Crops and Cattle: Could this be the Path to Sustainable Agriculture for the Southeast?

By: Olivia Maule, Ashley Kanobroski, and Marcelo Wallau 

The integration of crops and livestock was how agriculture evolved: crops providing grain and fodder, animals providing nutrient cycling and meat. With the advent of modern agriculture and greater access to inputs (especially fertilizer and pest management products), agriculture became intensified and specialized. While more productive, it is also more susceptible to variations in market and extreme weather conditions. Still, cattle and crops are common on the landscape of the Southeast and can mutually benefit to re-shape the face of agriculture in the region. In this episode of Cow Talks, Dr. Marcelo Wallau hosts two researchers and colleagues from the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education center—Dr. Sheeja George and Dr. José Dubeux—to discuss transformative approaches to sustainable farming in the Southeastern United States. 

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Two approaches to integration were discussed: the sod-based rotation system, which incorporates perennial grasses like bahiagrass into crop cycles; and the use of cool-season forages for grazing in the winter, instead of leaving the land fallow. These practices improve soil organic matter, reduce pest and disease pressure, and boosts crop yields while lowering input costs. Meanwhile, the cattle component brings greater diversity to the system, improving land use and increasing the resilience of the system. The researcher highlighted decades of evidence showing significant gains in soil health and farm profitability, even in regions with sandy, low-organic-matter soils. 

Despite its benefits, the adoption of such integrated systems faces challenges like land tenure dynamics, infrastructure needs, and outdated policies. In this episode, George and Dubeux emphasize the importance of fostering collaboration among farmers, policymakers, and private industries to overcome these barriers. To foster some of those discussions, our team is organizing a special even: the first Southeastern Integrated Crop Livestock System Symposium aims to equip stakeholders with tools and knowledge to make agriculture in the Southeast more resilient, profitable, and environmentally sound.

Come join our team in Marianna, Florida, on January 31st, 2025. Early registration closes Jan 17th. Make sure you guarantee your spot! This event is supported in part by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in an effort to improve the sustainability of agricultural production in the state. 

To register, please visit https://tinyurl.com/3cxkynxp

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For more information, reach out to us through forages@ifas.ufl.edu, or contact your local extension agent.