Soil Moisture and Vegetative Effects of Rotational Versus Management Intensive Grazing on a Hyperthermic South Texas Mollisol.

We describe an ongoing experiment in which the differential soil quality and soil moisture effects of low density, long-term rotational grazing are to be compared with those of high density, short term rotational (“Management Intensive”) grazing (MIG).  We will present data regarding above ground biomass, soil moisture, and plant species dynamics between the two systems. Extensive preliminary data regarding soil health (chemical, physical, biological) taken from the research plots (n=4) before the start of the experiment will also be presented. Challenges associated with implementing MIG in subhumid South Texas will also be discussed. The predominating soil among the plots is a fine, smectitic, hyperthermic leptic vertic Natrustoll.