For cattle producers looking to stretch forage supplies, reduce feed costs and improve soil health, cover crops can offer a win-win scenario. While cover crops are often discussed for their conservation benefits, cattle producers have discovered an additional advantage: high-quality forage that can extend the grazing season and utilize acres that might otherwise sit idle.

“One of the biggest benefits is that you have a phenomenal feed resource that you’re able to utilize,” said Beth Reynolds, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist. “It’s a really high-quality feed that can be utilized by all classes of livestock, and the cattle love it.”

Making Cover Crops Pay

Meaghan Anderson, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomist, said grazing livestock is one of the quickest ways to generate income from cover crops. “There are not very many ways to make a cover crop really pay you back very quickly other than harvesting it as feed,” she said.

For operations without existing crop ground, partnering with a neighboring farmer can provide benefit for both parties. Reynolds said some producers pay for the number of grazing days, while others use a per-acre rental rate, particularly when cattle are grazing crop residue or wintering on the field. Because forage production varies widely depending on weather and growing conditions, she generally prefers grazing-day agreements.

This income can help offset the cost of establishing cover crops, giving the landowner a more immediate financial return while cattle producers gain access to high-quality forage. In some cases, cattle producers might purchase the cover crop seed or assist with planting costs in exchange for grazing rights.

“I’ve seen cattle producers put the rye or forage seed in themselves,” Reynolds said. “In those cases, they were already renting the crop residue but wanted to establish higher-quality forage for grazing.”

The forage can reduce hay feeding costs, extend grazing days and provide a high-quality ration during periods when pasture growth slows. Jenny Brhel, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) extension educator, said producers often see increased gains and animal performance when grazing cover crops. At the same time, pastures receive necessary rest and recovery from grazing.

The benefits extend below ground as well, as manure helps improve nutrient cycling and soil health. “It’s one of the best ways to improve ground,” Bhrel said. While those long-term soil health benefits can be difficult to assign a dollar value, Reynolds said they often reduce future fertilizer needs and improve overall field productivity.

Building Successful Partnerships

Whether cattle producers have their own crop ground or partner with other farmers, getting started with grazing cover crops requires more than simply finding available acres. 

“The biggest roadblock is infrastructure,” Reynolds said. “The cattle have to have feed, but they also need water and fence.” Fields without existing livestock infrastructure can present challenges. Temporary electric fence and portable water systems can help, but producers should carefully evaluate whether the economics justify the investment. Reynolds suggested producers starting out with cover crops should find fields where those resources already exist or can be added easily.

Once suitable acres are identified, Reynolds recommended reaching out to discuss expectations early. A successful partnership starts with understanding each operation’s goals and determining an arrangement that creates value for both parties.

Reynolds encouraged producers to develop written agreements outlining responsibilities for fencing, water, liability and grazing management. “Even if you have a handshake agreement, documentation helps ensure details are not overlooked,” she said.

Addressing Compaction Concerns

One of the most common concerns crop producers raise about grazing cover crops is soil compaction. But years of research suggest those concerns are often overstated.

“UNL has well over 15 years of data showing that whether you’re fall grazing or spring grazing, cattle are not creating deep compaction,” Brhel said. While producers may observe some surface roughness or “pugging” around water tanks or high-traffic areas, long-term studies have shown little impact on subsequent crop yields.

Reynolds noted that muddy conditions deserve special attention, and producers should be prepared to remove cattle when fields become excessively wet. Still, she encouraged producers to look at the entire system rather than focusing solely on potential compaction concerns. “Any yield drag would have to be significant enough to offset the gains from livestock performance, rental income or reduced feed costs,” she said. “It’s a whole-systems approach.”

Modern planter technology has also helped producers successfully manage fields following grazing. “We have a lot of tools available today to manage residue and variable field conditions,” Anderson said.

Choosing the Right Species

When selecting cover crops for grazing, the first question isn’t which species to plant — it’s what do producers hope to accomplish.

“What are the windows that you’re lacking forage?” Brhel said. “That’s where I start the conversation. For producers seeking spring grazing opportunities, cereal rye remains one of the most popular and reliable options throughout the Midwest. “Cereal rye is by far our most reliabable overwintering cover crop,” Anderson said. Triticale and winter wheat can also provide spring forage, depending on local growing conditions and management goals.

For fall grazing, oats and/or brassicas are commonly used. “Oats are a really safe place to start,” Anderson said. Brhel recommended rye paired with hairy vetch for producers looking to maximize spring forage production. “There’s so much forage and biomass produced,” she said. For operations utilizing annual forage systems, warm-season options such as sorghum-sudangrass, pearl millet and sunflowers can provide significant summer grazing opportunities.

If producers are new to cover crops, Reynolds recommended keeping things simple. “I think there are benefits to mixes, but when you’re starting out, keep it simple for the first year or two,” she said.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

One of the biggest surprises for new cover crop users is that planting the cover crop often isn’t the hardest part. “Oftentimes, these species are resilient enough that they’ll grow,” Anderson said. Instead, challenges can arise later.

Producers should have termination plans before the seed ever goes into the ground. Grazed cover crops often have limited remaining leaf area, making herbicide applications less effective if timing isn’t carefully managed.

“When you’re thinking about planting the cover crop, you already need to be thinking about how you’re going to kill the cover crop,” Anderson said. Water availability is another critical consideration. “If you’re going to plant cover crops for grazing, you’ve got to think about water,” Brhel said. Portable water systems, poly pipe and temporary tanks can help make grazing possible in fields without permanent infrastructure.

Seed-to-soil contact also remains important for successful establishment. Brhel generally prefers drilling cover crops over broadcasting because it improves establishment and reduces dependence on timely rainfall.

Balancing Forage and Soil Health

Many producers assume they must choose between maximizing forage production and preserving soil health benefits. In reality, the two goals can complement one another.

“The more biomass you’re producing, the more feed you’re going to have, and the better off your soil is going to be,” Anderson said. Both Anderson and Reynolds recommended managing cover crops just like any other forage and avoid overgrazing. Reynolds suggested maintaining adequate plant height to preserve root growth and soil benefits, while Anderson encouraged producers to follow a “take half, leave half” approach whenever possible.

Brhel also emphasized rotational grazing as the best management. Frequent moves encourage better forage utilization, maintain ground cover and distribute manure more evenly across the field.

Finally, producers shouldn’t worry if some forage gets trampled. “It’s okay to have stuff trampled so that you keep that ground completely covered,” Brhel said. That residue protects the soil surface, feeds soil biology and contributes to long-term soil health improvements.

Start Small and Learn

For producers considering cover crops for the first time, the advice is to start simple and start somewhere. Cover crops are not a one-size-fits-all practice. Species selection, planting dates, grazing management and infrastructure requirements will vary by operation. But the rewards are substantial and can offer producers another tool to improve profitability on their operation.

“The biggest mistake is being afraid to try something,” Brhel said. “Talk to other people who are doing it and give it a try.”

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