The Influence of Periodic Close Grazing and Pasture Fertilization upon Erosion Control¹

Abstract

G RASS occupies approximately 53% of the agricultural land of New York State, and 80% of the farm income is derived from the sale of milk and livestock products¯ In general, the pastures are located in fields which, because of their slope or for some other reason, are least suitable for the growing of other crops. Erosion surveys indicate that some pastures have very thin swards that provide only limited protection against erosion. These are usually due to low fertility as a result of previous cropping and erosion and inadequate attention to pasture improvement and management. Pasture growth takes place rapidly during May and early June, but high temperatures combined with low soil moisture seriously restrict production in most seasons between mid-June and mid-August. Experimental work at Cornell University, commenced by Johnstone-Wallace a in I932, has shown that it is possible to maintain a dense and productive sward of grass and wild white clover by adequate fertilization combined with periodical close grazing¯ Wilson 4 has shown that this partial defoliation results in the release of nitrogen from the clover root nodules with beneficial results to the grasses. The investigation reported here was designed to test the effectiveness of similar management practices on soil and water conservation under the severe climatic conditions prevailing at high altitudes in southern New York¯ The experiments