Facilitating Crop–Livestock Reintegration in the Northern Great Plains

Sandeep Kumar,Songül Şentürklü,Peter Sexton,Liming Lai,Rob Mitchell,Douglas Landblom,Shaukat Ali,Nleya Thandiwe,Vance N Owens ,Jeff Stone ,Heidi L Sieverding ,Sunish K Sehgal ,Derek R Faust ,Brian J Wienhold ,Mark A Liebig ,Krishna Prasad Pokharel ,David A.n Ussiri ,Jeffrey B Jacquet ,E E Grings ,Scott W Smalley ,David W Archer ,Shannon L Osborne ,Marty R Schmer ,Daren D Redfearn ,Virginia L Jin

doi:10.2134/agronj2018.07.0441

Abstract

Integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLSs) can help increase food production while benefiting soils and the environment. This review summarizes recent impacts of ICLSs on crop and livestock production and rural economics and discusses lessons learned in the northern Great Plains (NGP). Research on ICLS conducted in the NGP indicates that the crop residue grazing, swath grazing, and annual forage grazing can positively influence crop production; whereas, livestock performance varies with season, forage nutritive value, and grazing management. Furthermore, ICLSs can reduce the costs and risks of agricultural production. The success of ICLSs in NGP region depends on trade‐offs, planning, economic benefits, policies, regulations, community acceptance, and management skills. The ICLSs could play a strategic role in future agricultural production. The lessons learned from adopting ICLSs in the NGP include the lack of available land for fertilizer (manure) management, that to implement ICLS practices skills and knowledge must be maintained, and ICLS provides an entry point for young farmers and ranchers however capital is needed. These experiences and lessons could be valuable references for producers to adopt ICLSs in the NGP or other regions.Core Ideas Integrated crop–livestock systems positively affect crop production by improving soil health. Common integrated crop–livestock system management techniques can enhance the northern Great Plains crop production. Integrated crop–livestock system livestock performance is impacted by season, forage selection, and management. Integrated crop–livestock systems can increase economic benefits and reduce economic risks. Experiences and lessons in the northern Great Plains could be valuable for other regions to adopt integrated crop–livestock systems.

Highlights

AND HISTORYOver the last century, many agricultural producers have become specialized and highly efficient at producing specific crops or livestock to meet the demand of global population growth (MacDonald and McBride, 2009)
Reviewed literature suggests that Integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLSs) practices in the northern Great Plains (NGP) can positively impact crop production primarily through improved soil properties stemming from diversified ICLS management techniques such as annual crop residue grazing, swath grazing, annual forage grazing, perennial forage crops, and pasture renovations
Livestock performance in NGP ICLSs is strongly related to the season, forage nutritive value, and grazing management by integrating grazing intensity, duration, and animal needs with forage availability

Summary

Introduction

AND HISTORYOver the last century, many agricultural producers have become specialized and highly efficient at producing specific crops or livestock to meet the demand of global population growth (MacDonald and McBride, 2009). Societal and population changes are continuing to increase food demand, necessitating intensification of existing crops and livestock production systems (Godfray et al, 2010). A special report by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlighted that ICLSs are resourceefficient and cost-effective agricultural adaptation strategies to sustainably maintain or increase food production (IPCC, 2018). These systems recycle nutrients from livestock waste (feces and urine) back to croplands and through fodder production and use and improve or sustain soil organic matter and fertility (Franzluebbers et al, 2014). Farming systems that integrate crops and livestock have existed historically (Halstead, 1996; Smith, 1995), the ICLS concept re-emerged globally in 2007 and was documented through a series of international conferences and publications (Franzluebbers et al, 2014)

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