Why integrate livestock into your cropping system?

Historically, farmers raised both crops and livestock because they are mutually beneficial. In an article titled, “Integrating Livestock and Crops: Improving Soil, Solving Problems, Increasing Income,” Linda Coffey and Tracy Mumma describe how livestock were used for weed control, improving soil health, recycling plant material, providing additional income, and insurance. Coffey and Mumma, agriculture

specialists at the National Center for Appropriate Technology, state that, “A failed crop could still be grazed, and so livestock provided “insurance” in a time when crop insurance did not exist.” The industry has shifted towards product specialization by separating crops and livestock to focus on maximizing yield, but the benefits from integrating livestock back into cropping systems might change this. Some of these benefits include increasing soil organic matter and therefore water holding capacity, increasing biodiversity and fertility of the soil, reducing waste by grazing crop residue and dropped fruits, and increasing the self-sufficiency of farms (Coffey and Mumma, 2014). Ultimately, a combination of the two maximize benefits by turning crop residue into dollars and improving soil quality through the manure produced by livestock (Coffey and Mumma, 2014).

Here are a few examples of integrating livestock into cropping systems, and the benefits that result.

Seasonally grazing sheep in the vineyard reduces fossil fuel usage, reduces and eliminates the use of herbicides, produces manure to provide nutrients and organic matter to the soil, and results in a high quality, grass-fed lamb. Video Link	Ducks are used to control pests in South African Vineyards which reduces the use of insecticides, and their manure provides additional nutrient benefits to the soil. Video Link
Massa Organics combine cover crops, no-till, and uses sheep to control the plant growth on the floor of their almond orchard, thus eliminating the need for herbicides and artificial fertilizers. Video Link	A farm that grows a variety of processing vegetables uses strip tillage and cattle to graze their high residue cropping system. This reduces erosion, improves the soil structure, and brings in additional revenue. Video Link

  

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Try implementing conservation practices by applying for funding through this California Department of Food and Agriculture incentive grant.

The Healthy Soils Program incentive grant provides funding to implement a variety of conservation management practices that improve soil health, sequester carbon, and reduce greenhouse gases. This program is part of the California Healthy Soils Initiative, which is focused on California's farmlands and ranchlands, and improving plant health and crop yield, water retention ability, erosion reduction, and improving wildlife habitat and biodiversity of the soil. Some eligible practices include:

• Mulching
• Compost Application
• Cover Cropping
• Hedgerow Establishment
• Prescribed Grazing

Click HERE for a list of all eligible practices.

These practices can have multiple impacts on your farming operation, such as increasing the organic matter in the soil, attracting pollinators to your fields, reducing erosion, and increasing biomass.

In past funding years, eligible applicants can request up to $100,000 to implement a healthy soils project over the course of three years. Eligible applicants include California farmers, ranchers, agricultural business entities, California Native Americans, and non-profit organizations as agriculture operations. Projects must be located on California agricultural operations, which is defined as, “row, vineyard, field and tree crops, commercial nurseries, nursery stock production, and greenhouse operations producing food crops, or flowers as defined in Food and Agricultural Code section 77911.” Projects can also be located on grazing lands as well.

Conservation management practices aid in building resilience to climate change and allows for farmers and ranchers to continually improve their soil and yield. Interested in this funding opportunity? Reach out to your local Community Education Specialist:

The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) is a grant funding opportunity offered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and administered by the Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI). The program's objective is to incentive California agricultural operations to implement and update irrigation systems with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and saving water. Some eligible project components include pump retrofits, adding a variable frequency drive, moving to a drip irrigation system, or installing renewable energy such as solar.

Historically, eligible agricultural operations can apply for up to $200,000 and have 18-24 months to complete their project. Funds are dispersed through quarterly reimbursements and producers can request 25% of the grant award upfront. California farmers, ranchers and California Native American tribes are eligible to apply, and California agricultural operations are defined as, “…row, vineyard, field and tree crops, commercial nurseries, nursery stock production, and greenhouse operations producing food crops or flowers as defined in Food and Agricultural Code section 77911.”

To have a competitive grant application, proposed projects should include both water savings and GHG emissions reduction. Strategies for water saving includes tools for irrigation scheduling like use of soil moisture sensors, and irrigation system changes such adding flow meters and converting to a more water efficient irrigation method. Strategies for GHG emission reduction include pump fuel conversion, improving the energy efficiency of pumps and adding variable frequency drives, low pressure systems, and reducing pumping through water savings strategies. Both water savings and GHG reductions calculations will be submitted as part of the application as supporting documentation.

Are you interested in applying for SWEEP funding? Reach out to your local Community Education Specialist for assistance:

Michael Jaquez is our newest Community Education Specialist with the Climate Smart Agriculture team at University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Based in San Diego County, he is excited to create connections with local farmers and growers and provide technical assistance to increase the use of climate smart agricultural practices.

Michael is a San Diego native and began his journey in the agriculture industry through raising livestock projects with Ramona Wranglers 4-H. He pursued a bachelor's degree in Animal Science with a minor in Dairy Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Michael then returned to Cal Poly to complete a Master of Agricultural Education degree and teaching credential to begin working as a high school agricultural educator and FFA advisor. He spent a year teaching Food Science, Veterinary Science and Introductory Agricultural Mechanics to students in the Bay Area. 

Much of Michael's practical agriculture experience comes from helping with his family's regenerative meat and egg farm, Three Sons Farm. Located in Ramona, they produce pasture-raised chicken and eggs, grassfed beef and pork, and value-added products using pork lard. The farm believes that waste is an unused resource and strives to minimize waste production. Three Sons Farm sells at local farmer's markets throughout the week and delivers directly to customers homes. The farm has provided Michael with the opportunity to develop a holistic understanding of the agriculture industry by being involved in many stages of production including: animal husbandry, processing and packaging, farmer's market sales and outreach, and grant writing.

Working as a Community Education Specialist provides the opportunity to be involved in many aspects of the industry, and Michael is excited to apply his skill set and passion for local agriculture to continue supporting San Diego farmers and growers.