Episode 162: Increasing Pecan Yields up to 6x While Eliminating Herbicides with Troy Swift

Troy Swift started farming at age 42, and has achieved incredible results using regenerative practices in his Texas pecan grove: increasing yields in certain varieties by up to 6X, while cutting nitrogen inputs by 97%, reducing insecticides, and eliminating herbicides. 

Troy is a first-generation farmer from Central Texas who transitioned to pecan farming after a career in the composite jet engine industry. With a data-driven mindset from his manufacturing background, he now manages 126 acres of hybrid and native pecans along the San Marcos River and serves as president of the Texas Pecan Growers Association. Troy’s 27 years of growing experience shape his innovative approach to regenerative agriculture.

Since 2019, Troy has embraced regenerative practices: eliminating mowing and herbicides, and using wood chips and Johnson-Su bioreactors to boost soil health. His orchard serves as a research hub for institutions like the Noble Research Institute, providing data on soil, nut nutrition, and economics. Troy’s work inspires farmers and bridges the gap between academia and agriculture.

In this episode, John and Troy discuss:

• Troy’s transition from the composite jet engine industry to becoming a first-generation pecan farmer

• Shifting to regenerative practices, including eliminating mowing

• Reducing nitrogen inputs from 80-100 pounds per acre to just 2.4 pounds

• Using bats for pest control and their impact on reducing insecticide use in pecan orchards

• The importance of data-driven farming, with insights from soil and leaf analyses showing increased nutrient availability

• Troy’s leadership in fostering collaboration between farmers and academia to advance regenerative agriculture research

Additional Resources To learn more about Troy and to purchase Swift River Pecans, please visit: https://www.swiftriverpecans.com/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology. 

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com