A recent study in Russell County, Kansas, is uncovering the benefits and best practices for grazing cover crops in dryland, no-till systems. Led by Kansas State University graduate researcher Logan Simon in collaboration with local farmers, the project focused on how grazing impacted soil health, crop yields, and profitability.
Funded by a $14,845 NCR-SARE Graduate Student Grant, the study compared two grazing strategies— “Take-Half-Leave-Half” (50% biomass removal) and “Graze-Out” (90% removal)—to ungrazed cover crops. Despite high-intensity grazing, key soil health indicators like organic carbon and nutrient levels, remained unaffected, even under exceptional drought conditions.
Grazing and Cover Crops Key Findings
- Grazing reduced cover crop residue but maintained soil cover similar to ungrazed plots.
- Soil health indicators, including organic carbon and nutrient levels, were unaffected, even with high-intensity grazing.
- The findings suggest grazing cover crops can support livestock needs while maintaining soil health.
While the study was conducted under exceptional drought conditions—which limited regrowth and may have influenced some of the findings—the researchers and farmers are optimistic about the potential for cover crop grazing to become a more widely adopted practice. However, further research under normal or wetter conditions is needed to refine grazing intensity and biomass removal recommendations.
Simon’s findings suggest that grazing cover crops at greater intensities may offer farmers a profitable alternative to traditional forage, particularly in drought-prone areas. He shared some tips.
- Plan for Variability: have a backup feeding plan for years when forage production is low.
- Supplement, Don’t Depend: treat cover crops as extra forage and adjust stocking densities based on availability.
- Prevent Compaction: move livestock to perennial pastures during wet conditions or limit access to small field areas.
- Address Issues Strategically: use targeted tillage if compaction develops.
For one farmer in west-central Kansas who participated in the study, grazing cover crops have become an integral part of his operation. By using cover crops for grazing, he has been able to delay moving cattle to native rangelands in spring and remove them earlier in the fall, providing his rangeland with longer periods of rest. The strategy not only boosts livestock gains but also enhances rangeland health. He plans to continue grazing cover crops on his no-till cropland, confident it supports soil health and water quality with appropriate grazing management.
Boosting Cover Crop Adoption in Kansas Simon’s research highlights the flexibility of grazing management, empowering farmers to prioritize livestock needs without compromising soil and water quality. This approach could boost cover crop adoption, contributing to sustainability goals like Kansas’ Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS).
“I think that the biggest outcome of this research has been that we’ve been able to show that our farmers and ranchers have a greater level of flexibility in their grazing management than we might have previously thought,” said Simon. “What this means for our cattlemen, is that we can be more aggressive in our grazing strategies and let our decision-making be more driven by livestock nutritional needs and animal performance without necessarily sacrificing the soil health and water quality benefits we desire with integrated cover crops. This flexibility has significant potential to increase the adoption of cover crops and reduce fallow duration in water-limited environments of the western North Central region.”