Adding livestock to a cover crop system is considered the last step in bringing cover crops full circle in an operation. One Kansas grower and livestock producer shares insights from 35-plus years of no-till, 23 years of cover cropping and using livestock to increase his soil’s health and productivity while significantly reducing input costs.

Cover crops integrated with livestock systems can yield forage during periods where cattle producers need it most, to extend the grazing season and reduce or even eliminate their dependence on harvested feed, says Drovers Cattle Network.