Sustainable Agriculture

Forage crops are essential for the successful operation of animal production systems – livestock depend on forages. However, production of forage crops should be planned in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.

In this section, find information on sustainable agriculture of forage crops, including crop rotation, extending the grazing system, and no-till farming. Find tips for dealing with soil compaction and pasture management.

Forage Crops in Sustainable Agriculture

A properly managed crop production system, where forages are fed to livestock, has a number of features that develop sustainability. Forage crops can be used to reduce soil erosion and soil compaction. They also improve the structure and health of the soil. Careful management of forage crops production is essential, particularly when integrated with no-till farming.

Planting green and dairy cropping are two systems you can use very successfully when it comes to sustainable forage crop production. Dairy cropping in particular can be used to extend the growing season and is proving very useful on dairy farms.

No-Till/Conservation Tillage for Forage Crops

Using no-till and conservation tillage for forage crops means producers can reduce the time between the harvest of one crop and the planting of the next. They also lower costs, improve soil quality, and considerably lessen dust. You’ll also see these benefits when you grow cover crops.

Farmers have been practicing no-till farming for many years, but an increasing number of farmers are interested in trying no-till planting for the first time. Penn State Extension’s No-Till Farmer to Farmer series of four videos introduces you to five Pennsylvanian farmers who want to share their knowledge and experiences in no-till crop production.

No-tillage farming of forage crops creates grazing opportunities after harvesting. Grazing is a very cost-effective way to feed beef cattle. Grazing crop residue means you can reduce feed costs even more. Alfalfa is a forage crop that can play a vital role in no-till systems.

There are, however, a number of problems associated with conservation tillage, such as increased soil compaction, perennial weeds, plant diseases, and slow early season growth. Crop rotations can help to overcome these problems, as well as help producers use conservation tillage successfully.

Sustainable Pasture Management

Good grazing and pasture management is vital if you graze livestock and want to keep your land productive. Both sustainable grazing and pasture management are affected by climate, land condition, pasture quality and quantity, grazing frequency, and intensity.

Pasture management ensures that pasture is available for grazing animals year-round, and the soil remains healthy. Good grazing management organizes livestock to make the best use of the pasture and helps conserve biodiversity, which is a key element of every healthy environment.

Grazing cattle during periods of wet weather can damage stands and soil structure. It’s possible to reduce the potential for damage by having a sacrifice pasture area and moving cattle frequently. When grazing animals on steep slopes you must take care to manage the grazing animals in order to avoid soil degradation.

During the summer months, when cool-season grasses are slowing down their growth, you should watch for overgrazing. Regularly checking residue heights of warm-season grasses can help to eliminate overgrazing. Overgrazing can also lead to soil compaction.