Soil Nutrient Dynamics In Small Beef Cattle Backgrounding Feedlot On Karst Environment.

Beef cattle backgrounding feedlot systems that grow out weaned calves for feedlot finishing can become potential diffuse sources of manure derived soil nutrients. Better understanding of these nutrient concentrations and their distribution will aid in development of effective nutrient management guidelines for sustainable beef cattle production. This research investigated soil pH , soil organic matter (SOM), soil test P (STP), ammonium N (NH4-N), and 1nitrate N (NO3-N) across a small beef cattle backgrounding feedlot on a karst landscape. Initial results indicated that all contaminants were highly concentrated in the feeder are (FD) and in the nearby grazing area (GR). Feeder area soils had 8.2 pH, 5.9% SOM, 2002 mg kg-1 STP, 99.7 mg kg-1 NH4-N, and 18.3 mg kg-1NO3-N. The nutrient concentrations were lower in other feedlot areas. These results along with the levels after removal of lose manure pack in the FD area, and one year after abandoning the site will be presented.