Author: Sarah Roderick

Across the Northern Plains, a lot of CRP acres are hitting the end of their contracts. South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, producers are asking a similar question: 

Do you Re-Enroll, or do you Put That Ground Back to Work?

There’s no one-size answer. It comes down to what the land can do and what you want out of it. 

What CRP still does well: 

• CRP is simple. That’s its biggest advantage. 

• You get a fixed payment. No management decisions once it’s established.  

• On the higher end, Continuous CRP can still pencil strong. If your ground qualifies, you’re looking at competitive payments. 

• For marginal acres, that’s hard to beat. 

Where Producers are Taking a Harder Look 

When it comes to medium to high producing acres, other options need to be considered. 

General CRP payments in much of the Plains land in the $45–$75 per acre range. That can pencil out. But it also means the land is largely parked most years. 

CRP does allow grazing or haying, typically once every three years under managed conditions. But it’s not something you can rely on annually or build your operation around. 

At the same time, cattle prices are strong. That changes how producers look at feed and forage. Every ton of forage you can grow yourself carries more value than it did a few years ago.  

With around 1.5 million acres coming out of CRP in September 2026, more producers are starting to look at what those acres could do instead. 

What Changes When Land Goes Back into Forage 

When perennial forage is established and managed, it generates feed for cattle while improving soil health. 

That shows up in a few ways on real operations: 

• Lower feed costs  

• More productive land over time  

• More total forage available across the operation  

• More control over how the operation runs  

When cattle prices are high, that feed value matters even more. You’re not just growing grass. You’re supporting revenue on the livestock side. 

Where Programs Come into Play 

Programs like AgSpire’s Grass is Greener are built around that idea. Helping producers bring acres back into production in a way that works on real operations. 

Producers who enroll in the Grass is Greener program receive an incentive at the time of seeding: $200/ac for grass or $120/ac for forage planting.  

There’s reimbursement shortly after verification, along with technical support to help get the stand established right. 

From there, it’s up to the producer. Graze it. Hay it. Manage it in a way that fits the operation. 

The Tradeoffs 

This isn’t a perfect apples-to-apples comparison. 

CRP requires no upfront cost; GIG does but you’re reimbursed within 90 days. CRP is also predictable. GIG depends on how well you use the forage. That’s the trade. 

We’ve heard from many producers who are thinking about what to do – and consistently hearing:  

• Lower productivity acres are likely to stay in CRP 

• Acres with forage and grazing potential are going into programs like Grass is Greener 

And a growing number of producers are looking for ways to keep the land productive and taking advantage of high cattle prices by increasing on-farm forage and grass.  

The Bottom Line.  

CRP pays for stability – with limited use.  

 Working land pays when it’s managed well and used consistently.  

The right decision depends on what your acres can do, and whether you want them sitting or working for your operation and cattle. 

The Numbers.  

In the table below, we compare CRP and working land enrolled in a program like Grass is Greener over a 5-year period using conservative assumptions to show how returns stack up depending on how the acres are used. The analysis was based on the following – CRP assumes an annual payment of $60/ac with no additional revenue, working land assumes a $200/ac establishment cost, offset by a $200/ac (grass) incentive, and generates $75–$125/ac/year in forage value over a 5-year stand. 

Additional Links

Want to read about Pasture Conversion? >>> Click Here 

Want to learn more about AgSpire and our programs? >>> Click Here 

Part 2

We’re back with Part 2 of Pasture Conversion: Overrun to Production – a first-hand account from Derek Ver Helst, Senior Conservation Agronomist with AgSpire, who worked with a producer in 2025 to turn a 5-acre pasture overrun with smooth brome into a productive native tallgrass prairie with trees and pollinator habitat. 

The Growth

On August 18, 2025, Derek went back to the pasture to record the progress and make any adjustments to the plan.  

The 2025 growing season was very wet. We received above average rainfall in the northern great plains, for most of the summer, which created ideal conditions for a diverse, native planting. Cooler-than-normal temperatures prolonged germination and slowed early season growth.  Early in the season, many producers in the area questioned whether germination had been successful.  

As the summer progressed, soil activity and plant life responded quickly.  The rains continued, creating idea conditions for germination and growth of the many different species that were planted.  

After returning to the field, expectations of a good stand were quickly exceeded. The multispecies planting had taken hold tremendously and the area was teeming with life.  Birds, bees, crickets, snakes, deer, rabbits and more were all using this little piece of paradise.   

The Progress

Initial concerns around erosion, due to both heavy rainfall and field slope, did not materialize. The practices used meant no gully erosions occurred, and the topsoil stayed where it was intended.  Forbs and grasses established vigorously, to the point that surrounding trees required trimming to ensure adequate light. A field walk confirmed the successful establishment of many of the species planted earlier in the spring. 

It’s important to note these results are not typical.  Favorable weather conditions by mother nature played a significant role in the outcome and contributed to why these practices worked so well.  Native plantings normally take a couple years to fully establish and reach their full potential.  

It’s off to a strong start, and there’s a lot to build on from here. Next steps will focus on how the stand continues to develop, supporting soil health, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat.  

Additional Links

Want to read part one? >>> Click Here 

Want to learn more about AgSpire and our programs? >>> Click Here 

About the Author

Derek serves as Senior Conservation Agronomist at AgSpire, where he works with producers and partners to advance practical conservation and regenerative agriculture strategies. With more than 15 years of experience designing and managing agricultural research trials, he specializes in integrating soil health, crop production, and environmental stewardship. Derek holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from South Dakota State University and a master’s degree in Agronomy from Iowa State University, and is a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) and NRCS Technical Service Provider (TSP). 

Texas — AgSpire, a company that designs and implements producer-focused agricultural programs, has launched the Texas Better Beef Program, a new program designed to support cow-calf and stocker operations across Texas with technical expertise and financial incentives aimed at improving ranch productivity and grazing management. 

Now enrolling producers for 2026, the voluntary program connects Texas cattle producers with one-on-one technical support from AgSpire experts and financial assistance tied to operational improvements. The program focuses on helping ranchers strengthen grazing efficiency, improve herd productivity, and enhance long-term ranch resilience. 

Participating producers work directly with AgSpire advisors to evaluate their operations and develop customized management plans. Producers enrolled in the program implement at least two grazing or herd productivity practices that align with their existing management goals while supporting improved land and cattle performance. 

Financial incentives are available to participating operations based on the number and intensity of practice changes related to improvements in grazing efficiency and herd productivity. 

The Texas Better Beef Program is open to cow-calf and stocker operations managing 30 or more head of cattle and at least 30 grazing acres. Participating producers commit to a 1-year program commitment and allow soil sampling and operational data collection to help track progress and support continuous improvement over time. 

By connecting producers with practical expertise and incentive opportunities, the program aims to strengthen ranch profitability while improving the long-term productivity and resilience of grazing lands. 

Producers interested in learning more about eligibility or enrollment can visit AgSpire.com
 

At GreenBiz26, Zach Pinto of AgSpire joined a panel exploring a fundamental question for companies with an agriculture value chain: Can sustainability truly thrive while farmers struggle? 

For corporate sustainability and supply chain leaders in the room, the conversation underscored a reality that is becoming increasingly clear – producer viability and supply chain resilience are inseparable. 

The panel brought together perspectives from across the value chain, including global food, beverage and agriculture companies, Scope 3 project developers, and research organizations, alongside the voice of multi-generational grain farmer from Iowa. That diversity highlighted how sustainability commitments travel from boardrooms to working farms and ranches, and how much can be lost in translation along the way. 

Producer Perspectives

Pinto emphasized that sustainability only scales when it works on the ground. Programs designed without a deep understanding of operational realities including cash flow cycles, agronomic systems, labor constraints, family traditions, and risk exposure, rarely achieve scalable and durable adoption. Farmers and ranchers deal with a multiple of risk assessments, uncontrollable market and weather, and – rightfully so – are hesitate to take on high ambiguity programs and uncompensated risk. 

In recent years, the broader sustainability program space has shifted. Producers are asking sharper questions: 

• What exactly is being asked of me? 

• How does this impact my bottom line? 

• Who shares the risk?? 

• What does long-term commitment look like? 

Corporate Expectations

At the same time, corporate expectations have grown. Companies are under pressure to demonstrate credible progress, measurable outcomes, and resilient sourcing strategies. That level of credibility requires more than high-level commitments. It requires programs built around producer economics and practical implementation. 

Pinto noted that while industry conversations have evolved incrementally, the biggest shift is happening in the marketplace itself. The broader narrative around sustainability is changing. There is less tolerance for broad commitments and more focus on resilience, especially the resilience of agricultural supply chains. Sustainability is no longer just about signaling intent. Companies are under increasing pressure to strengthen supply chains and show measurable outcomes all the way down to the farm level. 

The Solution

This shift presents a clear opportunity. Programs that are intentionally producer-centric, built with operational feasibility, technical support, and aligned incentives, are far more likely to scale and endure. When programs work for the people managing the land and livestock, adoption becomes practical, progress becomes measurable, and resilience becomes real. 

At AgSpire, this philosophy is foundational. The team works at the intersection of corporate goals and farm reality, helping design and implement programs that translate sustainability goals into measurable, on-the-ground progress. By aligning business objectives with producer viability, AgSpire supports supply chains that are not only more sustainable, but more secure. 

The takeaway for corporate teams is straightforward: if farmers struggle, sustainability stalls. When producers thrive, sustainability scales. 

By Sheridan Wilson, Technical Advisor

If you’ve been around this industry, you know you can’t fix nutrition problems overnight. What you feed today shows up later in conception rates, calf vigor, and how long those females stay productive in your herd. 

Good nutrition starts with being proactive in keeping your cows in shape. When cows hold body condition and meet their energy needs, they breed back better and perform better in the herd. The problem is, by the time you see a cow slip in body condition, especially in winter when cows have more hair, you’re already behind. At that point, catching her back up is expensive and often insufficient. Planning and focusing on body condition before winter/last trimester is less expensive and more effective. 

It’s a mistake to treat nutrition as a last-trimester issue. Yes, those final months are important for calf development, but the other months of the year are just as important for embryonic survival, calf immune development, calf muscle fiber formation, and cow fertility and breedback. Consistent, year-round nutritional support sets cows up to do what we need them to do: get bred, raise a big healthy calf, and stay in the herd.  

Cows are good at adapting to their environment. Body Condition Score (BCS) matters, but it’s not the whole story. If you are building up your cow herd, focus on selecting cattle that can adapt to your environment and have energy requirements matched to your feed resources. The cows that breed early every year and maintain condition may tell you more than a genomic test.   

 Providing ample feed for your cattle is crucial; underfeeding has long shadows. Research has shown that shorting first-calf heifers in their last trimester can hurt their performance for at least two years afterward.  These heifers displayed lower body weights and reduced milk production compared to their counterparts, even following their second parturition. On the flip side of feeding, more isn’t always better. Over-conditioned bulls, for example, often show poorer semen quality. New research shows that embryos fertilized by over-conditioned bulls had delayed embryonic development and were more likely to die before placentation. It is hypothesized that calves sired by fat bulls may actually have reduced average daily gains when they get to the feedyard.   

Bottom line: nutrition decisions stack up. When you invest in your herds’ nutrition today, you’re not just feeding this year’s calf crop. You’re building the next generation of your herd.  

Contact AgSpire today if you want to learn more about making proactive decisions for the nutrition of your herd.  

Additional Links

Herd Management Basics on AgSpire’s YouTube Channel >>> Link to Video 

By Derek Ver Helst, Senior Agronomist

At its core, regenerative agriculture is understanding human activity, particularly in food and fiber production; it has the potential to either degrade or enhance the environment. It’s a process of aligning human activities with the natural cycles of unique and individual ecosystems.  

Conventional agriculture, in its current state, focuses on maximizing yields, often disrupting natural processes. Practices like monocropping, reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and extensive tillage depletes water resources, reduces biodiversity, and diminishes soil health.     

Regenerative agricultural practices attempt to restore balance to natural systems by focusing on three general categories: 

• Soil Health: Healthy soil is the foundation of any ecosystem. Practices such as cover cropping, no/reduced till, and the integration of livestock promote soil biodiversity, increasing organic matter content, and improving water retention. Beneath the surface, these changes create a thriving ecosystem that supports prosperity.       

• Biodiversity: Monocultures lead to ecological vulnerability. Regenerative agriculture emphasizes crop diversity, intercropping, and agroforestry, which creates a more resilient and balanced system. Biodiversity supports beneficial insects, pollinators, and other organisms that contribute to the overall health of an ecosystem.     

• Natural Systems: Instead of attempting to dominate and control natural processes, regenerative agriculture mimics these systems and cycles.  Nutrient and water cycles, and energy flow, are harnessed to produce the same, with less reliance on off-farm inputs.  

Just as a high-performance sports car requires precise and delicate tuning for speed and handling, ecosystems require careful calibration to function optimally. Regenerative agriculture acts as the calibration process. By understanding and respecting the synergistic relationships in an ecosystem, we can create a sustainable food system that nourishes both humans and the environment. 

Regenerative agriculture is not just about producing food and fiber; it’s about restoring balance to a currently strained system. By embracing regenerative principles, we can recalibrate our relationship with the environment, creating a future where human activity enhances and builds sustainable, resilient, natural ecosystems.  

 Additional Links 

Learn more about soil health on AgSpire’s YouTube Channel >>> Soil Health 

Learn more about soil health at our ranching resilience workshops, Jan. 21 (Yankton) and Jan. 23 ( Aberdeen) >>> More information

December hits fast in the Great Plains and Upper Midwest. One week you’re finishing fall work — the next, you’re breaking ice off tanks and watching the forecast shift toward single digits. Winter rarely offers much warning, and the operations that fare best are the ones that prepare early. 

If you haven’t already taken stock of the season ahead, now is the time. Here are five key points of technical assistance worth reviewing before winter sets in fully – along with how strategic planning today can reduce stress and protect forage, livestock performance, and long-term land health into 2026.

Know Your Feed Inventory – And Whether It Will Hold

Winter increases energy demand for livestock, and forage quality matters as much as volume. A quick inventory check now prevents shortages later. 

• Test forage quality to determine supplement needs 

• Consider crop residue, cornstalk grazing, or leased pasture to stretch supply 

• Short on feed? Early decisions cost less than late-season scrambling 

Beat the Freeze Before It Starts

Frozen lines and dead heaters don’t wait for a convenient moment. 

• Inspect tanks, hydrants, floats, and heat sources 

• Confirm insulation and water access at remote sites 

• Ensure power-outage backups are workable 

If water delivery fails in January, the margin for error is slim — a simple pre-check now is worth it. 

Ensure Livestock Have Adequate Wind Protection

Cattle tolerate cold well; wind and moisture are the bigger threat. A little structural support pays off immediately in energy retention and calf survivability. 

• Evaluate windbreak integrity 

• Repair bale or fence-panel shelter systems 

• Ensure early-calving areas drain and stay dry 

Good protection reduces feed demand, stress, and risk.  

Protect Your Forage Base for Next Year

Grass may be dormant, but management decisions still count. Overgrazing now becomes lost yield later. 

• Maintain residue for moisture retention + erosion control 

• Rotate winter-grazing sites to protect stand vigor 

• Supplement before ground cover is compromised 

Healthy forage in May starts with restraint in December. 

Winter-Proof Equipment & Emergency Systems

A slow-turning engine or an unplanned storm can turn into hours of lost time. 

• Check engine warmers, fuel filters, and batteries 

• Have winter-grade diesel, tire chains, and spare parts on hand 

• Review blizzard plans: access routes, backup help, supply lists 

Preparedness saves time, fuel, and headaches. 

The Right Planning Makes Winter Manageable 

Winter is unavoidable — stress doesn’t have to be. Proactive planning keeps cattle fed, water flowing, equipment moving, and pastures protected for next year’s growth. 

At AgSpire, we help producers make decisions like these with confidence. From feed budgeting to grazing strategy and infrastructure planning, our technical advisors work alongside you to build solutions that fit your land, not a generic template. 

Ready to tighten up your winter strategy? Now is the time. 

Connect with AgSpire for technical assistance and winter planning guidance.
Let’s keep livestock performing, resources protected, and your operation resilient — this season and the next. 

In October AgSpire’s Director of Business Partnerships, Drew Slattery, spoke at the Expanding Markets Conference, hosted by the Western Sustainability Exchange. Nearly 200 producers and 50 industry professionals gathered to explore new market opportunities and strategies for resilient ranching across Montana and the Western U.S. 

Panel Highlights: Why Are Food Companies Investing in Producer Programs? 

At the Expanding Markets Conference, Drew Slattery joined a panel with a producer from Prime Pursuits and two representatives from Walmart to address a central question on many producers’ minds: “Why are companies investing in programs like this?” The panelists explained that major corporations are increasingly committed to supporting American ranchers and farmers, not just for immediate business needs, but to ensure the long-term resiliency of their supply chains. 

As Drew Slattery shared, “Producers are often surprised that Food companies are investing in producer programs because of a mindset that companies don’t care and just want the cheapest beef possible. The reality is, these companies want to help keep ranchers ranching, and investing in producers is how they ensure they have beef to sell 20 years from now.” 

Representatives from Walmart and Prime Pursuits emphasized that their investment in producer programs goes beyond the bottom line. These initiatives help elevate beef production from a commodity industry to a specialized, value-driven business. By rewarding producers for quality and sustainability, these programs open new opportunities for ranchers of all sizes. 

Looking Ahead: Building Resilience Through Partnership  

The panel showcased how collaboration between producers and corporate partners is shaping the future of ranching. By investing in producer programs and prioritizing investing in US beef supply chains, companies like Walmart and Prime Pursuits are helping ranchers build resilient operations and unlock new market opportunities. As these partnerships continue to grow, producers are better positioned to thrive in a changing agricultural landscape. 

To watch the full panel, please click HERE

Interested in more information about how AgSpire connects partners across the supply chain, please click here