When integrating livestock on an arable farm, pasture is sown as part of the crop rotation. An area remains in pasture for about three to five years and is grazed by livestock during that time. The area is then used for growing crops such as potatoes, peas, wheat and barley for up to five years before being sown back into pasture. Different areas of the farm have a different rotation sequence so pasture is available at all times of the year.
Gains that come from integrating livestock and cropping are both short term, those achieved in one growing season, and medium to long term, those achieved in two to five seasons or longer.
Short Term Benefits of Integrating Livestock
- Improved profit
Profit may increase directly from the sale of animal products, indirectly from improvements to the output from arable crops or ideally from both.
- Spread of investment
If the livestock enterprise is not so profitable one year then hopefully the arable enterprise is able to give better returns in the same year.
- Soil improvement
Animal excrement incorporated into the soil recycles nutrients and organic matter faster than if plant material decomposes without passing through an animal.
- Animal health benefits
To assist in the control of internal parasites stock may be grazed on crop residues and/or forage crops. Cropped paddocks may have been out of pasture for more than a year and provide ‘clean’ feed with low parasite populations. Forage crops can also be fed to stock when pasture growth is low (e.g. summer and/or winter) or of poor quality (e.g. summer).
Medium to Long Term Benefits of Integrating Stock
- Soil improvements
Nutrient and organic matter recycling during the pasture and grazing phase of a rotation can lead to improved soil structure and nutrient status. Organic matter has moisture retention properties and provides a food source for soil organisms, such as earthworms, bacteria and fungi, which in turn decompose organic matter producing plant available nutrients. Generally soils high in organic matter are less prone to compaction problems. In addition, increasing the organic matter content can make heavy soils become more open and improve their drainage properties, while light soils become more moisture retentive.
- Crop pest and disease control
The extended breaks that pastures provide in a rotation can have beneficial effects in breaking the life cycles of crop pests and diseases that would otherwise increase if the rotations were shorter without a pasture break.
- Improved farm capital value
Adding a livestock enterprise often requires the addition of animals and equipment associated with them. This can add to expenditure but may also add value. For example, if cattle are introduced to an arable farm, handling yards may need to be built. These then become a farm asset that can add to the capital value of the farm.
- New opportunities
Opportunities to grow forage crops not grown previously may introduce more flexibility to the crop rotation creating benefits for both stock and crops. Forage crops for stock may return more profit than selling the crop off farm. Land marginal for cropping may be left permanently in pasture to provide flexibility in grazing management and prevent the temptation to cultivate where the risk of crop failure may be high.
- Acquisition of new skills and activities
Adding a livestock enterprise may require new skills to be learnt and knowledge gained. This may allow other opportunities to be taken in the future.
- Work satisfaction
The farm landscape and work day become more diverse and this can be attractive to some farmers and staff. Learning new skills and facing new challenges can also add to day-to-day work satisfaction.
As well as advantages there are also disadvantages that need to be considered when farming animals in conjunction with growing crops.
References
- Soil Management Guidelines for Sustainable Cropping. T G Shepherd, C W Ross, L R Basher, & S Saggar, 2000, Manaaki Whenua Press
- Farm Technical Manual. Ed. Peter Fleming, 2003, Lincoln University
- Foundation for Arable Research
