I have been asking this question all summer/fall and you are the first to mention soil temperature which makes sense for the early boost. Total height (18″ taller), thicker canopy, and just plain nicer looking corn was apparent in the grazed/tilled side at harvest as compared to the untilled. Would greater nutrient availability from the grazing and light tillage become responsible for this or the corn’s ability to have a better head start lay the foundation for a better plant overall? Yields were not significantly different at harvest for each.