Source: Brenda Frick, Producer.com, March 31, 2016
Grain and livestock production go well together. It works both ways: introducing organic grain production onto the ranch can provide a valuable market stream. Integration of cattle into grain farming can improve sustainability.
For a livestock producer considering pasture renovation, or re-seeding of hay land, organic grain production can be a valuable interlude between hay fields.
Demand for organic grain is high, as are organic prices. Hay land is generally not treated with chemical inputs, so it usually transitions quickly. Two points are key during the transition. First, terminate the hay with tillage, not chemistry. Second, have the field inspected in the year in which the hay is plowed down.
Land must be under organic management for a full 12 months before the first harvest of organic products. This means it is necessary to contact a certifier, develop an organic plan, and have an inspection before harvest time in the plow-down year. This way, the field can qualify for certified organic production in its first grain year.