Grazing Cover Crops in Southeastern US Cropping Systems.

Cover crops have great potential to enhance productivity and environmental quality in cropping systems of the southeastern US. Surface soil organic C and N and nutrient cycling can be enhanced in addition to conserving water for the benefit of summer cash crops. Some winter cover crops have high nutritive value and can be utilized as a fodder source for ruminants. This presentation describes the results on a variety of soil properties from multiple years of grazing cover crops at a Piedmont location in northern Georgia. It will also explore the value of grazing cover crops for promoting greater adoption of this conservation practice.