Regenerative rotational grazing management of dairy sheep increases springtime grass production and topsoil carbon storage

Otálora, Xabier Díaz de; Epelde, Lur; Arranz, J.; Garbisu, Carlos; Ruíz, Roberto; Mandaluniz, N.

doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107484

Cited by 23 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Three to five years are required to start seeing soil health benefits [ 33 ]. In northern Spain, which averages 1000 mm (40 in) of annual rain, the intensive rotational grazing of sheep resulted in higher forage production and increased carbon storage [ 34 ]. I traveled to parts of the world where intensive rotational grazing is really successful.…”

Section: Basic Principles Of Rotational Grazingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Grazing Cattle, Sheep, and Goats Are Important Parts of a Sustainable Agricultural Future

Grandin

2022

Animals

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Many people believe that animal agriculture should be phased out and replaced with vegetarian substitutes. The livestock industry has also been attacked because it uses vast amounts of land. People forget that grazing cattle or sheep can be raised on land that is either too arid or too rough for raising crops. At least 20% of the habitable land on Earth is not suitable for crops. Rotational grazing systems can be used to improve both soil health and vegetation diversity on arid land. Grazing livestock are also being successfully used to graze cover crops on prime farmland. Soil health is improved when grazing on a cover crop is rotated with conventional cash crops, such as corn or soybeans. It also reduces the need for buying fertilizer. Grazing animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, or bison, should be used as part of a sustainable system that will improve the land, help sequester carbon, and reduce animal welfare issues.

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Section: Basic Principles Of Rotational Grazingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…High-intensity mob grazing with high stocking rates works really well in areas with high rainfall [ 34 ]. In arid areas with lower rainfall, two long-term studies showed that it caused decreased cattle weight gain in Eastern Colorado and the Nebraska Sandhills [ 38 , 48 ].…”

Section: High-plains United States Livestock Grazingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grazing Cattle, Sheep, and Goats Are Important Parts of a Sustainable Agricultural Future

Grandin

2022

Animals

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“…Regenerative rotational grazing of sheep can increase topsoil organic C up to 3.6% with 30% higher springtime grass production (Díaz de Otálora et al, 2021).…”

Section: Regenerative Agriculture: the Sustainable Transition Of Agricultural Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The grazing pattern of sheep and cattle significantly impacts increased grass production and increased C sequestration in rangelands. Regenerative rotational grazing of sheep can increase topsoil organic C up to 3.6% with 30% higher springtime grass production (Díaz de Otálora et al., 2021).…”

Section: Regenerative Agriculture: the Sustainable Transition Of Agri...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Regenerative agriculture and integrative permaculture for sustainable and technology driven global food production and security

et al. 2021

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Intensive agriculture can cause a loss in biodiversity and concerns for global food security. Regenerative agriculture and integrative permaculture are keys to address food security. Digital agricultural tools can aid in attaining agricultural and environmental sustainability. Precision agriculture should be implemented as an agricultural decision support system. Artificial intelligence and machine learning can guide integrated agricultural input management.

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“…Their study indicated that rotational grazing could increase grassland productivity and potentially soil C sequestration. The available studies demonstrated the high potential of controlled rotational grazing or short‐duration grazing to increase forge production as a proxy of C inputs, promoting high SOCs (Chaplot et al, 2016; Díaz de Otálora et al, 2021; Jacobo et al, 2006; Oates et al, 2011). Considering the potential of non‐degraded grasslands to store a large amount of C and thus mitigate climate change (Keller et al, 2021; Mbaabu et al, 2020), more research to restore degraded grasslands by identifying and applying sustainable management practices is required.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grassland rehabilitation significantly increases soil carbon stocks by reducing net soil CO₂ emissions

Abdalla

Mutema

Chivenge

et al. 2022

Soil Use and Management

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Restoration of degraded grasslands through improved management is among the possible sustainable solutions to compensate for anthropogenic soil carbon (C) emissions. While several studies have shown a positive effect of rehabilitation on soil C, the impact on soil CO2 emissions is still uncertain. Therefore, this study aimed at quantifying the impact of grassland rehabilitation on soil CO2 emissions in a degraded grassland, South Africa. Commonly used rehabilitation practices were considered, that is rotational grazing (RG), livestock exclosure with fertilizer application (EF) and annual burning (AB), all being compared with traditional free grazing (FG). A total of 2880 in situ measurements of CO2 emissions were performed over 2.5 years under field conditions simultaneously with aboveground biomass, soil temperature, water content and soil organic C (SOC) to understand the changes in C fluxes. The RG performed the best under degraded grasslands by decreasing net CO2 emissions (per g of C) by 17% compared to FG, while EF increased emissions by 76% and AB had similar emissions to FG. The lower net emission under RG is associated with an increase in SOC stocks by 50% and aboveground biomass by 93%, after three years of implementation. Soil CO2 emissions were correlated positively to aboveground biomass and topsoil temperature (r = 0.91 and 0.60, respectively), implying a high effect of grass cover on soil microclimate and microbial activity. These results suggested RG as a potential cost‐effective nature‐based soil management strategy to increase SOC stocks into degraded grassland. However, long‐term trials replicated in different environments are still required.

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Regenerative rotational grazing management of dairy sheep increases springtime grass production and topsoil carbon storage

Cited by 23 publications

References 57 publications

Grazing Cattle, Sheep, and Goats Are Important Parts of a Sustainable Agricultural Future

Grazing Cattle, Sheep, and Goats Are Important Parts of a Sustainable Agricultural Future

Regenerative agriculture and integrative permaculture for sustainable and technology driven global food production and security

Grassland rehabilitation significantly increases soil carbon stocks by reducing net soil CO₂ emissions

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Regenerative rotational grazing management of dairy sheep increases springtime grass production and topsoil carbon storage

Cited by 23 publications

References 57 publications

Grazing Cattle, Sheep, and Goats Are Important Parts of a Sustainable Agricultural Future

Grazing Cattle, Sheep, and Goats Are Important Parts of a Sustainable Agricultural Future

Regenerative agriculture and integrative permaculture for sustainable and technology driven global food production and security

Grassland rehabilitation significantly increases soil carbon stocks by reducing net soil CO2 emissions

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Grassland rehabilitation significantly increases soil carbon stocks by reducing net soil CO₂ emissions