Grazing Cover Crops 2013

Published Nov 1, 2013

Stored feed for winter consumption is the single greatest cost of maintaining a cowherd over winter. Cover crop grazing has emerged as an option for alternative forage base. Farmer-cooperators agreed to document the planting of cover crops, and any subsequent grazing or harvest of the cover crop forage. Forage height, dry matter and nutrient content were measured. Cattle were only able to graze for a few days in this first trial. Hopefully next year there will be better growing conditions and the crop will take off more quickly, allowing for more grazing days and better analysis of the potential benefits.