ARS | Publication request: Why mix cattle and crops?

Submitted to: Annual Southern Conservation Tillage Conference for Sustainable Agriculture
Publication Type: Proceedings/Symposium
Publication Acceptance Date: June 30, 2008
Publication Date: July 30, 2008
Publisher's URL: http://www.ag.auburn.edu/auxiliary.nsdl/scasc/2008/
Citation: Franzluebbers, A.J. 2008. Why mix cattle and crops?. Southern Conservation Agricultural Systems Conference, July 29-30, 2008, Tifton, Georgia.

Technical Abstract: Cover crops are an integral part of conservation management systems, because they protect the soil throughout the year. They also contribute much-needed carbon input to Piedmont soils that have been degraded from historical erosive practices. Can grazing of cover crops increase farm income diversity and profitability? If cover crops are grazed, then will not soil be further degraded? These questions are to be answered in this developing long-term trial.