The LTAR grazing land common experiment at Platte River High Plains Aquifer

Authors: KHORCHANI, MAKKI - University Of Nebraska; Schmer, Marty; Freidenreich, Ariel; AWADA, TALA - University Of Nebraska; Birru, Girma; CHRISTOFFERSON, SANDRA - University Of Nebraska; DRIJBER, RHAE - University Of Nebraska; ERICKSON, GALEN - University Of Nebraska; Jin, Virginia; MCDERMOTT, REBECCA - University Of Nebraska; SUYKER, ANDY - University Of Nebraska; WATSON, ANDREA - Concordia College; Woodbury, Bryan

Submitted to: Environmental Quality
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/26/2024
Publication Date: 10/9/2024
Citation: Khorchani, M., Schmer, M.R., Freidenreich, A.S., Awada, T., Birru, G.A., Christofferson, S., Drijber, R., Erickson, G., Jin, V.L., McDermott, R., Suyker, A., Watson, A., Woodbury, B.L. 2024. The LTAR grazing land common experiment at Platte River High Plains Aquifer. Environmental Quality. 53:948-956. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20629.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20629

Interpretive Summary: A national agricultural network was developed to address research needs of the 21st century for the United States. The Long-Term Agroecosystem Research focuses on developing national strategies for more efficient and resilient agricultural production systems, improving environmental quality, and enhancing rural prosperity. The Platte River/High Plains Aquifer Long-Term Agroecosystem Research site is managed jointly between the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and USDA-ARS and conducts research on both cropland and grazingland systems. We describe the regional characteristics, the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research experiments at the Platte River/High Plains Aquifer sites and describe measurements being made from these sites and how the site is engaging with stakeholders.

Technical Abstract: The Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is managed by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS-USDA) and its partners. LTAR focuses on developing national strategies for more efficient and resilient agricultural production systems, improved environmental quality, and enhanced rural prosperity. The Platte River/High Plains Aquifer (PR/HPA) LTAR site is managed jointly between the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and USDA-ARS and is one of 6 LTAR sites that conduct research on integrated systems. The PR/HPA region encompasses multiple land resource areas and diverse agriculture production systems. The PR/HPA LTAR sites are designated as an integrated system focused specifically on the region’s dominant production practices of row-crop (corn and soybean), managed pastures, and beef cattle production. Research is predominantly conducted in eastern and in south central Nebraska. In this manuscript we focus on C3 cool-season pasture grazing systems under commonly used management practices for the area (common experiment) and alternative or aspirational management practices. The sites undergo rotational grazing and fertilization, and the alternative management treatment receives supplemented fertilization through dry distiller grains plus soluble that is given to cattle. Ecosystem services are then evaluated and include plant and animal productivity, diversity, plant ecophysiological traits, forage quality, greenhouse gas exchange, soil water, and soil physical, chemical and biological activities. In this paper, we describe the regional characteristics of the PR/HPA site, the on-going LTAR research related to pasture and beef cattle production within an integrated systems framework, how the site is engaging stakeholders on LTAR activities, and future research plans.