Standing Grain as Winter Grazing for Cattle

Project Overview

FNC07-688
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2007: $929.52
Projected End Date: 12/31/2010
Region: North Central
State: South Dakota
Project Coordinator:
Jennifer Walker
Email

Annual Reports

Commodities

  • Agronomic: general grain crops

Practices

  • Production Systems: integrated crop and livestock systems

    Summary:

    PROJECT BACKGROUND
    Our farm is a family operation consisting of approximately 580 acres in western South Dakota. About 300 acres of this is irrigated, and produces forage and grain crops. We also pasture cattle during the winter.

    We use winter grazing and pasture feeding to manage fertility

    GOAL
    The goal of our project was to evaluate the practice of using standing grain as winter grazing, to determine whether this would be a viable way to decrease harvest costs, improve nutrient cycling, and provide a healthy environment for cattle.

    RESULTS
    Unfortunately, this project did not reach the point of achieving results. The year the grant was awarded, our project was not selected for funding until after the planting window, so the project was delayed until the following year (2009 season). The field was severely hailed out that season, so an extension was granted. The field was replanted for the 2010 season, when it was again hailed out. For this reason, we have decided to abandon the project.

    DISCUSSION
    We have confirmed that which we have already had plenty of occasion to note: that agriculture is a risky and unpredictable business which demands flexibility!

    OUTREACH
    N/A


    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.