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Runoff Plot Studies

To prepare a site for rainfall simulations, we have to:

  • randomly select a plot
  • pound in sheet-metal runoff barriers
  • label collection bottles
  • set up a windscreen
  • fill and carry 5 gal. buckets of water
  • etc.
Only half of the study is done in the field. Much more lab work takes place after samples have been taken and stored. There are many thousands of soil and water samples that must be tested for this study.

We use rainfall simulations to determine the effect of different grazing practices on losses of phosphorus and nitrogen in surface runoff. We are collecting data from two different sites for 3 years.

  • Site 1 - Iowa State University's Rhodes Farm near State Center, IA.
  • Site 2 - Iowa State university's Swine Nutrition Farm just west of Ames, IA.