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Earthworms benefit
soil quality in many ways, including
increasing pathways for infiltration, soil
aeration, and root growth; breaking up of
hardpans; incorporation and mixing into the
soil of organic materials; and making soil
nutrients more available to plants.
Rotational grazing systems used with grass
fed animals appears to be an ideal
environment for encouraging earthworms
because tillage and harmful chemicals are
rarely, if ever used, cooler temperatures
and moister soils are maintained by the
"permanent" grass/legume cover, and a
constant supply of organic matter is
available at the soil surface from cowpies,
uneaten forage, and manure applications.
1
Six Minnesota
pasture-based ranchers asked researchers to
compare the health of their soil with soil
from neighboring farms that produced corn,
soybean, oats, or hay. At the end of four
years of monitoring, researchers concluded
that the carefully managed grazed land had:
-
53% greater soil stability
-
131% more earthworms
-
Substantially more organic
matter
- Less nitrate pollution of
groundwater
- Improved stream quality
- Better habitat for grassland
birds and other wildlife 2
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Sorces:
1. Dorsey, Jay et al "Managed Grazing as an
Alternative Manure Management Strategy"
2.eatwild.com
