1. Feed and Forage for Livestock Feed Economics of Forage. o Up to 6 tons per acre per year. o ~$200 per ton. o $1,200 in feed costs.

Transcription

1 Envirothon 2018: Benefits of Grassland and Pastureland Management Laura Kenny, Penn tate Extension Educator Major Benefits 1. Provision of feed and forage for livestock production 2. Reduction in soil erosion 3. easonal protection for nesting birds and wildlife habitat 4. Better water quality 5. Improved soil nutrient content and soil health 6. Providing food and recreation 1. Feed and Forage for Livestock Feed Economics of Forage ell-managed, cultivated hay fields and pastures can yield tons of forage Cool season grasses o Orchardgrass, timothy, brome, Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue o Up to 6 tons per acre per year o ~$200 per ton o $1,200 in feed costs hat Is a Pasture? Rotational Grazing Rotate animals through several small paddocks Allows forage to rest and regrow Avoids overgrazing o Bare spots o eeds o oil compaction 1

2 Rotational Grazing Paddock Layout tress lot trip Grazing KEY table ater tress lot University of Vermont 2. Reduction in oil Erosion Bare soil = erosion G. Tuttle, NRC NRC How Grass Reduces Erosion Flowing water and raindrops loosen and transport soil particles Plant leaves intercept raindrops and protect soil surface Plant shoots slow the flow of water Plant roots allow water to infiltrate and take up water for plant use 3. Improved ater Quality Abubiju 2

3 ater Pollution tormwater runoff carries pollutants with it o ediment o Nutrients o Pesticides o Pathogens Problems occur when this runoff reaches surface or ground water Leaching into groundwater Runoff to surface water Chesapeake Bay atershed Eutrophication How Grassland Protects ater Quality 4. oil Nutrient Content and oil Health imilar to erosion control Filter stormwater runoff and prevent it from reaching surface water 3

4 Healthy oil Porous o Air and water can move freely Organic Matter o Nutrient source for microbes and plants Habitat for soil biota o Underground ecosystem o Oxygen, moisture, nutrients, temperatures Good soil structure, aeration, drainage, water retention, and nutrient availability Organic Matter Livestock manure recycles nutrients and adds organic matter to soil Organic matter o Natural residues o Increases water infiltration and water holding capacity o Long term nutrient stores o Improves soil structure o equesters carbon 4 Keys to oil Health (UDA-NRC) 1. Minimize soil disturbance. 2. Provide soil armor (cover). 3. Always have live roots growing in the soil. 4. Use diverse plants, rotations and (where possible) animals. 5. ildlife Habitat Gareth Rasberry Brian tansberry ildlife Habitat Native wildlife needs tall vegetation to nest, find food, and raise young o hite-tailed deer, eastern cottontail rabbits, wild turkey, bobwhite quail, ring-necked pheasant, grassland songbirds o Pollinators Mow strategically to preserve habitat o Avoid April to August Fallow fields, grasslands, hay fields, road ditches, field edges Mowing (or Burning) hy mow? o Natural succession- grassland will be replaced by woody vegetation and provide habitat for different species Fallow fields o plit into sections and mow one section each year Hay fields o Cut hay in May only so that grasses regrow by June-July nesting period 4

5 6. Food and Recreation 6. Food and Recreation ell-managed pastures are more aesthetically pleasing than bare, overgrazed lots o Agritourism, ecotourism Meadows and public grasslands o Hiking, bird-watching o Gathering edible berries Ryan Hagerty, F Voluntary UDA Conservation Programs Grassland Reserve Program Farm and Ranchland Protection Program Conservation tewardship Program Environmental Quality Incentive Program Conservation Reserve Program In ummary ell-managed grasslands and pasturelands o Feed livestock and wildlife o Protect the soil o Keep pollutants out of surface water Thank you! Laura Kenny Penn tate Extension Equine Educator lbk8@psu.edu 5