The Jorgensens have made a living from farming and ranching for more than a century. Humbly beginning as a small family farm, Jorgensen Land and Cattle Partnership has grown to include livestock, a large variety of crops and a hunting business.

The Jorgensen family owns and manages the fourth generation ranch with land health foremost in their minds. They believe they have a responsibility to continually care for and improve their greatest asset, the soil.

The Jorgensens manage 850 head of cattle and grow 10,000 acres of non-irrigated spring and winter wheat, grass hay, and corn. To combat South Dakota's limited rainfall they developed crop rotations based on the intensity of water use. They have seen dramatic reductions in wind and water erosion since adopting no-till practices in 1991.

Jorgensen Land & Cattle Partnership

Other conservation practices they have implemented include planting cover crops, frequently moving their cattle to improve forage stands, and installing fresh water sources in their pastures to increase herd health and efficiency.

Over the past 25 years, the Jorgensens have evolved their soil management practices to benefit the soil and crops. Rather than applying fertilizer directly on the soil surface based on the assumption of the crop’s needs, the Jorgensens use tools for soil monitoring and efficient nutrient applications. To evaluate their efficiency, they use GPS tools to collect data on applications and their harvest.

The family does not shy away from sharing their experiences and expertise with others. The Jorgensens have assisted several other farmers with crop nutrient and soil management. The family has also worked with South Dakota State University for many years and regularly host farm tours.

“Jorgensen Land and Cattle has been, and is currently, a leader in their area with the use of no-till, crop rotation and cover crops,” said Neal Foster of the South Dakota Crop Improvement Association. “Their ranch is in one of the more fragile land areas and they have recognized the need to maintain the land for their use and for future generations.”