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Cited by 26Pasture and Agricultural SystemsSoil Carbon and Nitrogen DynamicsSoil Management and Crop Yield

Improvements in soil properties under adaptive multipaddock grazing relative to conventional grazing

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Mosier, Samantha, Apfelbaum, Steve, Byck, Peter, Ippolito, Jim, Cotrufo, M. Francesca·2022·Agronomy Journal
DOI 10.1002/agj2.21135
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Abstract

Within managed ecosystems, such as some livestock grazed grasslands, soil physical, chemical, and biological properties may be severely compromised relative to native grasslands. Conventional grazing (CG) management, commonly referred to as continuous grazing, can affect soil properties and health by reducing soil C stocks and other available nutrients, while creating bare patches in vegetation that may enhance erosion and runoff. In contrast, adaptive multipaddock (AMP) grazing, an intensive form of rotational grazing that moves dense cattle herds quickly over the land followed by rest periods for the regrowth of plants, has been proposed as a regenerative grassland management tool that can improve soil properties such as soil C stocks, soil structure, as well as nutrient and water retention. Our research analyzed soils from 10 grasslands in the southeast United States representing either CG or AMP grazing management. We analyzed the A‐horizons of these soils for physical, chemical, and biological properties considered indicators of soil health across each management type. Chemical soil properties (e.g., cation exchange capacity [CEC], base saturation [BS], electrical conductivity [EC]) were improved where AMP grazing management was implemented. Additionally, farms using AMP grazing management had greater A‐horizon C and N stocks in bulk soils and across multiple soil organic matter (SOM) fractions. No biological indicators measured were affected by the grassland management except potential N mineralization rate, which was lower under AMP. Taken together, these results provide evidence that AMP grazing management could be implemented to regenerate several grassland soil properties across land currently under conventional grazing management.

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Authors
Mosier, S., Apfelbaum, S., Byck, P., Ippolito, J., & Cotrufo, M. F.
Affiliations
  • Colorado State University (US)
  • Applied BioPhysics (United States) (US)
  • Arizona State University (US)
  • Dep. of Soil and Crop Sciences Colorado State Univ. Fort Collins CO USA
Corresponding author
Mosier, Samantha
ORCID
Venue
Agronomy Journal
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2022-07
Volume
114
Issue
4
Pages
2584-2597
ISSN
  • 0002-1962 (ISSN-L)
  • 1435-0645
DOI
10.1002/agj2.21135
OpenAlex
W4281625706
Cited by
26
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1
FWCI
3.84
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
Agronomy Journal (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Forestry › Pasture and Agricultural Systems
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Management and Crop Yield
Keywords
rotational grazing, soil health, soil organic carbon, soil nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, soil structure, soil nutrient retention, nitrogen mineralization, cattle grazing, soil organic matter fractions

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