A healthy start: Rye cover crop doubles as forage, calving pasture

Janelle Atyeo
Feb 11, 2025
Feb 11, 2025

Healthy calves bound through rye cover crop grass. Carlson said calving on rye is an ideal use of the cover crop for them because it makes a great environment where cattle stay healthy.
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Photo courtesy of Austin Carlson

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The cattle on the Carlson farm near Garretson, South Dakota, are healthier because of rye.

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Besides providing a grazing option, rye on the Carlson farm is used for a calving pasture.
Photo courtesy of Austin Carlson

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Cows graze a cover crop that was planted after small grain harvest.
Photo courtesy of Austin Carlson

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Cows graze in the late fall on a cover crop that was planted after small grain harvest on the Austin Carlson farm near Garretson, S.D.
Photo courtesy of Austin Carlson

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Janelle Atyeo is a small town South Dakota girl enjoying her work as regional editor of the Midwest Messenger and Tri-State Neighbor while raising kids and no-till vegetables in central Sioux Falls. Reach her at janelle.atyeo@lee.net.