GRAZING AND COVER CROPPING TO SUPPLEMENT AN INTEGRATED CROP-LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEM

SDSU recently purchased 110 acres of agricultural land east of Sturgis, which is near the western edge of South Dakota. This West River Research Farm (WRRF) will enable SDSU to conduct holistic, long-term research in agronomic systems to support crop-livestock producers. The goal of this project is to demonstrate the potential economic viability and environmental sustainability of reintegrating livestock into grain production systems. Through innovative forage utilization, this project will demonstrate how annual forage production can be extended into the fall and winter months to improve farm economics by reducing dependence on baled hay, and will further establish how these practices can further benefit subsequent grain crops.A primary advantage of conducting research at the WRRF will be the farmer-driven input provided by a 9-person steering committee, which also includes several other stakeholders as ex-officio members. The cropping rotations described herein, along with the integration of cover crops and livestock grazing, were developed with the input of this committee. This committee is highly engaged and will be active in the implementation of this research. Their feedback will be used to refine objectives and methods as appropriate to achieve our shared goal of making positive and immediate impacts for the surrounding farming community.This project will serve to demonstrate how cover crops can be incorporated into crop and livestock systems in the western Great Plains. Beyond the research findings, producers will be invited to field days at the WRRF to see this system for themselves. The direct interactions at the WRRF will be invaluable and will have far greater impact than any factsheet or powerpoint presentation could. Moreover, with the facilities and classrooms onsite, this project can serve as an internal training site for both SDSU Extension and NRCS staff. Specific objectives of this project will include:Develop water budgets for three, three-year, grain-based systems, with and without the integration of cover crops and livestock.Determine how yield is affected by cover crop use and livestock grazingExamine soil carbon changes as affected by cover crops and livestock integrationAnalyze differences in microbial populations and enzyme activity with the integration of cover crops and livestock?