Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1481117
45 farm406 Regenerative practices like those Dan has incorporated have proven even more beneficial in drought years like 2021. "Several of our neighbors have had to sell down substantially early in the grazing season. We weren't immune to the drought either and had to sell down aer weaning," states Dan. "We made the management decision to sell down so that we didn't have to buy expensive hay or degrade our resources. at's the big thing - no degraded resources." NRCS's Fischer agrees, "Some people do not have the resources, don't have the grass, maybe don't have the forage base. But, with what Dan has been doing, he can raise different crop types, he can utilize some of those crops for hay or grazing, and he has built up some storage on his grazing land and can use that on years like this one." ere is always more to learn. Dan is oen asked when he plans to retire but learning about regenerative agriculture may have changed his plans. "I guess it is time for me to figure out how to segue out of this story," he says. "But all of this has revitalized my interest. ere's a huge learning curve, and I am only about one-third of the way up it. ere are a lot more programs that I could implement, and I am starting to understand them more and more. e fact that I am starting to get it makes the farming part more satisfying and fulfilling. So, I am not really that excited about quiing," he concludes. "I think it's really important for producers like Dan to share their experiences. And we have several in this county," states NRCS's Fischer. "I've learned so much from other producers that I feel it's my duty to share what I've learned. at is where people get and trust their information. ose implementing those practices will tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly. I think it's important for all of those producers who are moving toward a regenerative place to share their experiences, and I definitely appreciate those like Dan who do that." Cattle grazing. B&B Farms grazes in 2-week rotations in smaller paddocks with 125 cow/calf pairs. Story and photography courtesy of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service MT