Utilizing Annual Forages in a Single and Dual Crop System for Late-Season Grazing in Southcentral North Dakota

Utilizing annual forages to extend the grazing season can improve late-season forage production and quality, cow performance, and soil health; while providing a cost-effective alternative to drylot feeding. A four-year study tested three annual forage treatments using a single, dual, and dual crop with a herbicide burndown response variable (1 L/ha glyphosate, 250 mL/ha dicamba, 250 mL/ha 2,4-D) system. Treatments were foxtail millet (Setaria italica), turnip (Brassica rapa), a cocktail mix of six complementary species, and native range (control). Results found grazing foxtail millet in the single crop system and the dual crop with spray system, plus grazing turnip and cocktail mix in the dual crop with spray system, all provided on average cost-effective grazing options compared to grazing native range and feeding in a drylot system. The opportunity of increasing land-use efficiency was greatest with the dual crop with spray system, which was the most economical option in 2010