Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Grazing good for soil and environment

USDA Weighs In: Grazing Good for Soil & Environment

Bring on the cattle! says a new study conducted by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). For twelve years, soil scientists at the Agricultural Research Service branch of the USDA have been studying the impact that grazing animals have on the land. Compared with grassland that has been undisturbed, areas that have been moderately grazed have more carbon stored in the soil. Stored carbon increases the fertility of the soil and slows global warming.   
Summary of the study: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/mar11/soil0311.htm

Published in Soil Science Society of America Journal, 2010. Volume 74, pages 2131-2141.