infi ltration, and increase runoff and erosion. Small ag- gregates produced by slaking settle together, resulting in smaller pore spaces. Pore volume is reduced and the ability of plants to use water stored in pore spaces may be altered. “Infi ltration rate is another pa-
and their functions,” commented Tom McGrady, a cow- calf operator near Montgomery, Texas. “My take-home message from the workshop is that I need to ‘feed, clothe and house’ soil microbes so they will keep my
rameter that should be evaluated,” Masters continued. “Infi ltration is the downward entry of water into soil and infi ltration rate is the ve- locity at which water enters soil. Infi ltration is an indicator of the soil’s ability to allow water movement into and through the soil profi le. Soil temporarily stores water, making it available for root uptake, plant growth and habitat for soil organisms.” James Jensen summarized the workshop by saying
they will keep my soil healthy.
I need to ‘feed, clothe and house’ soil microbes so
soil healthy. In other words, I am responsible for pro- viding what microbes require for remaining healthy and doing their job. At the workshop I learned how to better manage soil health.” “I haven’t had time to try everything that I learned,”
he felt that the seminar was worth the trip from Bul- lard, where he and his parents raise Angus-Brahman crosses. “I found the seminar to be very educational,” Jenson said. “There are a lot of ways to do things and sometimes you need to try something new. I took sev- eral new ideas home with me.” “I’m too old to learn about the types of soil microbes
said John Locke. “Our grazing intensity has been increased to better utilize forage and to improve soil health with more manure and trampling. We also began monitoring soil health by measuring water infi ltration, amount of soil moisture and Brix levels in our forage.” The consensus from those who attended was that the workshop was very educational and benefi cial.
To help workshop attendees get a closer understanding of soil profi le, Coleman and John Locke brought out the backhoes to dig trenches.
tscra.org February 2016 The Cattleman 89
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