Soil health outcomes of sheep grazing of cover corp in vineyards

Amélie Gaudin, Associate Professor of Agroecology, Department of Plant Sciences

This research explores how biodiversity and animal re-integration through grazing cover crops impacts soil ecosystems and functions in vineyards. We are specifically interested in how sheep grazing impacts understory plant community productivity and species composition and how these interactions alter soil functions such as the formation and turnover of soil organic carbon and nutrients. Funded by CDFA

Contact: Kelsey Brewer, PhD candidate (kmbrewer@ucdavis.edu)

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Grazing Winter Cover Crops With Sheep to Improve Economic Feasibility in Annual Vegetable Systems

Amélie Gaudin, Associate Professor of Agroecology, Department of Plant Sciences

Sheep grazing of cover crops could provide new ways to offset the cost of winter cover crops in annual vegetable systems while enhancing soil health outcomes. This project compares soil health, foodborne pathogen risk and productivity of 3 winter management strategies (grazed cover crop, ungrazed cover crop, and fallow) in tomato systems. Funded by CDFA Healthy Soils Program (CA Climate Investments)

Contact: Sequoia Williams, PhD student (srwilliams@ucdavis.edu)… Read the rest

No-Till Case Study, Miller Farm: Restoring Grazing Land with Cover Crops

This free publication from ATTRA is a case study study on converting marginal cropland back to grazing land by planting several years of a diverse cover crop mixture containing legumes, tap roots, and more. For Ken Miller of Mandan, North Dakota, a cover crop cocktail helps break up the old plow layer, increase nutrient cycling, and improve productivity. Learn about his grazing system, how it’s working, and future plans.

Link: https://attra.ncat.org/product/No-Till-Case-Study-Miller-Farm-Restoring-Grazing-Land-with-Cover-Crops/

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