Nutrient management in pastures presents special challenges,
mainly because cattle tend to congregate in certain areas,
leaving more nutrient deposits of manure and urine around shade
or water tanks. This usually results in too many nutrients in
some areas and not enough in others. Kevin Shelley, with the
University of Wisconsin-Extension Nutrient Pest Management
Program points out, "Manure and urine are important sources of
nutrients for pasture forage production. The challenge in
grazing systems is to assure optimal distribution of manure
nutrients across and throughout the pastures." Shelley
recommends maintaining heavy grazing pressure in small areas for
short periods of time, then rotating livestock to the next
paddock. This reduces the potential for livestock to graze
selectively, feeding more in some areas than in others. While
many producers, particularly dairy producers, tend to follow
this practice, he said there are further steps graziers can take
to insure more even distribution of nutrients. "Pro