Cover crops improve water quality, create healthier soils, and reduce erosion, but are often
overlooked for their grazing potential. While grazing offers an opportunity to offset the cost of a
cover crop, it’s important to consider the characteristics of different species to ensure establishment
and growth that provide adequate biomass for livestock.
September 2026
This publication was produced by the Iowa Learning Farms at Iowa State University, in collaboration with the Midwest Cover Crops Council.