Cattle and carbon: Soil carbon distinguished from pedogenesis and management

Authors: Franzluebbers, Alan

Submitted to: Trade Journal Publication
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/19/2024
Publication Date: 1/6/2025
Citation: Franzluebbers, A.J. 2025. Cattle and carbon: Soil carbon distinguished from pedogenesis and management. Trade Journal Publication. Vol. 39, Issue 1, p. 44-45.

Interpretive Summary: Soil organic carbon is influenced by historical soil formation factors and from contemporary management. An ARS scientist in Raleigh, North Carolina described how soil organic carbon stocks within the surface foot of soil could be separated into that portion influenced by historical soil formation factors and that portion influenced by land management over the past several decades. This article is the fifth of an educational series targeting cattle producers as the primary audience in the monthly Carolina Cattle Connection, a trade journal for the cattle industry in the Carolinas. This article described soil formation factors and management influences relevant to grassland managers in the Carolinas. Separation of soil organic carbon influenced by these factors was calculated for a dataset of conventional-till cropland and grassland for comparison and illustration of expected results. The intent of this series of articles is to provide reliable information that can strengthen pasture management practices for the future.

Technical Abstract: Soil organic carbon is influenced by historical soil formation factors and from contemporary management. An ARS scientist in Raleigh, North Carolina described how soil organic carbon stocks within the surface foot of soil could be separated into that portion influenced by historical soil formation factors and that portion influenced by land management over the past several decades. This article is the fifth of an educational series targeting cattle producers as the primary audience in the monthly Carolina Cattle Connection, a trade journal for the cattle industry in the Carolinas. This article described soil formation factors and management influences relevant to grassland managers in the Carolinas. Separation of soil organic carbon influenced by these factors was calculated for a dataset of conventional-till cropland and grassland for comparison and illustration of expected results. The intent of this series of articles is to provide reliable information that can strengthen pasture management practices for the future.