The role of cover crops in forage production

Publication date: 17-06-2026
Extent: 34 pages

Contributions by: Heather Darby, Claire Benning and John Bruce, University of Vermont, USA; Kurt Cotanch, Barn Swallow Consulting, USA; and Ivy Krezinski, Amber Machia, Lindsey Ruhl, Jeffrey Sanders, Elizabeth M. Seyler, Laura Sullivan and Sara Ziegler, University of Vermont, USA

Chapter synopsis:

Cover cropping provides ecosystem services to farms and communities. One ecosystem service often overlooked is the material output of forage that is possible from cover crops. Cover crops can provide high yield and quality feed for a variety of livestock types. In many cases farmers may generate economic return from harvesting cover crops but in these cases the cover crop must be treated more like a cash crop. Attention should be paid to species/variety selection, planting dates, and fertility to achieve forage and the expected conservation goals expected from the cover crop. This chapter focuses on cover crop production practices that should be considered if a cover crop is to be harvested as forage. Both stored feed and grazing systems are reviewed, and examples of farm adoption highlighted.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2025.0162.08