Grazed Cover Cropping: Drew Leitch

This publication profiles Drew Leitch, a dryland farmer and cattle producer near Nezperce, Idaho, who is experimenting with grazed cover crops in wheat-based rotations. Leitch grows winter and spring wheat, Kentucky bluegrass, canola, garbanzo beans, peas, and lentils, while also managing a cow-calf operation. The case study describes how he uses spring-seeded cover crop mixes to provide summer forage when pasture quality declines, while leaving roots, residues, and manure to support soil health. It also discusses fall cover crops planted after winter wheat, grazing management, forage quality, residue management, water concerns, soil compaction, soil acidification, disease risks such as black leg in brassicas, and costs and benefits of replacing an annual crop with grazed cover crops. The publication frames grazed cover cropping as an early-stage but promising approach for improving soil health, livestock profitability, and farm resilience.