Texas Farmer Doubles Acreage with Strip-Till and New Tech

Harold Grall credits precision farming and water-saving practices for his rapid growth.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:23am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of precision farming tools and sensors arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic seamless background, conceptually representing the data-driven practices enabling sustainable agricultural growth.Precision farming tools and sensors symbolize the data-driven practices enabling sustainable agricultural growth.Dumas Today

Harold Grall, a farmer in the Texas Panhandle, has been able to double the size of his operation to 7,400 acres while reducing fuel and irrigation water use. Grall credits his adoption of strip-till farming and new precision agriculture technologies for this impressive growth and efficiency gains.

Why it matters

Grall's story highlights how innovative farming practices like strip-till, combined with data-driven decision making, can enable farmers to scale up their operations in a sustainable way, even in water-stressed regions like the Texas High Plains.

The details

When Grall started farming on his own in 1994, he was managing 3,700 acres using ridge-till and furrow irrigation. Over the past three decades, he has transitioned to strip-till and precision irrigation, which has allowed him to expand his operation to 7,400 acres while cutting fuel and water use. Grall says good record-keeping and the adoption of new technologies have been key to his success.

  • Grall started farming on his own in 1994.
  • Grall has grown his operation from 3,700 acres to 7,400 acres over the past three decades.

The players

Harold Grall

A farmer in the Texas Panhandle who has doubled the size of his operation to 7,400 acres while reducing fuel and irrigation water use through the adoption of strip-till farming and precision agriculture technologies.

Dale Coleman

Grall's mentor, from whom he bought out his farming operation in 1994.

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What they’re saying

“Good records, strip-till and new technology have been key to my ability to double my farm size while cutting fuel and irrigation water.”

— Harold Grall, Farmer

The takeaway

Grall's story demonstrates how embracing innovative farming practices and precision technologies can enable farmers to scale up their operations in a sustainable manner, even in water-stressed regions. His success highlights the potential for other farmers to follow a similar path of growth and efficiency.