Howard Hodge Jr.’s Secret to Sustainable Farming: Cattle at the Core

In the quiet stretches of northern Florida, near Marianna, Howard Hodge Jr.’s farm seems at ease under the morning sun.

While the fields of peanuts and bahiagrass catch the breeze, it’s his cattle, grazing steadily in the pasture, that form the heart of Howard’s sustainable operation.

Though Howard has retired from his off-farm job, his dedication to farming remains strong—especially when it comes to the cattle that have been integral to his system for decades.

“I think I always will be tied to farming,” Howard admits. “I just can’t walk away from it. And cattle, well, they’re a big part of that.”

Rotational Grazing for Land and Livestock Health

For Howard, raising cattle isn’t just about producing beef; it’s about maintaining a balanced, regenerative farm system that works in harmony with the land.

He describes his cattle as “beautiful animals” that help simplify his workload while maximizing the health and fertility of his fields.

One of the key strategies on Howard’s farm is rotational grazing. His land is divided into 12 fields, each ranging from 20 to 40 acres, allowing him to move his herd of 150 to 200 cattle continually.

This rotation gives the bahiagrass time to recover and regrow, which maintains lush pastures and benefits soil health by returning nutrients through the cattle’s manure.

“If you let the cattle just stay in one field all the time, your grass won’t recover,” Howard explains.

“You have to rotate them. You move them, let the grass come back, and then move them again. That way, you’ve always got something for them to graze on, and it keeps the fields healthy.”

Maximizing Income Through Multi-Use Grass

Howard’s approach to raising cattle is as much about reducing input costs as it is about producing healthy livestock.

In addition to grazing, the bahiagrass serves other purposes for his operation: it’s harvested for seed and even cut for hay, which is stored to feed the cattle during the winter months. Howard has also found a profitable side market in selling bahia sod to construction companies for erosion control on roadsides.

“You end up getting two or three incomes out of that one bahiagrass crop. You grow your seed with it. You make hay from it. And you sell the sod from it,” Howard says.

“That’s part of how we make it work.”

Cattle’s Role in a Sustainable System

Beyond the financial benefit, Howard emphasizes how cattle contribute to the farm’s sustainability. His commitment to regenerative practices is clear in the way he uses bahiagrass as part of a broader crop rotation system.

After the sod is lifted, the land is prepped and planted with peanuts, and the cycle continues. This rotation helps keep the soil fertile and reduces the need for chemical inputs.

“If you rotate with grass, you almost have zero nematode issues,” Howard explains.

“So you don’t have to use nematicides, which can cost $100 to $150 per acre. The cattle, the grass—they’re all part of how you keep the farm going.”

Howard’s involvement in the ADM re:generations program further demonstrates his commitment to sustainability. The program supports farmers like Howard in planting cover crops that build organic matter and conserve moisture, which benefits his peanuts and other crops.

“It’s a very good program,” he says. “You’re building soil health and conserving resources, and that makes a difference in the long run.”

A Future Tied to Cattle

While Howard has scaled back on row crops in recent years, he’s not planning to walk away from his cattle anytime soon.

“I’d love to keep raising cattle as long as my health allows,” he says.

“It’s a part of me and the farm. I just can’t give it up.”

Cattle may be the quiet workhorses of Howard Hodge’s operation, but they are also key to his farm’s resilience.

Through thoughtful management and a commitment to sustainable practices, Howard has built a system that works in harmony with the land—one that he hopes will continue for generations to come.