Impact of Spring Corn Residue Grazing on Soil Physical Properties and Crop Yield

Authors

Morgan T. Grabau, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
J. C. MacDonald, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Zachary E. Carlson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
M. E. Drewnoski, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2022

Citation

2022 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

UNL Beef, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Abstract

The effects of stocking density for spring corn residue grazing on soil physical properties and soybean yield were evaluated in an experiment with three treatments: no grazing, normal density, and high density. Normal density was stocked at 3 calves/acre and grazed 45 days starting in mid-February. High-density was stocked at 9 calves/acre and grazed 15 days starting in mid-March. Increased stocking density decreased residue cover and increased surface roughness. Bulk density and penetration resistance were increased for normal density compared to no graze, with no difference between grazed treatments, illustrating that grazing may cause minor compaction, regardless of stocking density. However, these values were below the threshold that would be expected to cause issues with plant growth. Soybean emergence did not differ among treatments and soybean yield was increased by grazing. Spring grazing may cause minor compaction, and increase surface roughness, but improves subsequent soybean yields in an irrigated, no till, high yielding field.