Our Sponsors
January 2013
Read MoreAngus cows graze a snow-covered turnip field near Newton. The cows, owned by the Bergbower family, come to the 20-acre field to eat the cover crop for about four hours a day, said Joe Bergbower. Bergbower said this year's wet autumn was especially good for turnips, which he sowed after the summer drought killed his entire corn crop that had been planted in the same field. He also said he's planted a variety of cover crops over the years, including clover, rye grass and radishes. But, Bergbower said, "The cows will eat the turnips before the radishes. There's something in these turnips that they get what they need." In total, Bergbower and his son, Eric, farm 1,200 acres they own and 500 additional acres that they rent. Bergbower said he raises about 120 heads of cattle in addition to the crops.