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Dumas Today
By the People, for the People
Texas Farmer Transforms High Plains Operation with Strip-Till
Harold Grall has fine-tuned his 8,600-acre farm to 90-93% continuous corn under center-pivot irrigation.
Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:12am
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The precision engineering behind a Texas farmer's strip-till transformation.Dumas TodayHarold Grall, a farmer in the Texas Panhandle, has transitioned his 8,600-acre operation from ridge-till and furrow irrigation to strip-till and center-pivot irrigation over the past three decades. This shift has allowed Grall to significantly reduce his diesel fuel usage while maintaining high corn yields and improving his soil's organic matter content.
Why it matters
Grall's story highlights how adopting strip-till and precision irrigation technologies can help High Plains farmers improve the sustainability and efficiency of their operations, even as they scale up production. His experience provides a model for other producers in the region looking to modernize their practices.
The details
When Grall started farming on his own in 1994, he was growing corn and grain sorghum on 3,700 acres using ridge-till and furrow irrigation. Today, he and his wife Stacey strip-till 8,600 acres, with 90-93% of the land in continuous corn production under 26 center-pivot irrigation systems. Despite nearly doubling his acreage, Grall has reduced his diesel fuel usage by 70% compared to the late 1990s. He also uses 3-4 gallons of irrigation water per acre, down from 6 gallons per minute required previously, and his soil organic matter has doubled over the past 20 years.
- Grall started farming on his own in 1994.
- In 1997, Grall had 4,500 acres of row crops and used 30,772 gallons of diesel fuel.
- In 2015, Grall had 7,000 acres of row crops and used 22,033 gallons of diesel fuel.
- Last season, Hasta Farms had a bumper corn crop.
The players
Harold Grall
A farmer in the Texas Panhandle who has transformed his 8,600-acre operation from ridge-till and furrow irrigation to strip-till and center-pivot irrigation over the past three decades.
Stacey Grall
Harold Grall's wife, who works with him on managing their strip-till operation.
Dale Coleman
Harold Grall's mentor, from whom he bought out his farming operation in 1994.
What they’re saying
“In 1997, we had 4,500 acres of row crops and burned 30,772 gallons of diesel fuel. In 2015, we had 7,000 acres of row crops, and our fuel use was 22,033 gallons.”
— Harold Grall, Farmer
The takeaway
Grall's transition to strip-till and precision irrigation has allowed him to scale up his High Plains farming operation while significantly improving its sustainability through reduced fuel use, water consumption, and increased soil health. His experience provides a model for other producers in the region looking to modernize their practices.
