Incorporating native plants into multifunctional prairie pastures for organic cow–calf operations

Abstract

The multifunctional agronomic, ecological, economic and social uses of grass-based agricultural systems in peri-urban Marion County, Iowa, were the subject of investigation from 2003 to 2005. Following a sociocultural analysis that identified diverse motivations of cow–calf operators, an on-farm, agroecological experiment was established with a member of the study group. The objective of the experiment was to investigate the feasibility of establishing a multifunctional prairie pasture in response to the operator's interest in certified organic, warm-season plant species paddocks. At the field level, the implementation of native grasses and legumes into fallow pasture without the use of herbicides under flash grazing, mowing and unmanaged control treatments showed differences in species establishment and pasture composition. After three growing seasons, native species were evident in all treatments, with no significant differences between grazing and mowing in total native species establishment. There was a trend toward greater native legume establishment in the control over the managed treatments. Thus, total species abundance was greatest in control plots, suggesting this treatment for maximum prairie pasture establishment without herbicides. Concurrence was observed between motivations expressed by cow–calf operators in the sociocultural study (i.e. biodiversity preservation and sustainable management of natural resources) and outcomes from the prairie pasture experimental system. Support for grass-based systems from local institutions at the community level is necessary for the expansion of prairie pastures in Iowa and throughout the tallgrass prairie region.

Environmental impacts of organic agriculture in temperate regions.

“…Under organic standards, organic ruminant livestock producers are required to rely on forage-based livestock feed including, in season, management of grazed rangeland or pastures. Some studies suggest that improved grazing management, including the use of legumes, can be not only a cost-effective option but can also promote substantial SOC gains on the extensive acreage of often degraded, permanent grasslands in North America [16,68,69].…”

“…The oversupply of N and P is considered a major driver of biodiversity loss in temperate grasslands [2]. The avoidance of this causal factor and reduced likelihood of overgrazing in organic management may promote the establishment of more diverse and multifunctional swards, as reported from Iowa [16]. There is a need also for more farmland biodiversity studies under semi-arid conditions common to much of North America, as results from more temperate regions such as Northern Europe may not transfer to these different climatic and ecological conditions.…”

“…A survey of more than 600 Canadian organic farmers found improving holistic management, including rotations, soil quality and soil life, ecological interactions and energy (E) use, as their top ranked research priorities [15]. In the USA, a study found that an Iowa organic beef producers' first priority was to protect wildlife habitat and water quality, nurture plant diversity and gain 'an ecological profit' [16]. However, surveys suggest most North American consumers, in contrast to those in Europe, who purchase organic foods do so mainly as they perceive this to be primarily a healthier choice for themselves or their families [5,17], with only a few respondents (11 and 2% respectively) identifying farm environmental or animal welfare attributes as motivating their purchases.…”

Socio-cultural aspects of cow–calf operation persistence in a peri-urban county in Iowa

“…This difference suggests that part-time operators may be more willing candidates for long-term perennial vegetation projects and habitat development, such as the multifunctional prairie pasture system developed with a member of this group in a follow-up agroecological on-farm experiment 71 . Pasture systems among full-time integrated cattle and grain crop operators were generally 'integrated fields' used for both row crop and cattle, and were dependent on the season and the crop rotation.…”

“…In the second phase of this project, a full-time cow-calf operator from the study group, operating in a direct-market scheme, demonstrated the potential for prairie pastures to enhance the biodiversity and sustainability of his grassland system 71 . Government programs, such as the CSP and EQIP, can provide incentives for sustaining a farm landscape consisting of diverse, grass-based agricultural systems that support rural livelihoods and environmental quality.…”