Making Cover Crops “Work” at Wild Type Ranch

When the combine leaves the field in the fall, most farms shift into neutral. The crop is off, the soil sits bare, and biological activity begins to slow. At Wild Type Ranch, we have chosen a different approach. Instead of letting the soil sit idle, we planted a fall cover crop with the intention of grazing it in the spring of 2026.

A mix of cereal rye, winter triticale, winter wheat, hairy vetch, winter camelina, yellow blossom sweet clover and rapeseed planted October 3rd for spring grazing.

At first glance, the cover crop may not look impressive. Fall growth is typically minimal, especially if planted late in the season. But what matters most is what is happening below the surface. Within just a few weeks, soil structure begins to improve. Compacted soil starts to take on a “chocolate cake” texture that signals better aggregation and improved water infiltration for the coming spring. The real return on investment begins long before we ever turn livestock onto the field.

Photos of the October 3rd planted cover crop taken on October 24th.

As winter settles in, the fields may appear quiet. However, some plants remain alive and can survive extreme cold. Cereal rye can photosynthesize at temperatures just above freezing, even under the snow! The photos below were taken after a cold snap with wind chills of -40°F, and the plants are still green!! This is truly an amazing plant and a gift from nature and the caring hands who developed it over time. Fun fact: it was considered a “weed” in wheat fields for over 2000 years until people realized it’s potential and began cultivating it for human consumption.

 Photos of the October 3rd planted cover crop taken on January 25th.

While perennial pastures are still waking up from their winter slumber, overwintered cover crops are already producing lush, high-quality early spring forage. Hopefully this allows us to begin grazing earlier than we otherwise could. Early spring is when perennial pastures are most vulnerable. Cool-season grasses rely on stored root reserves to create their first flush of spring growth. Grazing them too early can weaken stands and reduce productivity for the rest of the year.

Spring grazing is not only about feed; it is also about soil building. When livestock graze cover crops, plant roots respond by shedding and regrowing, which increases soil organic matter. Manure and urine return nutrients in biologically available form, and soil biology responds quickly to the pulse of energy. Soil aggregation improves, nutrient cycling accelerates, and the ground becomes more resilient.

Sheep and poultry on full season cover crops can be stacked enterprises on the same acres.

For small farms like ours, relying on commodity grain production is not a viable strategy. Margins are thin, and economies of scale favor much larger operations. Instead, we are transitioning acres toward full-season grazing of diverse cover crops as a bridge to a perennial forage system.

Once these cover crops are grazed in the spring, we can plant more diverse warm season mixes for summer grazing. Diverse mixes of plants growing together provide a nutrient-dense meal for our animals. The phytonutrients they consume make the products you consume one of the healthiest food options you can buy. In this way, animals become part of the regeneration process on our farm. This way of farming connects soil, plant, animal, environment, and human health together in a virtuous cycle.

At Wild Type Ranch, cover crops are more than a forage strategy. They are a systems strategy to rebuild soil, extend our grazing season, and create a resilient farm that can provide delicious and nutritious protein for your family. Stay tuned for more updates in 2026!