Cover Crop Grazing

Integrating Livestock for Healthier Soil and Stronger Farms

This initiative brings crop and livestock producers together to unlock the full potential of cover crop grazing. By integrating livestock into row crop systems, we’re demonstrating how early-planted cover crops and managed grazing can improve soil health, enhance nutrient management, and increase farm profitability.

Through on-farm partnerships, applied research, and technical assistance in collaboration with Virginia NRCS, we are developing a practical, replicable model that works for real operations across Virginia and the broader Mid-Atlantic region.

Cover crops already play a critical role in protecting soil, but grazing them takes their benefits even further.

Integrating livestock into cropping systems can:

• Improve soil structure, biology, and water retention

• Cycle nutrients more efficiently and reduce reliance on external inputs

• Provide high-quality forage during fall and winter months

• Create additional revenue opportunities for crop producers

• Strengthen overall farm resilience and long-term profitability

Despite these benefits, cover crop grazing remains underutilized in the region. Producers often face logistical, financial, and technical barriers to adoption. This work is helping address those challenges by providing real-world examples, practical tools, and proven approaches that support successful implementation.

This work combines proven conservation practices with innovative tools to support successful integration of livestock and cropping systems.

Producer Partnerships

We connect crop and livestock producers through structured agreements that support shared goals, clarify expectations, and reduce risk. These partnerships are central to making cover crop grazing work in real-world conditions.

On-Farm Research

We evaluate grazed and ungrazed systems to better understand impacts on soil health, crop performance, nutrient dynamics, and livestock outcomes. This data helps inform recommendations grounded in practical experience.

Technical Assistance

Our team works directly with producers to plan and implement cover crop grazing systems, including crop selection, grazing management, and infrastructure setup.

Economic Analysis

We assess costs, returns, and return on investment to understand how these practices affect farm profitability—and to help producers make informed decisions.

Outreach & Education

We share lessons learned through workshops, field days, videos, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities, helping producers and service providers build confidence and skills.

Together, these approaches are building a tested model that can be applied across the region.

We are actively working with producer partners to evaluate the impacts of cover crop grazing across a range of farm conditions.

This section will share:

• Key lessons learned from on-farm implementation

• Common challenges and practical solutions

• Measurable outcomes related to soil health, nutrient management, and farm performance

👉 Check back as results and insights become available.

We are developing practical, easy-to-use resources to support adoption of cover crop grazing, including:

• Step-by-step guidance for building crop–livestock partnerships

• Example lease and sublease agreements

• Fact sheets on cover crop selection, grazing management, and infrastructure

• Case studies and producer stories

• Videos demonstrating practices in action

👉 Resources will be added here as they become available.

Ready to explore cover crop grazing on your operation—or support producers who are?

Our team provides technical assistance, planning support, and access to tools and resources to help you get started.