Regenerative Ag Conference Panelists: Hank McGowan

Hank McGowan, who farms in McCool Junction, discussed the challenges of changing family systems. He farms with his father, who was initially resistant to adding conservation practices on their acres. McGowan started planting cover crops to provide an additional source of forage for his cattle and soon discovered that the practice had other benefits, including a reduction of erosion on his roughest land. “If you’re a livestock producer, this is a slam dunk,” he said.
McGowan recommended that farmers that want to implement regenerative practices take their worst farm and add cover crops there first, as it is where they would have the least to lose and would potentially see improvements fastest. McGowan also discussed his latest efforts around making compost to increase soil microbial activity.