Environment

Effects of Grazing Management on Selected Stream Bank Characteristics and Stream Bank Erosion

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Abstract

Six 30-acre cool-season grass pastures, containing predominantly smooth bromegrass and bisected by a 642- foot stream segment were grouped into two blocks and assigned one of three treatments: continuous stocking - unrestricted stream access (CSU), continuous stocking - restricted stream access (CSR), and rotational stocking (RS). Stream bank condition and surface roughness and stream morphology were evaluated pre-, mid-, and postgrazing over a two-year period. Stream bank erosion was monitored monthly from May through November over the same two-year period. Stream banks in CSU pastures had greater vegetative cover, stability, and condition scores than did the CSR or RS pastures, implying that the stream banks in pastures in which cattle had unlimited access were more susceptible to erosion than stream banks in pastures in which cattle access to stream banks was restricted or controlled. However, no effect of grazing management on net stream bank erosion was observed for either grazing season.

Keywords: ASL R2207

How to Cite:

Haan, M. M., Russell, J. R., Kovar, J., Nellesen, S., Morrical, D. G. & Strohbehn, D. R., (2007) “Effects of Grazing Management on Selected Stream Bank Characteristics and Stream Bank Erosion”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 4(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/ans_air-180814-1014