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![Cover crops growing in a field of harvested corn.](/sites/default/files/2020-03/W-00528-00-cover-crops-corn-grazing-soil-rotation.jpg)
Utilizing Cover Crops for Grazing: An Assessment on Economic Benefits
Grazing cover crops by cattle provides an option to offset cover crop seed costs and increase farm revenue. To facilitate farmers’ decision making, this article will evaluate the economic profitability from grazing cattle on cover crops using a partial budgeting approach.
![a wordmark for the 2020 Soil Health Awareness Day](/sites/default/files/2020-02/MC-00801-01-soil-health-day-wordmark.png)
South Dakota Declares February 21 Soil Health Awareness Day
February 20, 2020
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has declared February 21, 2020 Soil Health Awareness Day. Agriculture contributes over 132,000 jobs and 32.5 billion dollars in total output to South Dakota’s economy.
![A green tractor, pulling a red, high-clearance planter through a field of emerging corn.](/sites/default/files/2020-02/W-00488-02-interseeding-cover-crops-planter-high-clearance.jpg)
Interseeding Cover Crops Effect on Corn and Soybean Production: 2019
Incorporating cover crops into our cropping systems and moving from conventional tillage to no-till can improve soil organic matter, soil structure, and water and nutrient holding capacity of our soils.
Multi-Species Grazing as an Alternative to Pasture Spraying
Broadacre spraying of pastures is intended to reduce undesirable plants and increase grasses for livestock. This practice often results in unintended consequences, including damage and reduction of native forbs and reduced profitability. One approach to managing perceived “weedy” plants is incorporating different species of livestock into a grazing operation.
![Two side-by-side fields. The left field is planted with perennial grass. The right field is bare with salty soil exposed.](/sites/default/files/2020-03/W-00513-00-salty-soils-vs-perennial-grass.jpg)
Managing Weeds While Transforming Marginal Land Into Perennial Forages Production
There are currently millions acres across South Dakota impacted by saline and sodic conditions. Research has shown that salt-tolerant perennial grasses are a possible way to bring land back into production.
![A man inspecting a field with salty soil.](/sites/default/files/2020-03/W-00521-00-salty-soils-saline-field-marginal-land-eac.jpg)
Perennial Solutions for Alkali Areas
Reclaiming marginal lands, especially those considered saline or sodic can be very challenging and may take many years to accomplish. The key to turning around salt or alkali areas in your fields, begins with getting a living root established in the affected area.
![A group of cattle grazing on crop residue.](/sites/default/files/2019-10/W-00430-00-crop-livestock-integration-cattle-corn-grazing.jpg)
Farm Practices That Improve Soil Health: Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems
An integrated crop-livestock system can provide an alternative management strategy that benefits producer’s income, soil health, and the environment—all while increasing production.
![A field with patches of soil exhibiting poor water infiltration.](/sites/default/files/2019-10/W-00431-01-cover-crops-field-water-infiltration.jpg)
Farm Practices That Improve Soil Health: Cover Crops and Crop Residues
Planting cover crops and returning crop residues (stover) to the soil both adds nutrients and improves overall soil quality. These practices are common with producers across South Dakota and have been recently studied by researchers to identify how they impact the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
![A patch of switchgrass growing at the edge of a field.](/sites/default/files/2019-10/W-00432-01-switchgrass-soil-health-field.jpg)
Farm Practices That Improve Soil Health: Planting Switchgrass on Marginal Lands
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a tall, native, prairie grass that is often seeded on marginal lands in South Dakota. It has gained growing popularity over the past decade not only as a source of biofuel and feed, but also as a method to improve soil properties.
![A green tractor planting seeds in a no-till field. Courtesy: United Soybean Board [CC BY 2.0] via Flickr](/sites/default/files/2019-10/W-00433-00-no-till-planting-soybeans-field.jpg)
Farm Practices That Improve Soil Health: Crop Rotations and No-Till
Implementing diverse crop rotations and no-till practices are common suggestions to reduce erosion, control pests, and improve yields. These practices can also improve soil health through an increase in soil carbon levels.