PCCA Member Spotllight

George Hood - Hood Family Farm

The Hood family farm in Easley is a 5th generation commercial cow/calf operation, currently sired by Angus or Balancer bulls. It began in the 1920’s with cotton, corn, and a small dairy. In the 1950’s, fescue was sown on all land, and the current beef cattle operation began with 2 pastures totaling 60 acres.

Beginning in 2011, with assistance and guidance from USDA/NRCS, the pastures were cross-fenced with permanent fencing into 6 smaller paddocks. Those 6 paddocks are further divided into smaller, temporary paddocks, with access to shade, using 1 strand, polywire electric fencing. This provides the ability to utilize rotational grazing, which allows the forage to rest, recover, and regenerate for substantial periods of time.

A well was also drilled at that time, and 3 Murafont watering tanks were installed strategically across the farm, into fence lines, to provide water in each paddock. Cattle were then permanently fenced out of the on-site pond and stream, improving water quality downstream.

Soil tests are collected in the fall, and fertilizer is applied based on needs. This allows forage to be stockpiled for late fall/early winter grazing. Ideally, hay is fed for 30-45 days, from late January until early March. A light application of nitrogen is often applied in early spring.

The family’s goal, for generations, has always been to improve soil, forage, and bloodlines, year to year, on the land entrusted to them.