Publication Date
Spring 2020
Advisor(s) - Committee Chair
Dr. Phillip Gunter (Director), Dr. Fred DeGraves, and Dr. Todd Willian
Degree Program
Department of Agriculture and Food Science
Degree Type
Master of Science
Abstract
Cover crops have become an increasingly popular option for alleviating agronomic and environmental concerns, such as erosion. Dual utilization can increase forage use efficiency and increase immediate economic return but understanding the impact on soil health and grain production may affect viability of this strategy. In a two year study conducted in Bowling Green, Kentucky, soil health was analyzed comparing three treatments: grazed wheat (Triticum aestivum; WGR) to un-grazed wheat (W) and grazed tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea; TF). Sixteen cow calf pairs were randomly allocated to grazed wheat or tall fescue for two weeks. Soil samples were analyzed following grazing to quantify soil physical and chemical parameters. Grain production was measured for production and quality characteristics. Data was analyzed with treatment x year interaction as a fixed effect and included if significant. Soil pH in fall sampling varied in TF from both W and WGR (P
Disciplines
Agricultural and Resource Economics | Animal Studies | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Ewing, Kylie Paige, "Improving Sustainability Using Cover Crop Grazing to Improve Soil Health and Fertility While Increasing Grain and Livestock Production" (2020). Masters Theses & Specialist Projects. Paper 3181.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/3181