Expanding Partnerships between Southern Michigan Cash Crop Farmers and Northern Michigan Livestock Farmers

Expanding Partnerships between Southern Michigan Cash Crop Farmers and Northern Michigan Livestock Farmers

Summary

Cover crops not only provide erosion control but also provide excellent winter forage for livestock.

Objective: To explore the economic feasibility of grazign cover crops and the impact that the practice would have on future crop production.

The coordinator seeded cover crops of brassicas and oats with spinner seeders, following specialty crops of seed corn, snap beans and potatoes. Cattle grazed the oats late September through November and the brassicas December through early April.

Results: Pasture value of the cover crops ranged rom $14 to $30 per acre. The cattle gained approximately 1.8 pounds per day and were supplemented only during bad weather. Crop yields following the cover crops were insignificant compared to the control strips. An environmental benefit was the even distribution of manure on land that would normally receive no manure.