Avoiding overgrazing: To prevent overgrazing, Ed says, “When we can restrict access, we try to get some growth in before they’re allowed to graze. But when we cannot feasibly restrict access to the cover cropped ground, we simply make sure we have a plentiful stand to start with. The cows will find their way to that rye when it is big enough to eat – otherwise they are content with [grazing] terraces, headlands, and corn stover.”
Preparing for spring grazing: To ensure spring regrowth of cover crops, Ed takes the cows off when the snow falls. He says that a good spring cover crop stand is ideal for providing a fresh, clean pasture for cows and calves in the spring.
