Cover crops as forage

Planning Necessary for Cover Crops to Become Forage

February 23, 2022 | Posted in Grazing

Cover crops have become more than just a practice to receive a payment. Grazing, haying or ensiling has become very popular. To make it work well, planning is necessary. Read more in this story from the Midwest Messenger.

Reducing Inputs by Grazing Cover Crops

Extending the grazing season by grazing annuals in the fall or late summer allows perennial pastures to rest longer, says NRCS state agronomist.

By Sarah Hill posted on July 22, 2021 | Posted in Grazing

Using cover crops as forages can offer an economical, alternative feed source to growers who have livestock.

[Podcast] Winter Rye, Triticale Good Choices for Fall Planted Cover Crops

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Kevin Shelley, Farm Nutrient & Cover Crop Specialist with the University of Wisconsin Nutrient & Pest Management Program. Shelley will discuss planting cover crops after corn silage for spring forage harvest, setting up fall planted cover crops for success, managing cover crops for forage use, and more.

June 24, 2021 | Posted in Grazing

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Kevin Shelley, Farm Nutrient & Cover Crop Specialist with the University of Wisconsin Nutrient & Pest Management Program. Shelley will discuss planting cover crops after corn silage for spring forage harvest, setting up fall planted cover crops for success, managing cover crops for forage use, and more.

[Podcast] Cover Crops Good Alternative to Fallow Fields in Dryland Systems

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Augustine Obour, a soil scientist with Kansas State University. Obour will discuss using cover crops for soil health and forage in dryland systems, how cover crops use moisture in dryland growing systems, which cover crop species work best in arid climates, and more.

June 18, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

This week’s podcast, sponsored by Bio Till Cover Crops, features Augustine Obour, a soil scientist with Kansas State University. Obour will discuss using cover crops for soil health and forage in dryland systems, how cover crops use moisture in dryland growing systems, which cover crop species work best in arid climates, and more.

Iowa Farmer Utilizes Cover Crops to Prevent Soil Erosion

September 14, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Waukon Standard

An Iowa farmer is breaking up his rotation, reducing erosion, and providing additional forage benefits for his cattle by planting cover crops. Erik Helgerson, who farms near Lansing, Iowa, tried a unique sequence of cover crops this year on 11 acres near his home. Read more in this article from the Waukon Standard (Waukon, Iowa).

Annual Cover Crops an Additional Forage Source

August 31, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

As a result of a challenging fall harvest and a considerable precipitation deficit, ranchers are considering options to increase their forage supply. "Recent precipitation in portions of North Dakota impacted by drought may make annual forages and cover crops viable forage options for hay production or grazing," says Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist.

[Podcast] Using Perennial Cover Crops as Forage

In this podcast from Hoosier Ag Today, Purdue Extension Forage Specialist Dr. Keith Johnson and Forage Agronomist Greg Downing with Cisco Seed discuss harvesting cover crops as forage.

August 13, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

In this podcast from Hoosier Ag Today, Purdue Extension Forage Specialist Dr. Keith Johnson and Forage Agronomist Greg Downing with Cisco Seed discuss harvesting cover crops as forage.

[Video] Sorghum for Cover Crops & Forage

April 6, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

Kim Cassida, Forages & Grazing Educator with Michigan State University Extension, discusses the three ways to use cover crops as forage, why sorghum works particularly well as a forage and cover crop, which species have the most dry matter yields as a forage crop, and more.

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.

Considerations When Harvesting Covers for Forage

October 9, 2019 | Posted in Grazing

Source: This Week Community News (Columbus, Ohio)

For those who planted small grains, in particular oats, on prevented plant acres with the intention of harvesting for supplemental forage, that harvest time is approaching. Some questions regarding rust and potential nitrate toxicity have been raised in the context of the approaching harvest. Read more in this article from This Week Community News (Columbus, Ohio).