Cattle and carbon: Soil organic matter associates with some chemical properties

Authors: Franzluebbers, Alan

Submitted to: Trade Journal Publication
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/19/2025
Publication Date: 6/10/2025
Citation: Franzluebbers, A.J. 2025. Cattle and carbon: Soil organic matter associates with some chemical properties. Trade Journal Publication. Vol. 39, Issue 6, p. 28-30.

Interpretive Summary: Fertile soil can retain nutrients for plant uptake when needed. Soil organic matter alters soil fertility partly by increasing the capacity to store nutrients. An ARS scientist in Raleigh North Carolina described how soil organic matter affects several soil chemical properties among a diversity of farms in North Carolina. Soil organic matter is positively associated with cation exchange capacity and the potential of soil to mineralize organic nitrogen into plant available form. However, several other soil nutrients had no particular relationship with soil organic matter. This article is the tenth 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. The intent of this series of articles is to provide reliable information that can strengthen pasture management practices for the future.

Technical Abstract: Fertile soil can retain nutrients for plant uptake when needed. Soil organic matter alters soil fertility partly by increasing the capacity to store nutrients. An ARS scientist in Raleigh North Carolina described how soil organic matter affects several soil chemical properties among a diversity of farms in North Carolina. Soil organic matter is positively associated with cation exchange capacity and the potential of soil to mineralize organic nitrogen into plant available form. However, several other soil nutrients had no particular relationship with soil organic matter. This article is the tenth 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. The intent of this series of articles is to provide reliable information that can strengthen pasture management practices for the future.