96 Cover Crop Grazing and Backgrounding on Carcass Quality

Abstract Integration of sheep into cropping systems via cover crop grazing leases has potential to benefit sheep producers with a source of inexpensive, high quality forage. We examined this potential by comparing lamb growth and carcass traits of four rearing systems: grain-finished control (GR), cover crop brassica-finished (CCB), cover crop mixture-finished (CCM), and background on brassica and finished on grain (BK-GR). Dorset x Polypay lambs (n = 60; 3 pens or pastures, 5 lambs each) were blocked by body weight and randomly assigned to treatment. All diets were provided to maximize voluntary dry matter intake. Lambs were harvested after 6 wks of feeding for GR and 8 wks for CCB, CCM and BK-GR (BK-GR = 4 wks brassica then 4 wks grain). Grain-fed lambs (GR and BK-GR, 442 g/d) grew faster than pasture-fed lambs (CCB and CCM, 152 g/d) prior to harvest (Table 1, P < 0.01) and attained greater body mass (HCW), muscling (LEA, EMD), fatness (BF, BWF) and yield grade (all P < 0.05). Growth of pasture-fed lambs declined 38% over time (247 wk 1–4 vs. 152 g/d wk5-8; P < 0.05). Pasture-fed lambs were leaner than grain-fed lambs (BF, yield grade; P < 0.01), yet attained a yield grade 2 average. Background lambs (BK-GR) exhibited a 107% increase in growth when fed grain (232 g/d pasture vs. 481 g/d grain, P < 0.01) and were fatter (BF, P < 0.05) yet had reduced eye muscle depth (P < 0.01) at harvest than GR lambs. Lambs did not differ in growth or any carcass measurement according to pasture type (CCB vs. CCM). We conclude that 8 wks of cover crop finishing produced acceptable carcass weight and finish. Backgrounding on cover crops followed by 4 wks of grain finishing results in marked compensatory gain with lambs achieving the same carcass size and similar qualities to lambs fed only grain.

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Impact of feeding cover crop forage containing brassicas to steers during backgrounding on live animal performance, carcass characteristics, and meat color

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txab124 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

C E Bakker ◽

L M Hite ◽

C L Wright ◽

D W Brake ◽

A J Smart ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Ground Beef ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Feed Ratio ◽

Animal Performance ◽

Live Animal ◽

The Impact

Abstract Brassica cover crops are an option for producers to incorporate into their cropping system to improve soil health and also provide a feed resource for cattle. While brassica cover crops have been widely used for grazing cows, their use as a backgrounding feedstuff is relatively unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of feeding a brassica cover crop mixture during backgrounding on live animal performance and carcass characteristics. Thirty Angus-based steers were assigned to one of two dietary treatments during backgrounding 1) ad libitum access to a diet containing freshly cut brassica cover crop forage (CC) containing radish, turnip, rapeseed, rye grass and a liquid supplement or 2) common Midwestern dry lot growing diet containing silage, soybean meal, grass hay, and a liquid supplement (CON). Steers were assigned to electronic feed bunks (Insentec RIC, Hokofarm Group; Marknesse, Netherlands) for collection of individual feed intake. Diets were formulated to be nutritionally similar on a dry matter basis. Steers were paired by weight across treatments and pair fed. Dry matter intake was calculated daily for steers in the CC treatment and the following day CON steers were allowed access to an equal amount of dry matter using the Insentec RIC system. Steers were weighed weekly and backgrounded for 44 days before transitioning to a common finishing diet and weighed every 28 days. Steers were harvested at an estimated average backfat thickness of 1 cm. Standard carcass data were measured and strip loins and shoulder clods were collected. Instrumental and subjective color was measured on ground beef for 8 days and instrumental color was measured on strip steaks for 11 days. Treatment did not influence carcass characteristics, average daily gain, dry matter intake (P > 0.17). However, CON steers exhibited increased gain to feed ratio (P = 0.02). Additionally, a treatment by d interaction was observed for ground beef discoloration as the CC treatment displayed increased discoloration on day 4, 6, and 7 of case life (P < 0.01). These data indicate that brassicas may be utilized in a backgrounding diet without negatively impacting carcass characteristics but may decrease case life of ground beef.

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Maintenance requirement and deposition efficiency of lysine in pigs

Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-204x2013000900011 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 48 (9) ◽

pp. 1269-1274 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marcos Speroni Ceron ◽

Vladimir de Oliveira ◽

Paulo Alberto Lovatto ◽

Marcos Martinez do Vale

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Deposition Efficiency ◽

Growing Pigs ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Maintenance Requirement ◽

Nitrogen Intake ◽

Average Body ◽

Over Time ◽

Average Body Weight

The objective of this work was to determine the maintenance requirement and the deposition efficiency of lysine in growing pigs. It was used the incomplete changeover experimental design, with replicates over time. Twelve castrated pigs with average body weight (BW) of 52±2 kg were kept in metabolism crates with a controlled temperature of 22ºC. The diets were formulated to supply 30, 50, 60, and 70% of the expected requirements of standardized lysine, and provided at 2.6 times the energy requirements for maintenance. The trial lasted 24 days and was divided into two periods of 12 days: seven days for animal adaptation to the diet and five days for sample collection. The increasing content of lysine in the diet did not affect dry matter intake of the pigs. The amount of nitrogen excreted was 47% of the nitrogen intake, of which 35% was excreted through feces and 65% through urine. The estimated endogenous losses of lysine were 36.4 mg kg-1 BW0.75. The maintenance requirement of lysine for pigs weighing around 50 kg is 40.4 mg kg-1 BW0.75, and the deposition efficiency of lysine is 90%.

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Use of Crop Rotations, Cover Crops and Green Manures for Disease Suppression in Potato Cropping Systems

Global Journal of Agricultural Innovation Research & Development ◽

10.15377/2409-9813.2021.08.12 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 153-168

Author(s):

Robert P. Larkin

Keyword(s):

Disease Control ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Green Manure ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Crop Rotations ◽

Disease Suppression ◽

Green Manures ◽

Rotation Crops

Crop rotations and the inclusion of cover crops and green manures are primary tools in the sustainable management of soil-borne diseases in crop production systems. Crop rotations can reduce soil-borne disease through three general mechanisms: (1) serving as a break in the host-pathogen cycle; (2) by altering the soil physical, chemical, or biological characteristics to stimulate microbial activity and diversity; or (3) directly inhibiting pathogens through the release of suppressive or toxic compounds or the enhancement of specific antagonists. Brassicas, sudangrass, and related plant types are disease-suppressive crops well-known for their biofumigation potential but also have other effects on soil microbiology that are important in disease suppression. The efficacy of rotations for reducing soil-borne diseases is dependent on several factors, including crop type, rotation length, rotation sequence, and use of the crop (as full-season rotation, cover crop, or green manure). Years of field research with Brassica and non-Brassica rotation crops in potato cropping systems in Maine have documented the efficacy of Brassica green manures for the reduction of multiple soil-borne diseases. However, they have also indicated that these crops can provide disease control even when not incorporated as green manures and that other non-biofumigant crops (such as barley, ryegrass, and buckwheat) can also be effective in disease suppression. In general, all crops provided better disease control when used as green manure vs. as a cover crop, but the addition of a cover crop can improve control provided by most rotation crops. In long-term cropping system trials, rotations incorporating multiple soil health management practices, such as longer rotations, disease-suppressive rotation crops, cover crops, and green manures, and/or organic amendments have resulted in greater yield and microbial activity and fewer disease problems than standard rotations. These results indicate that improved cropping systems may enhance productivity, sustainability, and economic viability.

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DRY MATTER DECOMPOSITION OF COVER CROPS IN A NO-TILLAGE COTTON SYSTEM

Revista Caatinga ◽

10.1590/1983-21252018v31n201rc ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 264-270 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

JOÃO LUÍS DA SILVA FILHO ◽

ANA LUÍZA DIAS COELHO BORIN ◽

ALEXANDRE CUNHA DE BARCELLOS FERREIRA

Keyword(s):

Pearl Millet ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Half Life ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Pennisetum Glaucum ◽

Pigeon Pea ◽

Exponential Model ◽

No Tillage ◽

Linear Regression Models

ABSTRACT No-tillage cotton systems require soil coverage with cover crop residue for a longer time due to the late cycle of cotton. However, decomposition rates may vary between cover crops, and the adjustment of models to describe it is critical to no-tillage cotton management. Two non-linear regression models, exponential (EM) and Michaelis-Menten (MM), were adjusted to dry matter decomposition of cover crops in a cotton no-tillage system, in Brazil. Three field trials were performed in 2012 for the cover crops Urochloa ruziziensis (brachiaria), Pennisetum glaucum (pearl millet), and Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea). Samples of cover crop were collected at 20, 50, 70, 110, 140, and 170 days after sowing upland cotton to measure dry matter decomposition. MM showed better adjustment than EM for all cover crops. The estimations of half-life parameters were different between the cover crops, suggesting that each cover crop has its own rate of decomposition. For pearl millet, brachiaria, and pigeon pea, the half-life estimation by exponential model was over the MM in 9, 12, and 12 days.

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A review of economic considerations for cover crops as a conservation practice

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170517000278 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 62-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Jason S. Bergtold ◽

Steven Ramsey ◽

Lucas Maddy ◽

Jeffery R. Williams

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Production Risk ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Conservation Practice ◽

Farm Business ◽

The Impact ◽

Economic Considerations

AbstractOver the past few decades, farmers have increasingly integrated cover crops into their cropping systems. Cover-crop benefits can help a farmer to achieve sustainability or reduce negative environmental externalities, such as soil erosion or chemical runoff. However, the impact on farm economics will likely be the strongest incentive to adopt cover crops. These impacts can include farm profits, cash crop yields or both. This paper provides a review of cover-crop adoption, production, risk and policy considerations from an economic perspective. These dimensions are examined through a review of cover-crop literature. This review was written to provide an overview of cover crops and their impacts on the farm business and the environment, especially with regard to economic considerations. Through increasing knowledge about cover crops, the intent here is to inform producers contemplating adoption and policy makers seeking to encourage adoption.

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COVER CROPS IN THE OFF-SEASON IN THE WEED MANAGEMENT AT NOTILLAGE AREA

Revista Caatinga ◽

10.1590/1983-21252021v34n106rc ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 50-57

Author(s):

FERNANDO COUTO DE ARAÚJO ◽

ADRIANO STEPHAN NASCENTE ◽

JULIANA LOURENÇO NUNES GUIMARÃES ◽

VINÍCIUS SILVA SOUSA ◽

MARCO ANTÔNIO MOREIRA DE FREITAS ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Pennisetum Glaucum ◽

Pigeon Pea ◽

Weed Species ◽

Agricultural Areas ◽

Main Growth ◽

Crotalaria Spectabilis

ABSTRACT Cover crops can provide suppression of weeds and together with chemical control make the proper management of weeds in agricultural areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cover crop cultivation during the off-season on weed development in a no-tillage area. The experimental design was in randomized blocks scheme with six treatments and four replications. The treatments were: fallow (control), millet (Pennisetum glaucum) + crotalaria (Crotalaria spectabilis + C. juncea + C. ochroleuca), millet + pigeon pea (Cajanus cajans), millet + Urochloa ruziziensis, millet + Urochloa ruziziensis + pigeon pea and millet + buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum. The evaluations were done at 30, 75 and 225 days after sowing of the cover crops (DAS). The main growth weed species in the area were Cenchrus echinathus, Euphorbia heterophylla and Digitaria insularis. Fallow treatment showed greater number of weed species with density of 184 plants m-2, 9.0 species and with 527.8 g m-2 of dry matter mass at 225 DAS. In all treatments verified reduction in the density and mass of weeds dry matter compared to the fallow, with average of 30 plants m-2, 5.8 species and 7.9 g m-2 at 225 DAS, respectively. The use of cover crops is an important strategy for weed control in agricultural areas.

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Epigeal fauna and soil attributes in a cover-cropped organic vegetable system

Ciência Rural ◽

10.1590/0103-8478cr20200842 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 51 (8) ◽

Author(s):

Sandra Santana de Lima ◽

Dérique Biassi ◽

Cyndi dos Santos Ferreira ◽

Priscila Silva Matos ◽

Lucas Vasconcelos Rocha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Secondary Forest ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Block Design ◽

Solanum Melongena ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Cropping System ◽

Positive Association ◽

Forest Site

ABSTRACT: This study assessed the effect of cover crop biomass on the epigeal fauna of an organic eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) cropping system. A randomized block design was used, with four cover crop treatments: brachiaria, crotalaria, millet, and cocktail (brachiaria, crotalaria and millet). The epigeal faunal indices were determined at each plot. The epigeal fauna of a secondary forest site was also assessed for comparison. Epigeal individuals were collected using pitfall traps at two sampling periods (110 and 180 days after mowing cover crops). Soil samples were collected for determination of physical and chemic properties. 2032 individuals were captured in the first sampling and 3806 individuals in the second. The highest values of wealth in the first collection were observed in the millet and cocktail areas. Cluster analysis showed similarity of epigeal faunal groups between millet and brachiaria plots at the first sampling and between cocktail and crotalaria sites at the second sampling. Co-inertia analysis showed a significant covariance between epigeal fauna at the second sampling and soil properties. The cover crops management had a beneficial influence on the activity, wealth and ecological indexes, in both sampling periods. The positive association observed between epigeal faunal groups and soil physical and chemical properties demonstrates the efficiency of cover crops in improving soil quality in organic cropping systems.

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Weed infestations in soybean grown in succession to cropping systems with sorghum and cover plants

Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s1678-3921.pab2020.v55.01640 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 55 ◽

Author(s):

Joilson Sodré Filho ◽

Ricardo Carmona ◽

Robélio Leandro Marchão ◽

Arminda Moreira de Carvalho

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Block Design ◽

Weed Species ◽

Importance Value ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Weed Diversity ◽

Weed Infestation ◽

Urochloa Brizantha

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of sorghum and cover plant cropping systems before soybean cultivation on the occurrence of weeds during soybean growing in the Brazilian Cerrado. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design, with four replicates. The treatments comprised six cropping systems before soybean: sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha), and Congo grass (Urochloa ruziziensis) as cover plants, alone or intercropped, in addition to fallowing. Weeds were evaluated as to: density, dry matter mass, diversity, importance value, and similarity. The greatest similarity of weeds ocurred in single crops of sorghum, palisade grass, and Congo grass, in comparison with their intercroppings. Congo grass before soybean promoted a greater reduction in weed diversity overtime, when compared with palisade grass. The absence of cover crops before soybean cultivation increased weed infestation during the soybean cycle. The cropping systems with sorghum intercropped with cover crops before the soybean cultivation affect the diversity and the importance value of weed species.

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006 SOIL NITROGEN MOVEMENT AND SOIL STRENGTH IN VARIOUS VEGETABLE CROPPING SYSTEMS

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.29.5.428c ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 29 (5) ◽

pp. 428c-428

Author(s):

Juan Carlos Gilsanz ◽

D. C. Sanders ◽

G. D. Hoyt

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Soil Depth ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Potato Crop ◽

Soil Nitrate ◽

Snap Bean ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Snap Beans ◽

Soil Impedance

Rye plus crimson clover cover crops were followed by spring potato and fall snap bean or sorghum or fallow. The soil samples at 15 cm increments to 90 cm were evaluated for nitrate levels after each crop and cover crop. After the cover crops, soil nitrate levels were reduced relative to the fallow area. After the potato, crop soil nitrate levels increased above initial spring levels due a uniform fertilization due to the amount of N applied and short cycle of the crop. Snap beans and sorghum had increased plant stands and reduced soil impedance after fall cover crops. HOW nitrate levels varied with soil depth and time will be discussed.

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In Field Measurements of Nitrogen Mineralization following Fall Applications of N and the Termination of Winter Cover Crops

Air Soil and Water Research ◽

10.4137/aswr.s13861 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. ASWR.S13861 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Corey G. Lacey ◽

Shalamar D. Armstrong

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Inorganic N ◽

Crop Species ◽

N Application ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

And Control ◽

The Impact

Little is known about the timing and quantity of nitrogen (N) mineralization from cover crop residue following cover crop termination. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the impact of cover crop species on the return of fall applied N to the soil in the spring following chemical and winter terminations. Fall N was applied (200 kg N ha−1) into a living stand of cereal rye, tillage radish, and control (no cover crop). After chemical termination in the spring, soil samples were collected weekly and were analyzed for inorganic N (NO3-N and NH4-N) to investigate mineralization over time. Cereal rye soil inorganic N concentrations were similar to that of the control in both the spring of 2012 and 2013. Fall N application into tillage radish, cereal rye, and control plots resulted in an average 91, 57, and 66% of the fall N application rate as inorganic N in the spring at the 0-20 cm depth, respectively. The inclusion of cover crops into conventional cropping systems stabilized N at the soil surface and has the potential to improve the efficiency of fall applied N.

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