Shade present in silvopasture systems could reduce heat stress associated with microclimatic conditions that characterize warm-weather portions of the year on the Coastal Plain of the Southeast USA. Objectives of this research were to:(1) quantify diurnal distribution patterns of landscape use and behavior of cattle in loblolly-pine (Pinus taeda) silvopasture versus open-pasture landscapes, and (2) relate observed differences in landscape use and cattle behavior patterns between the two pastures to differences in microclimatic conditions, and forage quantity and quality. The research was conducted in Chipley, Florida USA within a 5-ha cell of a loblollypine-bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) silvopasture (tree age 20 year), and a 5-ha open bahiagrass pasture with unlimited access to an adjacent 1-ha wooded area. One-day observations of diurnal distribution and behavior of cattle were conducted in March, June, and September 2007; microclimatic conditions were measured, and forage quantity and quality were estimated within each landscape. Cattle utilized the landscape more evenly in the silvopasture versus the open-pasture and this difference was mainly attributed to reduced solar radiation recorded in the silvopasture. Grazing was the dominant behavior in the silvopasture while loafing was dominant in the open-pasture. Shade present in silvopasture appeared to reduce heat stress for cattle grazing during warmweather portions of the year on the Coastal Plain of the Southeast USA. Further study is needed to determine how this reduction in heat stress influences cattle performance in southern-pine silvopasture, and the nature and extent of the interactions among animal distribution and behavior, microclimatic conditions, and forage characteristics in these systems.
Information is needed relative to changes that occur in microclimatic conditions in the early stages of open-pasture to pine silvopasture conversion in the Southeastern USA. This research tested the hypothesis that microclimatic conditions would vary between young-pine silvopasture and open-pasture. The research was conducted in a longleaf-pine (Pinus palustris Mill.)-bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) silvopasture and adjacent open bahiagrass pasture at Americus, Georgia. Longleaf-pine was planted in the bahiagrass pasture in December 2000; the trees were not pruned or thinned until the study was completed. Microclimatic parameters (air temperature, soil temperature at 5 and 10 cm, wind speed, gust speed, wind direction, humidity, dew point, rainfall, soil-moisture content, total solar radiation, and photosynthetically active radiation) were collected from November 2005 to October 2008 using HOBO Ó weather stations located in each pasture type. Data were analyzed to determine overall, as well as seasonal, monthly, and diurnal differences between pasture types. Evapotranspiration was calculated from air temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and total solar radiation. With the exception of rainfall, overall average values for all microclimatic parameters were different between pasture types. Silvopasture had higher overall average values for air temperature, soil temperature at both depths, and soil water content, but lower values for all remaining microclimatic parameters. Seasonal, monthly, and diurnal differences between pasture types were also detected for several parameters. The results suggested that water loss can be significantly reduced in the early stages of open-pasture to longleaf-pine silvopasture conversion in the Southeastern USA.
Forages are important throughout the south-east USA for livestock production and wildlife habitat. However, little is known about how forage species commonly grown in this region influence soil-quality indicators. The objectives of this research were to determine shortterm response of soil water-stable aggregates (WSA) and density of fungal hyphae (DFH) to: (i) forage species or mixtures grown at identical soil pH levels and (ii) forage species or mixtures grown at field-state versus adjusted soil pH levels. Nine warm-season species (sole crop) and eleven cool-season sole crop or legume-grass mixtures were grown under protected culture in southern coastal plain soil microcosms. Levels of WSA and DFH, and plant shoot and root biomass were evaluated after two 12-week experimental growth periods in both field-state and adjusted-pH soil. Both warm-and cool-season forage species significantly altered short-term responses of WSA and DFH levels; these responses differed when the soil pH was adjusted from the field state with lime addition. The short-term responses of both WSA and DFH to lime addition in coastal plain soil were negative only when certain forage species were grown, and no response was detected for the control. It appeared that differences in plant shoot and root developmental characteristics played a key role in soil WSA and DFH responses to the species studied. Further long-term studies are needed to understand how these relationships are expressed in more variable environments over expanded time frames.
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