FESSENDEN, N.D. - David Clough, who planted his first wheat crop in 1969, says he's always valued and practiced sustainability on his farm.
"There's nothing new about it," the Fessenden, N.D., farmer tells Agweek. "This is our livelihood, so we want to keep the land productive."
But public interest in sustainable farming practices is growing, and that encourages Clough and others in the U.S. wheat industry to publicize what they're doing. With that in mind, Clough is one of six wheat farmers - the others are from Kansas, Ohio, Oregon, Colorado and California - to be featured by U.S. Wheat Associates in a series of profiles. U.S. Wheat Associates promotes U.S. wheat exports in more than 100 countries around the world.
The series of profiles is tied, in part, to the 2016 National Indicators report. Prepared by a diverse group that includes grower organizations, universities and conservation groups, the report found that farmers have grown better at sustainability since 1980, though their improvement has plateaued in recent years.
Assessing wheat's improvement is difficult, however, because of the different classes of wheat and the different climates in which they're grown, U.S. Wheat Associates says. To reflect that, the six profiles feature wheat farmers who grow different types of wheat in different parts of the country.
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Clough, chairman of the North Dakota Wheat Commission, says he was asked to participate. He raises hard red spring wheat, used to make bread. North Dakota leads the nation in hard red spring wheat production. He also raises edible beans, sunflowers, soybeans and barley.
That diversification helps with sustainability, as does as adopting new technology and sustainable farming practices as they become available, he says.
Clough, 71, says he plans to continue farming as long as he can, so sustainability remains important to him.
"Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate," especially when heavy winds or precipitation cause erosion, he says. "But we always try to preserve the land."
To read the profiles of Clough and the other wheat farmers follow this link:
