Grazing Tall Fescue Research Articles

Effects of Supplementing Corn Silage to Fall-Calving Heifers and Cows Grazing Tall Fescue on Cow Performance

Effects of Supplementing Corn Silage to Fall-Calving Heifers and Cows Grazing Tall Fescue on Cow Performance

PSV-20 The Effect of Bacillus Spp. Supplementation on Performance and Immune Function of Heifers Grazing Tall Fescue Pastures

Abstract Probiotics are purported to improve gastrointestinal tract health across a variety of species. Thus, we evaluated the effects of supplementing a blend of Bacillus spp. on performance and immune function in immature beef cattle. Crossbred heifers (n = 192) were stratified by initial body weight (196 ± 15.4 kg) and randomly assigned to 1 of 24 pastures (1.8 ha each) of Kentucky 31 tall fescue. Heifers were offered 2.84 kg daily of a commodity feed blend and the supplement contained either no probiotic (CON) or of Bacillus spp. (BAC). Bacillus spp. was offered at 3 grams per head per day. Heifers were weighed on consecutive days on d 0 and 1, along with d 84 and 85 to establish initial and final body weight. Interim weights were taken every 28 d. A humoral response to chicken egg albumin (OVA) was established following a subcutaneous injection with OVA. To assess heifers’ immune responses, plasma was taken from two heifers per pasture on d 1, 15, 29, 43, and 57. Plasma samples were measured for the presence of anti-OVA IgG, proinflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines. There were no trt*day interactions (P ≥ 0.30) for plasma response variables. Concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α and IFN-γ decreased (P ≤ 0.01) in heifers supplemented with BAC. The anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1 F5 decreased (P = 0.02) with BAC supplementation. Chemokines MIG and MIP-1β also decreased (P ≤ 0.03) with BAC supplementation. Heifers fed BAC tended to display (P = 0.09) greater titers of anti-OVA IgG than the control. Body weight and average daily gain did not differ (P ≥ 0.53) throughout the experiment. Under the conditions of this experiment, heifers supplemented with Bacillus spp. demonstrated modulated immune responses.

117 Organic and conventional pasture systems for lamb production in Southeastern U.S

Abstract Little is known about U.S. organic production of ruminant livestock. Objective was to examine growth, gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection, and eligibility of organic certification between conventional (CON) and organic (ORG) management (Mgt) up to 150 d of age. Katahdin lambs (ORG, n = 240; CON, n = 690) were born in fall (Oct–Dec) or winter (Jan–Mar) between 2014 and 2019 in Booneville, AR. Intact male and female lambs were fence line weaned ~90 d of age, grazed tall fescue and/or mixed forages and were supplemented (corn/soybean meal) when forage quality became limiting. Organic sheep and pastures were certified by NICS. Body weight was determined at birth and approximately 60, 90, 120, and 150 d of age. Blood and feces were collected for packed cell volume (PCV) and fecal egg counts (FEC) at 90, 105, 120, 135, and 150 d of age. Lambs were selectively dewormed based on Five Point Check and incidence recorded. Data were analyzed by Proc GLM or Mixed with repeated measures (SAS) and included Mgt, sex, season, yr, d of measurement and interactions; age of lamb was included as covariate if needed. Birth weight was usually greater in fall born ORG and less in winter born than CON (mgt x season x yr, P < 0.001), and varied between ORG and CON over time (mgt x season x yr x d, P < 0.001). A similar 4-way interaction occurred for FEC and PCV (P < 0.001). Incidence of deworming was similar between ORG and CON (ranged between 0 and 3 times/lamb, and 3.2% to 151% over season and yr). Because copper oxide wire particles were used for most ORG deworming, between 50 and 92% of lambs were eligible for organic certification by 150 d of age (mgt x season x yr, P = 0.03). Comparisons between farming systems are complex and should consider factors such as varietal and seasonal changes in forages.

Soil‐test biological activity with the flush of CO2: VII. Validating nitrogen needs for fall‐stockpiled forage

AbstractNitrogen fertilizer is an expensive input, and its necessity in grazed tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) pastures can be questioned when sufficient soil N mineralization occurs. A soil‐testing tool that could predict the need for N fertilizer inputs would be beneficial to producers to optimize profit and avoid environmental contamination. Thirty‐seven on‐farm trials were conducted in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge regions of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia in 2018 to evaluate fall‐stockpiled tall fescue yield response to N and P fertilizer inputs. Carbon and N characteristics of the soil surface (0‐ to 10‐cm depth) and surface residue varied among sites. Forage mass responses to P fertilizer input were below the economic threshold, regardless of Mehlich‐III extractable P. Forage mass responses to N fertilizer input did not exceed a low cost/value threshold of 5 kg forage kg−1 N in 24 of the trials. Economically optimum N rate was greatest when soil N mineralization and soil‐test biological activity (STBA) were at low levels. Results validated those of an earlier study on 55 fields, and taken together, suggest that N fertilizer for fall‐stockpiled tall fescue could be as high as 80 kg N ha−1 on fields with very low STBA (<100 mg CO2–C kg−1 soil 3 d−1) and declining to nil with medium STBA (>250 mg CO2–C kg−1 soil 3 d−1), depending on cost/value threshold. Healthy soils with high STBA can be managed effectively without N fertilizer inputs to recycle nutrients and promote more sustainable agricultural systems.

70 Grazing Patch Intensity of Calves Grazing Tall Fescue with Varied Toxicity and Fescue Stand Percentage.

70 Grazing Patch Intensity of Calves Grazing Tall Fescue with Varied Toxicity and Fescue Stand Percentage.

Comparison of Two Organic Trace Mineral Supplements for Cows Grazing Tall Fescue

Comparison of Two Organic Trace Mineral Supplements for Cows Grazing Tall Fescue

056 Response of Growing Cattle to a Cumulative Management Strategy Including an Implant, Ionophore, and Byproduct Feed Supplementation While Grazing Tall Fescue Pastures with Varying Toxicity

056 Response of Growing Cattle to a Cumulative Management Strategy Including an Implant, Ionophore, and Byproduct Feed Supplementation While Grazing Tall Fescue Pastures with Varying Toxicity

Effect of supplementation of developing replacement heifers with monensin or bambermycins on gain and pregnancy rates

ABSTRACT Medicated feed additives have been shown to increase BW gain and decrease age at puberty; therefore, heifers were provided nonmedicated control (CNTRL), bambermycins (BAMB, Gainpro, Huvepharma Inc., Sofia, Bulgaria), or monensin (MON, Rumensin, Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) supplements to determine effects on growth performance and reproductive development. Spring-calving (block 1; n = 70 heifers; BW = 208 ± 21.7 kg; age = 231 ± 17.0 d) and fall-calving (block 2; n = 72 heifers; BW = 225 ± 31.7 kg; age = 276 ± 12.8 d) heifers were allotted to treatments [n = 4 groups in CNTRL and 5 groups in BAMB and MON (block 1), 4 groups per treatment (block 2)] by breed, BW, and source. Heifers in block 1 grazed tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] for 188 d; heifers in block 2 grazed bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) pasture and tall fescue for 161 d. The BW at breeding and ADG of CNTRL (323 ± 4.8 kg and 0.68 ± 0.0167 kg/d, respectively) was less (P ≤ 0.04) than medicated, yet MON (346 ± 4.6 kg and 0.73 ± 0.0163 kg/d) and BAMB (344 ± 4.6 kg and 0.74 ± 0.0163 kg/d) did not differ (P ≥ 0.69). Prebreeding reproductive tract scores (3.5 ± 0.60), cycling activity (61 ± 12.3%), and AI (30 ± 12.3%) and total pregnancy rates (82 ± 11.5%) did not differ (P ≥ 0.25) among treatments. This experiment indicates that BAMB and MON effectively increased growth performance of heifers but did not affect reproductive development or pregnancy rates.

Persistence of tall fescue in a subtropical environment: tiller survival over summer in response to flowering control and nitrogen supply

AbstractEnhancing pasture persistence is crucial to achieve more sustainable grass‐based animal production systems. Although it is known that persistence of perennial ryegrass is based on a high turnover of tillers during late spring and summer, little is known about other forage species, particularly in subtropical climates. To address this question, this study evaluated survival of grazed tall fescue tillers growing in a subtropical climate. We hypothesized that hard tactical grazing during winter to remove reproductive stems (designated as ‘flowering control’), and nitrogen fertilization in spring, would both improve tiller survival over summer, and thus enhance tiller density. This was assessed in two experiments. In both experiments, few tillers appeared during late spring and summer and so tiller density depended on the dynamics of vegetative tillers present in the sward in spring. In Experiment 2, flowering control and nitrogen fertilization both enhanced the survival of that critical tiller cohort, but the effects were not additive. Responses were similar but not statistically significant in Experiment 1, which had a warmer, drier summer and lower overall survival rates. Unlike grasses in temperate environments, persistence of tall fescue in this subtropical site appeared to follow a ‘vegetative pathway’; i.e., new tillers were produced largely in autumn, from vegetative tillers that survived the summer.

Effects of Cultivar and Distillers Grains Supplementation on Grazing and Subsequent Finishing Performance of Stocker Steers Grazing Tall Fescue Pasture

Four hundred thirty-two yearling steers grazing tall fescue pastures were used to evaluate the effects of fescue cultivar and dried distillers grains (DDG) supplementation during the grazing phase on available forage, grazing gains, subsequent finishing gains, and carcass characteristics. Fescue cultivars evaluated were highendophyte ‘Kentucky 31’ and low-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ ‘HM4,’ and ‘MaxQ.’ Steers were either fed no supplement or were supplemented with DDG at 1.0% body weight per head daily in 2009 or 0.75% of body weight per head daily in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 while grazing. Steers that grazed pastures of lowendophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ ‘HM4,’ or ‘MaxQ’ gained significantly more (P 0.05). Subsequent finishing gains were similar (P > 0.05) among fescue cultivars in 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2014; however, steers that previously grazed highendophyte ‘Kentucky 31’ had greater (P > 0.05) finishing gains than those that had grazed ‘HM4’ or ‘MaxQ’ in 2010 and greater (P < 0.05) finishing gains than those that grazed low-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31’ or ‘HM4’ in 2011. Supplementation of grazing steers with DDG supported a higher stocking rate and resulted in greater (P < 0.05) grazing gain, gain/a, and overall daily gain and reduced the amount of fertilizer needed by providing approximately 60 lb/a, 50 lb/a, 50 lb/a, 30 lb/a, 40 lb/a, and 40 lb/a of nitrogen (N) in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively, primarily from urine of grazing cattle.

Diet Composition and Dry Matter Intake of Beef Steers Grazing Tall Fescue and Alfalfa

ABSTRACTAlkanes are a noninvasive method to estimate dry matter intake (DMI) of grazing herbivores. Other cuticular wax components such as long chain fatty alcohols (LCOH) have been used for estimation of diet composition of ruminants eating mixed diets. This study estimated diet composition using n‐alkanes and LCOH and estimated DMI using naturally occurring and dosed n‐alkanes. Beef steers (Bos taurus) (16 mo. old, 358 ± 9 kg) grazing vegetative adjacent monocultures of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. subsp. sativa) were used in this study, which also evaluated diet preference. The LCOH (C26, C28, and C30) added additional characterization of the forages, but diet composition estimates were not different (P ≥ 0.22) than when estimated using four n‐alkanes (C27, C29, C31, and C33). Diet composition estimation indicated that steers consumed similar (P = 0.13) diets of 79 and 70% alfalfa in Year 1 and Year 2, respectively, corresponding to previous work showing a partial preference for legumes. Dry matter intake in Year 2 was lower (P = 0.0002, 4.7 kg d−1) than Year 1 (9.2 kg d−1), likely due to hot weather in Year 2. This study suggests that if n‐alkane profiles of the forages being grazed are distinct, the additional analysis needed to determine LCOH concentrations may not be necessary. Analyzing preliminary forage and fecal samples for n‐alkanes to estimate diet composition could reduce labor and expenses by eliminating additional laboratory analyses.

Production and Economics of Steers Grazing Tall Fescue with Annual Legumes or Fertilized with Nitrogen

ABSTRACTUse of cool‐season forage legumes may decrease production costs and improve returns to beef cattle (Bos spp.) producers. The objective of this 3‐yr field study was to compare the performance and economics of stocker cattle grazing tall fescue {Festuca arundinacea Schreb. [syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort] ‘Texoma MaxQ II’} under two N systems. Paddocks (0.81 ha) were either a tall fescue with 112 kg N ha−1 (fertilized so that a total of soil residual N plus fertilizer would equal 112 kg N ha−1) (TF‐N) or contained a tall fescue with annual legume mixture (arrowleaf clover [Trifolium vesiculosum Savi], hairy vetch [Vicia villosa Roth], and field pea [Pisum sativum L.] (TF‐Leg). Steers (Bos taurus; 282 ± 67 kg initial body weight) were weighed every 28 d during each grazing season, and stocking rates were adjusted based on forage mass with put‐and‐take steers. In each 28‐d grazing period, forage mass, forage allowance, and stocker average daily gain (ADG) and total gain (TG) were measured. Results show a greater number of grazing days (429 and 334 d ha−1, respectively; p = 0.03) were associated with the TF‐N system than the TF‐Leg system while animal performance (ADG of 0.70 kg per head d−1; p = 0.61) and TG (296 and 237 kg ha−1; p = 0.10) were similar. The 3‐yr average total cost with establishment and gross revenue were similar between the TF‐N (US$460.67 and $691.16 ha−1, respectively) and TF‐Leg systems ($466.79 and $553.33 ha−1, respectively). However, the TF‐N system showed a tendency toward greater expected net return than the TF‐Leg system ($224.35 and $92.67 ha−1, respectively; p = 0.08).

Performance by Fall‐Calving Cows Grazing Tall Fescue Pastures With Different Proportions Stockpiled

Performance by Fall‐Calving Cows Grazing Tall Fescue Pastures With Different Proportions Stockpiled

Evaluation of Supplementation Programs for Growing Cattle Grazing Tall Fescue

AbstractEighty steers and heifers were used to determine the effects of supplemental energy or undegradable intake protein (UIP) on the performance of growing cattle grazing tall fescue. Treatments included 1) no supplemental feed offered (control), 2) 0.91 kg/d of supplemental corn supplying 26g UIP/d, 3) low-escape protein—0.91 kg/d of a 22% CP supplement supplying 117g UIP/d, or 4) high-escape protein—0.91 kg/d of a 42% CP supplement supplying 239g UIP/d. Effective N degradabilities of the supplements were 63.6, 43.8, and 37.5%, respectively. All supplements also supplied 224mg of lasalocid/ kg. Calf ADG was increased by an average of 0.11kg by supplementation (control vs supplement, P = 0.02), and supplement type did not affect ADG (linear and quadratic responses of UIP, P > 0.36). The ratio of in-situ ruminallydegraded OM to ruminally-degraded CP (RDOM:RDCP) can be an effective predictor of the balance of ruminally available N and energy for designing supplementation programs for grazing cattle. Thus, the ratio of forage RDOM:RDCP was determined at 0, 8, 16, 24, 36, and 48h of in situ incubation. The ratio of RDOM:RDCP of the forage samples remained essentially unchanged after 24h of incubation, indicating that a single point in situ analysis can be used to determine this ratio. In conclusion, calves grazing tall fescue with 24-h in situ RDOM:RDCP ratios of 4.32 or less benefited equally from grain-based energy supplements or supplements supplying 117 and 239g of UIP daily.

Effect of Eprinomectin or Fenbendazole on the Performance of Growing Steers Grazing Tall Fescue

Gunter, SA., Beck, PA. and Hubbell III, D.H. 2006. Effect of eprinomectin or fenbendazole on the performance of growing steers grazing tall fescue. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 29: 1–5. Two experiments were conducted over 98 and 113 days in the fall and spring, respectively, with growing steers grazing tall fescues (Festuca arundinacea Schreb). In both experiments, untreated steers weighed less (P<0.01) than steers treated with eprinomectin or fenbendazole after grazing. The body weight between steers treated with eprinomectin or fenbendazole did not differ (P>0.33). Untreated steers had average daily gains that were less (P<0.01) than steers treated with eprinomectin or fenbendazole. No differences (P=0.49) were noted in average daily gains between eprinomectin and fenbendazole. Untreated steers had higher (P<0.01) strongyle egg counts than the steers treated with eprinomectin or fenbendazole. Steers de-wormed with eprinomectin or fenbendazole responded similarly to treatment in both grazing seasons with de-wormed cattle gaining body weight 67% faster than non-treated control steers. Using eprinomectin did not produce a synergistic effect on body weight gain by cattle grazing tall fescue compared to using fenbendazole which has been suggested to occur when using ivermectin, even though eprinomectin and ivermectin are chemically similar.

Tall Fescue for Backgrounding in Preparation for Small-Grain or Bermudagrass Pasture

The objective of these studies was to compare potential season-long grazing systems for stocker calves using endophyte-infected tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) or small grain forages (wheat [Triticum aestivum L.] and rye [Secale cereale L.]) prior to the spring graze-out period on small grain or early summer grazing on bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) pasture. Forty steers in 2002 (202 ± 3.0 kg) and 32 steers in 2003 (230 ± 3.9 kg) grazed 1.6-ha replicates (2.5 calves/ha) of endophyte-infected tall fescue or small grain pasture from March 13 to May 8; then, all groups grazed a single 16-ha pasture of common bermudagrass until August 15. Calves that grazed small grains during the spring graze-out period gained more (P<0.01) BW than calves that grazed tall fescue in 2002 and 2003. However, no compensatory gain was measured during subsequent grazing on bermudagrass for calves that had previously grazed tall fescue in the spring. Starting in 2002, 48 steers (225 ± 2.6 kg) grazed either tall fescue or small grain pasture from November 21, 2002 to January 31, 2003, and then all groups grazed small grain pastures until April 22. Calves that grazed small grain pasture in the fall gained more (P<0.01) BW than did calves that had grazed tall fescue pasture. The BW gain measured during the subsequent grazing on small grain pasture in the spring did not differ (P>0.05) between calves that grazed tall fescue or small grain pasture previously. Despite the lesser BW gains measured when calves grazed endophyte-infected tall fescue during the winter or spring, no compensatory gain was measured when tall fescue calves subsequently were grazed on small grain or bermudagrass pasture.

Spatial Distribution of Extractable Phosphorus, Potassium, and Magnesium as Influenced by Fertilizer and Tall Fescue Endophyte Status

Animals influence nutrient cycling within grazed systems, and the effect may be greater with tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) because of endophyte‐produced alkaloids that cause fescue toxicosis and alter animal behavior. Twelve grazed tall fescue pastures, established in a Cecil sandy loam (fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludult) soil near Watkinsville, GA were used to measure fertility (134–15–56 and 336–37–139 kg N–P–K ha−1 yr−1) and endophyte (low, 0 to 29% and high, 65 to 94%) effects on P and K distribution. Soil samples were collected in winter 1997 at distances of 1, 10, 30, 50, and 80 m from permanently located shade and water sources at eight depth increments down to 1.5 m. Nutrient accumulation was greatest 1 m from shade and water sources where P, K, and Mg concentrations were 1.7 to 8, 2.5 to 15, and 1.1 to 1.5 times greater than average concentrations at the remaining distances, depending on depth and fertility level. Accumulation of P, K, and Mg in the area 10 to 80 m from shade and water was limited. When summed for the 0‐ to 300‐mm depth and estimated on a per hectare basis, extractable P was 64% greater in high than in low endophyte‐infected tall fescue pastures at 1 m from shade and water sources (703 vs. 428 kg ha−1, LSD = 93) and averaged 252 kg ha−1 for remaining distances. Endophyte levels did not affect K distribution and only affected Mg distribution under the low‐fertility treatment. Endophyte effects accrued over a long time period, which would indicate that altering grazing and pasture management (movement of animals, fertilizer and lime applications, and location of shade and water sources) to reduce these effects would be needed only occasionally to reduce potential environmental risks.

Soil Aggregation and Glomalin under Pastures in the Southern Piedmont USA

Soil aggregation is important for maintaining soil surface integrity and allowing water to infiltrate, rather than runoff and cause erosion. The effect of grazing animals on soil aggregation compared with other conservation management strategies in the Southern Piedmont USA is not well known. We tested a hypothesis that grazing animals might negatively affect soil aggregation characteristics. Water‐stable macroaggregates (&gt;0.25 mm), mean‐weight diameter, and their stabilities were (i) similar between conservation‐tillage cropping and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)–common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) pasture; (ii) similar between 15‐ to 19‐yr‐old grazed and hayed hybrid bermudagrass; (iii) 7 to 14% greater in 30‐yr‐old than in 10‐yr‐old grazed tall fescue and hybrid bermudagrass pastures; (iv) similar among long‐term grazingland, hayland, and forestland; and (v) 5 to 11% lower under cattle grazing than under monthly haying or unharvested management during the first 4 yr following conversion of cultivated cropland to pastureland. Water‐stable aggregate distribution at a depth of 0 to 50 mm was 0.30 ± 0.07 g g−1 in the 1.0‐ to 4.75‐mm class, 0.46 ± 0.07 g g−1 in the 0.25‐ to 1.0‐mm class, 0.15 ± 0.02 g g−1 in the 0.05‐ to 0.25‐mm class, and 0.07 ± 0.01 g g−1 in the &lt;0.05‐mm class, averaged across management systems and replications Total glomalin of the 1.0‐ to 4.75‐mm dry‐stable aggregate class was highly related to whole soil organic C content, but neither of these properties was particularly well related with water‐stable macroaggregation, mean‐weight diameter, or their stabilities. We conclude, overall, that grazing of pastures in the Southern Piedmont USA has little detrimental effect on soil aggregate distribution and stability and is comparable in soil conservation with other land conservation strategies.

Soil organic C and N pools under long-term pasture management in the Southern Piedmont USA

Soil organic matter pools under contrasting long-term management systems provide insight into potentials for sequestering soil C, sustaining soil fertility and functioning of the soil–atmospheric interface. We compared soil C and N pools (total, particulate and microbial) under pastures (1) varying due to harvest technique (grazing or haying), species composition (cool- or warm-season), stand age and previous land use and (2) in comparison with other land uses. Grazed tall fescue-common bermudagrass pasture (20 yr old) had greater soil organic C (31%), total N (34%), particulate organic C (66%), particulate organic N (2.4 fold) and soil microbial biomass C (28%) at a depth of 0–200 mm than adjacent land in conservation-tillage cropland (24 yr old). Soil organic C and total N at a depth of 0–200 mm averaged 3800 and 294 g m −2, respectively, under grazed bermudagrass and 3112 and 219 g m −2, respectively, under hayed bermudagrass. A chronosequence of grazed tall fescue suggested soil organic N sequestration rates of 7.3, 4.4 and 0.6 g m −2 yr −1 to a depth of 200 mm during 0–10, 10–30 and 30–50 yr, respectively. Soil C storage under long-term grazed tall fescue was 85 to 88% of that under forest, whereas soil N storage was 77 to 90% greater under grazed tall fescue than under forest. Properly grazed pastures in the Southern Piedmont USA have great potential to restore natural soil fertility, sequester soil organic C and N and increase soil biological activity.

Spatial Distribution of Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Pools under Grazed Tall Fescue

Cattle (Bos taurus) behavior may be an important variable controlling the spatial distribution of soil C and N pools in long‐term, grazed pastures. Shade and water sources are more frequented areas of a pasture that can also serve as camping areas where excreta are deposited. We sampled a Cecil sandy loam (fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludult) under tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) at distances of 1, 10, 30, 50, and 80 m from permanent shade or water sources at the end of 8 and 15 yr of grazing. To a depth of 75 mm, soil bulk density was 1.15 Mg m−3 at 1 m and averaged 1.00 Mg m−3 at other distances from shade or water. To a depth of 300 mm, soil organic C was 4.6 kg m−2 at 1 m, 4.3 kg m−2 at 10 m, and ≈4.0 kg m−2 at distances of 30, 50, and 80 m from shade or water. Particulate organic C averaged 1.53 kg m−2 at distances of 1, 10, and 30 m and 1.30 kg m−2 at distances of 50 and 80 m from shade or water. Soil microbial biomass C, basal soil respiration, and net potential N mineralization were also greater nearer shade or water than farther away. Although lateral distribution effects were most dramatic at a depth of 0 to 25 mm, similar effects were observed even at a depth of 150 to 300 mm. Long‐term cattle grazing in relatively small paddocks (0.7–0.8 ha) with permanent shade and water sources resulted in significant lateral and vertical changes in soil organic C and N pools.