Post on 05-Jan-2016
Understanding How Soils Affect Grazing
Bob Hendershot
State Grassland Conservationist
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
Text available online at http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/soils/soildiv/
surveys/onlineman.html#oh
Managed Grazing Creates A Healthy Pasture With A Canopy Of Sod And A Thick, Deep Root System To Hold The Soil.
Soil Survey Information
Flooding Average daily temperatures Average number of growing days Freeze dates Growing season Yields per soil map unit Monthly precipitation and snowfall
SOILS FOR FORAGESSoil is a fixed resource, match the soil to:
1. Species selection
SOILS FOR FORAGES
Soil is a fixed resource, match the soil to:
1. Species
2. Management level
SOILS FOR FORAGES
Soil is a fixed resource, match the soil to:
1. Species
2. Management level
3. Grazing System
Soil is a fixed resource, match the soil to:
1. Species
2. Management level
3. Grazing System
4. Hay Production
SOILS FOR FORAGES
Soil Suitability Group
A. Few limitations
Soil Suitability Group
A. Few limitations
B. Low AWC because of stones
Soil Suitability Group
A. Few limitations
B. Low AWC because of stones
C. Wetness limitations
Soil Suitability Group
A. Few limitations
B. Low AWC because of stones
C. Wetness limitations
D. Organic Soils
Soil Suitability Group
A. Few limitations
B. Low AWC because of stones
C. Wetness limitations
D. Organic Soils
E. Shallow soils < 20 inches
Soil Suitability Group
A. Few limitations
B. Low AWC because of stones
C. Wetness limitations
D. Organic Soils
E. Shallow soils < 20 inches
F. Restricted rooting depth
Soil Suitability GroupA. Few limitations
B. Low AWC because of stones
C. Wetness limitations
D. Organic Soils
E. Shallow soils < 20 inches
F. Restricted rooting depth
G. Unfavorable chemical properties
Soil Suitability GroupA. Few limitations
B. Low AWC because of stones
C. Wetness limitations
D. Organic Soils
E. Shallow soils < 20 inches
F. Restricted rooting depth
G. Unfavorable chemical properties
H. Unsuitable soils
Important Soil Properties for Plant Growth
Organic Matter content
Surface texture
Soil structure
Soil depth
Subsoil pH
Plant available soil water
Natural soil drainage
Topography
Topography
Soils affect fencing, lanes and water
Physical and chemical properties corrosion of steel and concrete
Depth of bedrock Depth of soil water table Rock fragment greater than 3 inches Soil strength