Integrated Livestock/Row Crop Farming System Impacts on Nitrates in Ground Water and Cattle As a BMP for Following Row Crops.

Perennial grasses in rotation with row crops have been found to increase rooting depth and total root mass of following row crops resulting in less nitrogen and irrigation needs. Likewise when cattle are allowed to graze cover crops, rooting is further enhanced (almost doubled) while enhancing soil microbial communities and other ecosystem services. Following crops show less stress and produce higher yields on less applied nutrients following winter grazing. This talk will discuss many factors associated with lowered inputs following perennial grass and winter grazing and impacts on economics and resilience of the system.