Source: UNIV OF MINNESOTA submitted to
ORGANIC CROP AND FORAGE ROTATIONS FOR DAIRY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1006998
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
MIN-02-022
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2015
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2019
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Heins, BR.
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF MINNESOTA
(N/A)
ST PAUL,MN 55108
Performing Department
West Central Research & Outreach Center
Non Technical Summary
The project goal is to enhance the sustainability of organic systems by integrating crops and livestock. We will increase organic crop yields, efficiency, productivity and socioeconomic benefits through research on integrating crops and livestock; educational tool development for agricultural professionals; improving food safety and quality by reducing toxins and microbial contamination; and developing innovative animal production systems in mixed operations. Extension efforts will include outputs of annual Field Days, conference and classroom presentations, publications, and social media webinars, blogs, and articles on e-Organic and University of Minnesota websites. Outcomes include increased producer knowledge and skills to integrate livestock, forage and grain crops, increased soil quality, profitability, food safety and measurable carbon sequestration.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
90%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
30716101060100%
Knowledge Area
307 - Animal Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1610 - Pasture;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);
Goals / Objectives
The major goals of the project are to facilitate the development and improvement of organic agriculture production and processing methods that emphasize a whole-systems approach by integrating crops and livestock, and evaluate and improve processing and food safety practices to reduce toxins and microbial contamination, while increasing quality of organic plant and animal-based products. We will evaluate the economic and environmental outcomes from integrated crop-livestock systems, by improving systems-based animal production, animal health and pest management practices, under organic pasture and feed regimens and performance.Objectives:1. Establish innovative, integrated, multi-functional organic crop rotations that include legume and grass forages for livestock production, soil-building, and pest cycle disruption;2. Enhance organic cattle nutrition through a forage-based rotation, as determined by rate of gain, animal health, and conjugated linoleic acids;
Project Methods
The following organic crop sequence and grazing treatments will be established in a randomized complete block as a two by two factorial experiment: (1) crop sequence comparisons: (a) a legume-emphasis crop sequence (CS-1) of (a) wheat-soybean-orchardgrass/alfalfa-orchardgrass/alfalfa rotation versus (b) a corn-based crop sequence (CS-2) of rye-corn-orchardgrass/alfalfa-orchardgrass/alfalfa rotation; with (2) grazing sub-treatments: to study the effect of 1) grazing vs. 2) no grazing on biological outcomes, pasture plots will include 6 x 6 m exclusion cages. Forage within cages will be removed for hayTreatment combinations will be replicated three times. Because of the limitation of land required for the grazing component (i.e., an 18-acre experiment at each site), each crop in each rotation cannot be grown each year. Small grains (wheat: CS-1 or rye: CS-2) will be grazed after adequate forage has developed in Spring 2015 to the joint stage to allow grain harvest following grazing. In May 2016, organic soybeans (CS-1) or corn (CS-2) will be planted, and following soybeans or corn in the rotation will be the appropriate pasture mixture in 2017 and 2018. The forage/pasture cycle length will include five seasons (Spring 2015; Fall 2017 to Fall 2018).Forage density will be determined by counting living grass and legume plants in three, 1-ft2-quadrat areas selected randomly in each plot 3 weeks after planting and at the end of the grazing period. Fall and spring plant densities will be compared to determine winter hardiness of forage/pasture treatments and rating given (visual scale of 0 = completely dead to 5 = 100% cover). Forage height, biomass yield and moisture content will be determined by measuring and harvesting above-ground plant parts in three, 1-ft2-quadrat areas, selected randomly in each plot every month from October to May (limited by weather and soil snow cover conditions). Weed pressure in forage crops will be categorized by grass/broadleaf and annual/perennial weed numbers in the same sampled area. The three biomass samples will be weighed, dried at 60 °C until at constant weight, and reweighed. Additional forage quality samples will be collected on the day livestock are moved to a new pasture. To obtain forage samples, 3 random clippings within a 61 × 46-cm metal square will be collected in each paddock. After harvest, the forage sample will be placed in zip-lock bags and frozen (−4°C) until delivered to Rock River Laboratories (Watertown, WI) for forage dry matter and quality (ADF, NDF, protein, and minerals) analysis. Additionally, carbon and nitrogen content of forage crops will be determined at the same lab.Body weight, hip height, and body condition score will be recorded every 2 weeks during the summer grazing period and every month during the winter. Health treatment records will be recorded on an individual steer basis. Dry matter intake will be measured on pasture every week during the grazing season. At slaughter, carcasses from each site will be cut and strip loins will be shipped under appropriate conditions to the University of Minnesota for various tests and taste panel evaluations. A 1-inch-thick steak from the loin of each steer will be used to conduct a Warner-Bratzler shear test. About 10 pounds of loin will be collected from each steer for use in fatty acid analyses.Back fat samples (approximately 6.4 x 0.5 cm) will be collected from carcasses for grazing steer groups 72 h postmortem at the commercial abattoir. Fatty acids from the steers will be determined according to the AOAC International Method 996.06 (2002) by the Minnesota Valley Testing Laboratory. Briefly, lipids will be extracted from a 3-g sample, saponified, derivatized, and then run on a gas chromatograph to determine which FAs were contained in the sample. Results will be reported as a percentage of a specific FA in the total fat and the value of all FAs up to 100%.The contaminants, E.coli O157:H7 and Salmonella, will be of greatest concern in both pasture and livestock components. Specifically, before animal harvest, crops that are grazed by the livestock will be sampled for microbiological analysis. Additionally, when the livestock are ready to be harvested for their meat, a fecal sample will be taken from each animal. Fecal grab samples will be taken at time at time of harvest prior to shipping to the abattoir.Rectal palpation will be used to obtain approximately 100 g of fecal samples for microbial analysis. A selective enrichment protocol for Salmonella and E.coli O157 detection in food and food related samples will be followed and then 3M™ Tecra™ Salmonella/E.coli O157 Visual Immunoassay, a Rapid ELISA kit, will be used to detect the presence or absence of these harmful bacteria. If a sample is positive for either test, enumeration will occur according to FDA BAM and USDA standards (FDA, 1998).

Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:We have reached organic dairy farmers and organic dairy industry representatives across the United States. We delivered a successful organic field day in August 2019 at the West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris, MN.So far, through this project we reached over 500 conventional and organic dairy farmers, and have worked with beginning organic farmers through workshops, field days, and conference presentations. The field days were conducted for organic dairy producers, extension educators, organic industry and NRCS personnel. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has trained organic dairy producers on the integration of cattle and cover crops in organic dairy production systems. Many extension educators and organic industry representatives were informed on organic dairy management practices at field days and conferences. We have trained 1 undergraduate students on how to conduct research and outreach in an organic production system. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We continue to offer an organic dairy day at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center to provide farmers and other industry personnel tools for improving the profitablity of organic dairy farms. Over 75 people attended the field day at the University of Minnesota and over 1,000 people have attended the field days on cooperating organic farms. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Yield, nutritional quality, and fatty acid content of organic winter rye (Secale cereale) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) forages under cattle (Bos taurus) grazing conditions The objective of this study was to assess yield, nutritional quality, and fatty acid compositions of winter rye (Secale cereale) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) forages for grazing cattle (Bos taurus) in an organic system. The rye and wheat were established on two 4 ha plots in September 2015. Six groups of dairy steers rotationally grazed rye (n = 3) or wheat (n = 3) plots divided into seven paddocks (n = 14) from April to June 2016. Forage samples (n = 96) taken prior to paddock grazing were used to analyze forage characteristics. Mixed models with fixed factors of forage, date, and their interaction, a random subject factor of group nested in paddock, and a repeated effect of date were used for each outcome. The linear effect of date on fatty acids was obtained by substituting date as a continuous variable. The mean forage yield for rye was greater (P < 0.05) than wheat (mean ± standard error; 2840 and 2571 ± 82 kg ha-1, respectively). However, rye yielded less in the latter part of the grazing period. Wheat (19.3 ± 0.30% DM) had greater (P < 0.001) crude protein than rye (17.6 ± 0.30% DM). In general, crude protein, digestibility, and minerals decreased during the grazing period. Wheat (66.3 ± 0.54 g 100g-1) had greater (P < 0.001) alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) concentration than rye (63.3 ± 0.54 g 100g-1). Although both forages decreased (P < 0.05) in alpha-linolenic acid concentration, wheat decreased 2.49 times more (P < 0.001) per d compared to rye forage. Winter rye and winter wheat forages are viable for cattle grazing. Producers should initiate early grazing to maximize protein, digestibility, and alpha-linolenic acid intake while the forages are immature. Cropping systems and rotational grazing effects on soil fertility and enzymatic activity Alternative grazing systems, which incorporate cover crops, may be useful to achieve a longer grazing season and maximize forage production. However, little is known about their impact on soil properties, especially in the presence or absence of cattle grazing on early spring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interacting effects of cropping systems with and without cattle grazing in rotation with corn or soybean on the balance and dynamics of soil fertility and enzyme activity. This study was conducted between 2015 and 2019 in sites located at Minnesota and Pennsylvania. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments included cattle grazing and cropping systems (pasture - rye - soybean - pasture (P-R-SB-P) and pasture - wheat/vetch - corn - pasture (P-W/V-C-P)). Soil samples were collected six times during the study. Soil properties analyzed were soil pH, organic matter, salinity, K, Ca, Mg, cation exchange capacity (CEC), P, β-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, aryl-sulfatase, fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, ammonium, nitrate, permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), N%, C%, S% and C/N ratio. Grazing had a significant impact on many soil properties, e.g. increased glucosidase activity, available Ca, Mg, NO3-, NH4+, soil pH, soil C%, S%, and also C/N ratio. In the P-W/V-C-P cropping system, soil pH, available Ca, NO3-, and sulfatase activity were found to increase compared with the P-R-SB-P cropping system. In contrast, soil OM, available K, Mg, CEC, glucosidase, phosphatase, POXC, and total C%, N%, and S% were greater in the P-R-SB-P cropping system compared with the P-W/V-C-P cropping system. The results of this study suggested that microbial decomposition under the P-W/V-C-P cropping system was greater than under the P-R-SB-P cropping system, leading to a faster nutrient cycling.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Yield, nutritional quality, and fatty acid content of organic winter rye (Secale cereale) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) forages under cattle (Bos taurus) grazing conditions Hannah N. Phillips, Bradley J. Heins, Kathleen Delate, Robert Turnbull bioRxiv 688952; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/688952
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Seasonal Forage Quality Changes and Growth of Cattle Grazing Cover Crops. Minnesota Dairy Initiative Producer Workshop, Alexandria, MN, December 6, 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Integrating Livestock and Grazing Cover Crops. Minnesota Organic Conference. St. Cloud, MN. January 10, 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Grazing Dairies and Cover Crops. 2019 Society for Range Management Annual Meeting. Minneapolis, MN February 13, 2019
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Nutritional Profiles of Different Kinds of Grasses and Legumes. MOSES Conference Organic University 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Livestock and Cover Crops for Resilience. Heins and Delate. MOSES Organic Conference. February 2019. Lacrosse, WI
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Extending the Grazing Season on Both Ends of the Calendar. Marathon County Wisconsin Dairy Day, Wausau, WI March 8, 2109.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Extending the Grazing Season on Both Ends of the Calendar. McIntoday Dairy Day, McIntosh, MN March 14, 2109.


Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:We have reached organic dairy farmers and organic dairy industry representatives across the United States. We delivered a successful organic field day in August 2019 at the West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris, MN.So far, through this project we reached over 500 conventional and organic dairy farmers, and have worked with beginning organic farmers through workshops, field days, and conference presentations. The field days were conducted for organic dairy producers, extension educators, organic industry and NRCS personnel. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has trained organic dairy producers on the integration of cattle and cover crops in organic dairy production systems. Many extension educators and organic industry representatives were informed on organic dairy management practices at field days and conferences. We have trained 1 undergraduate students on how to conduct research and outreach in an organic production system. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We continue to offer an organic dairy day at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center to provide farmers and other industry personnel tools for improving the profitablity of organic dairy farms. Over 75 people attended the field day at the University of Minnesota and over 1,000 people have attended the field days on cooperating organic farms. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Yield, nutritional quality, and fatty acid content of organic winter rye (Secale cereale) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) forages under cattle (Bos taurus) grazing conditions The objective of this study was to assess yield, nutritional quality, and fatty acid compositions of winter rye (Secale cereale) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) forages for grazing cattle (Bos taurus) in an organic system. The rye and wheat were established on two 4 ha plots in September 2015. Six groups of dairy steers rotationally grazed rye (n = 3) or wheat (n = 3) plots divided into seven paddocks (n = 14) from April to June 2016. Forage samples (n = 96) taken prior to paddock grazing were used to analyze forage characteristics. Mixed models with fixed factors of forage, date, and their interaction, a random subject factor of group nested in paddock, and a repeated effect of date were used for each outcome. The linear effect of date on fatty acids was obtained by substituting date as a continuous variable. The mean forage yield for rye was greater (P < 0.05) than wheat (mean ± standard error; 2840 and 2571 ± 82 kg ha-1, respectively). However, rye yielded less in the latter part of the grazing period. Wheat (19.3 ± 0.30% DM) had greater (P < 0.001) crude protein than rye (17.6 ± 0.30% DM). In general, crude protein, digestibility, and minerals decreased during the grazing period. Wheat (66.3 ± 0.54 g 100g-1) had greater (P < 0.001) alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) concentration than rye (63.3 ± 0.54 g 100g-1). Although both forages decreased (P < 0.05) in alpha-linolenic acid concentration, wheat decreased 2.49 times more (P < 0.001) per d compared to rye forage. Winter rye and winter wheat forages are viable for cattle grazing. Producers should initiate early grazing to maximize protein, digestibility, and alpha-linolenic acid intake while the forages are immature. Cropping systems and rotational grazing effects on soil fertility and enzymatic activityAlternative grazing systems, which incorporate cover crops, may be useful to achieve a longer grazing season and maximize forage production. However, little is known about their impact on soil properties, especially in the presence or absence of cattle grazing on early spring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interacting effects of cropping systems with and without cattle grazing in rotation with corn or soybean on the balance and dynamics of soil fertility and enzyme activity. This study was conducted between 2015 and 2019 in sites located at Minnesota and Pennsylvania. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments included cattle grazing and cropping systems (pasture - rye - soybean - pasture (P-R-SB-P) and pasture - wheat/vetch - corn - pasture (P-W/V-C-P)). Soil samples were collected six times during the study. Soil properties analyzed were soil pH, organic matter, salinity, K, Ca, Mg, cation exchange capacity (CEC), P, β-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, aryl-sulfatase, fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, ammonium, nitrate, permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), N%, C%, S% and C/N ratio. Grazing had a significant impact on many soil properties, e.g. increased glucosidase activity, available Ca, Mg, NO3-, NH4+, soil pH, soil C%, S%, and also C/N ratio. In the P-W/V-C-P cropping system, soil pH, available Ca, NO3-, and sulfatase activity were found to increase compared with the P-R-SB-P cropping system. In contrast, soil OM, available K, Mg, CEC, glucosidase, phosphatase, POXC, and total C%, N%, and S% were greater in the P-R-SB-P cropping system compared with the P-W/V-C-P cropping system. The results of this study suggested that microbial decomposition under the P-W/V-C-P cropping system was greater than under the P-R-SB-P cropping system, leading to a faster nutrient cycling.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Yield, nutritional quality, and fatty acid content of organic winter rye (Secale cereale) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) forages under cattle (Bos taurus) grazing conditions Hannah N. Phillips, Bradley J. Heins, Kathleen Delate, Robert Turnbull bioRxiv 688952; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/688952
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Seasonal Forage Quality Changes and Growth of Cattle Grazing Cover Crops. Minnesota Dairy Initiative Producer Workshop, Alexandria, MN, December 6, 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Integrating Livestock and Grazing Cover Crops. Minnesota Organic Conference. St. Cloud, MN. January 10, 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Grazing Dairies and Cover Crops. 2019 Society for Range Management Annual Meeting. Minneapolis, MN February 13, 2019
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Nutritional Profiles of Different Kinds of Grasses and Legumes. MOSES Conference Organic University 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Livestock and Cover Crops for Resilience. Heins and Delate. MOSES Organic Conference. February 2019. Lacrosse, WI
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Extending the Grazing Season on Both Ends of the Calendar. Marathon County Wisconsin Dairy Day, Wausau, WI March 8, 2109.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Extending the Grazing Season on Both Ends of the Calendar. McIntoday Dairy Day, McIntosh, MN March 14, 2109.


Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:We have reached organic dairy farmers and organic dairy industry representatives across the United States. We delivered a successful organic field day in August 2018 at the West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris, MN.So far, through this project we reached over 2,000 conventional and organic dairy farmers, and have worked with beginning organic farmers through workshops, field days, and conference presentations. The field days were conducted for organic dairy producers, extension educators, organic industry and NRCS personnel. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has trained organic dairy producers on the integration of cattle and cover crops in organic dairy production systems.Manyextension educators and organic industry representatives were informed on organic dairy management practices at field days and conferences. We have trained 1 undergraduate students on how to conduct research and outreach in an organic situation. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We continue to offer an organic dairy day at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center to provide farmers and other industry personnel tools for improving the profitablity of organic dairy farms. Over 100 people attended the field day at the University of Minnesota and over 500 people have attended the field days on cooperating organic farms. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will monitor and finish soil analysis for cover cropping systems. We will continue to have to the Organic Dairy Day at the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, MN.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? At the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center's organic dairy in Morris, Minn., the dairy bull calves are: Holsteins; crossbreds comprised of Holstein (HOL), Montbéliarde, and Viking Red (MVH); and crossbreds comprised of Normande, Jersey, and Viking Red (NJV). Researchers there are grazing steers on a pasture divided in half for the two crop sequences (S1: Pasture-wheat-soybean, and S2: Pasture-rye/vetch-corn). These pastures are separated into 15 paddocks, with a non-grazed enclosure in each paddock. Winter wheat (WW) and winter rye (WR) forages were planted on Sept. 11, 2015, for grazing during spring 2016. During this spring, calves were randomly assigned to replicated groups (winter wheat or winter rye), but balanced by breed group to reduce potential breed bias. Twelve-month old dairy steers started grazing the wheat and rye pastures on April 25, 2016. Forage samples were collected when steers moved to new paddocks which was about every three days. Winter rye (2,626 lbs DM/acre) had greater herbage mass compared to winter wheat (2,021 lbs DM/acre). Crude protein was very high in both the winter wheat and winter rye across the grazing season, which lasted until June 14, 2016 for these grasses. From early May through the end of the grazing season, the crude protein was lower than at the start of grazing; however, the steers were probably more efficient at utilizing the protein when it was lower compared to high protein levels observed during late April. Digestibility (see figure) of the winter wheat and rye also was very high. As the wheat and rye matured, the digestibility was lower; however, the dairy steers grazed each paddock and wheat and rye four times in a two-month period. For cover crops, HOL and MVH steers did not differ in body weight between cover crops throughout the grazing season. However, NJV steers grazing WW tended to be heavier than NJV steers grazing WR throughout the grazing season. For average daily gain, breed groups did not differ throughout the grazing season. At harvest, MVH and HOL steers weighed more than NJV steers, and steers grazed on WW (483 kg) weighed more than steers grazed on WR (458 kg). Dressing percent, marbling score, back fat, ribeye area, and yield grade were not different between breeds or cover crops. For cover crop differences, beef from steers grazing WW had higher flavor, texture, juiciness, and overall liking, and lower toughness and off-flavor compared to beef from steers grazing WR. For breeds, the NJV steaks had a higher texture liking and lower toughness compared to steaks from both MVH and HOL. Furthermore, NJV and MVH steaks had higher juiciness than HOL steaks. The NJV steaks had a higher overall and flavor liking than HOL steaks. The omega-6 and 3 FA's were not different between steers that grazed WW compared to WR. From this study, cover crops did not influence omega-6 or 3 FA concentration in the fat of beef. The omega-3 FA concentration was higher in fat from MVH steers compared to HOL fat. The omega-6/3 ratio was higher in HOL back fat compared to NJV and MVH back fat. Although these steers were finished on a forage diet, they received grain during the pre and post weaning stages. This may have influenced the higher omega-6/3 ratio in this study than steers fed a no-grain diet throughout their lifetime. In this study, the wheat and rye cover crops were ready to graze 3 weeks earlier than other perennial pastures on the farm. This study not only applies to grazing steers, but to grazing dairy cows as well. By grazing cover crops, we were able to start grazing 3 weeks earlier in the grazing season and graze the system 3 times through with about 16 days of rest between grazing periods. Grazing winter wheat and winter rye are both feasible to graze in the early spring and summer. For soil analysis, statistical analysis of the baselines showed that there were a few soil parameters with different values at the beginning of the study. Those values were for soil pH, soil available P, and also for soil available K. It is unknown why the pH values among the locations varied, but it indicates the heterogeneity of the location selected for the study and emphasizes the need for baseline measurements so that the indigenous soils differences can be removed from the statistical analysis in subsequent years. The reasons for the significant differences in soil available P and K are likely due to the initial differences in soil pH. The statistical analysis for the data collected on the second year of the study also shows some properties being significantly different between treatments. However, those differences are due to the differences that were present in the experimental plots prior to the start of the study. No significant differences among the properties measured was detected for the deeper sampling.Results observed in 2017 were similar to those observed in 2016. Although there were significant effects for many soil parameters, only a few parameter were actually affected by the treatments imposed on the experimental plots. More specifically, only extractable ammonium was affected by the treatments tested. The ammonium levels in the exclusion plots were always higher than the levels observed in the non-exclusion plots .

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Hayden, J.; Rocker, S.; Phillips, H.; Heins, B.; Smith, A.; Delate, K. The Importance of Social Support and Communities of Practice: Farmer Perceptions of the Challenges and Opportunities of Integrated CropLivestock Systems on Organically Managed Farms in the Northern U.S.. Sustainability 2018, 10, 4606.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Benbrook et al., 2018 C.M. Benbrook, D.R. Davis, B.J. Heins, M.A. Latif, C. Leifert, L. Peterman, G. Butler, O. Faergeman, S. Abel-Caines, M. Baranski Enhancing the fatty acid profile of milk through forage-based rations, with nutrition modeling of diet outcomes Food Sci. Nutr., 6 (2018), pp. 681-700 29876120
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Kathryn E Ruh, Bradley J Heins, Isaac J Salfer, Robert D Gardner, Marshall D Stern; Comparison of warm season and cool season forages for dairy grazing systems in continuous culture, Translational Animal Science, Volume 2, Issue 2, 1 June 2018, Pages 125134, https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txy014
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Heins, B. J. 2018. Integrating Cover Crops and Livestock to Improve Farm Profitability In: Proc. Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference. Dubuque, Iowa, June 13-14, 2018, p. 132-139.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Brad Heins. Seasonal Forage Quality Changes and Growth of Cattle Grazing Cover Crops. MDI Low-Input Dairy Farming. Dec 6, 2018. Alexandria, MN
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Brad Heins. WCROC Organic Dairy Research Update. Organic Dairy Dairy. August 14, 2018. Morris, MN
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: Brad Heins. Integrating Cover Crops and Livestock to Improve Farm Profitability 2018 Minnesota Winter Crops and Soils Day. Lamberton, Luverne, Morris, MN February 2018


Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:We have reached organic dairy farmers and organic dairy industry representatives in Minnesota. We have delivereda successful organic field day at the West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris, that provided information on integration of livestock and cropping systems. Furthermore, we educatedundergraduate college students through internships that instructed students on soil health and fertility at the WCROC. We have also educated and trained one graduate studentwith this project and she successfully defended her Master's Thesis entitile "Forage quality of two cover crop grazing systems and meat quality of organic beef from crossbred dairy steers finished on forages." Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has trained organic dairy producers on the use of cover crops and raising organic dairy-beefin a grazing system. Many extension educators and organic industry representatives were informned on organic dairy management practices at field days and conferences. One graduate student has completed a Master's Degree with the project. We have trained 8 undergraduate students on how to conduct research and outreach in an organic situation. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We continue to offer an organic dairy day at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center to provide farmers and other industry personnel tools for improving the profitablity of organic dairy farms. Over 100people attended the field day at the University of Minnesota and over 500 people have attended the field days on cooperating organic farms. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Soil fertility analysis will be completed and analyzed. Permanent pasture system will be montoried for growth.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Forage Quality: Integrating crops and livestock on a multi-function operation could have multiple benefits and the potential to improve the profitability of these kinds of operations. A long-term, organic, integrated crop-livestock rotation design was established at the West Central Outreach and Research Center organic dairy in Morris, MN during 2015. The objective of this study was to compare forage quality and herbage mass of winter wheat and winter rye for grazing dairy animals. Winter wheat and winter rye forages were planted on Sept. 11, 2015, for grazing during spring 2016. During the spring, 12-month old organic dairy steers were randomly assigned to replicated groups (winter wheat or winter rye), but balanced by breed group to reduce potential breed bias. Grazing of dairy steers was initiated on April 25, 2016 when forages were 20-30 cm tall and strip size was adjusted to leave 7-13 cm of refusals. Random samples of pasture forage were sampled every 3 days when a group of steers moved to a new paddock. Pasture clippings were randomly collected in a 0.76 m2 square of pasture. Forage samples were sent to Rock River Laboratory, Inc., Watertown, WI and were analyzed with NIR spectrophotometry for DM, CP, and total tract NDF digestibility (TTNDFD). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Independent variables for analyses were the fixed effects of forage (winter wheat or winter rye), date of clipping, and the interaction of date and forage, and replicate paddock was a random variable. Winter rye (2,944 kg DM/ha) had greater (P < 0.05) herbage mass compared to winter wheat (2,266 kg DM/ha). The DM was lower (P < 0.05) for winter rye (18.9%) compared to winter wheat (20.8%). The CP was 17.6% and 19.3% for winter rye and winter wheat, respectively (P < 0.01). The TTNDFD was 56.3% for both winter rye and winter wheat, respectively (P=0.99). In summary, CP was greater for winter wheat compared to winter rye; however, TTNDFD did not differ between cover cropping grazing systems. Winter rye and winter wheat may provide adequate forage forthe spring grazing season. Cattle Growth and Meat Quality:Body weights and carcass measurements from Holstein and crossbred organic dairy steers were compared for growth while grazing two different cover cropping systems. Bull calves were born at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center organic dairy from March to May 2015 and assigned to 1 of 3 replicated breed groups at birth. Breed groups were: crossbreds comprised of Montbéliarde, Holstein, and Viking Red (MVH; n = 10), crossbreds comprised of Jersey, Normande, and Viking Red (NJV; n = 9), and purebred Holstein (HOL; n = 10). Steers grazed either winter wheat (WW) or winter rye (WR) cover crops planted the previous fall. The WW and WR cover crops were planted in September 2015 on two adjacent 10 acre plots. In April 2016, each breed group was randomly assigned to either cover crop and grazed rotationally until June 2016 for a total of 7 weeks. Steers were weighed individually on the first and last day of grazing and twice during the grazing season for a total of 4 weights. Steers were harvested in 2 groups at an average age of 16 months. Statistical analysis was with PROC MIXED of SAS with forage, breed, and the interaction of forage and breed as fixed effects and the individual steer within the forage and breed interaction as a random effect. For body weights, the HOL and MVH steers were heavier (P < 0.02) than the NJV steers throughout the grazing season. For cover crops, HOL and MVH steers did not differ (P > 0.30) in weight between cover crops throughout the grazing season. However, NJV steers grazing WW tended to be heavier (P < 0.09) than NJV steers grazing WR throughout the grazing season. For average daily gain (ADG), breed groups did not differ (P > 0.12) throughout the grazing season. At harvest, MVH and HOL steers weighed more (P < 0.05) than NJV steers, and steers grazed on WW (483 kg) weighed more (P < 0.05) than steers grazed on WR (458 kg). Dressing percent, marbling score, back fat, ribeye area, and yield grade were not different (P > 0.10) between breeds or cover crops. In summary, steer breeds gained weight comparably to each other on cover crops and had similar carcass characteristics. Fatty Acid Profiles and Consumer Acceptability:Meat from Holstein and crossbred organic dairy steers (slaughter age of 18 mo) were evaluated and compared for sensory attributes and fatty acid profiles. Bull calves were born at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center organic dairy from March to May 2015 and assigned to 1 of 3 replicated breed groups at birth. Breed groups were crossbreds comprised of: Montbéliarde, Holstein, and Viking Red (MVH; n = 10), Jersey, Normande, and Viking Red (NJV; n = 9), and purebred Holstein (HOL; n = 10). Steers grazed either winter wheat (WW) or winter rye (WR) cover crops planted the previous fall (August 2015) on two adjacent 10 acre plots. In April 2016, each breed group was randomly assigned to either cover crop and grazed rotationally until June 2016 with supplemented minerals for a total of 7 weeks. Participants (108) who liked to eat beef were enrolled in a double-blind study. For sensory attributes (0 - 120-point scale), NJV (73.8±1.6) and MVH (69.4±1.6) steaks had higher (P < 0.02) texture liking compared to HOL (67.5±1.6) steaks. For overall and flavor likeness, NJV (71.8±1.6 and 70.7±1.6) steaks scored higher (P < 0.01) compared to HOL (67.2±1.6 and 66.5±1.6) steaks. Steaks from steers grazed on WW (72.0±1.4, 70.3±1.5, and 74.3±1.4) had higher (P < 0.01) overall, flavor, and texture liking when compared to WR (66.7±1.4, 66.5±1.5, and 66.1±1.4) steaks. For intensity attributes (0 - 20-point scale), NJV (8.9±0.4) and MVH (9.2±0.4) steaks had higher (P < 0.01) juiciness than HOL (7.8±0.4) steaks. The NJV (7.4±0.3) steaks had lower (P < 0.02) toughness than HOL (8.6±0.3) and MVH (8.4±0.3) steaks. The WR (8.9±0.3, 5.6±0.4, and 8.0±0.3) steaks had higher (P < 0.01) toughness and off-flavor, and lower (P < 0.01) juiciness compared to WW (7.3±0.3, 4.8±0.4, and 9.2±0.3) steaks. Forage and breed interactions were significant (P < 0.05) for texture, toughness, and juiciness. The n-6/3 fat ratio (AOAC 996.06 method) tended (P < 0.08) to be higher for HOL (6.3%±0.3) steers compared to NJV (5.5%±0.3) and MVH (5.6%±0.3) steers. In summary, consumers preferred NJV steaks compared to HOL steaks and consumers preferred WW steaks to WR steaks.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Phillips HN, Heins BJ, Delate K, Turnbull R. Impact of grazing dairy steers on winter rye (Secale cereale) versus winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) and effects on meat quality, fatty acid and amino acid profiles, and consumer acceptability of organic beef. PLOS ONE. 2017;12: e0187686. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0187686
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Phillips, Hannah. (2017). Forage quality of two cover crop grazing systems and meat quality of organic beef from crossbred dairy steers finished on forages. Retrieved from the University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy, http://hdl.handle.net/11299/191238.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Hannah Phillips. Improving Organic Dairy Systems: Grazing Small Grains and Preventing Disease. Iowa Organic Conference. November 13-14,2016. Iowa City, IA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: H. Phillips, B. Heins, K. Delate, B. Turnbull. 2017. Comparison of growth and meat quality of Holstein and crossbred dairy steers grazing two cover cropping systems. J. Dairy Sci. Vol 100 (Suppl 2),520
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: H. Phillips, B. Heins, K. Delate, B. Turnbull. 2017. Comparison of Fatty Acid Profiles and Consumer Acceptability of Dairy Steers Grazing Two Cover Cropping Systems. J. Dairy Sci. Vol 100 (Suppl 2), 323
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: B. Heins, H. Phillips, K. Delate, B. Turnbull. 2017.Forage herbage mass and quality of two different cover cropping systems for grazing organic dairy steers. J. Dairy Sci. Vol 100 (Suppl 2), 80
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: B. Heins, H. Phillips, K. Delate, B. Turnbull. 2017.Comparison of fatty acids and consumer acceptability of meat from dairy steers grazing two cover cropping systems. MOSES Organic Conference Feb 22-24, 2017, LaCrosse, WI
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: B. Heins and H. Phillips. April 2017. Integrating crops and livestock in a dairy production system.http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/dairy/organic/integrating-crops-livestock/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: B. Heins. 2017. Seasonal forage quality changes and growth of cattle grazing cover crops http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/dairy/forages/forage-cover-crops/


Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:We have reached organic dairy farmers and organic dairy industry representatives across the Upper Midwest region. We have delivered a successful organic field day at the West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris, MN that provided information and a tour on winter wheat and winter rye as grazing crops. Target audiences include organic farmers and conventional farmers interested in organic practices or methods to integrate livestock in organic cropping systems. The field days were conducted for organic dairy producers, extension educators, organic industry and NRCS personnel. Furthermore, we are educating undergraduate college students through internships that focus on organic pasture management at the WCROC Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has trained organic dairy producers on the use of cover crops in a grazing system. Many extension educators and organic industry representatives were informned on organic dairy management practices at field days and conferences. We provided many educational seminars to farmers, extension educators, and organic industry representatives. One graduate studenthas worked on this project as a Master's Degree. We have trained 4 undergraduate students on how to conduct research and outreach in an organic situation. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We continue to offer an organic dairy day at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center to provide farmers and other industry personnel toolsfor improving the profitablity of organic dairy farms. Over 75 people attended the field day at the University of Minnesota and over 250 people have attended the field days on cooperating organic farms. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue to integrate livestock and crops, with the third year in row crops (corn and soybean) following organic forage crops of wheat and rye, and cattle on organic pastures. We will monitor system effects on animal health, soil quality, food safety and economic performance.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Bull calves were born at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center organic dairy from March to May 2015 and assigned to 1 of 3 replicated breed groups at birth. Breed groups were: crossbreds comprised of Montbéliarde, Holstein, and Viking Red (MVH; n = 10), crossbreds comprised of Jersey, Normande, and Viking Red (NJV; n = 9), and purebred Holstein (HOL; n = 10).Dairy steers grazed either wheat or rye cover crops as a method of integrating livestock and organic cropping systems. Researchersare grazing steers on a pasture divided in half for the two crop sequences (S1: Pasture-wheat-soybean, and S2: Pasture-rye/vetch-corn). These pastures are separated into 15 paddocks, with a non-grazed enclosure in each paddock. Winter wheat and winter rye forages were planted on Sept. 11, 2015, for grazing during spring 2016. During this spring, calves were randomly assigned to replicated groups (winter wheat or winter rye), but balanced by breed group to reduce potential breed bias. Twelve-month old dairy steers started grazing the wheat and rye pastures on April 25, 2016. Forage samples were collected when steers moved to new paddocks which was about every three days. Crude proteinwas very high in both the winter wheat and winter rye across the grazing season, which lasted until June 14, 2016 for these grasses. From early May through the end of the grazing season, the crude protein was lower than at the start of grazing; however, the steers were probably more efficient at utilizing the protein when it was lower compared to high protein levels observed during late April. Digestibility of the winter wheat and rye also was very high. As the wheat and rye matured, the digestibility was lower; however, the dairy steers grazed each paddock and wheat and rye four times in a two-month period. Meat from Holstein and crossbred organic dairy steers were evaluated and compared for sensory attributes and fatty acid profiles. The NJV steaks had a higher texture liking and lower toughness than both MVH and HOL beef. Furthermore, the NJV and MVH beef had a higher juiciness than HOL beef. The NJV beef tended to have a higher overall and flavor liking than the HOL steaks. Steers grazing winter wheat had higher flavor, texture, juiciness, and overall liking compared to steers grazing rye. Omega-3 fatty acid concentration was higher in both MVH and NJV compared to HOL. Furthermore, omega-3 concentration was higher in steers grazing wheat compared to rye. The omega 6:3 ratio was higher in HOL compared to NJV. In summary, NJV beef was preferred by consumers compared to MVH and HOL beef. To complement this, the meat from steers grazing wheat was preferred to meat from steers grazing rye. A lower and healthier omega 6:3 ratio was found in NJV meat compared to HOL and MVH meat.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Heins, B. J., Organic pasture versus conventional dairying: Is there a difference in sustainability? Journal of Animal Science Suppl 2 94 (April 2016) Abstract 67
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Nichols, K.A., J.W. Moyer, K. Delate, and B. Heins. 2016. Integrating Crops and Livestock in a Systems-Based Approach to Enhance Organic Farm Stability, Safety and Resilience - Rodale Institute Study. American Society of Agronomy Annual Conference, November 8, 2016, Phoenix, AZ
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Phillips, H.N. and B.J. Heins. 2016. Growth measurements of crossbred dairy steers compared to Holstein dairy steers raised in an organic production system. J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 99, E-Suppl. 1 Abstract 1240, page 587.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Phillips, H.N., B.J. Heins, P. Pagliari, K. Delate, R. Turnbull, A. Shaw, J. Moyer, and K. Nichols. 2016. Integrating Crops and Livestock in a Systems Approach to Enhance Organic Farm Stability, Safety and Resilience. 2016 MOSES Organic Research Forum. February 23, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Heins, B. 2016. Forage quality of cover crops and other dairy grazing research from University of Minnesota. GrassWorks Grazing Conference. Wisconsin Dells, WI. January 14, 2016.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Heins, B. 2016. Integrating Crops and Livestock and Grazing Winter Rye and Wheat. 2016 UMN WCROC Organic Dairy Day, August 11, 2016, Morris, MN.