Cleaner water through smarter cattle farming

By Andi Anderson

Michigan State University (MSU) is leading a groundbreaking $19.2 million project aimed at transforming cattle farming by reducing its environmental impact and improving water quality.

Despite farming being one of the most technologically advanced sectors in Michigan, livestock farms remain a significant source of water pollution from nitrates and phosphorus, as well as air pollution from methane.

Under the guidance of Jason Rowntree, professor of animal science and the C.S. Mott Endowed Chair of Sustainable Agriculture at MSU, this five-year project, which began in 2021, seeks to prove the value of advanced cattle production practices.

Rowntree has dedicated his career to studying rotational grazing systems that move cattle across pastures, which he believes can enhance soil health, improve water infiltration, and increase biodiversity.

“We aim to achieve outcomes that improve soil health, build carbon, reduce erosion, and increase ground cover,” said Rowntree. His research is focused on developing methods to quantify the environmental benefits of these practices, including their effects on water, carbon, and soil health on a large scale.

The MSU farm, spanning 1,100 acres, serves as Rowntree’s laboratory, where he has implemented rotational grazing techniques. By moving cattle through fenced paddocks, he mimics natural grazing patterns, which allows grasses to grow and sink deep roots, improving soil health and water retention.

This practice also reduces the flow of nitrates and phosphorus into water bodies, as cattle manure is spread evenly across pastures.

To measure the effectiveness of these practices, Rowntree has installed monitoring devices that track changes in soil organic matter, water quality, and grass growth.

His research also extends to measuring the carbon storage potential of rotational grazing systems, using advanced sensing instruments and drones linked to satellites.

 The project has a national scope, with researchers and 60 additional rotational cattle operations in Michigan and four other states—Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming—participating. This extensive research is the most intensive in the country, aiming to understand the ecological impact of livestock management.

The findings from this project are expected to have far-reaching implications, not just for the 10,000 farms raising Michigan’s 238,000 beef cattle, but also for the 30 million beef cows and calves raised across the U.S.

The goal is to demonstrate that these environmentally sensitive practices can make cattle farming more resilient to climate change while improving profitability for farmers.

Rowntree is optimistic about the potential of these practices. “We have 600 million acres to work with,” he said. “It’s a huge opportunity to enhance education and management of these systems, leading to better environmental outcomes, profitability, and community well-being.”

While challenges remain, particularly in shifting mainstream agriculture toward more sustainable practices, Rowntree believes the evidence gathered from this project will make a compelling case for the widespread adoption of rotational grazing and other environmentally friendly farming techniques.

Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu