How Sustainable Practices Help Tennessee Corn Grower Andy Davis Improve Soil Health and Protect Resources

Embracing a legacy of sustainability, White County corn farmer and Tennessee Corn Promotion Council Chairman Andy Davis sets a high bar: to leave the land better than he found it. 

Managing soil health and protecting natural resources are top of mind for Davis who farms 3,000 acres of corn, soybeans, and wheat alongside his father and two brothers in Sparta, Tennessee. 

Cover crops are one such sustainable farming practice the Davis farm implements to safeguard the soil. 

“Our strategy involves a diverse blend of cover crops,” Davis said. The mix, often comprised of wheat, triticale, barley, cereal rye, and a brassica, enriches and protects the soil.

Davis knows first-hand the multifaceted benefits of incorporating a diverse mix of cover crops. 

“I’m going into my fifth year doing cover crops and already can tell a difference in soil structure and drainage,” Davis said. 

These results benefit both the overall health of the land and the farm’s bottom line. 

“Anytime we can get something in the ground to keep the soil in place during the winter months is a win for us,” noted Davis. 

In their goal to minimize inputs, Davis has found the potential for reduced commercial fertilizers on the farm. 

“When you start thinking about stewardship and our duty to the land, reducing runoff and maintaining the localized impact of fertilizer on our fields are important,” Davis said.

An additional layer of sustainability has been introduced with livestock. The Davis farm’s enclosed fields allow cattle to graze on the cover crops.

“Grazing not only speeds up the decomposition of the cover crops but has also become integral to our no-till farming approach,” Davis said. 

By integrating cover crops, reducing reliance on commercial fertilizers, and incorporating livestock grazing into their no-till farming operations, the Davis farm is improving the agronomic, economic, and environmental viability of their farming operation. 

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