Integrating livestock and cropping systems

The combination of rotational grazing with strategic crop rotation enhances soil health, nutrient cycling and pest control, creating resilient and sustainable farm systems.  

Livestock graze different pasture sections sequentially so rotational grazing prevents overgrazing and promotes uniform forage use. Integrating this with crop rotations helps improve soil health and disrupt pest and disease cycles. 

Forage crops serve as cover crops during fallow periods, protecting soil, suppressing weeds and adding organic matter when tilled in. 

Livestock grazing on cover crops and crop residues enhances soil nitrogen and microbial activity, promoting circular nutrient use.  

Natural manure deposition by grazing animals improves soil fertility and reduces the need for synthetic fertiliser in cropping cycles. 

Livestock grazing post-harvest residues cleans fields, reduces waste and returns nutrients to the soil. 

Perennial forage swards decrease tillage frequency, sequester carbon and provide continuous ground cover. 

Permanent pastures with diverse species offer consistent, resilient grazing options and stabilises feed supply. 

Planting forage along margins reduces erosion, enhances biodiversity and can serve as supplementary grazing. 

Surplus forage harvested as silage or hay provides winter feed and additional income. Multi-species swards maintain feed quality when conserved with care. 

Integrating trees with forage systems diversifies outputs, improves animal welfare and boosts biodiversity. 

Be flexible – adjust species mix, grazing timing and livestock types to respond to climate variability and market demands. 

Explore premium forage products, such as organic silage, to enhance farm income. 

Take a practical approach with the whole farming business in mind, integrating between forage, cropping and livestock enterprises to improve biodiversity, soil health, and financial resilience. 

IFM is a sustainable and holistic approach that optimises resource efficiency, resilience and profitability while minimising environmental impact.