Facilitating Crop–Livestock Reintegration in the Northern Great Plains

Abstract

Integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLSs) can help increase food production while benefiting soils and the environment. This review summarizes recent impacts of ICLSs on crop and livestock production and rural economics and discusses lessons learned in the northern Great Plains (NGP). Research on ICLS conducted in the NGP indicates that the crop residue grazing, swath grazing, and annual forage grazing can positively influence crop production; whereas, livestock performance varies with season, forage nutritive value, and grazing management. Furthermore, ICLSs can reduce the costs and risks of agricultural production. The success of ICLSs in NGP region depends on trade‐offs, planning, economic benefits, policies, regulations, community acceptance, and management skills. The ICLSs could play a strategic role in future agricultural production. The lessons learned from adopting ICLSs in the NGP include the lack of available land for fertilizer (manure) management, that to implement ICLS practices skills and knowledge must be maintained, and ICLS provides an entry point for young farmers and ranchers however capital is needed. These experiences and lessons could be valuable references for producers to adopt ICLSs in the NGP or other regions. Core Ideas Integrated crop–livestock systems positively affect crop production by improving soil health. Common integrated crop–livestock system management techniques can enhance the northern Great Plains crop production. Integrated crop–livestock system livestock performance is impacted by season, forage selection, and management. Integrated crop–livestock systems can increase economic benefits and reduce economic risks. Experiences and lessons in the northern Great Plains could be valuable for other regions to adopt integrated crop–livestock systems.

Ecosystem Impacts and Productive Capacity of a Multi-Species Pastured Livestock System

“…Diversified farms supply 60 and 75% of the world's meat and dairy, respectively (Herrero et al, 2010;FAO, 2014). Expanding the use of diversified farming methods for animal production (including integrated crop-livestock systems, carefully managed grazing, and MSPRs) can lead to improved environmental outcomes and beneficial ecosystem services (e.g., wildlife and pollinator habitat, improved nutrient cycling) in addition to food production (Russelle et al, 2007;Kremen et al, 2012;Rivera-Ferre et al, 2016;Kremen and Merenlender, 2018;Kumar et al, 2019). Importantly, MSPRs take advantage of an "agromutualism" that builds symbiotic relationships between enterprises that lead to ecological and economic benefits.…”

Green and animal manure use in organic field crop systems

“…The value of integrating animal and field crop systems is documented in previous reviews (Franzluebbers, 2007; Krall & Schuman, 1996; Russelle, Entz, & Franzluebbers, 2007; Entz & Martens, 2009; Kumar et al., 2019). In part, the benefits result from incorporating forages into grain‐ and seed‐based cropping systems (Clark, 2009; Entz, Bullied, & Katepa‐Mupondwa, 1995, 2002).…”

“…Soil N and organic C were increased, and leachable N decreased, when integrated crop–animal systems were compared to cropping systems that excluded livestock in several studies reviewed by Kumar et al. (2019). Fewer weed problems occurred in crop rotations that included forages (Entz et al., 1995, 2002; Miller, Menalled, Sainju, Lenssen, & Hatfield, 2015).…”

“…Fewer weed problems occurred in crop rotations that included forages (Entz et al., 1995, 2002; Miller, Menalled, Sainju, Lenssen, & Hatfield, 2015). Field crop yield and overall system economics were improved by incorporating animal grazing into cropping schemes (Kumar et al., 2019).…”

Annual forage impacts on dryland wheat farming in the Great Plains

“…However, Kumar et al. (2019) pointed out that livestock converted low‐value crops or even annual crop aftermath into high‐value food (i.e., beef). Other research demonstrated economic benefits when annual forages were incorporated into dryland wheat systems compared with wheat–fallow, if local livestock or hay markets were available (Chen et al., 2012; Nielsen, Lyon, & Miceli‐Garcia, 2017).…”