WHEN SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES DON'T WORK
Successful Farming|December 2023
A principles-based, tailored-to-you approach can alleviate frustration.
Courtney Leeper Girgis
WHEN SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES DON'T WORK

Adam Grady was not a stranger to no-till and cover crops when he met consultant Allen Williams in the spring of 2016.

He was skeptical, however. 

Grady, whose family has farmed on the coastal plains of eastern North Carolina since the late 1700s, had seen his father, Clegg Grady, turn to no-till in the mid-1980s. Tobacco was their king crop, with corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, and milo added in 1999.

By 2005, Grady was no longer seeing benefits from no-till and switched to striptill. In 2010, he started planting a cover crop of wheat or rye behind tobacco and before a rotation of corn or soybeans.

In 2015, Grady quit tobacco cultivation and cover crops. He turned his focus to the pastured hog enterprise he had started about 10 years earlier.

What began with five gilts and a boar turned into a major income source once local word got out and chefs became repeat customers. Grady's restaurant connections gained him the attention of the pastured-protein wholesaler Joyce Farms. That operation wanted Grady to build up and supply its pork program.

The stipulation was Grady would need to allow Williams, a founding member of Understanding Ag and the Soil Health Academy, onto his farm to offer recommendations. Understanding Ag is a regenerative agriculture consulting firm made up of farmers and ranchers who provide whole-farm consultation and education services to other producers. Soil Health Academy is Understanding Ag's hands-on regenerative agriculture training program.

Some of Williams' first suggestions to Grady and his father were to go back to no-till and to plant a multi-species cover crop. Grady wasn't convinced these practices would do much, but eventually he tried the advice on 5 acres.

That fall, Grady upped it to 60 acres. By the following year, he was all-in on the 1,000-acre farm.

Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av Successful Farming.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra December 2023-utgaven av Successful Farming.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA SUCCESSFUL FARMINGSe alt
THE WOMAN BEHIND 'THIS FARM GIRL COOKS'
Successful Farming

THE WOMAN BEHIND 'THIS FARM GIRL COOKS'

Coming up with quick, on-the-go meals is one of the many talents Deanne Frieders brings to the table.

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2024
HOW TO GROW A DOUBLE CROP OF CATTLE FEED
Successful Farming

HOW TO GROW A DOUBLE CROP OF CATTLE FEED

This Iowa farmer has perfected an annual system with four forage species that maximizes tonnage, resources, and feeding quality.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2024
GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS
Successful Farming

GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS

The doctrine of title by acquiescence determines the legal boundary line between two properties and overrules the boundary listed in the deeds.

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2024
TIME WELL SPENT
Successful Farming

TIME WELL SPENT

Senator Charles Grassley reflects on careers in farming and government.

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2024
BUILDING FARM STABILITY
Successful Farming

BUILDING FARM STABILITY

This young farmer uses regenerative practices and diversification to set up his farm for the future.

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2024
THE MEXICO MAIZE
Successful Farming

THE MEXICO MAIZE

Navigating Mexico's ban of genetically modified corn.

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2024
NEVER TOO BUSY TO LEND A HAND
Successful Farming

NEVER TOO BUSY TO LEND A HAND

Between their cattle operation, crops, and off-farm jobs, Dean and Tillie Thompson have plenty to do, but they still find time to serve their community.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2024
WHAT SHOULD THEY EXPECT?
Successful Farming

WHAT SHOULD THEY EXPECT?

Problem: Two parents are conflicted about meeting their kids' inheritance expectations.

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2024
TIPS FOR A SAFE HARVEST
Successful Farming

TIPS FOR A SAFE HARVEST

Follow these steps to protect you and your machinery while in the field this autumn.

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2024
9 NEW DAIRY PRODUCTS
Successful Farming

9 NEW DAIRY PRODUCTS

See the latest innovations displayed at World Dairy Expo.

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2024