Date of Graduation

Summer 2021

Degree

Master of Science in Plant Science (Agriculture)

Department

College of Agriculture

Committee Chair

William McClain

Abstract

Soil carbon and soil health are important topics relating to how climate change is impacting agriculture, and how agriculture can in turn impact climate change. The agriculture industry, particularly beef production, has a large opportunity to use conservation agriculture techniques, such as rotational grazing, to offset some of the industry’s impact on carbon emissions, erosion, water pollution, and other environmental issues. This study is the beginning of a long-term project exploring regenerative pasture systems in the Ozarks. The project takes place in a rotational grazing system with 12 paddocks. The objectives of this study are to characterize soil types by paddock and establish baseline values for important soil properties and species distribution and collect GIS data to develop maps to make management decisions. Baseline soil tests were done as well as plant species counts throughout the duration of the study. Data was compiled into map forms using Arcmap.

Keywords

rotational grazing, soil health, soil carbon, regenerative agriculture, carbon sequestration, plant species, native warm season grasses, grazing

Subject Categories

Agricultural Science | Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Plant Sciences

Copyright

© Shelbi M. Mundy

Open Access

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