Partnering To Graze Cover Crops and Improve Soil Health

Aaron Alons and Andy Getting have formed a mutually beneficial farming partnership. On his farm, Aaron raises grass-fed and -finished beef, selling directly to consumers. To extend his grazing season, he partners with Andy to graze cattle on 200-plus acres Andy farms. Andy, meanwhile, raises organic row crops, including corn, soybean, oats and hay – and he plants a cover crop with his oats that Aaron’s cattle will graze after oat harvest. This partnership has yielded tremendous benefits for both farmers.
Come learn how they work together to extend Aaron’s grazing season. you’ll hear how adding cattle to the row-cropped ground helped improve the soil’s health, such as boosting microbial diversity, available nutrients and organic matter. The improvements allowed for near-normal yields during a serious drought year.