The four-year U.S. Dept. of Agriculture-sponsored project is looking at the benefits of post-harvest grazing. These include binding nitrogen to the soil, reducing runoff into lakes and streams.
To optimize the rotation system, researchers are also including fall cover crops to better feed livestock and enrich the soil. Trial crops include oats, sorghum, turnips, radishes, and millet.
"The hypothesis is that this system can alter nutrition cycling and improve soil resilience," said Sandeep Kumar, assistant professor of agronomy, horticulture and plant science at SDSU. It may also reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.
"The goal is greater sustainability," said Kumar.
Read more at Science Daily.
