Grazing Management
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Do Annual Cover Crop Mixes Have a Place in Grazing Programs
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Do Annual Cover Crop Mixes Have a Place in Grazing Programs
We’re at that time of year where many farmers are thinking about seeding pastures.
One of the hot topics lately has been around the use of multi species cover crops in grazing operations.
The issue is that many of the species used in cover crop mixes are not very graze tolerant and they must be allowed to reach the latter stages of maturity if we are to get good soil building value out of them. As such, annual cover crop mixes generally don’t provide much feed over the green season and may not be viable for such purposes?
One practice that could be worth considering is growing an annual multispecies cover crop and not grazing it until spring/summer. Shock Horror! Why would we do such a thing?
Letting plants grow without grazing during the growing season – here are some points to consider:
- it enables the development of extensive root systems and building of soil at depth
- it gives desirable species adequate time to establish and set seed
- it provides us with a cheap source of non-growing season forage and seed, especially legume species (may need to supplement protein to meet minimum requirements)
- it also gives the associated biology on and around plants a chance to reproduce and go into dormancy
- it creates lots of biomass which provides protective cover, habitat and food for a diversity of life, above and below ground over the hot, dry season
- this lignified biomass is good fungal food and even the manure from animals eating such food has higher fungal populations
- it gives us a source of fiber at the beginning of the growing season when new growth is low in fiber and high in sugar and protein
- paddocks that were stockpiled the previous growing season get away to the best start the following growing season
Definitely food for thought.
Of course, this must be done in conjunction with a green season grazing program that provides most of your feed over autumn and winter. In these areas we ideally want to establish plant species that can be grazed several times during the wetter months and may also be used for making hay/silage, if required.
In spring, you can move the livestock off the green season grazing areas and onto the multispecies cover crop mix areas, enabling the green season grazing areas to also set seed.
The idea is that each year you rotate these areas each year, until you have good soil, diversity and a strong seed bank over the whole farm.
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8 Replies
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Thanks for posting this Mark. I saw this slide of the annual mix cover crop at the Warren Ag Show presentation. Where would this type of mix be sourced from? Is it a case of having to purchase all of the seed types individually? I have found one provider of locally grown seeds (Goodies Farm) who coat their seeds in Rhizobia & Vermicast but they don’t include all of the seeds you have suggested (excluding Ryecorn, Linseed, Buckwheat, Sunflowers & Serradella). Would you top up the mix with these ones?
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Hi Vanessa,
Yes, it is quite hard to source such mixes ready made. We get custom mixes like this one made up for clients in bulk through Nutrien Ag/Bells but the order has to be over 500kg.
The goodies mix makes for a good base and yes, adding some of the other species mentioned and some clover is a good idea.
The thing is, most types of seed are only be available in 25 kg bags. Goodies do supply daikon radish so you might be able to get that off them by the kilo and you could maybe get a few kilos of linseed, buckwheat etc… from a health food shop?
Upping the legume quota in the mix wouldn’t hurt either.
Theres a real opportunity for more farmers to start growing and selling cover crop mixes and I know goodies are looking to add more into their mixes to come.
Good luck with it all 🙂
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Thanks Mark. Goodies’ mix has 1% Diakon Raddish included.
I will look into sourcing other seeds. As these won’t have Rhizobia or Vermicast inoculant, should I add something? I’d have to source a compost slurry as I don’t have any of my own yet (later this year 🤞).
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The most important thing is getting them in the ground soon. Everything else is a bonus.
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How’s this for growth.
This is the area where I left a cover crop to go to seed last year for stockpiled dry summer feed.
You can see how well it came away this season. Even the dog thinks it’s worth eating!
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That’s sensational Mark! A true testament to your recommendations. A great benchmark for us all!
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Cover crop microbiome overwintering mentioned in this one.
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/regenerative-agriculture-podcast/id1372359995?i=1000659624439
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Show Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, Ep Episode 122: Exploring Tillage, Aggregation, and Biological Innovation with Rick Clark - 20 June 2024
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So much in this podcast has been covered by Dr Christine Jones in her various podcasts and webinars with us. They mention in this podcast that she is retiring but what a legacy she is leaving behind, an enormous volume of research and applicable knowledge that is finally being recognised as critical pieces in the puzzle to restore the health and function of our soils. If you haven’t taken a look through our compilation content hub on Christine’s work then you have missed out.. BUT its never too late.. check it our here.https://lowerblackwood.com.au/soil-secrets-revealed-with-dr-christine-jones/
lowerblackwood.com.au
Soil Secrets Revealed With Dr Christine Jones - Lower Blackwood LCDC
Dr Christine Jones is an internationally renowned and highly respected groundcover and soil ecologist. She has been working with innovative landholders to
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