The LTAR Grazing Land Common Experiment at Platte River High Plains Aquifer

Authors

• M. Khorchani, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• M. Schmer, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, NebraskaFollow
• A. Freidenreich, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, NebraskaFollow
• T. Awada, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• G. Birru, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, NebraskaFollow
• S. Christofferson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• R. Drijber, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• G. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• V. Jin, USDA-ARS, Lincoln, NebraskaFollow
• R. McDermott, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• A. Suyker, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• A. Watson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• B. Woodbury, USDA‐ARS, Clay Center, NebraskaFollow
• Y. Xiong, USDA-ARS, Clay Center, NebraskaFollow
• J. Hiller, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• X. Sun, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• L. Li, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

ORCID IDs

Khorchani https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9379-7052

Schmer https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3721-6177

Freidenreich https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0665-3569

Awada https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0462-2339

Birru https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9810-2176

Christofferson https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2368-9208

Drijber https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0706-005X

Erickson https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0706-005X

Jin https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4146-8497

McDermott https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3336-7882

Suyker https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4394-1607

Watson https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4394-1607

Woodbury https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5882-6698

Xiong https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2246-7448

Sun https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5034-4392

Li https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5420-260X

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2024

Citation

Journal of Environmental Quality (2024) 53: 948–956

doi: 10.1002/jeq2.20629

Comments

United States government work. Public domain

Abstract

The Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) consists presently of 18 sites within the contiguous United States that are managed by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and its partners. The LTAR network focuses on developing national strategies for more efficient, resilient, and profitable agricultural production systems, improved environmental quality, and enhanced rural prosperity. The Platte River High Plains Aquifer (PRHPA) LTAR site is managed jointly by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) and USDA-ARS and is one of the LTAR sites that conduct research on both integrated cropping and grazing systems. The PRHPA region encompasses multiple land resource areas and diverse agricultural production systems. The PRHPA sites, predominantly located in eastern Nebraska, are designated as an integrated system focused specifically on the region’s dominant production practices of row crop (corn and soybean), managed pastures, and beef cattle production. Here, we focus on C₃ cool-season smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) pasture grazing systems under prevailing and alternative management practices for the region. The sites evaluate continuous and rotational grazing with and without pasture fertilization (prevailing practices). In an additional treatment, cattle are supplemented with dry distillers grains plus solubles, while manure supplies fertilization (alternative practice). Main measurements at the site evaluate plant and animal productivity, forage quality, greenhouse gas fluxes, and soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. This paper describes the regional characteristics of the PRHPA site, ongoing LTAR research related to pasture and livestock production, stakeholder engagement, and future research plans.