Location: Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory
Project Number: 3098-21600-001-074-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Aug 4, 2025
End Date: Aug 4, 2030
Objective:
Understanding the effects of conservation management inputs across pasturelands
requires fine scale assessments of sites, soils, and management inputs to validate and calibrate models for quantifying pastureland management at scale. ARS aims to continue supporting CEAP-Grazing Lands modeling efforts and ssessments by providing the data and validation studies necessary for NRCS to inform conservation decision-making on pasturelands. Pastureland monitoring and validation efforts will begin with a case-study at the Long-Term Agroecosystem (LTAR) Texas Gulf site in Riesel Texas.
Approach:
Data from the Riesel, Texas pastureland site will first be collected using the latest, cutting-edge instrumentation like solar powered livestock tracking sensors, digital soil scanning technologies, gridded weather datasets, and remote sensing. Data will then be used to identify the best modeling tool i.e., APEX, SWAT, RHEM or ALMANAC for pastureland conservation and management outcomes. Additional pastureland sites will be added through time to aid in determining the long-term and large-scale effects of management strategies coupled with the rapidly changing agricultural monitoring and management tools and varying weather dynamics. Insights gained from these studies help farmers and ranchers assess potential outcomes, refine Best Management Practices (BMPs), and develop precision ranching plans (i.e., identify the best times and places for pastureland management inputs that improve grazing efficiency and the bottom line). By enhancing the understanding of sediment loss, nutrient efficiency, carbon dynamics, and grazing impacts, this project supports sustainable pastureland management and long-term environmental resilience.