past . We are utilizing our grass in a timely fashion and keeping our heights of grass to a manageable re-growth state .”
The cattle also graze on rented acres and on nearby U . S . Fish & Wildlife Service land . Through an NRCS delayed haying program , the Andresens converted 25 acres of marginal cropland to pasture . Planted with native grasses , it can be grazed after August 1 .
This season ’ s cover crop plans extend to 300 acres of wheat , which will be seeded with no-till cover crops after harvest , and then planted with no-till corn in 2021 . That EQIP application to expand cover crop and no-till practices has been submitted .
Todd also plans to expand an on-farm experiment with planting 60-inch-row corn . Last year , he planted four acres of 60-inch rows to evaluate cover crop seeding and yield .
“ It ’ s a challenge with 30-inch-row corn to get cover crops established ,” he says . He read about 60-inch rows online and thought he ’ d give it a try , anticipating that his cattle would be able to graze cornstalks in the fall and cover crops , too .
Evaluating Trial Success
After he did the math , Todd deemed the cover crop and the 60-inch corn trials a success , even though both had challenges . A late wheat harvest delayed planting the cover crop and the 60-inch-corn fared somewhat worse than the 30-inch-rows in a windstorm that flattened a field and took out a barn .
Although the season was shorter than anticipated , Todd says that grazing the cattle on the cover crop for 10 days saved $ 2,000 in feed costs . An earlier cover crop planting and later snow could extend grazing to 30 or 40 days . Although the test-plot wide-row corn yield was about 8 bushels per acre less , Todd figured the value of a cover crop interseeded in the more widely spaced corn rows would more than compensate .
Continuing each year with the fields planted to wheat , the Andresens plan to slowly expand cover crops and no-till practices .
“ Every person says start slow . I would love to jump in with two feet , sell my tillage equipment and get to no-tilling . I don ’ t believe that ’ s a
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HONORING COMMERCIAL PRODUCERS
The Heartland Limousin Association welcomes all Limousin enthusiasts . HLA is passionate about the growth of the breed and connecting seedstock producers with commercial cattlemen .
Who can join ? Any reputable supporter of Limousin cattle is welcome as long as you fill out the application form
Application for Membership and send $ 50 membership dues each year .
Name
Address City / State / Zip
Phone e-mail The undersigned herein applies for membership in the HLA with all rights and privileges outlined in the HLA constitution and bylaws .
Make check payable to the HLA and return this membership form and $ 50 payment to : Dean Summerbell , HLA , 619 139th Ln . NW , Andover , MN 55304
Signature
Dean Summerbell , HLA Executive Secretary 619 139th Ln . NW , Andover , MN 55304
bjsummerbell @ gmail . com ( 612 ) 963-3799
• OCTOBER 2020 57