The objective of this project is to enhance the profitability of soybean production and soil health in North Dakota through livestock integration. This objective will be achieved by evaluating the impacts of winter rye management on crop production, soil health (physical, chemical and biological properties), livestock production and economic sustainability of soybean production. Specifically, the influence of dual grazing (fall and spring), spring grazing and no grazing of winter rye on 1) soil physical, chemical and biological properties, 2) soybean production, 3) livestock production and 4) economics. A field study will be established to evaluate winter rye management in soybean production systems on crop production, forage quality and production, livestock performance, soil health and system economics in North Dakota.
Three management scenarios will be evaluated 1) dual grazing (fall and spring grazing), 2) spring grazing and 3) no grazing. Soil samples will be collected to characterize physical, chemical and biological properties. Soybean production will be evaluated in 2023 through stand counts, yield data will be collected during harvest in the fall of 2023. The stands will be evaluated for weed populations and the soybean diseases. Economic analysis will evaluate the economic advantages of the winter rye management practices being evaluated against a baseline system to determine if these strategies pay off based upon livestock and/or soybean production advantages. The knowledge gained from this project will help North Dakota farmers by providing additional information on the impacts of integrating a winter cereal and livestock into their soybean production system.

The objective of this project is to enhance the profitability of soybean production and soil health in North Dakota through livestock integration. This objective will be achieved by evaluating the impacts of winter rye management on crop production, soil health (physical, chemical and biological properties), livestock production and economic sustainability of soybean production. Specifically, the influence of dual grazing (fall and spring), spring grazing and no grazing of winter rye on 1) soil physical, chemical and biological properties, 2) soybean production, 3) livestock production and 4) economics.

The knowledge gained from this research will be incorporated into NDSU Extension programs focused on crops, soils, and livestock. The results of this research will be shared with producers, landowners, local organizations and other stakeholders at café talks, workshops and tours. The research sites will be at the Central Grasslands and Carrington Research Extension Centers, which will provide stakeholders an opportunity to see the research in action and have discussions about the project, while allowing us to reach a broader audience during field days, tours and undergraduate/graduate student education. In addition, the research sites will be utilized for train-the-trainer in-services for Extension agents, NRCS, soil conservation districts and certified crop advisors to educate them on winter rye management and livestock integration. Other deliverables include, but are not limited to, journal articles, extension publications, bulletins, news articles, webinars, videos and social media posts.

Update:
Completed Work:
On July 1, 2022 a masters level graduate student, Josh Wianecki, started a graduate research assistantship associated with this research project. Josh received his B.S. in Animal Science with a Crop & Soil Science Minor, making him a great fit for this integrated project.
In August, research plots were established at the two research locations at the Central Grasslands Research Extension Center (CGREC) near Streeter and the Carrington Research Extension Center (CREC). Treatments include 1) dual grazing (fall and spring grazing) winter rye, 2) spring grazing winter rye, 3) non-grazed winter rye, and 4) no rye. Each treatment was replicated three times at both locations for a total of six replications. Streeter and Carrington locations were both seeded on September 8, 2022. Seeding took place later than planned due to delayed harvest of the preceding cash crop. Following seeding, baseline soil samples were collected for each treatment at both locations.
Soil chemical property samples were collected at 0-6 inch and 6–12 inch depths using a 15-inch step probe. Each depth was sampled at four different locations within the plot before being combined and a subsample collected. The samples were stored on ice and sent to Agvise laboratories in Northwood, ND. Soil chemical property tests include soil total carbon (C), total soil organic carbon (SOC), soil inorganic carbon (SIC), carbon:nitrogen ratio, pH, phosphorous (P) Olsen test, potassium (K), nitrogen, carbonates by pressure calcimeter, and organic matter (OM) by loss on ignition.
Soil physical properties are evaluated via bulk density, soil aggregate stability and water infiltration. Bulk density was sampled with a soil core sampler with hammer attachment at depths of 0-3cm and 5-8cm. Each depth was collected at four different locations within the plot. The soil samples are then dried, and bulk density is calculated from the volume of the cylinder. Soil aggregate stability was collected at a depth of 6 inches with a tiling spade and sent to Agvise laboratories. Water infiltration rate was measured via Cornel sprinkle infiltrometer.
Soil biological properties were sampled via a 15-inch step probe at 6-inch depth and frozen. These samples will be processed for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) hyphal length via microscopy and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) via chloroform fumigation.
Prior to grazing, forage biomass was determined by clipping three 0.25m2 frames in each plot and carrying capacity was estimated. Samples were dried and weighed to determine dry matter content and forage biomass. Following the fall grazing period, forage utilization was determined by clipping three 0.25 m2 frames of the fall + spring and no-graze plots after the grazing period of the respective location. Samples were dried and weighed to determine forage biomass. Utilization was determined by dividing the grazed plot biomass by ungrazed plot biomass. Forage nutrient analysis samples were taken from the dried pre-graze samples and submitted for analysis of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), net energy (NE), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD).
Cattle performance was evaluated by 2-day weights taken before and after grazing. Streeter turned out four head of bred heifers averaging 987 pounds per fall treatment for five days and Carrington turned out five head of bred heifers averaging 1,195 pounds per fall graze treatment for three days.

Preliminary Results:
Almost immediately following winter rye seeding at Streeter and Carrington, both locations experienced abnormally dry conditions which extended into a moderate drought. These conditions likely delayed germination and lowered stand biomass production. Rye stands in Carrington were inconsistent but generally yielded higher compared to the stands in Streeter. Soil type and field management variation between location may influence forage production as well. Forage utilization followed a similar trend between locations, with Streeter having lower utilization than Carrington. This is likely due to the amount of residue remaining from the previous crop at the Streeter location, which provided additional forage for grazing animals and increased the grazing period. Due to low biomass production both locations had short grazing periods of five days in Streeter and three days in Carrington.

As a result of the shortened grazing period, animal performance was only measured in gains because a longer period of time is needed to observe change in backfat. Heifers grazing at both locations lost weight over the grazing period with heifers losing an average of 13.75 pounds at Streeter and 14.2 pounds at Carrington.
Baseline soil samples are pending results from Agvise for aggregate stability and soil chemical properties. Forage nutrient analysis, soil MBC, AMF hyphal length, bulk density and water infiltration are also pending results.

Work to be Completed:
In the spring, estimates of field cover will be made in twelve 0.25-m2 quadrats per experimental treatment as a measure of erosion protection. At this time forage samples will also be clipped to determine yield and estimate carrying capacity for the fall + spring and spring grazing treatments. Forage quality will be evaluated for both fall + spring and spring grazing treatments. Grazing cattle will be evaluated for performance based on weight change and visual body condition score.
Following the grazing period, soil samples will be collected to determine impacts of the treatments to the soil physical, chemical and biological parameters sampled in the baseline assessment.
Upon completion of the soil sampling, soybeans will be seeded. Soybean production will be evaluated through stand counts and yield data during harvest. Weed species and density will be recorded for each plot, as well as any other physiological responses to treatments (such as plant height, maturity, seed quality, or NDVI).
Economic analysis will be conducted to evaluate the cost and/or revenue advantages of the winter rye management practices against a baseline system to determine if these strategies pay off based on livestock and/or soybean production advantages.
The project team is preparing to share results to date at meetings this winter. Project results will be shared with Extension agents at an in-service training this spring, and with farmers and ranchers at summer field days.

View uploaded report

Update:
Work Completed Since December 2023

Spring graze treatments were grazed in mid-May. All treatments were treated with glyphosate following spring grazing to terminate the winter rye. Soybeans (Glycine max, L.) were no-till planted into remaining residue June 9, 2023, at both locations.

Soil samples were collected post-planting each season. Sampling locations were stratified to within the same soil series to reduce variability. Soil cores were collected for chemical (NO¬R3R-N, P-Olsen, K, total nitrogen, pH, organic matter and total carbon), and biological (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and microbial biomass) properties. Physical soil properties were evaluated by bulk density, aggregate stability, and water infiltration.
Forage yield was estimated pre- and post-grazing by clipping.

Pre-grazing yields were used to estimate carrying capacity and set stocking rate for the grazing period. Forage was sent to the North Dakota State University Animal Nutrition Lab for analysis of crude protein, NDF, and ADF. Absolute ground cover was evaluated during forage yield estimates both pre- and post-grazing by visually estimating the percent cover of bare ground, residue, living rye, and/or weeds.

Animal performance was determined by average daily gain during the grazing period and a visual body condition scoring. Body condition score was visually conducted by two individual scorers as according to the 9-point beef scoring system. Body condition score was omitted during the fall season due to the short grazing season. Animal weights were recorded across two days pre-and post-grazing.

Project updates and results were presented to 150 producers at five Extension meetings and at two field tours to an additional 150 individuals.

Work to be completed:

We are still waiting to receive results from the laboratory for the following analysis: soil aggregate stability, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and microbial biomass. Soybean productivity will be evaluated by assessing plant populations and through aerial imagery throughout the growing season. An unmanned aerial system (UAS) will be used to determine normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) to compare plant health and density. Soybean seed yield will be measured with a combine at the end of the growing season. We received funding to continue this project for another year and will include these results in future project reports.

View uploaded report

View uploaded report 2

Winter rye production was 156 lbs/ac and 198 lbs /ac at the CGREC and CREC, respectively, in the fall of 2022. Yields were impacted by late planting date and dry conditions, resulting in a short grazing period of 4 days and 1 hd/ac at CGREC and 3 days and 1.5 hd/ac at CREC. Both locations resulted in weight loss of bred yearling heifers during the fall grazing period of 2.75 lbs/day and 6.28 lbs/day at CGREC and CREC, respectively. Forage quality was high during the fall with high crude protein and lower NDF, which is expected during fall vegetative growth (Table 1).

Spring winter rye production was higher at the CREC than the CGREC due to differences in soil conditions and precipitation between locations. Winter rye production was 371 lbs/ac in the dual graze treatment,534 lbs/ac in spring graze treatment (SG), and 406 lbs/ac in no graze treatment at CGREC; and 582 lbs/ac in dual graze, 819 lbs/ac in spring graze, and 709 lbs/ac in no graze at the CREC. There were no differences (P>0.05) in winter rye spring production between treatments. At CREC, grazing was delayed due to animal limitations. The spring grazing period was 16 days at CGREC and 11 days at CREC. Average daily gain (AGD) was not different (P>0.05) between grazing treatments at CGREC, with the dual graze gaining 0.47 lbs/day and spring graze gaining 0.61 lbs/day (Table 2). Grazing treatments at CREC were performed in blocks of three combined replicates due to confinement issues. There was no difference (P>0.05) in ADG among blocks at CREC, but all lost gain and were different to dry lot feeding.

Soil nitrate was higher in the no rye compared to the no graze treatments at CGREC. Dual graze and spring graze treatments did not differ (P>0.05) in nitrate to either no rye or no graze. No differences (P>0.05) were observed in all other soil chemical properties at either location. Bulk density did not vary between treatments at either location. No rye plots at either location were higher in weed cover post-grazing (Table 1); which included yellow foxtail (Setaria pumila) and kochia (Bassia scoparia) as dominant species at CGREC. While residue cover did nominally decrease (P>0.05) post-grazing, no treatments significantly changed in residue cover.

Initial findings from the first year of this project indicate the potential to utilize winter rye as a forage during the fall establishment period. Climatic factors limited growth in fall of 2022, negatively impacting forage yield and animal performance. Spring winter rye yield was not impacted by fall grazing and livestock performance increased with the longer grazing periods. Grazing did not impact the function of winter rye as a cover crop, with no changes in ground cover post-grazing. Grazing did not affect soil bulk density, indicates low risk of soil compaction during cover crop grazing. Economic impact has not been fully analyzed as potential effects on soybean yield and other responses are still being evaluated.

Results from the 2023-2024 portion of the project will aid in further understanding the impact of livestock integration on winter rye management. Observations through multiple seasons is important as soil properties often require multiple seasons to change significantly. Initial results indicate that grazing winter rye may be beneficial in a soybean production system.

The knowledge gained from this demonstration project has the potential to increase the profitability and sustainability of both soybean production systems and livestock enterprises. This is especially true for operations with both enterprises. Livestock integration enhances soil health, extends the grazing season, and has the potential to reduce inputs of fertilizer, feed and fuel, and increase climate resilience by adding flexibility into livestock enterprises. The integration of livestock into crop systems enhances soil health through reduced wind and water erosion, enhances nutrient cycling, and increases soil carbon pools and biological activity. These soil health improvements reduce the need for the application of synthetic fertilizers. The reduction of erosion, fertilizer application and nutrient runoff will reduce nutrient loading of water bodies. The potential reduction in fertilizer and winter feeding period will reduce labor requirements and stress. The outreach component of this project will aid in building a community of producers using these practices. The increased profitability and sense of community will improve the sustainability of rural communities.