing CC for short periods under wet conditions presents a risk of short-term negative effects even for Southern Piedmont soils where a long history of conservation tillage and CC has improved soil quality.

Impact of cattle grazing corn residue in spring on soil and subsequent soybean yield

“…Of 11 studies evaluating impacts of cover crop or annual forage grazing, six studies reported increases in bulk density in the upper 10 cm (Bonetti et al., 2019; Franzluebbers & Stuedemann, 2008; George et al., 2013; Kelly et al., 2021; Tobin et al., 2020; Tollner et al., 1990), with the remaining five reporting no effect (Anderson et al., 2021; Blanco‐Canqui et al., 2020; Dhaliwal & Kumar, 2021; Hill et al., 2004; Simon et al., 2021). Of 10 studies reporting penetration resistance, five reported increases (Dhakal et al., 2022; Franzluebbers & Stuedemann, 2008; Mullins & Burmester, 1997; Schomberg et al., 2021; Tollner et al., 1990) and four reported no effect (Anderson et al., 2021; Blanco‐Canqui et al., 2020; Crowell et al., 2021; Dhaliwal & Kumar et al., 2021; Tracy & Zhang, 2008). It is also important to note that the majority of these studies did not report increases in bulk density or penetration resistance that would be expected to limit root penetration and thus impact crop production.…”

“…It is also important to note that the majority of these studies did not report increases in bulk density or penetration resistance that would be expected to limit root penetration and thus impact crop production. The exception appears to be when cattle graze cover crop under wet soil conditions (Schomberg et al., 2021). However, even in this situation the increase appeared to be short lived with limited impact on crop yield.…”

“…Of 11 studies evaluating impacts of cover crop or annual forage grazing, six studies reported increases in bulk density in the upper 10 cm (Bonetti et al, 2019;Franzluebbers & Stuedemann, 2008;George et al, 2013;Kelly et al, 2021;Tobin et al, 2020;Tollner et al, 1990), with the remaining five reporting no effect (Anderson et al, 2021;Blanco-Canqui et al, 2020;Dhaliwal & Kumar, 2021;Hill et al, 2004;Simon et al, 2021). Of 10 studies reporting penetration resistance, five reported increases (Dhakal et al, 2022;Franzluebbers & Stuedemann, 2008;Mullins & Burmester, 1997;Schomberg et al, 2021;Tollner et al, 1990) and four reported no effect (Anderson et al, 2021; T A B L E 4 Soybean emergence and grain yield (87% DM) when planted after corn residue was either not grazed grazed in early spring prior to soybean planting a at a normal stocking density (NSD) with 7.5 steers/ha for 45 days or at a high stocking density (HSD) with 22.5 steers/ha for 15 days. Blanco -Canqui et al, 2020;Crowell et al, 2021;Dhaliwal & Kumar et al, 2021;Tracy & Zhang, 2008).…”

Grazing cover crops: How does it influence soils and crops?

“…Grazing CCs can alleviate some of the economic concerns of adopting CCs (Bergtold et al., 2017; Holman et al., 2022; Schomberg et al., 2021). Studies from different regions in the United States including Alabama (Siri‐Prieto et al., 2007b), Georgia (Franzluebbers & Stuedemann, 2007; Schomberg et al., 2014), and South Dakota (Tobin et al., 2020) reported that grazing CCs can generate between $100 and $260 ha −1 greater return than non‐grazed CCs.…”

“…Greenwood and McKenzie (2001) reported that water infiltration is one of the most sensitive soil properties of animal grazing due to its dependence on soil porosity. It is thought that grazing CCs could reduce the opportunity time for water infiltration and thus increase runoff potential by removing CC residues and reducing the surface protective cover (Schomberg et al., 2021). Reduced surface cover can lead to surface sealing and closure of surface‐connected macropores.…”