Grazing cover crops - Articles

Cover Crops: Insurance for a Wet Spring?

December 23, 2019 | Posted in Grazing

Joe Gardiner of Clearwater, Manitoba, has an insurance policy against a wet spring next year. Gardiner is one of a growing number of Manitoba farmers to embrace cover crops, having started the practice several years ago in an effort to increase fall grazing.

Timing Key When Grazing Cover Crops

December 23, 2019 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Soil Health Partnership

Grazing can provide many benefits to your operation such as producing feed for livestock, lengthening the grazing season, and producing a second crop off of your corn and soybean acres; however, implementing grazing requires planning. One thing to consider is the time of year your livestock will be utilizing this additional grazing and what cover crops make the most sense for your operation.

Cover Crops Extending the Cattle Grazing Season

December 4, 2019 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Hillsboro (Kan.) Star-Journal

Several farmers in Marion County, Kan. are turning to cover crops to extend the grazing season for their cattle, including cereal rye, annual ryegrass, oilseed radishes, forage turnips, oats, and triticale, reports the Hillsboro (Kan.) Star-Journal.

Iowa Operation Enhances Soil Health with Cover Crops

November 22, 2019 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Aberdeen News

A long-time no-tiller, Bo Fox, Monona County, Iowa, has expanded his crop management from no-tilling corn and soybeans to including crop rotations with small grains, cover crops, and livestock grazing of cover crops. While Bo has experimented with cover crops in the past, he recently worked with USDA’s NRCS to obtain planning and financial assistance to grow a diverse cover crop mix suitable for spring livestock grazing.

Fall Cover Grazing Opportunities Limited

November 7, 2019 | Posted in Grazing

Source: KMA Radio

A wet summer and late start to silage harvest likely cut into cover crop production this year. Patrick Wall, Iowa State University Extension beef specialist based in Knoxville, Iowa, says grazing availability will likely depend on planting dates. Read more in this article from KMA Radio.

Frozen Cover Crops Can Be Hazardous When Fed to Livestock

October 31, 2019 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Norfolk Daily News

Freezing temperatures are on their way for most of Nebraska. These freezing temperatures will play a key role in determining what can be grazed or hayed safely for your livestock. Read more in this article from the Norfolk Daily News.

[Podcast] Get Double Benefits with Cover Crops as Forages

Many cover crop species can be used as forage while also providing soil health benefits, says Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff, including hay, baleage and grazing. The type of cover crops to plant depends on your ultimate goal for those cover crops, as that goal can affect seeding rates, planting dates, and fertility. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

October 29, 2019 | Posted in Economics

Many cover crop species can be used as forage while also providing soil health benefits, says Pennsylvania cover crop expert Steve Groff, including hay, baleage and grazing. The type of cover crops to plant depends on your ultimate goal for those cover crops, as that goal can affect seeding rates, planting dates, and fertility. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

Soil Erosion, Water Quality Improved from Grazing & Cover Crops

October 18, 2019 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Wisconsin State Farmer

Preventing soil erosion and nutrient runoff, and improving water quality are issues that are important to farmers, elected officials and the general public. Derrick Raspor, soil conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, demonstrated the effects of different cropping systems on surface and ground water during a recent field day hosted by Rachel Bouressa on the Bouressa Family Farm. Read more in this article from the Wisconsin State Farmer.

Use Caution When Harvesting & Feeding Frosted Cover Crops

October 15, 2019 | Posted in Grazing

Source: University of Minnesota Extension

Temperatures in much of the Upper Midwest have already been below freezing, or will be soon. If you are still planning to graze or mechanically harvest forage on cover crop acres it is important to keep forage species in mind as some species can have toxic effects on animals. Read more in this article from University of Minnesota Extension.

Test Cover Crops for Nutrient Levels Before Grazing

September 30, 2019 | Posted in Grazing

Source: The Courier (Waterloo, Iowa)

Cover crops are seen as a saving grace for soil health, and livestock is a big key to adding diversity and working cover crops into an operation. To help producers understand how cover crops play into cattle diets, South Dakota State University Extension hosted a talk on managing different forages at the Dakotafest farm show in Mitchell this summer. Find out more in this article from the Courier (Waterloo, Iowa).