Completed Project Report


Fall Grazed Cover Crops - Balancing Feed Cost and Weather Risks

  • Award Amount: $50,000
  • Regional Center: North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2018 Education Projects
  • Project Director: Denise Schwab
  • Email: dschwab@iastate.edu
  • Organization: Iowa State University, Office of Sponsored Programs Administration

Extension RME Regional Centers
Extension Risk Management Education Region Map

Project Overview

The objective of this project was to compile field data and educate livestock producers on best management practices for cover crop establishment for fall grazing in an effort to decrease feed costs and minimize risk while also providing conservation and improved water quality benefits.

Eighteen cooperators were interviewed regarding their experience with fall grazing cover crops. The information they shared was compiled into three publications utilized to teach about cover crops.

Four bus tours were held with 86 participants. The results were used in presentations at six different multi-state events delivered to 364 participants, as well as presentations for women in ag programs, soil health workshops, field days and forage conferences for 607 participants. It was featured in ISU beef and agronomy newsletters, blogs and social media posts. A cover crops resource page was added to the Iowa Beef Center website.

The follow up survey showed that 80% of respondents seeded cover crops in the last two years, on 49% of their row crop acres. Half the respondents drilled and half interseeded into existing stands. Only 25% shifted to using earlier maturing hybrids to seed cover crops earlier. 35% of acres were seeded with the intention of grazing both in the fall and spring, 18% for fall grazing only, and 10% for spring grazing only. 10% of acres seeded to cover crops were intended for mechanical harvest.

Number of Participants: 1057

Outcomes

Project Steps

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

There are no promotional materials available for this project.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

There are no educational materials available for this project.

REPORTS & EVALUATIONS

There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.

DELIVERY AREA

DESCRIBE ANY UNEXPECTED RESULTS OF THE PROJECT:

HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE THE PROJECT IF YOU WERE TO DO IT AGAIN?

WHAT WERE THE KEYS TO SUCCESS FOR YOUR PARTICIPANTS?

INDIVIDUAL STORIES / EXAMPLES OF SUCCESS / QUOTES