Impact of Perennial Grass/Livestock/Row Crop Farming Systems on Water Conservation.

Little is known about impacts of integrated crop/livestock systems on crop production and long-term water use of the crops in the system. This long-term farming system was started about 15 years ago and has shown profound impacts on soil organic matter, rooting depth and root mass, water infiltration and nutrient cycling. Much of the row crop acreage in the SE U.S. is irrigated or should be in traditional row crop rotations. This farming system has the capability of reducing water use by 50-70% while increasing yields and decreasing inputs. Comparisons to conventional farming systems will be discussed showing the value of an integrated crop/livestock system on crop physiology, yield and economics of the system.