Livestock grazing boosts crop land

By Scout Nelson

Livestock grazing on cropland has emerged as a beneficial practice, aligning with the principles of regenerative agriculture and enhancing both soil health and profitability for farmers. The concept is simple yet profound: mimic nature's model to optimize farm operations.

Regenerative agriculture focuses on five soil health principles: covering, minimizing disturbance, maintaining a living root, increasing biodiversity, and incorporating livestock. Livestock plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling, mirroring natural processes in native prairies where large herds contribute to soil fertility.

Justin Fruechte, a Renovo Seed Product Expert, emphasizes the importance of selecting the right seed mix for cover crops, using species specifically developed for forage purposes, and managing cover crops like traditional crops, including weed control and fertilization, to optimize forage production and ensure successful livestock grazing.

Cover crops, when managed properly, provide high-quality feed, like premium hay, enhancing animal nutrition. Cody Zilverberg, a Consulting Scientist at Dakota Lakes Research Farm, emphasizes their nutritional value, but warns that their protein content and digestibility may decrease as they mature.

Full seasons cover crops, like Fruechte, offer significant economic potential. They can yield 8 tons of green forage per acre, supporting 223 cow-calf pairs weighing 1,500 pounds each for 90 days. At a grazing value of $3.00 per pair per day, the cover crop's value amounts to $376 per acre.

Grazing cover crops after small grain harvest can further enhance profitability. Fruechte explains that a fall cover crop planted after a small grain harvest can yield 2 tons per acre. A 160-acre field of such a crop can support 98 cow-calf pairs weighing 1,700 pounds each for 45 days. With a grazing value of $3 per pair per day, this translates to $82.68 per acre of additional value.

Don Nickelson, a South Dakota Soil Health Coalition Board member, highlights the economic benefits of integrating livestock onto cropland. He charges $0.50 to $0.75 per head per day for custom grazing on neighboring cattle, demonstrating how farmers can generate additional revenue.

Grazing livestock on cropland not only provides economic benefits but also enhances soil health. Over 6 months, a 500-pound calf can return 47 pounds of nitrogen, 4 pounds of phosphorus, and 1,000 pounds of organic matter to the soil, enriching soil fertility and structure.

For farmers seeking grazing opportunities or available forage, platforms like SD Grazing Exchange offer valuable resources and facilitate private grazing agreements, promoting collaboration and mutual economic benefits.

Photo Credit -gettyimages-zoran-zeremski