When Trevor Toland evaluated University of Illinois farmdoc data for 2025 crop revenue projections, he suspected he could make more money grazing livestock instead of planting corn or soybeans. He transitioned the former row crop land to sorghum sudan, followed by a rye/kale mixture in the fall, and grazed 245 7-weight calves. Did it work? Yes, it did. He showed a return of $58/acre compared to what would have been a loss growing corn or soybeans on that plot.

Read more about Trevor's process on the Hub.

00:00 Reviewing the 30-acre field of former row crop transitioned to grazing

00:20 2025 Crop row crop projections vs grazing forage

00:44 Process: May 2025 no-till sorghum sudan

01:06 Process: June 2025 begin grazing 245 7-weight steers

01:20 Process: Rotated 4 times

01:39 Process: After 3rd rotation: Planted rye with kale for fall or spring 2026 grazing

02:10 Process: May 2026. Kill kale and plant sorghum sudan with a small forage

02:20 Challenges: What size of calves is best?

03:07 Challenges: What is the best number of calves in each group?

03:22 Challenges: Will smaller groups reduce congregating at waterers?

03:34 Challenges: What size paddock will keep forage at manageable height and reduce trampling?

04:19 Benefits to soil health

05:15 Extending the grazing season with rye and kale

06:18 Financial analysis showed a $58/acre profit vs. projected loss of either corn or soybeans

06:49 Flexibility of adaptive grazing