PIERRE, SD – In 2019, Mitchell, SD, producer Mike Blaalid found like-minded producers and experts at the South Dakota Soil Health School, and meeting them helped him make some big changes in his operation.
Photos courtesy of NOLO
OPEN MINDS: “Both people benefit,” says Jerry Moench (right) of his agreement with cattle producer Mike Blaalid. “His cows grow healthy, and I’m developing healthy land that’s being enriched instead of being depleted. I just don’t know how you beat that.” Three common goals united a tenant and landlord in a cattle grazing agreement.
Editor’s note: This is the first of seven stories on the relationship between landowners and tenants, and how soil health goals can be achieved more efficiently if both parties are on the same page.
Jerry Moench and tenant Mike Blaalid have a flexible lease agreement. Instead of a lease for grazing based on acres per year, it’s a custom-grazing lease with payment on the basis of how many head of cattle graze per day.