Effect of Long- Term Corn Residue Grazing on Soil Properties

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of long- term (16 years) corn residue grazing with cattle on soil compaction, soil structure, soil organic matter, and nutrients. Three treatments: 1) fall grazing (November through January; 1.8 to 2.5 AUM/ac), 2) spring grazing (February to middle April; 2.3 to 3.1 AUM/ac), and 3) control (no grazing) under a no- till irrigated corn- soybean system in eastern Nebraska were studied. Crop yields were increased and soil bulk density and cone index (parameters of soil compaction), wet soil aggregate stability (parameter of soil structural quality), and organic matter content were not affected by grazing during the fall. Spring grazing slightly increased crop yields while wet soil aggregate stability, bulk density, and organic matter content were unaffected. During spring grazing, only cone index was increased, but not above threshold levels. Crop residue grazing in the fall has no effect on soil and any effect from spring grazing is biologically unimportant