Assessing Soil Properties under Pastures Managed for Different Livestock Systems in Western Kentucky
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Graduate
Major
Agriculture
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Iin Handayani
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Soil health plays a vital role in sustainable agriculture, particularly in pasture-based livestock systems that influence physical and chemical soil properties. This study evaluated the effects of different livestock systems on surface soil characteristics in western Kentucky. Soil samples were collected from September 16 to September 22, 2025. Six fields were selected, representing beef, equine, swine, sheep/goat, poultry, and control (no livestock) systems. Both disturbed and undisturbed samples were collected from one soil depth (0–7.5 cm) to assess physical and chemical properties including bulk density (BD), total porosity, macroporosity, soil water holding capacity (SWHC), soil water at field capacity (SWFC), organic matter, organic carbon, and soil pH. Results showed that soil BD ranged from 1.16 g/cm³ in the equine pasture to 1.46 g/cm³ in the sheep/goat pasture. Total porosity varied between 45.09% (sheep/goat) and 56.23% (equine), while macroporosity ranged from 27.21% to 39.96%. SWHC and SWFC were highest in the equine and poultry pastures and lowest in the sheep/goat pastures. Organic matter content was highest in the equine (9.98%) and beef (9.70%) pastures, and lowest in the control field (4.90%). Soil pH values remained near neutral, ranging from 6.15 to 6.68 across systems. These findings indicate that livestock systems impact soil properties differently, with managed pastures under rotational grazing showing positive effects on soil quality. This study provides baseline data that can support sustainable pasture management strategies using soil health indicators as the key to ecosystem productivity.
Fall Scholars Week 2025
Research Poster Competition and Presentations, Soil/Crop Management (Agriculture) and Sustainability
Included in
Assessing Soil Properties under Pastures Managed for Different Livestock Systems in Western Kentucky
Soil health plays a vital role in sustainable agriculture, particularly in pasture-based livestock systems that influence physical and chemical soil properties. This study evaluated the effects of different livestock systems on surface soil characteristics in western Kentucky. Soil samples were collected from September 16 to September 22, 2025. Six fields were selected, representing beef, equine, swine, sheep/goat, poultry, and control (no livestock) systems. Both disturbed and undisturbed samples were collected from one soil depth (0–7.5 cm) to assess physical and chemical properties including bulk density (BD), total porosity, macroporosity, soil water holding capacity (SWHC), soil water at field capacity (SWFC), organic matter, organic carbon, and soil pH. Results showed that soil BD ranged from 1.16 g/cm³ in the equine pasture to 1.46 g/cm³ in the sheep/goat pasture. Total porosity varied between 45.09% (sheep/goat) and 56.23% (equine), while macroporosity ranged from 27.21% to 39.96%. SWHC and SWFC were highest in the equine and poultry pastures and lowest in the sheep/goat pastures. Organic matter content was highest in the equine (9.98%) and beef (9.70%) pastures, and lowest in the control field (4.90%). Soil pH values remained near neutral, ranging from 6.15 to 6.68 across systems. These findings indicate that livestock systems impact soil properties differently, with managed pastures under rotational grazing showing positive effects on soil quality. This study provides baseline data that can support sustainable pasture management strategies using soil health indicators as the key to ecosystem productivity.