Healthy Soil. Healthy Animals. Healthy People.
Our philosophy is simple: build the soil and everything else follows.
STEWARDSHIP
Soil is the foundation of all our decisions. We prioritize natural fertility management, grazing, and hayfield rejuvenation to enhance the land each year.​
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Over the past five years, we've increased soil organic matter by an average of 31%; a result of returning organic matter to the land.
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This increase reflects the regenerative loop that defines Green Plains Ranch: rolling hay directly onto pastures, inter-seeding legumes and cool-season grasses, and integrating grazing rotations to continually feed soil biology.
PASTURE
Our Criollo cattle spend their entire lives on grass. Through rotational grazing, we move animals frequently to prevent over-grazing, allowing each paddock to rest and regenerate.
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Criollo cattle are a heritage breed known for their efficiency on grass and naturally lean, flavorful beef. Every calf is finished here on the ranch, never sent to a feedlot, ensuring a lifetime of open pasture and humane care.
Frequent movement promotes strong forage regrowth, evenly distributes manure, and mirrors natural herd behavior.
FORAGE AND HAY FIELDS
Our hay fields are managed as part of the same regenerative cycle as our pastures.
Instead of continuous extraction, we inter-seed legumes and cool-season grasses, clip dormant growth, and return biomass to the soil.
This integrated production system provides year-round nutrition and soil building. It also eliminates dependence on synthetic fertilizers and chemical inputs, replacing them with natural nutrient cycling.
Grass seed, we've learned, is cheaper than fertilizer and far better for the soil.
THE PAYOFF
Healthier soils mean thicker grass stands, better water retention, and a balanced ecosystem.
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For our animals, that translates into clean forage, fewer stressors, and naturally lean beef rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants.
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Every animal we finish is harvested between 24 and 30 months - the sweet spot for tenderness and flavor. By finishing all animals on-site, we produce a consistent, nutirent-dense product for families seeking heart-healthy beef.
When you choose Green Plains Ranch, you're supporting regenerative land stewardship, humane animal care, and a local Ohio food system that connects soil health directly to human health.
