Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems
Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
Agronomy 2025, 15(3), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15030657
Submission received: 20 February 2025
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Accepted: 2 March 2025
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Published: 6 March 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems)
This Special Issue, “Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems”, explores the urgent need for diversified and sustainable farming practices, focusing on the integration of crop and livestock systems to enhance economic resilience, ecological health, and environmental sustainability. By combining cash grain cropping with ruminant livestock production, these integrated systems offer a multifaceted approach to improving farm productivity, reducing environmental impacts, and strengthening agricultural competitiveness. Modern agricultural systems, increasingly specialized, often see crop and livestock operations as independent entities, leading to negative consequences such as reduced biodiversity, degraded soil health, and increased vulnerability to market fluctuations and climate extremes. The lack of integration limits the natural synergies between crops and livestock, creating inefficiencies in resource use and contributing to environmental degradation. Integrated crop–livestock systems, by contrast, optimize the use of resources—land, water, and nutrients—through processes such as manure deposition and biomass recycling, enhancing soil fertility and reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. These systems allow farmers to increase food production and pasture carrying capacity without expanding land use, proving particularly valuable in regions with limited arable land.
The integration of crops and livestock not only enhances sustainability but also supports economic, biological, and environmental benefits. Farmers can diversify their income streams by simultaneously producing both grain and livestock products, reducing their dependency on a single market and improving their overall financial stability. Livestock grazing on post-harvest crop residues or cover crops can further improve the soil structure, reduce erosion, and boost organic matter, contributing to long-term soil health. The benefits extend beyond soil health, as these systems also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by minimizing the need for external inputs, such as synthetic fertilizers, while improving nutrient cycling. Moreover, integrated systems alleviate pressure to convert additional land for agriculture, preserving natural habitats and biodiversity. As these benefits accumulate, integrated crop–livestock systems emerge as a viable solution to contemporary agricultural challenges, offering a path to more sustainable food systems.
The research compiled in this Special Issue showcases innovative approaches to sustainable forage production and the potential of integrated crop–livestock systems. Perennial legume cover crops are more effective than annual cover crops in restoring soil health, which is critical for enhancing the sustainability of row-crop systems [1]. Therefore, Quinby et al. explored the integration of white clover as a living mulch in corn production, highlighting the environmental sustainability of reduced nitrate leaching and nitrogen loss while maintaining competitive corn yields. These studies contribute to understanding how integrated systems can reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers and restore soil health. In addition, grazing management strategies can highly influence forage quality, particularly through the manipulation of crude protein and carbohydrate fractions [2]. Gierus et al. also addressed how breeding perennial ryegrass cultivars with optimized rumen utilization can contribute to improving livestock nutrition. The study found that the usable protein content (uCP) in perennial ryegrass is influenced by the levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and sugar. As NDF decreases and sugar increases, uCP improves, enhancing protein utilization in ruminants. The research suggests that breeding for lower NDF and higher sugar content could better support ruminant nutrition. Additionally, focusing on improving carbohydrate digestibility rather than protein quality is more effective for increasing usable protein. These insights are valuable for breeding ryegrass cultivars that optimize animal nutrition and support sustainable livestock production.
Beyond direct agricultural benefits, these integrated systems also enhance biodiversity and mitigate land conversion. Grazing systems, especially in grassland regions, help maintain diverse plant communities that are crucial for ecosystem function. Chen et al. explored the impact of grazing on plant community structure in the Two Rivers pastoral area, showing how grazing influences plant diversity and biomass. This research underscores the importance of adaptive grazing management in preserving the ecological integrity of grasslands. Integrating livestock into cropping systems can reduce the conversion of grasslands to cropland, thus promoting sustainability and enhancing land use efficiency [3]. These findings highlight the need to consider grazing impacts on plant community structure in grassland management, suggesting that adaptive response policies should be implemented based on local conditions. This study provides a theoretical foundation for grassland maintenance and management, contributing to the sustainable development of ecosystems in the pastoral areas of the Altay Mountains’ Two Rivers region.
The broader implications of integrated crop–livestock systems are evident in their ability to address multiple global challenges, including climate change and food security. Krüger et al. reviewed the need for policy shifts to enhance the adoption of such systems, particularly in response to growing pressures on food production. Silvopastoral systems, as noted in the review, offer several environmental and productivity benefits by combining trees with pastureland. This practice can improve soil quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase animal performance, offering a sustainable model for ruminant production. Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray, as a forage resource, exemplifies a promising option for enhancing tropical silvopastoral systems. Furthermore, Prigee et al. demonstrated how grazing management, particularly the integration of native forbs into pastures, can support both cattle nutrition and pollinator habitats, promoting sustainability in grazing lands. Effective integrated crop pollination (ICP) strategies for specialty crops require targeted research and education. Priorities include identifying key pollinators and the factors affecting their populations, as well as determining the pollen deposition needed to maximize crop yields [4]. Sulc and Franzluebbers [5] underscore the ecological complexity and benefits of integrated crop–livestock systems, including their role in climate regulation, soil and water quality improvement, and biodiversity enhancement. Effective policy and increased investments in research and education are crucial to overcoming barriers to adoption and advancing these systems. In particular, silvopastoral systems represent a promising approach to tropical ruminant production, offering soil quality improvements, greenhouse gas emission reductions, and enhanced animal performance.
Popović et al. added to this body of knowledge by examining the potential of maize silage as a biogas feedstock in integrated crop–livestock systems, providing an alternative energy source that contributes to sustainability. Their study highlights how regional climatic and soil conditions influence the success of maize biomass for biogas production, demonstrating the complex factors involved in sustainable energy production within farming systems.
Collectively, this Special Issue underscores the vital role of integrated agricultural practices in fostering economic resilience, ecological health, and environmental sustainability. By exploring a diverse range of innovative research on forage production, grazing management, and biogas production, it highlights the multiple benefits of integrating crop and livestock systems. The studies presented demonstrate that such integration can optimize resource use, improve soil fertility, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to reduced environmental impacts. Furthermore, the research emphasizes the importance of adopting sustainable management practices, such as using digestate for soil improvement and incorporating native forbs into grazing systems, to enhance productivity and support pollinator populations. The geographical diversity of the contributions—from regions including the United States, Germany, Brazil, China, and Serbia—demonstrates the versatility and adaptability of integrated systems to varying environmental, economic, and cultural contexts. Ultimately, this Special Issue provides valuable insights and practical strategies for advancing sustainable agricultural practices that can address the global challenges of food security, climate change, and biodiversity loss, paving the way for more resilient and sustainable farming systems worldwide.
Data Availability Statement
Data sharing is not applicable to this article.
Conflicts of Interest
The author declares no conflicts of interest.
List of Contributions
- Quinby, M.P.; Nave, R.L.G.; Sykes, V.; Bates, G.; Sams, C.; de Almeida, O.G. Corn (Zea mays L.) Production in Living Mulch Systems Using White Clover (Trifolium repens L.) under Different Nitrogen Fertilization Rates. Agronomy 2023, 13, 2377. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092377.
- Gierus, M.; Salama, H.S.A.; Lösche, M.; Herrmann, A.; Taube, F. Protein and Carbohydrate Fractionation to Evaluate Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) Accessions. Agronomy 2024, 14, 168. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010168.
- Chen, W.; Ye, M.; Pan, X.; Li, M.; Zeng, G.; Zhang, X.; He, Q.; Gu, X.; Qian, J.; Lv, Y.; et al. Relationships and Changes in Grassland Community Diversity and Biomass in the Pastoral Areas of the Two Rivers Under Grazing Disturbance. Agronomy 2024, 14, 1336. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061336.
- Krüger, A.M.; Lima, P.d.M.T.; Ovani, V.; Pérez-Marquéz, S.; Louvandini, H.; Abdalla, A.L. Ruminant Grazing Lands in the Tropics: Silvopastoral Systems and Tithonia diversifolia as Tools with Potential to Promote Sustainability. Agronomy 2024, 14, 1386. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071386.
- Prigge, J.L.; Bisangwa, E.; Richwine, J.D.; Sykes, V.R.; Ivey, J.L.Z.; Keyser, P.D. Native Forbs Provide Pollinator Resources and Improve Forage Nutrient Composition, Animal Performance, and Pasture Productivity. Agronomy 2017, 22, 44–60. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102184.
- Popović, V.; Vasileva, V.; Ljubičić, N.; Rakašćan, N.; Ikanović, J. Environment, Soil, and Digestate Interaction of Maize Silage and Biogas Production. Agronomy 2024, 14, 2612. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14112612.
References
- Hill, N.S.; Levi, M.; Basinger, N.; Thompson, A.; Cabrera, M.; Wallace, J.; Saikawa, E.; Avramov, A.; Mullican, J. White clover living mulch enhances soil health vs. annual cover crops. Agron. J. 2021, 113, 3697–3707. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
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- Isaacs, R.; Williams, N.; Ellis, J.; Pitts-Singer, T.L.; Bommarco, R.; Vaughan, M. Integrated crop pollination: Combining strategies to ensure stable and sustainable yields of pollination-dependent crops. Based Appl. Ecol. 2024, 14, 2184. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sulc, R.M.; Franzluebbers, A.J. Exploring integrated crop-livestock systems in different ecoregions of the United States. Eur. J. Agron. 2014, 57, 21–30. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
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MDPI and ACS Style
Nave, R.L.G. Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems. Agronomy 2025, 15, 657. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15030657
AMA Style
Nave RLG. Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems. Agronomy. 2025; 15(3):657. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15030657
Chicago/Turabian StyleNave, Renata La Guardia. 2025. "Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems" Agronomy 15, no. 3: 657. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15030657
APA StyleNave, R. L. G. (2025). Sustainable Forage Production in Crop–Livestock Systems. Agronomy, 15(3), 657. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15030657
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