This project focused on the synergy of incorporating annual forages and specifically the winter annual-summer annual rotation into the farming operation to manage production risk associated with weather extremes, diversify the cropping system, control cow grazing costs, and improve soil health.
Research on production and quality from a winter annual/summer annual forage rotation was conducted at the Northeast Research Farm. On-farm demonstration field days were held at 15 locations and information was presented at 15 other meetings directly reaching 727 producers. An additional 8800 social media contacts were made through YouTube, FaceBook, blogs, and podcasts.
Sixty percent of respondents made one or more changes as a result of attending these programs and on average made at least three changes to their forage operation. The winter annual-summer annual rotation has been adopted by 25.9% participants.
Participants indicated the biggest benefits to annual forages in the rotation are improved pastures due to additional rest (60.3%), saving on winter feed costs (60.3%), improved soil health (56.9%), increased grazing days and reduced stored feed needed (55.2%) and decreased soil erosion (53.4%). Using the weighted average return of $3.91/acre resulted in a return of $2107 per participant or $1,481,000 for all 727 project participants.