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Retired military officer returns to the Delta to run a custom grazing operation on the Mississippi River levee.

Ginger Rowsey, Senior writer

August 6, 2021

6 Slides

Five years ago, Lt. Col. Michael Harlow was making retirement plans. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do when his distinguished military career concluded, but he was certain of one thing — he wanted to return to the Mississippi Delta. 

“There’s no place like the Delta,” said Harlow, whose assignments have taken him around the world. “I was raised in Greenville and Grenada, Miss., and always knew I wanted to come home someday.” 

But what to do when he got there? A fellow officer made an offhanded suggestion that Harlow get in the cattle business. So, he did. 

“My parents were not farmers. I had very limited experience working with cattle and pastures. I had never even baled hay,” he recalled. “But I love a challenge.” 

He worked connections and through the help of local attorney Bill Dossett found land for grazing on the Mississippi River levee near Beulah, Miss. Harlow purchased 30 cows, and took an online course on beef cattle management from Mississippi State University. 

“The online course was very good, but not good enough to keep you in business,” Harlow jokes. “After one year I had 30 ugly cows and was going broke quick.” 

Fortune changed when he met Mac McBride at a Pontotoc, Miss., sale barn. McBride is a part-time rancher and full-time investment banker. He was looking to expand his cattle operation but was limited on land. Harlow had more land than cows. The two men realized they could help each other out. 

“I handle the business and marketing,” McBride said, “and Michael manages the pastures and is in charge of putting his eyes on the cattle every day. I do what I like to do. He does what he likes to do. And it has worked very well.” 

Fast forward four years and Harlow has secured maintenance contracts on close to 900 acres of the Mississippi River levee. These days he is custom grazing more than 600 cows for McBride. By applying military work ethic to pasture management, he has become a successful “grass farmer” in a few short years. 

“It’s taken hard work, but mostly it’s God’s blessing,” Harlow insists, “along with a lot of help from good people.” 

Bassie's Service Station.

Delta life 

As Harlow drives along the levee road checking his cows, it is apparent he loves what he does — almost as much as he loves where he lives. 

“I’m living the dream,” he said. 

He is something of a regional historian with an entertaining anecdote for just about every stopping point along the Great River Road, including a favorite gathering place, Bassie’s Service Station in Gunnison, Miss.  It is a stop frequented by many Delta visitors, including fishing legend Bill Dance, according to Harlow. 

Being close to family was a main draw for moving home, and the custom grazing operation is a family business. He recently brought his son-in-law, Christian Johnston on board as his operation continues to grow. A new levee property required a lot of prep work before it was ready for grazing. Harlow says Johnston has been a welcome addition.  

Since moving back five years ago, this punctual veteran says he is adjusted to the more relaxed pace of “Delta time,” but most people will tell you Harlow does not slow down. 

“His energy is unmatched,” McBride said, “and he has an excellent reputation with the Levee Board. They know he’s going to do things the right way, and he’s keeping the levee productive.”  

Grazing the levee 

Harlow runs his custom grazing operation on four separate levee tracts that are controlled by the Mississippi Levee Board. For many years, this board has granted maintenance contracts for the land within their easements. Cattle grazing has proven an effective method of maintenance, as the cattle eat the tall vegetation, but leave enough sod to protect the levee from erosion.  

For the most part, it’s a win-win agreement. The contractor does not have to pay any money for the grazing privileges, while the Levee Board can keep maintenance expenses at a minimum. 

There is risk involved, however. The contracts only last five years. They can be renewed, but it is not guaranteed. Also, any pens or fences are the responsibility of the contractor. And a long, narrow strip of land like the levee requires a lot of fencing. Harlow estimates he’s put up 18 miles of it. 

On the other hand, the levee was created by pushing up the fertile topsoil that had floated down the river. This rich soil has not had its nutrients depleted by years of row cropping, and according to Harlow and McBride, the levee grows excellent grass. 

Cattle Grazing

Mob grazing 

Even with good soil and good grass, good management is still a necessity. Harlow has become a devoted student of forage systems. He has worked closely with Rocky Lemus, Extension professor with Mississippi State University to improve his grass fertility and overall quality.  

He has also begun using mob grazing tactics. Mob grazing involves grazing ultra-high concentrations of cattle per acre, then quickly rotating to give that portion of pasture an extended rest. The practice is endorsed by prominent Missouri rancher, Greg Judy, who credits mob grazing with saving his cattle operation.  

Using single-strand electric fencing, Harlow rotates his cattle through his pastures. 

“It allows more grazing and more cattle,” said Harlow, who refers to the practice as competitive eating. “We’re improving the pastures and feeding less hay.” 

He says his goal is to only feed hay 60 days out of the year, which he has not achieved yet, but is getting closer. When he does put hay out, he uses a bale grazing technique. A large number of bales are set out, and using the electric fences, Harlow moves cattle to a new set of bales every few days. 

“Bale grazing is another management practice that has improved our land fertility, and also saved us time in the winter,” Harlow said. 

Good opportunity 

The McBride herd is something of a cow/calf – stocker hybrid. McBride purchases cattle at local sale barns, typically in cow/calf pairs. Harlow raises the calves to feeder weight. Most are then transported to the Oklahoma National Stockyard to be sold.  

It is a unique setup in many ways — the levee, the business plan — but it is also an exceptional story of a veteran who wanted to become a farmer. He found a way to do it without a huge upfront investment, and in five short years he has grown his business exponentially. 

“A lot of people think farming is out of reach because they didn’t inherit land or don’t have the capital to invest, but there are options, and they can be successful,” Harlow said. 

“No one is going to do it for you,” he added. “But if you’re willing to work, this would be a good opportunity for a young person wanting to get started in farming.” 

He recommends researching programs that are available to new farmers and cultivating relationships with local NRCS personnel — who Harlow says have been a tremendous resource for him. He adds that any cattle producer needs to develop a good working relationship with his vet. Harlow says Dr. Tim Lloyd of Delta Animal Services has kept them in business. 

“God has blessed us with this opportunity and by putting so many good people in my path that have helped me,” Harlow said. “I never thought I’d be a cattle farmer, but now I don’t want to be doing anything else.” 

About the Author(s)

Ginger Rowsey

Senior writer

Ginger Rowsey joined Farm Press in 2020, bringing more than a decade of experience in agricultural communications. Her previous experiences include working in marketing and communications with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. She also worked as a local television news anchor with the ABC affiliate in Jackson, Tennessee.

Rowsey grew up on a small beef cattle farm in Lebanon, Tennessee. She holds a degree in Communications from Middle Tennessee State University and an MBA from the University of Tennessee at Martin. She now resides in West Tennessee with her husband and two daughters.

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