Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T06:11:27.112Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 2010

Karie Wiltshire ,
Kathleen Delate ,
Mary Wiedenhoeft  and
Jan Flora
Karie Wiltshire
Affiliation:
Graduate Program in Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
Kathleen Delate*
Affiliation:
Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
Mary Wiedenhoeft
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
Jan Flora
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
*
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

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.

Keywords

organicagroecologyburningtillingmowinggrazingcompetitionnative speciesplant interactions
Type
Research Papers
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 26 , Issue 2 , June 2011 , pp. 114 - 126
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS). 2002 (Online). Available at Web site http://www.nass.usda.gov/ (accessed October 20, 2005; verified August 13, 2010). USDA-NASS, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
2Frisina, M.R. and Mariani, J.M. 1995. Wildlife and livestock as elements of grassland ecosystems. Rangelands 17(1):23–25.Google Scholar
3Scholl, J.M., Hughes, H.D., and McWilliams, R. 1955. Renovation can double pasture production. Iowa Farm Science 9:7–8.Google Scholar
4Hart, R. 2000. FSR: understanding farming systems. In Collinson, M. (ed.). A History of Farming Systems Research. CABI Publishing, CAB International, Wallingford, UK. p. 41–50.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5Stubbendieck, J. and Nielsen, C.A. 1989. Influence of harvest and nitrogen fertilizer on four warm-season grasses. In Bragg, T.B. and Stubbendieck, J. (eds). Prairie Pioneers: Ecology, History and Culture: Proceedings of the 11th North American Prairie Conference, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, p. 139–141.Google Scholar
6Biondini, M.E. and Redente, E.F. 1986. Interactive effect of stimulus and stress on community diversity in reclaimed lands. Reclamation and Revegetation Research 4:211–222.Google Scholar
7Whitford, W.G. 1988. Decomposition and nutrient cycling in disturbed arid ecosystems. In Allen, E.B. (ed.). The Reconstruction of Disturbed Arid Lands. Westview Press, Boulder, CO. p. 136–161.Google Scholar
8Wilson, S.D. and Tilman, D. 1991. Interactive effects of fertilization and disturbance on community structure and resource availability in an old-field plant community. Oecologia 88:61–71.Google Scholar
9Panciera, M.T. and Jung, G.A. 1984. Switchgrass establishment by conservation tillage: planting date responses of two varieties. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 39:68–70.Google Scholar
10Foster, B.L. 1999. Establishment, competition, and the distribution of native grasses among Michigan old-fields. Journal of Ecology 87:476–489.Google Scholar
11Goldberg, D. and Novoplansky, A. 1997. On the relative importance of competition in unproductive environments. Journal of Ecology 85(4):409–418.Google Scholar
12Rosburg, T.R. 1990. Restoration of remnant, native warm-season grasses on Southern Iowa Pastureland. MS thesis, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.Google Scholar
13Rosburg, T.R. and Glenn-Lewin, D.C. 1992. Effects of fire and atrazine on pasture and prairie plot species in southern Iowa. In Smith, D.D. and Jacobs, C.A. (eds). Proceedings of the 12th North American Prairie Conference: Recapturing a Vanishing Heritage, 5 August 1990. University of Northern IA, Cedar Falls, IA. p. 107–111.Google Scholar
14Pammel, L.H. and King, C.M. 1926. The Weed Flora of Iowa. Bulletin No. 4. Revised edition. Iowa Geological Survey, Des Moines, IA.Google Scholar
15Hall, K.E., George, J.R., and Riedl, R.R. 1982. Herbage dry matter yields of switchgrass, big bluestem, and indiangrass with N fertilization. Agronomy Journal 74:47–51.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16Jung, G.A., Gross, C.F., Kocher, R.E., Burdette, L.A., and Sharp, W.C. 1978. Warm-season grasses extend beef cattle forage. Science Agriculture 25(2):6.Google Scholar
17Krueger, C.R. and Curtis, D.C. 1979. Evaluation of big bluestem, indiangrass, sideoats grama, and switchgrass pastures with yearling steers. Agronomy Journal 71:480–482.Google Scholar
18Nelson, J.C. and Moser, L.E. 1995. Photosynthesis and carbon metabolism. In Barnes, R.F., Miller, D.A., and Nelson, J.C. (eds). Volume I: An Introduction to Grassland Agriculture–Forages. 5th ed. Iowa State Press, Ames, IA. p. 31–44.Google Scholar
19Conard, E.C. and Clanton, D.C. 1963. For highest gains, cool-season, warm-season pastures needed. Beef Cattle Progress Report. University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE.Google Scholar
20Samson, J.F. and Moser, L.E. 1982. Sod-seeding perennial grasses into eastern Nebraska pastures. Agronomy Journal 74:1055–1060.Google Scholar
21Wedin, W.F. and Fruehling, W. 1977. Smooth bromegrass vs. switchgrass for midsummer pasture. Annual Progress Report, Western Research Center, Castana, IA. ORC 77-10. Iowa State University, Ames, IA.Google Scholar
22Foster, B.L. and Gross, K.L. 1997. Determining the effects of plant biomass and litter on Andropogon gerardii in old-field vegetation. Ecology 78(7):2091–2104.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
23Grubb, P.J. 1977. The maintenance of species-richness in plant communities: the importance of the regeneration niche. Biological Review 52:107–145.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
24Harper, J.L. 1977. Population Biology of Plants. Academic Press, London.Google Scholar
25Fowler, N.L. 1988. What is a safe site? Neighbor, litter, germination, and patch effects. Ecology 69(4):957–961.Google Scholar
26Kemp, P.R. and Williams, G.J. III. 1980. A physiological basis for niche separation between Agropyron smithii (C3) and Bouteloua gracilis (C4). Ecology 61:846–858.Google Scholar
27MacDougall, A.S. and Turkington, R. 2004. Relative importance of suppression-based and tolerance-based competition in invaded oak savannah. Journal of Ecology 92:422–434.Google Scholar
28Kleijin, D. 2003. Can establishment characteristics explain the poor colonization success of late successional grassland species on ex-arable land? Restoration Ecology 11(2):131–138.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
29Cox, M.L. and McCarty, M.K. 1958. Some factors affecting establishment of desirable forage plants in weedy bluegrass pastures of eastern Nebraska. Journal of Range Management 11(4):159–164.Google Scholar
30Malik, N. and Waddington, J. 1990. No-till pasture renovation after sward suppression by herbicides. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 70:261–267.Google Scholar
31Wilson, S.D. and Gerry, A.K. 1995. Strategies for mixed-grass prairie restoration: herbicide, tilling and nitrogen manipulation. Restoration Ecology 3(4):290–298.Google Scholar
32Bragg, T.B. and Sutherland, D.M. 1989. Establishing warm-season grasses and forbs using herbicides and mowing. In Prairie Pioneers: Ecology, History and Culture: Proceedings of the 11th North American Prairie Conference, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE. p. 81–89.Google Scholar
33Seguin, P., Peterson, P.R., Sheaffer, C.C., and Smith, D.L. 2001. Physical sod suppression as an alternative to herbicide use in pasture renovation with clovers. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 81(2):255–263.Google Scholar
34U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Marketing Service (USDA-AMS). 2005. National Organic Program Overview 7 CFR Part 205 (Docket No. TMD-00–02-FR) RIN: 0581-AA40, USDA-AMS, Washington, DC. Available at Web site http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NOP/standards/FullText.pdf (accessed September 24, 2005; verified August 13, 2010).Google Scholar
35Davison, C. and Kindscher, K. 1999. Tools for diversity: fire, grazing and mowing on tallgrass prairies. Ecological Restoration 17(3):136–142.Google Scholar
36Diboll, N. 1986. Mowing as an alternative to spring burning for control of cool season exotic grasses in prairie grass plantings. In Glambey, G.K. and Pemble, R.H. (eds). The Prairie: Past, Present and Future: Proceedings of the Ninth North American Prairie Conference, Tri-College University Center for Environmental Studies, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND. p. 204–209.Google Scholar
37Old, S.M. 1969. Microclimate, fire and plant production in an Illinois prairie. Ecological Monographs 39:355–384.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
38Johnson, B. 1989. Response of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) to plant growth regulators and mowing frequency. Weed Technology 3:54–59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
39White, L.M. 1973. Carbohydrate reserves of grasses: a review. Journal of Range Management 26:13–18.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
40Willson, G.D. and Stubbendieck, J. 2000. A provisional model for smooth brome management in degraded tallgrass prairie. Ecological Restoration 8(1):34–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
41Ehrenreich, J.H. and Aikman, J.M. 1963. An ecological study of the effect of certain management practices on native prairie in Iowa. Ecological Monographs 33(2):113–130.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
42Turner, N. 1974. Fertility, Pastures, and Cover Crops. 2nd ed. Bargyla and Gylver Rateaver Publishing, Pauma Valley, CA.Google Scholar
43Elmore, W. 1992. Riparian responses to grazing practices. In Naiman, R.J. (ed.). Watershed Management: Balancing Sustainability and Environmental Change. Springer-Verlag, New York. p. 442–457.Google Scholar
44MacAdam, J.W. and Nelson, J. 2003. Physiology of forage plants. In Barnes, R.F., Nelson, C.J., Collins, M., and Moore, K.J. (eds). Forages: An Introduction to Grassland Agriculture. Vol. I, 6th ed. Iowa State Press, Ames, IA. p. 73–97.Google Scholar
45Callaway, R.M. and Walker, L.R. 1997. Competition and facilitation: a synthetic approach to interactions in plant communities. Ecology 78:1958–1965.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
46Damhoureyeh, S.A. and Hartnett, D.C. 1997. Effects of bison and cattle on growth, reproduction, and abundances of five tallgrass prairie forbs. American Journal of Botany 84(12):1719–1728.Google Scholar
47Hulbert, L.C. 1988. Causes of fire effects in tallgrass prairie. Ecology 69(1):46–58.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
48Tix, D. and Charvat, I. 2005. Aboveground biomass removal by burning and raking increases diversity in a reconstructed prairie. Restoration Ecology 13(1):20–28.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
49Briggs, J.M. and Knapp, A.K. 1995. Interannual variability in primary production in tallgrass prairie: climate, soil moisture, topographic position and fire as determinants of aboveground biomass. American Journal of Botany 82:1024–1030.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
50Peters, D.P.C. 2000. Climatic variation and simulated patterns in seedling establishment of two dominant grasses at a semi-arid-arid grassland ecotone. Journal of Vegetation Science 11:493–504.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
51Beetz, A. 2001. Sustainable pasture management: a livestock systems guide (Online). ATTRA—National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, Fayetteville, AR. Available at Web site http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/sustpast.html (accessed September 22, 2005; verified August 13, 2010).Google Scholar
52Altieri, M.A. 2005. Multifunctional dimensions of ecologically based agriculture in Latin America (Online). University of California-Berkley, Berkeley, CA. Available at Web site http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/~agroeco3/multifunctional_dimensions.html (accessed October 20, 2004; verified August 13, 2010).Google Scholar
53Sanderson, M.A., Skinner, R.H., Edwards, G.R., Tracy, B.F., and Wedin, D.A. 2004. Plant species diversity and management of temperate forage and grazing land systems. Crop Science 44:1132–1144.Google Scholar
54Shaner, W.W., Philipp, P.F., and Schmehl, W.R. 1981. Farming Systems Research and Development: Guidelines for Developing Counties. Westview Press, Boulder, CO.Google Scholar
55Tripp, R. 1991. The farming systems research movement and on-farm research. In Tripp, R. (ed.). Planed Change in Farming Systems: Progress in On-Farm Research. John Wiley and Sons Ltd, New York. p. 3–16.Google Scholar
56U.S. National Arboretum. 1990. USDA plant hardiness zone map. USDA Miscellaneous Publication No. 1475. Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. (Online) Available at Web site http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html (accessed November 1, 2005; verified August 13, 2010).Google Scholar
57Russell, R.C. and Lockridge, D. 1980. Soil Survey of Marion County, Iowa. United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension Service—Iowa State University, and the Department of Soil Conservation, State of Iowa, Des Moines, IA.Google Scholar
58Willson, G.D. and Stubbendieck, J. 1997. Fire effects on four growth stages of smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.). Natural Areas Journal 17(4):306–312.Google Scholar
59Pauly, W.R. 1997. Conducting burns. In Packard, A. and Mutel, C.F. (eds). The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook: For Prairies, Savannas and Woodlands. Society for Ecological Restoration. Island Press, Washington DC, p. 223–244.Google Scholar
60Iowa State University Extension (ISU Extension). 2003. Nutrient management information sheet 1: NMEP 1- Soil Testing, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.Google Scholar
61Tilman, D., Wedlin, D., and Knops, J. 1996. Productivity and sustainability influenced by biodiversity in grassland systems. Nature 379:718–720.Google Scholar
62Tilman, D., Knops, J., Wedlin, D., Peich, P., Ritchie, M., and Siemann, E. 1997. The influence of functional diversity and composition on ecosystem processes. Science 277:1300–1302.Google Scholar
63Natural Resources Conservation Service-US Department of Agriculture (NRCS-Iowa). 1998. Native prairie: establishment and management of native prairie. Iowa Job Sheet: March 1998. Des Moines, IA.Google Scholar
64Schacht, W.H., Volesky, J.D., and Waller, S.S. 1996. Proper Livestock Grazing Distribution on Rangeland. University of Nebraska Range and Forage Resources: G80-504. University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE.Google Scholar
65Probasco, G.E. and Bjugstad, A.J. 1977. Tall fescue response to fire. Research Note NC-218. (Online). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station, St. Paul, MN. Available at Web site http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/11396 (accessed September 18, 2005; verified August 13, 2010).Google Scholar
66Vogel, K.P. and Masters, R.A. 2001. Frequency grid: a simple tool for measuring grassland establishment. Journal of Range Management 54:653–655.Google Scholar
67Stubbendieck, J., Friisoe, G.Y., and Bolick, M.R. 1995. Weeds of Nebraska and the Great Plains. Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Lincoln, NE.Google Scholar
68Christiansen, P. and Müller, M. 1999. Illustrated Guide to Iowa Prairie Plants. University of Iowa Press, Iowa City, IA.Google Scholar
69Barnes, R.F., Miller, D.A., and Nelson, J. 1995. Forages: Volume I. Introduction to Grassland Agriculture. 5th ed. Iowa State Press, Ames, IA.Google Scholar
70Steyermark, J.A. 1963. Flora of Missouri. Iowa State Press, Ames, IA.Google Scholar
71Rydberg, P.A. 1965. Flora of the Prairies and Plains of Central North America. Hafner Publishing Company, New York.Google Scholar
72Iowa Environmental Mesonet. 2005. IEM Climodat Reports (Online). Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Available at Web site http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/climodat/ (accessed November 1, 2005; verified August 13, 2010).Google Scholar
73Littell, R.C., Milliken, G.A., Stroup, W.W., and Wolfinger, R.D. 1996. SAS System for Mixed Models. SAS Institute Inc., Gary, NC.Google Scholar
74Sawyer, J.E., Mallarino, A.P., Killorn, R., and Barnhart, S.K. 2002. Crop Nutrient and Limestone Recommendations in Iowa. Iowa State University Extension: PM 1688. Revised on November 2002. Iowa State University, Ames, IA.Google Scholar
75Ambrose, L.G. and Wilson, S.D. 2003. Emergence of the introduced grass Agropyron cristatum and the native grass Boutelous gracilis in a mixed-grass prairie restoration. Restoration Ecology 11(1):110–115.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
76Wilsey, B.J. and Polley, H.W. 2003. Effects of seed additions and grazing history on diversity and productivity of subhumid grasslands. Ecology 84(4):920–931.Google Scholar
77Fowler, N.L. 1986. Microsite requirements for germination and establishment of three grass species. American Midland Naturalist 115(1):131–145.Google Scholar
78Wilson, S.D., Bakker, J.D., Christian, J.M., Li, X., Ambrose, L.G., and Addington, J. 2004. Semiarid old-fields restoration: is neighbor control needed? Ecological Applications 14(2):476–484.Google Scholar
79Morin, P.J. 2002. Competition: mechanisms, models and niches. In Morin, P.J. (ed.). Community Ecology. Blackwell Science, Oxford, UK. p. 29–61.Google Scholar
80Mitchell, R.B. and Nelson, J. 2003. Structure and morphology of legumes and other forbs. In Barnes, R.B., Nelson, C.J., Collins, M., and Moore, K.J. (eds). Forages: An Introduction to Grassland Agriculture, Vol. I. Iowa State Press, Ames, IA. p. 51–72.Google Scholar
81Steffen, J.F. 1997. Seed treatment and propagation methods. In Packard, S. and Mutel, C.F. (eds). The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook. Island Press, Washington DC, p. 151–162.Google Scholar
82Berg, W.A. 1990. Native forb establishment and persistence in a grass-forb seeding in the southern plains. In Smith, D.D. and Jacobs, C.A. (eds). Proceedings of the 12th North American Prairie Conference: Recapturing a Vanishing Heritage. University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA. p. 179–181.Google Scholar
83Brewer, H.E. 1947. Response of certain legumes to variation in soil and microclimate on eroded areas in southeastern Iowa. Ecological Monographs 17:471–500.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
84Hartnett, D.C., Hickman, K.R., and Fischer Walter, L.E. 1996. Effects of bison grazing, fire and topography on floristic diversity in tallgrass prairie. Journal of Range Management 49(5):413–420.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
85Olff, H., Pegtel, D.M., Van Groenendael, J.M., and Bakker, J.P. 1994. Germination strategies during grassland succession. Journal of Ecology 82(1):69–77.Google Scholar
86Gibson, D.J. 1989. Hulbert's study of factors effecting botanical composition of tallgrass prairie. In Bragg, T.B. and Stubbendieck, J. (eds). Prairie Pioneers: Ecology, History and Culture: Proceedings of the 11th North American Prairie Conference. University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE. p. 115–144.Google Scholar
87Bargelson, J. 1990. Site pre-emption by remains of Poa annua. Ecology 71(6):2157–2165.Google Scholar
88Potvin, M.A. 1993. Establishment of native grass seedlings along a topographic, moisture gradient in the northeast sandhills. American Midland Naturalist 130(2):248–261.Google Scholar
89Collins, S.L., Knapp, A.K., Briggs, J.M., Blair, J.M., and Steinauer, E.M. 1998. Modulation of diversity by grazing and mowing in native tallgrass prairie. Science 280:745–747.Google Scholar
90Tilman, D. 1993. Species richness of experimental productivity gradients: how important is colonization limitation? Ecology 74(8):2179–2191.Google Scholar
91Mayer, R. and Mensching, M. 2002. Incorporating grassland agriculture into row crop production systems in Madison, Warren, Marion and Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Proposal to the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture number 2002-39. Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.Google Scholar
92Acevedo, N., Lawrence, J.D., and Smith, M. 2006. Organic, natural and grass-fed beef: profitability and constraints to production in the Midwestern US Department of Economics, Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Available at Web site http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/content/Organic_Natural_Grass_Fed_Beef_2006.pdf (accessed May 4, 2008).Google Scholar