Graze and Bale: Cover Crops as Forage

In addition to providing a variety of environmental benefits, cover crops on a crop-livestock farm offer economic returns when used as a forage source. James Holz and Bill Frederick have a combined 12 years of experience growing cover crops and operate Iowa Cover Crop, a custom cover crop application business. James will share his experiences with chopping and baling covers, while Bill will discuss cover crop grazing strategies.James Holz is a feedlot and rowcrop producer from Grand Junction, who grows cover crops and rye which he harvests for ryelage to feed his cattle. Along with Bill Frederick, James runs Iowa Cover Crop, a custom cover crop application business.

Bill Frederick runs an integrated crop and livestock operation with his family near Jefferson, and is chairman of the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District. Bill uses cover crops to lengthen the grazing season for his cow-calf operation.