As sustainable farming practices become increasingly important, some agronomists and farmers are exploring how integrating livestock into arable systems can bring both environmental and economic benefits.

By combining rotational grazing with arable production, these methods aim to improve soil health and create more resilient agricultural operations.

Ben Arthur, founder of Monnow Agronomy, points out many of the growers he works with are seeking to reduce their reliance on inputs while making gross margins more profitable.

“One method we can utilise is livestock,” Ben says.

See also: Signature seed dressing helps grow fungicide-free crops

Most people see this as adding grass leys into the arable rotation, but for Ben there’s a more direct option – grazing the arable crops themselves.

If correctly managed, results can include disease reduction, increased rooting and tiller strength.

“If you carefully consider varieties, nitrogen use, fertility and drilling dates, then grazing can be used to reduce plant growth regulator (PGR) requirements or use altogether,” he explains.

“The aim isn’t necessarily to increase yields above the farm average, but instead to maintain them and increase gross margins by reducing input costs.”

The past two autumns have been very difficult for establishment, and continued wet weather through the winter hasn’t provided ideal soil conditions.

This means careful attention is needed when grazing, to reduce potential negative results on soil health and structure.

“As they are lightweight, sheep have been the most favourable, as they create less compaction,” explains Ben.

Crop choice

When considering which crops to graze, oilseed rape (OSR) is a good starting point in November, although consider potential companion crops and avoid locations favourable to pigeon damage.

Once finished on the OSR, the next crops to be grazed would be winter barley or winter oats, as both can be more sensitive to later grazing.

“In these crops, starting spring growth with low biomass and/or few tillers can be yield-penalising and reduce competition against weeds, so timing of grazing is very important,” Ben explains.

Winter wheat can be grazed last, in January or February, as it can more easily tolerate later biomass removal.

Key considerations

When it comes to planning grazing, consider soil structure, fertility, weather, livestock numbers and location.

“If soils are heavily saturated or tight then this will influence how well the plant benefits from the shock of grazing,” notes Ben.

Wet soils can also be easily poached and damaged, so should not be grazed. “If very cold weather is due, removing or postponing grazing is very important as damage can be significant.”

When considering stock numbers, a good starting point is 500 lambs for five days on 5ha. This allows for a quick removal of biomass before moving onto ungrazed areas.

Initially, sheep can take some time to get into the routine, so careful management and moving before too much has been grazed is important.

Results to expect

“In OSR, grazing can remove the requirement for autumn phoma fungicides and, if paired with incubating leaf samples in the spring for light leaf spot, it can reduce the need for fungicides.

“We’ve found a reduction from three applications to one with maintained yields and, in some instances, yield increases of up to 0.3t/ha.”

As for winter wheat, disease levels can vary, depending on the varieties grown, location and drilling date.

“But we have seen fungicide use drop from three or four applications (£60-£100/ha) on ungrazed crops to one application (£40/ha) in grazed areas, with no impact on yields.”

Highly fertile and well-structured soils can provide the best responses due to the ability to tolerate bad weather and bounce back following grazing, says Ben.

Poor outcomes are often as a result of too much, too late

Grazing heavily in late winter or early spring can have negative effects on the ability of the plant to build enough biomass and, in turn, yield.

---

Case study: Geoff Homer, Waglands Farm, Wiltshire

In Wiltshire, contract farmer Geoff Homer has been grazing arable crops at Waglands Farm near Collingbourne Kingston with lambs for four years.

This winter he has also grazed dairy heifers on a stubble turnip and forage OSR mix.

The mixed arable and dairy farm has seen varied responses across its 567ha. “We have grazed mainly OSR, winter barley and sheep with about 500 lambs,” Geoff explains.

“When grazing cattle, we don’t see much difference in the crops – the benefits are seen in the cattle rather than the field.”

But lambs are a different story. “In OSR, the sheep graze out the charlock, which is a huge benefit. And for pest control, any leaf that is infected is removed.

“I haven’t applied any fungicide to the rape and that is about to come into flower.”

Geoff has been taking samples to check for spores and, so far, he has seen no sign of light leaf spot.

“We are keeping an eye out for sclerotinia. If found this would be the only reason for fungicide – other than that, the sheep have done all the work.”

Geoff has also had successes with wheat and barley. “The sheep have grazed out net blotch in the winter barley.

“We also ran our own trial where we split a wheat field in half and only grazed one half – the samples from the grazed area had a 69.94% reduction in septoria tritici DNA/mg leaf tissue.”

In order to manage the sheep, Geoff divides the fields so each area can be grazed for five to seven days.

“I don’t like them being on any longer than that – in a wet spell you can start seeing compaction.

“And in a warmer period, you see secondary growth and do not want sheep grazing the new leaves.”

After two successful years of grazing OSR, Geoff now has the confidence to drill it earlier (around the first days of august), knowing that if flea beetle comes in and there are larvae in the plant, the lambs will graze it out.

“My advice is to be brave. It’s not as bad as it looks, and there’s immense satisfaction in seeing the land grazed off and grow back clean and thriving.”

---

Case study: Tim Pratt, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Tim Pratt, a vegetable and cereals farmer from Woodbridge, Suffolk, has been grazing cereal crops across the 1,620ha Wantisden Hall Farms for the past 10 years.

While it is mostly a vegetable farm, growing potatoes, leafy salad, onions, asparagus and carrots, it also grows maize, sugar beet, winter barley, winter wheat and spring barley.

Tim grazes 300 ewes and 800 store lambs for other people over winter, rotating them across the barley to control growth and reduce fungicide use.

“There has been a definite impact on weeds in cereals – we are using less fungicides each year,” he says.

“The cereals are a lot stronger, a week to 10 days after, although they look beaten up to begin with.”

The practice also enhances the farm’s nutrient cycle. Manure from grazing sheep adds valuable organic matter to the soil.

While Tim sees potential for expanding these grazing practices further, he recognises the challenges involved.

“Market conditions, staffing, fencing infrastructure, and rotation schedules are all key factors that need to be considered,” he explains.

“We have to wait two years to grow leafy salads on land that has had livestock on, so that does restrict how much further we could take it.”

He believes there is a place for grazing livestock on most farms. “Everyone should give it a go. You would be amazed what it can do.

“If unsure, start with fencing off half a field – from your combine mapping, you will see that it doesn’t affect yields.”