Environmental Benefits of Pasture and Grass-fed Cows
On well-managed pasture-based farms, the animals spread their manure evenly over the soil where it becomes a natural source of organic fertilizer. The manure improves the quality of the grass, which increases the rate of gain, or milk production, of the animals. A diet of grazed grass requires much less fossil fuel than the diet of a cow in a confined freestall that consumes corn silage, dried corn, and soy. On pasture, grazing animals do their own fertilizing and harvesting. The ground is covered with greens all year round, so it does an excellent job of harvesting solar energy and holding on to top soil and moisture. The manure also builds organic matter in the soil which enables the soil to hold more moisture, retain nutrients from running off, and allows the plant roots to penetrate and gather nutrients easier. In short, grass grazing builds soil, prevents erosion, protects water, retains carbon, uses less energy and reduces air pollution.
For more information:
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C sequestration, air & water quality http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/2011/may11/cows0511.htm
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Reduction in Greenhouse Gasses by MIG.DeRamus, H. A., T. C. Clement, D. D. Giampola, and P. C. Dickison. “Methane Emissions of Beef Cattle on Forages: Efficiency of Grazing Management Systems.” J Environ Qual 32, no. 1 (2003): 269-77.
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Builds soil, stabilizes soil, less nitrate pollution of groundwater. “Managed Grazing as an Alternative Manure Management Strategy,” Jay Dorsey, Jodi Dansingburg, Richard Ness, USDA-ARS, Land Stewardship Project
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Longevity of cows reducing greenhouse gasses. Garnsworthy, P.C., The environmental impact of fertility in dairy cows: a modeling approach to predict methane and ammonia emissions, Animal Feed Science & Technology, 2004. 112: 211-223.
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Grazed pasture is best for storing C. “Soil Organic Carbon in fields of switch grass and row crops as well as woodlots and pastures across the Chariton Valley, Iowa.” Final Report. Lee Burras and Julie McLaughlin, Iowa State University, January 25, 2002.
