Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T03:19:08.576Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

An integrated approach to crop/livestock systems: Wintering beef cows on swathed crops

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2007

J.F. Karn ,
D.L. Tanaka ,
M.A. Liebig ,
R.E. Ries ,
S.L. Kronberg  and
J.D. Hanson
J.F. Karn
Affiliation:
US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, PO Box 459, Mandan, ND 58554, USA,.
D.L. Tanaka*
Affiliation:
US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, PO Box 459, Mandan, ND 58554, USA,.
M.A. Liebig
Affiliation:
US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, PO Box 459, Mandan, ND 58554, USA,.
R.E. Ries
Affiliation:
US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, PO Box 459, Mandan, ND 58554, USA,.
S.L. Kronberg
Affiliation:
US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, PO Box 459, Mandan, ND 58554, USA,.
J.D. Hanson
Affiliation:
US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, PO Box 459, Mandan, ND 58554, USA,.
*
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Grain and livestock production have gradually been separated, as farmers have tended to specialize in one or the other. Some producers and scientists are beginning to question whether this is the best approach. An integrated crop/livestock project was initiated in 1999 to investigate potentially beneficial synergies to both enterprises. The cattle portion of this project involved wintering dry pregnant cows on swathed crop residue and drilled corn produced in a 3-year crop rotation, with all crops present each year. Swath grazing was initiated in mid-November of 1999, 2000 and 2001, and terminated in mid-February each year. Two replications of ten Hereford cows were rotationally grazed on swathed oat/pea and triticale crop residue and swathed drilled corn (RGSC). Comparison treatments were: cows grazing swathed western wheatgrass (SWWG) and cows fed hay in a drylot. Cows on the RGSC treatment were also fed a 20% crude protein supplement of oat/pea and triticale grain. Drilled corn was swathed in late September and western wheatgrass in early October. Three-year average winter-long weight gains for the RGSC cows were slightly lower (P<0.10) than those for drylot cows. Body condition scores generally followed the same pattern as weight gain data. Reproductive and calf performance data were not significantly different among wintering treatments. Average daily feed costs per cow over the three winters were US$0.49, 0.65 and 0.73 for RGSC, SWWG and baled hay in a drylot, respectively, providing a potential daily savings of US$0.24 per cow with the RGSC treatment compared to bale feeding in a drylot. Swath grazing did not appear to have any adverse affects on mid-aged beef cow performance and could potentially reduce winter feeding costs and manure handling problems. The main problem with swath grazing is potentially deep snow and icing of the swaths.

Keywords

drilled corntriticale strawoat/pea strawdry pregnant cows
Type
Research Article
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 20 , Issue 4 , December 2005 , pp. 232 - 242
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1McRae, R.J., Hills, S.B., Henning, J. and Mehuys, G.R. 1989. Agriculture, science and sustainable agriculture: A review of existing scientific barriers to sustainable food production and potential solutions. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture 6: 173–219.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2Hesterman, O.B. and Thorburn, T.L. 1994. A comprehensive approach to sustainable agriculture: W.K. Kellogg's integrated farming systems initiative. Journal of Production Agriculture 7: 132–134.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3Brown, G.E. Jr. 1989. Contemporary issues. The critical challenges facing the structure and function of agricultural research. Journal of Production Agriculture 2: 98–102.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4Hildebrand, P.E. 1990. Agronomy's role in sustainable agriculture: Integrated farming systems. Journal of Production Agriculture 3: 285–288.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5Madden, J.P. 1989. What is alternative agriculture. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 4: 32–34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6Keeney, D.R. 1989. Toward a sustainable agriculture: Need for clarification of concepts and terminology. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 4: 101–105.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7Jordan, V.W.L., Hutcheon, J.A., Donaldson, G.V. and Farmer, D.P. 1997. Research into and development of integrated farming systems for less-intensive arable crop production: experimental progress (1989–1994) and commercial implementation. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment 64: 141–148.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8Ogilvy, S.E., Turley, D.B., Cook, S.K., Fisher, N.M., Holland, J., Prew, R.D. and Spink, J. 1994. Integrated farming – putting together systems for farm use. Aspects of Applied Biology 40: 53–60.Google Scholar
9Brummer, E.C. 1998. Diversity, stability, and sustainable American agriculture. Agronomy Journal 90: 1–2.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10Luna, J., Allen, V., Fontenot, J., Daniels, L., Vaughan, D., Hagood, S., Taylor, D. and Laub, C. 1994. Whole farm systems research: An integrated crop and livestock systems comparison study. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 9: 57–63.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11Allen, V.G., Fontenot, J.P., Notter, D.R. and Hammes, R.C. Jr. (1992a) Forage systems for beef production from conception to slaughter: I Cow–calf production. Journal of Animal Science 70: 576–587.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12Allen, V.G., Fontenot, J.P. and Notter, D.R. (1992b) Forage systems for beef production from conception to slaughter: II Stocker systems. Journal of Animal Science 70: 588–596.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13Allen, V.G., Fontenot, J.P., Kelly, R.F. and Notter, D.R. 1996. Forage systems for beef production from conception to slaughter: III Finishing systems. Journal of Animal Science 74: 625–638.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14Reeves, T.G. 1987. Pastures in cropping systems. In Wheeler, J.L., Pearson, C.J. and Roberts, G.E. (eds). Temperate Pastures: Their Production, Use, and Management. Australia Australian Wool Cooperation/CSIRO, Sidney, p. 501–515.Google Scholar
15Crawford, E.J., Lake, A.W.H. and Boyce, K.G. 1989. Breeding annual Medicago species for semiarid conditions in southern Australia. Advances in Agronomy 42: 399–437.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16Krall, J.M. and Schuman, G.E. 1996. Integrating dryland crop and livestock production systems on the Great Plains: Extent and outlook. Journal of Production Agriculture 9: 187–191.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17Young, J.A. and Evans, R.A. 1984. Historical aspects of winter grazing. Rangelands 6: 206–209.Google Scholar
18Hitz, A.C. and Russell, J.R. 1998. Potential of stockpiled perennial forages in winter grazing systems for pregnant beef cows. Journal of Animal Science 76: 404–415.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19Karsli, M.A., Russell, J.R. and Hersom, M.J. 1999. Evaluation of berseem clover in diets of ruminants consuming corn crop residues. Journal of Animal Science 77: 2873–2882.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20Klein, L. 1994. Winter grazing and alternate feeds for beef cattle in Saskatchewan. Grazing and Pasture Technology Program, Regina, Saskatchewan.Google Scholar
21McCartney, D. 1996. Research summary of swath grazing. Western Forage/Beef Group, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe, Alberta.Google Scholar
22 Anonymous. 1998. An introduction to swath grazing in western Canada. Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Agdex. 420/56–1.Google Scholar
23Klein, L. 1996. Winter swath grazing Regina. Grazing and Pasture Technology Program, Saskatchewan.Google Scholar
24Munson, C.L., Whittier, J.C., Schutz, D.N., and Anderson, R.L. 1998. Comparison of grazing millet harvested and stored in windrows with feeding baled millet hay in eastern Colorado. Annual Beef Program Report 16. Animal Science Department, Colorado St. University, p. 43–48.Google Scholar
25Volesky, J.D., Adams, D.C., and Clark, R.T. 1999. Windrow grazing and baled, hay-feeding strategies for wintering calves. 52nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Range Management, 21–26 February, Omaha, Nebraska. Abstract p. 86.Google Scholar
26Goering, H.K. and Van Soest, P.J. 1970. Forage fiber analyses. Agricultural Handbook No. 379. USDA, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
27Vogel, K.P., Pederson, J.F., Masterson, S.D. and Toy, J.J. 1999. Evaluation of a filter bag system for NDF, ADF, and IVDMD forage analysis. Crop Science 39: 276–279.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
28Tilley, J.M.A. and Terry, R.A. 1963. A two-stage technique for the in vitro digestion of forage crops. Journal of British Grassland Society 18: 104–111.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
29SAS. 1996. SAS System for Mixed Models. SAS Institute, Inc, Cary, NC.Google Scholar
30NRC. 1996. Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals. Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle 7th ed. National Academy of Science, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
31Aakre, D. 2002. Custom farmwork rates on North Dakota Farms, 2001 by North Dakota Farming regions. EC-499 (revised) North Dakota State University Extension Service, Fargo, ND.Google Scholar
32North Dakota 2002. County rents and values. North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA, Fargo, ND.Google Scholar
33Surber, G., Fisher, T., Cash, D., Dixon, P. and Moore, J. 2001. Swath/windrow grazing: An alternative livestock feeding technique. MT200106 AG. Montana State University, Boseman, MT.Google Scholar
34Chase, C.C. Jr and Hibberd, C.A. 1987. Utilization of low-quality native grass hay by beef cows fed increasing quantities of corn grain. Journal of Animal Science 65: 557–566.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
35Doig, B. 2001. Straw rations—wintering cows 2001 update. Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization. Available at Web site http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/livestock/beef/production_information/StrawRations 2001update.asp? (verified 12 November 2002).Google Scholar
36Popp, J. 2002. Straw is an alternative roughage source for wintering beef cows. Manitoba Agriculture and Food. Available at Web site http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/beef/baa01 s35.html (verified 13 January 2003).Google Scholar
37Dupchak, K. 2002. Beef-production – winter rations for beef cows. Manitoba Agriculture and Food. Web site http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/beef/baa01s12.html (verified 13 January 2003).Google Scholar
38Dunn, T.G. and Moss, G.E. 1992. Effects of nutrient deficiencies and excesses on reproductive efficiency of livestock. Journal of Animal Science 70: 1580–1593.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
39Dunn, T.G., Ingalls, J.E., Zimmerman, D.R. and Wiltbank, J.N. 1969. Reproductive performance of 2-year-old Hereford and Angus heifers as influenced by pre- and post-calving energy intake. Journal of Animal Science 29: 719–726.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
40Bellows, R.A. and Short, R.E. 1978. Effects of precalving feed level on birth weight, calving difficulty and subsequent fertility. Journal of Animal Science 46: 1522–1528.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
41Corah, L.R., Dunn, T.G. and Kaltenbach, C.C. 1975. Influence of prepartum nutrition on the reproductive performance of beef females and the performance of their progeny. Journal of Animal Science 41: 819–824.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
42Volesky, J., Adams, D. and Clark, R. 2001. Windrow grazing and baled-hay feeding strategies for wintering calves. University of Nebraska, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Center for Grassland Studies 7(2): 3–6.Google Scholar
43Black, A.L. and Power, J.F. 1965. Effect of chemical and mechanical fallow methods on moisture storage, wheat yields, and soil erodibility. Soil Science Society of America Proceedings 29: 465–468.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
44Tanaka, D.L. and Aase, J.K. 1987. Fallow method influences on soil water and precipitation storage efficiency. Soil and Tillage Research 9: 307–316.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
45Greb, B.W. 1983. Water conservation: Central Great Plains. In Dregne, H.E., Willis, W.O. and Madison, WI (eds). Dryland Agriculture, American Society of Agronomy, Inc., Crop Science Society of America, Inc., Soil Science Society of America, Inc, Madison, WI. p. 57–72.Google Scholar
46Tanaka, D.L., Karn, J.F., Liebig, M.A., Kronberg, S.L. and Hanson, J.D. 2005. An integrated approach to crop/livestock systems: Forage and grain production for swath grazing. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 00: 000–000.Google Scholar
47Popp, J. 2002. Increasing cow/calf profitability using chaff and chaff/straw feedstuffs. Manitoba Agriculture and Food. Available at Web site http://www.gov.mb.ca./agriculture/livestock/beef/baa01s36.html (verified 13 January 2003).Google Scholar
48Hartwig, D., Meyer, B 2002. Hay, North Dakota, 1992–2001. North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA, Fargo, ND p. 80Google Scholar