Located on the Alabama-Mississippi border, Dee River Ranch in Aliceville, Ala., is a family owned and operated farming operation run by Mike Dee and his sister Annie. The 10,000-acre ranch devotes 2,500 acres to forages and cattle, 4,000 acres to the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and 3,500 acres to corn, wheat and soybeans. Maintaining productive soils is a top priority for all three of these components of the Dee River Ranch as all are important to the long-term sustainability and overall profitability of the farming operation. Improvements in pasture management and implementation of erosion-control practices have maintained valuable resources while maximizing production. On-surface water monitoring indicates little, if any, soil erosion from pastures.

In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Mike developed a comprehensive plan to reduce sedimentation erosion and improve water quality that served as an example for fellow producers. Mike identified three types of high-use problem-causing areas: gates, water troughs and working facilities. A combination of geotextile cloth and gravel was applied around all water troughs and under all gates. In 2006, Dee River Ranch completed construction on new working facilities that are away from surface water. In addition, Mike incorporated cross-fencing on all pastures and implemented an intensive rotational grazing program to preserve ground cover. The Dees’ experience in preventative moisture loss conservation practices was valuable this year because of the severe drought in the southeastern United States. 

The Dee River Ranch has been home to many partnerships that include producer tours, educational studies and conservation programs. Additionally, the ranch is involved in the Alabama Rural Medicine Program, serving as a learning laboratory for medical students enrolled in the University of Alabama School of Medicine.

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