Grazing cover crops

The Impact of Grazing Cover Crops on Soil Health

May 6, 2022 | Posted in Grazing, Soil Health

Source: Kansas State

Cover crops are typically used by producers in dryland no-till cropping systems to improve soil health, reduce soil compaction, enhance nutrient cycling, improve soil structure, and improve water infiltration. Producers may be able to realize some income from cover crops by grazing or haying them. But is this a good idea or will it cancel out any benefit the cover crops would otherwise have on soil properties and residue cover?

[Podcast] Grazing Beef Cattle on Cover Crops Provides Economic Returns

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Montag Manufacturing, features Dan Shike, Associate Professor, Animal Science, University of Illinois. Shike will discuss the benefits cover crop grazing can offer livestock producers, the planning needed to incorporate covers into a beef operation, how grazing cover crops affects soil health, and more.

January 14, 2022 | Posted in Grazing

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Montag Manufacturing, features Dan Shike, Associate Professor, Animal Science, University of Illinois. Shike will discuss the benefits cover crop grazing can offer livestock producers, the planning needed to incorporate covers into a beef operation, how grazing cover crops affects soil health, and more.

2021 Fall National Cover Crop Summit

Profitably Grazing Cattle on Cover Crops

A Kansas cattle rancher and a specialist from South Dakota State University share insights on how to leverage cover crops as cattle feed at the 2021 Fall National Cover Crop Summit

October 26, 2021 | Posted in Grazing

Transitioning from harvesting crops using a combine to only using cattle is not an easy task, says CJ Blew, a cattle rancher from Castleton, Kan. His family’s 24,000-acre cow-calf operation has improved cattle health and performance since switching 3,000 acres of irrigated dryland cropland to paddocks for grazing cover crops.

[Podcast] Significant Increase in Soybean Yields From Grazing Cattle

This week’s podcast, sponsored by GS3 Quality Seed, features Humberto Blanco, a soil scientist with the University of Nebraska. Blanco will discuss a 16-year study he has done on cattle and soil compaction, soil ecosystem services, how the timing of grazing cattle affects compaction and more.

September 1, 2021 | Posted in Grazing

This week’s podcast, sponsored by GS3 Quality Seed, features Humberto Blanco, a soil scientist with the University of Nebraska. Blanco will discuss a 16-year study he has done on cattle and soil compaction, soil ecosystem services, how the timing of grazing cattle affects compaction and more.

How to Avoid Soil Compaction When Grazing Covers

July 14, 2021 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Lancaster Farming

Cover crops are considered one of the most effective and economical ways to improve soil health. It is important, however, to avoid causing excessive compaction that could negatively affect following crop yield and increase runoff and erosion. Read more in this article from Lancaster Farming.

Haying, Grazing or Chopping Covers Now Won't Reduce Prevented Planting Payment

July 6, 2021 | Posted in Grazing

Source: USDA

Agricultural producers with crop insurance can now hay, graze or chop cover crops for silage, haylage or baleage at any time and still receive 100% of the prevented planting payment. Previously, cover crops could only be hayed, grazed or chopped after November 1, otherwise the prevented planting payment was reduced by 65%.

Grazing Covers: Negative Impacts on Soil & Yields

July 2, 2021 | Posted in Grazing

Source: University of Nebraska Extension

Grazing cover crops can be a potential option to re-integrate crops with livestock production and reverse the adverse effects of separating crops and livestock production. Grazing cover crops could still maintain the benefits from cover crops as roots and some stubble remain after grazing. Read more in this article from University of Nebraska Extension.

Grazing Cover Crops, Years of Experience Mean More Profits

By Sarah Hill posted on June 22, 2021

Adding cattle to a cover crop system can be very beneficial for both livestock producers and cover crop growers, extending the grazing season and offering an additional source of expensive feedstuffs while providing soil health benefits. However, there are so many benefits to grazing that do not have a dollar value.

One-Third of Growers Use Cover Crops for Grazing, According to Annual Study

Fifty-seven percent of growers who graze livestock on cover crops graze less than 300 acres.

By Sarah Hill posted on June 15, 2021

Using cover crops as livestock feed can provide additional synergy to growing cover crops while providing additional soil health benefits and an extra income stream.

Finalize Forage Grazing Plans

May 28, 2021 | Posted in Grazing

Source: North Platte Telegraph

This is the time for finalizing your forage grazing plans. Whether growing small grains or cover crops, grazing will be maximized if livestock producers wait until the plants are 4 to 8 inches tall before starting the grazing process. Read more in this article from the North Platte Telegraph (North Platte, NE).