105. From Row Crops to Forage Crops: A New Way to Think About Your Acres with Amos Troester
About this episode
John Haskell and Amos Troester discuss the potential profitability of cover crops and the integration of livestock in farming.
Many producers think of cover crops as an added expense, but what if they could become a profitable enterprise? In part one of a two-part conversation, John Haskell sits down with Amos Troester to explore how integrating livestock with cover crops and annual forages can unlock new revenue streams while improving soil health and reducing input costs. Amos shares how his first-generation farming operation has evolved from a conventional row-crop system into a diversified business centered on cattle, cover crops, seed production, and custom planting services. The conversation explores row crops to forage crops, the economics of grazing annuals, and why biomass production may be a more useful metric for evaluating land than bushels alone. Amos also explains how reducing fertilizer use, extending the grazing season, and viewing farmland through a livestock lens can create new opportunities for both crop and cattle producers. Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! In this episode, we cover: How integrating livestock can increase the value of row crop acres The difference between cover crops and forage crops Why biomass production may matter more than crop yield…
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