Though frequently thought to be limited to mid-sized operations, the concept of mixed-crop and livestock farming might work equal wonders for the small farm.

Livestock can offer beneficial aspect and intermediate conjunction with the  overlay and overlap of crop rotations, field layouts, and farming schedules. The clever and imaginative farmer will quickly see ways that “margins” of fields will help to feed livestock and that crop residues may be efficiently added to feed rations.

Pastures can be improved by controlled rotational grazing which could feature one species following another to better utilize what they individually best enjoy.

Harvests may be augmented, for example, by allowing hogs to glean root crops missed by traditional harvest methods, pastured poultry will soften insect damage while fertilizing and weeding, and the list goes on and on.

The essential text Ten Acres Enough speaks long and eloquently of the place for livestock on the smallest of farms. LRM