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Cited by 257Pasture and Agricultural SystemsAgronomic Practices and Intercropping SystemsAgricultural Productivity and Crop Improvement

Potential of Forages to Diversify Cropping Systems in the Northern Great Plains

Entz, Martin H., Baron, Vern S., Carr, Patrick M., Meyer, Dwain W., Smith, S. Ray, McCaughey, W. Paul·2002·Agronomy Journal
DOI 10.2134/agronj2002.0240
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Abstract

Cultivated forage crops are grown on almost 12 million ha on the northern Great Plains. This paper reviews the benefits of diversifying annual crop rotations with forage crops and highlights innovations in forage systems. Agronomic benefits of rotating forage crops with annual grain crops include higher grain crop yields following forages (up to 13 yr in one study), shifts in the weed population away from arable crop weeds, and improved soil quality. Perennial legumes in rotation also reduce energy requirements by adding significant amounts of N to the soil. Soil water availability may limit the extent to which forages benefit following crops. Under semiarid conditions, forages can actually reduce yields of the following crops, and as such, tillage practices that conserve soil water have been developed to partially address this problem. Forages in rotation provide environmental benefits, such as C sequestration, critical habitat for wildlife, and reduced NO 3 leaching. A wider range of annual plant species are now used in forage systems in an effort to extend the grazing season and to maximize use of water resources. Intensive pasture management using cultivated forages is on the increase as is the use of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) in grazing systems; in some cases, bloat‐reduced alfalfa cultivars are used. Pasture‐based systems appear to provide benefits for both animal and human health and arguably the health of the environment. Pasture systems are less nutrient exhausting than hay systems. As a result, nutrient management strategies will differ in the following crop. Additional research is required to optimize the role of cultivated pastures in grain‐based cropping systems.

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Crossref · 10.2134/agronj2002.2400

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74 of 74 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Potential improvements in near-surface soil functions resulting from increased soil organic carbon would be expected to enhance crop productivity following the transition to annual cropping.

    “Potential improvements in near-surface soil functions resulting from increased SOC are particularly important Harvest Year Aboveground biomass C (Mg C ha -1 ) 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 1 2 3 4 5”

    From Soil Carbon Storage by Switchgrass Grown for Bioenergy (2008) · cites this paper as [7]

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Related

Authors
Entz, M. H., Baron, V. S., Carr, P. M., Meyer, D. W., Smith, S. R., & McCaughey, W. P.
Affiliations
  • University of Manitoba (CA)
  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (CA)
  • North Dakota State University (US)
  • Virginia Tech (US)
Corresponding author
Entz, Martin H.
ORCID
Venue
Agronomy Journal
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2002-03
Volume
94
Issue
2
Pages
240-250
ISSN
  • 0002-1962 (ISSN-L)
  • 1435-0645
DOI
10.2134/agronj2002.0240
OpenAlex
W1965201371
Cited by
257
References
74
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 8
FWCI
21.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
Agronomy Journal (publishedVersion)
Funders
University of Saskatchewan
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Forestry › Pasture and Agricultural Systems
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Agronomic Practices and Intercropping Systems
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Agricultural Productivity and Crop Improvement
Keywords
forage crops, crop rotation diversification, perennial legumes, nitrogen fertilization, soil water availability, soil quality, carbon sequestration, nitrate leaching, grazing season extension, alfalfa, pasture management, nutrient management, semi-arid agriculture, Northern Great Plains

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