Benefits of Crop-Livestock Integration
Livestock provide manure for fertility, consume cover crops and crop residues, and can control weeds and pests. Well-planned integration creates synergies that improve both crop and animal productivity while diversifying farm income.
Rotational Grazing Systems
Planned grazing moves animals through paddocks on a schedule that allows plant recovery. This improves forage quality, increases stocking rates, and builds soil health through even manure distribution and root stimulation.
Divide pastures into smaller paddocks using portable electric fencing. Move animals daily or every few days, giving each paddock 20-40 days of recovery depending on growth rates and season.
Poultry in the Orchard
Chickens control insects, reduce fallen fruit, and fertilize tree crops. Move portable coops through orchards or rotate flocks through different sections to prevent overgrazing and distribute benefits.
Time poultry integration carefully - introduce birds after fruit drops to clean up pest habitat, but remove before bud break to protect emerging growth and nesting birds.
Manure Management
Organic standards require proper composting of manure before application to crops. Hot composting kills pathogens and weed seeds while making nutrients more plant-available.
Apply well-aged manure in fall for spring crops or as side-dressing during growth. Never apply fresh manure to food crops within 120 days of harvest (90 days for non-ground-contact crops).
Animal Welfare Requirements
Organic certification mandates year-round outdoor access, appropriate living conditions, and organic feed. Design systems that meet these requirements while maintaining animal health and productivity.
Provide shade, shelter, clean water, and protection from predators. Manage stocking densities to prevent overgrazing and maintain pasture quality. Health management emphasizes prevention through good husbandry rather than routine medication.