The effects of grazing cover crops on animal performance and soybean production

Abstract

AbstractGrazing cover crops has the potential to offset costs incurred with cover crop establishment, thus incentivizing management adoption. Information regarding cover crop species in combination with grazing and their subsequent effects on soybean production is limited. A field trial was conducted in Newton, MS from 2019 to 2021 to assess these effects. Cover crop treatments included oats (Avena sativa L.; O), O + crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.; OC), and OC + radish (Raphanus sativus L.; OCR) and were applied in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Cover crops differed in nutritive analysis; O had significantly lower mean crude protein (CP), but greater total digestible nutrients (TDN). Weaned beef steers (Bos spp.) grazing cover crops had lower average daily gain (ADG) on the OCR treatment (3.03 lb hd−1 d−1), compared to O (3.52 lb hd−1 d−1) and OC (3.55 lb hd−1 d−1). No significant difference was observed in soybean (Glycine max L.) grain yield between cover crop treatments. Mean yields were 51.1, 46.1, and 38.7 bu ac−1 for the O, OC, and OCR treatments, respectively. Total net returns above crop production costs were significantly lower in the OCR ($475.98 ac−1), compared to the O ($706.29 ac−1) and OC ($651.83 ac−1) treatments. Findings suggest grazing oats or a combination of oats and crimson clover as a cover crop with subsequent soybean production has the potential to increase net returns for livestock–row crop producers though other costs associated with grazing will still need to be considered.