Lisa Kubik farms with her family in Traer, Iowa, where they grow corn, soybeans, and cereal rye for ryelage, as well as raise Kiko goats and 100 head commercial cow-calf herd. In the fall, the Kubiks’ cattle graze 60 acres of their cereal rye cover crop.
Drilling vs. aerial application: When seeding covers to graze in the fall, their methods include aerial seeding and drilling after corn silage or soybeans. “We prefer drilling, but we can get in a lot earlier with aerial,” says Lisa. “Drilling is a more reliable method to achieve a good stand, and it works better the earlier you can get it planted, but aerial seeding guarantees early planting.”
When they graze: Their cows come off of pastures in late October or early November, and are turned out on the cover crops to graze for 2-3 weeks. During this period the only supplemental feed they receive is a protein tub.
Value of grazing covers: Lisa hasn’t crunched the numbers on the feed value of their cover crops, but she definitely sees value in the 2-3 weeks of additional grazing for 100 head. The cattle reap the benefit of grazing a protein-rich green cover alongside the corn stalks and bean stubble. Lisa adds that some value is hard to put a number on, “some of the benefits we see are improved soil health, reduced erosion and reduced compaction from the cattle, which isn’t necessarily quantifiable.”