http:www'bae'uky'eduWQ406

1
Determining and evaluating management practices
that will enhance cattle production for small to
mid-sized farm operators while addressing water
quality, nutrient management, environmental/regula
tory requirements, and operator training needs.

• OBJECTIVES
• determine the particular factors that influence
  cattle behavior in terms of movement, pasture
  utilization, grazing decisions, and use of
  riparian areas/stream systems under
  natural/control conditions in the humid region of
  the U.S.
• determine the influence of alternative
  management strategies such as off-stream water,
  fencing, shade (permanent and movable), and
  pasture improvements on cattle behavior
• educate livestock producers and other
  stakeholders on management systems that minimize
  adverse impacts of grazing on the environment and
  natural resources while maintaining or improving
  their production efficiency.

APPROACH An interdisciplinary team of engineers
and animal scientists is using global positioning
system (GPS) tracking data and geographical
information systems (GIS) to determine key
factors related to pasture utilization by cattle.
The influence of alternative management
strategies on cattle behavior such as off-stream
water, location of shade, and pasture
enhancements will be determined. Cattle are being
fitted with specially designed collars that will
allow their movement to be continuously tracked
and recorded. The tracking data are being
analyzed with respect to stream accessibility,
management systems in place, and water quality.
Kentucky has been proactive in the development of
management practices that enhance water quality.
The Kentucky Agricultural Water Quality Plan
mandates that every landowner submit a management
plan for their land. A list of Best Management
Practices is available to the landowner for
adoption if downstream water quality does not
meet minimum standards. When viewed in
conjunction with the statewide Kentucky
Agricultural Water Quality Plan, this project
fills research gaps relating to management
practices, assesses the cost/benefit of
practices, educates the landowners about
improvement programs, and evaluates the
effectiveness of the educational efforts.
STREAM PHOTO STATION
WEB SITE
http//www.bae.uky.edu/WQ406
May 2002
June 2002
July 2002
GPS COLLAR DATA
RESULTS Baseline data were collected during year
one of the study. These data include field
boundaries, stream bank locations, and
significant pasture features such as trees,
riparian areas, and stream crossings. A
comprehensive and interactive website has been
developed to present data to users. Three
periods of cattle monitoring were conducted.
These include late spring with good pasture
quality, late summer with poor pasture quality,
and early winter. Data from two of the sample
periods are shown to the left.
August 2002
FUTURE WORK Pasture renovation practices,
movable shade, and off-stream water will be used
on the pastures to determine if these management
strategies alter cattle movement and location
within the pastures. Data collection will
continue regarding the effects of cattle on
stream bank deterioration. Follow-up land-owner
surveys will be conducted to determine if
attitudes have been changed regarding cattle
movement in riparian areas.
September 2002
October 2002
Funding for this project is provided by a grant
from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service (CSREES) through the National
Water Quality Program.
November 2002