Row crops have always been an important part of Winter Springs Farm. When we were a dairy operation, it was growing feed for the herd. With the beef operation, we still grow feed for the cows but also focus on cash crops. The family operation has significantly increased in acreage over the last eight decades with an eye toward accommodating future growth of this family operation.

Today we grow corn, both as a cash crop and for silage for the herd; soybeans as a cash crop; and, alfalfa hay to feed the herd. Our pasture areas are intensively managed to ensure our cattle can thrive and remain healthy.

We have gone to strictly no till. Use of chicken litter is utilized for our fertilizer, along with cover crops which provide soil erosion control and organic matter and food for the microbes in the soil.

Our use of precision ag in our equipment ensures higher productivity, lower input costs, and is all around better for the environment.

We continue to use crop rotation practices, as has been done on this farm for generations. The same crop is not planted in the same field two years in a row, which greatly contributes to our soil health. In addition, soil testing is done every year to make sure that we do not over or under apply nutrients; we only give the soil and crops exactly what they need. 

After all of our best efforts, we do what every crop farmer everywhere does--stand back and pray for rain!