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UNL study shows no compaction when grazing in fall or early spring

A long-term grazing study conducted by the University of Nebraska found no significant signs of compaction when grazing corn residue in the fall or early spring.  

Mary Drewnoski is a beef specialist with UNL…  

“What we did find is that we see an uptick in penetration resistance, which is very similar to what you might expect when you were actually trying to put that planter into the ground. However, the penetration resistance increase was below the threshold that would impact root growth,” she says.

She tells Brownfield when researchers grazed wetter fields, soils were found to be more dense…

“However, none of the indicators of soil compaction were above the threshold where we would have a negative impact on the crops and indeed, just like with the long-term study, we actually saw an improvement in crop yield,” she says.

Drewnoski says the study found an uptick in soybean yields.

“We get a two to three bushel increase by grazing on these fields, especially fields that have a lot of really high-yielding because they have a lot of residue. Getting some of the degradation of that residue started earlier by having the cattle process it seems to be very positive,” she says.

If cattle are left out during a warm-wet spell, Drewnsoski says research found there was no long-term damage to the land.  

AUDIO: Mary Drewnoski, University of Nebraska