Grassy Cow Dairy takes a disruptive approach
REMSEN, NY – Not many want to be labeled “disrupters,” but in Leon Atwell’s context of improving pasture fields, being disruptive and adaptive in his land management approaches has served him well in the North Country, where the snow is measured in feet.
Forty farmers from Oneida, Madison, Herkimer, Jefferson and Onondaga counties gathered in Remsen to see the effects of disruption, used as a tool for increasing pasture yield, water-holding capacity and putting more money in the bank from feeding the dairy herd an all-forage diet. The pasture walk, organized by CCE Oneida, the National Grazing Lands Coalition and Leon and Angela Atwell, showcased what a little mentoring, open-mindedness and practice can do for sustainability of a farm.
The mentoring came from the Kansas-based Understanding Ag Consultants, who advocate for the 6-4-3 approach (understandingag.com/the-6-3-4tm-explained) in managing the “6 Principles of Soil Health, the 3 Rules of Adaptive Stewardship and the 4 Ecosystem Processes.” Atwell shared at length about the importance of paying attention to your land and what it’s telling you.
“If it’s not working, stop and figure out why. Then try something new,” he said. “Keep observing and experimenting. With this mindset, mistakes become opportunities for learning.”
To emulate regenerative methods, he has spent years experimenting with different grazing techniques, grazing patterns, cropping and seeding practices, bale grazing strategies and his new favorite passion, rearing dairy calves on pasture utilizing nurse cows. The old adage of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” doesn’t apply to the charismatic, grass-fed dairy farmer.
When it comes to pasture management, Atwell has found that change is not only a good thing, but critical to maintaining soil health and biodiversity on the farm. “I try to change the impact I’m having on the land from year to year. If I grazed one field late last year, I’ll switch things up and let it rest the following fall. If I bale grazed here last year, I’ll bale graze in another field next year,” he explained.
He shared that over the years, applying this kind of disruptive management has helped him manage fertility, invasive weeds and parasite loads. It also switches up the narrative of “chasing production” to focusing on managing costs, especially expensive inputs like grain, and focusing on growing as much grass as possible to feed his herd.
“Grass follows cows and for me, more cows under intensive pasture management means more grass and improved soil health and water infiltration. The results have been life-changing,” Atwell said.
The crowd of beginning and experienced grazers saw firsthand the sheer amount of forage per acre – in fact, tripped over it – in comparing the results of bale grazing done last winter. Like any group of farmers, they discussed grass-fed dairy genetics and transitioning to organic production, picked out their favorite cows, saw the lively, healthy nurse calves, dug into the pasture soil and performed water infiltration time trials. Several prominent graziers from the area were also in attendance and shared helpful insights and tricks that they use on their own farms.
Like any successful pasture event, it ended on a high note with plenty of sharp cheese, local stories and networking among the dairy and livestock farmers. As the Atwells’ journey proves, true agricultural sustainability begins when we step outside convention, reminding us to “think big, think disruptive and execute with full passion.”
CCE Oneida is excited to host more pasture walks in 2027. Reach out to Matt Volz at mcv54@cornell.edu or 315.693.3175 ext. 177 for more information. For other CCE ag events check out cceoneida.com/agriculture.
by Matt Volz, CCE Oneida Ag Community Educator
