This project is designed to assess whether integrating livestock grazing with winter rye will enhance the profitability of soybean production systems and soil health in North Dakota. The study goal will be to evaluate the impacts of winter rye management using cattle on crop production, soil health, livestock production and economic sustainability of soybean production. Specifically, our objectives will assess 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) soil erosion risk, 3) soybean production, 4) livestock production and 5) economics. A field study will be established to evaluate four management scenarios to evaluate 1) dual grazing (fall and spring grazing) winter rye, 2) spring grazing winter rye, 3) non-grazed winter rye, and 4) no rye. Soil samples will be collected to characterize physical, chemical and biological properties. Soybean production will be evaluated through stand counts and yield data collected during harvest in 2023. The stands will be evaluated for weed populations and soybean diseases. The 2023 soybean crop will be followed by a cash crop commonly incorporated into soybean production systems. Stand counts, weed populations and yield data will be collected for the cash crop. An economic analysis will evaluate the advantages of the winter rye management practices against a baseline system. The knowledge gained from this project will help North Dakota farmers by providing additional information on the impacts of integrating winter cereal and livestock into a soybean production system.

The goal of this project is to enhance the profitability of soybean production systems and soil health in North Dakota through livestock integration. The study objectives 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) soil erosion risk, 3) soybean production, 4) livestock production and 5) 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.

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Integrated crop livestock systems (ICLS) may provide additional income and soil health benefits to producers utilizing winter cover crops. The impact of ICLS on row crop production has been demonstrated to be influenced by both crop and livestock management strategies with previous research showing both crop rotation and seasonality of grazing can sway the production benefits of ICLS. This project aims to determine the effects of ICLS and cover crop management on soil health, crop production, and livestock performance within North Dakota.

Two locations were selected to integrate livestock grazing into winter cover crop management. Management strategies include dual season (fall and spring) grazing, spring grazing, no grazing, and no cover crop. Soil health was evaluated through nutrient analysis and physical health indicators including bulk density and aggregate stability. Soybean production was evaluated through soybean yield. Livestock performance was determined by average daily gain during the grazing period.

Grazing livestock caused no negative impacts to crop production or soil health. Soil nutrients and aggregate stability did not differ between strategies. Only the spring graze treatment saw statistically higher bulk density, however all bulk densities were below levels that may harm root growth. Despite soybeans within the no cover crop plots attaining larger size during staging, soybean yield did not differ; likely due to soil moisture and nutrients being retained within cover crop residues during late season. Grazing duration and animal performance was variable, being highly dependent on precipitation and temperature during the cover crop growing season.

Livestock integration did not negatively affect soil health prior to soybean planting. Both cover crop practices and livestock integration have been shown to positively impact soil physical health over extended periods of time, which may not have been captured within this study. Planting date, temperature, and precipitation all heavily influenced rye stands and the duration of grazing. Rye provided up to 0.84 animal use months per acre during early spring, which can reduce pressure on other grazing systems and increase flexibility to producers interested in both crop and livestock production.

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 that have 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.