18th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
A Comparison of Soil Compaction: Equine vs. Bovine
Sarah M. Tucker
Dr. Charlie Apter and Dr. Mark Campbell, Faculty Mentors
This research evaluated effects of livestock type on soil compaction in four zones common to equine and bovine pastures: near waterers, around feeders, in common pathways, and in undisturbed areas. We hypothesized that soil compaction would vary between species, based on differences in traffic and grazing patterns and hoof design (artiodactyl vs. perissodactyl). Soil compaction was measured in equine and bovine pastures utilizing a soil compaction penetrometer in the four pasture zones. Soil texture analyses were performed to determine if texture differences explained any observed compaction variation; these tests revealed texture had no bearing on compaction. Average soil compaction in the equine pasture was 475 psi while the bovine pasture soil was 480; t-test analyses showed no significant difference in the two pastures (p=0.379). When comparing the data of the four zones separately, t-test analyses showed the feeding areas (p<0.001) and the common pathways (p<0.001) were significantly different in compaction.
Keywords: soil, agriculture, soil compaction, farming, livestock treds
Topic(s):Agricultural Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 9-2
Location: VH 1010
Time: 8:30