Regarding nutrient cycling under rotational grazing, one very recent study
comparing it to confinement dairies is: R.J. Knook (1995): Projected nutrient
cycles of two different dairy farm systems. Dept. of Animal Science,
North Carolina State University, Raleigh.
The reason I know of this work is that it was cited in a paper by Knook and
several NCSU coauthors, presented by Steven Washburn at the conference on
Environmental Enhancement through Agriculture last November. It's in the
proceedings volume that just came out, which also has three other papers that
are largely or entirely on rotational grazing.
Even as we speak, copies are on their way to your colleagues Buttel and
Posner (or may even be there by now). However, should you wish the
convenience of having your very own copy, I have (conveniently) attached a
(convenient) notice telling how you can (conveniently) do so.
Best wishes,
Willie
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Conference Proceedings
ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT THROUGH AGRICULTURE
346 pp. March 1996
Edited by William Lockeretz
Foreword by Karl Stauber, Under Secretary,
Research, Education and Economics
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This volume develops the idea of an agriculture the serves the
environment rather than conflicting with it. Its 36 papers offer
numerous examples of agricultural systems that benefit the
environment in diverse ways: increasing wildlife habitat and
biodiversity; protecting water quality in streams and estuaries;
producing substitutes for nonrenewable energy sources; turning
urban waste into a resource instead of a problem; offering
aesthetically appealing landscapes; and bringing urban residents
into closer contact with food production and the land.
Many of these papers describe specific activities that already are
achieving these benefits; others propose forward-looking
alternatives that would do more to support environmental quality.
The papers give special attention to areawide collaborations in
which farmers, concerned citizens, and technical experts work
together to establish common goals and develop innovative
arrangements to achieve them.
The papers are from a conference held in Boston, Massachusetts
(USA) in November 1995, sponsored by the Tufts University School of
Nutrition Science and Policy, the American Farmland Trust, and the
Henry A. Wallace Institute for Alternative Agriculture.
Copies are $20, postpaid. (Outside North America, please add $12 if
you wish to have it sent via air mail.)
Payment (in U.S. funds only, please) should be made out to
"Trustees of Tufts College."
Please send your prepaid order to:
Center for Agriculture, Food and Environment
School of Nutrition Science and Policy
Tufts University
Medford, MA 02155 (USA)
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