Grazing - Articles

Benchmark Study

Cover Crop Costs, Popularity of Planting Green Remain Steady

Annual cover crop survey reveals common cover cropping practices in U.S., untapped potential of grazing for profit & more.

By Michaela Paukner posted on June 1, 2023 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Grazing, Economics, Termination

Farmers across the U.S. continue to find success with cover cropping and planting green, according to the 2023 Cover Crops Operational Practices Survey.

Soil Health

Raising Cattle to Feed Grain

Cover crop rotation paired with grazing system completes no-tiller’s holy grail of soil health.

By Mackane Vogel posted on June 1, 2023 | Posted in Grazing, Soil Health

Jeff Gaska’s first time experimenting with cover crops came when he decided to frost seed clover into winter wheat.

Direct Use of Cover Crops Boosts Beef Production

While cover crop discussions usually hover around soil health & managing residue in row crops, many graziers realize profitable returns from using covers as high-quality forage.

By Dan Crummett posted on May 30, 2023 | Posted in Grazing, Soil Health

In 2015, Jack Gorczyca retired from his 33-year career as an ag teacher, bought a Case 550 dozer and set about preparing 160 acres of hilly, timbered land as the basis of a full-time cattle operation.

Cover Crops Provide Soil & Feed Savings on Cooper Family Farm

May 1, 2023 | Posted in Grazing, Economics

Grazing Cover Crops with Spring in Full Force

April 24, 2023 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Iowa State University

Calves, robins, geese, vultures… all signs confirming spring’s arrival in Iowa. The green up can feel like it arrived in hours, and it really is changing by the hour. Rye is among the first species to break winter dormancy and grows when temperatures reach 38 degrees F. While how fast the growth comes depends on multiple factors like growing degree days and moisture, in general, triticale and wheat tend to lag behind rye about two weeks.

Grazing Specialist Gives Tips for Grazing Cover Crops & Annual Forages

By Victor Shelton posted on March 22, 2023 | Posted in Grazing

No matter what type of grazing livestock you have, you likely have experienced time frames when you wished you had more forage available, especially during the summer slump period to help extend the grazing season. Having more forage available to graze or mechanically harvest helps to balance out dry matter needs and reduces the need to purchase additional forage.

5 Tips & Strategies for Managing Cover Crops in Spring

With spring just around the corner, check out 5 tips and strategies for spring cover crop management from experienced cover croppers.

By Mackane Vogel posted on March 20, 2023 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Grazing, Soil Health, Termination

With spring just around the corner, check out 5 tips and strategies for spring cover crop management from experienced cover croppers.

NDSU Extension Provides Outlook for 2023 Grazing Season

March 13, 2023 | Posted in Grazing

As the 2023 grazing season approaches, North Dakota State University Extension specialists provide an outlook for this year’s forage production.

Rethinking Crop Rotations to Utilize Cover Crops as Annual Forages

7th generation dairy farmer shares tips for increasing cover crop efficiency, choosing cover crop species & striving for efficient harvest management.

February 13, 2023 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Grazing, Soil Health

Daniel Olson has been trying to incorporate cover crops into his Lena, Wis., dairy farm for several years. There is a lot of trial and error that comes with the process, but he says there’s one main thing that has helped him start to have some success.