The Carters manage a herd of SimAngus and Brangus crossbred cattle. The family was recognized as the national winner of the 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award.
Meet Will and Monnie Carol Carter, owners and operators of Carter Cattle Company, LLC, an operation nestled among the rolling hills and towering trees near Pintlala, Alabama. Together with their children — Sarah Elizabeth, 15, and Merit, 13 — the Carters manage a herd of SimAngus and Brangus crossbred cattle. The family was recognized as the national winner of the 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award.
The family continues to demonstrate a long-standing commitment to its cattle and the environment. From rotational grazing to water distribution strategies, stewardship isn’t a buzzword for the Carter family — it’s a way of life.
Most of the Carters’ grazing land is in the largest river delta and wetland in Alabama. “We’re located in the Pintlala watershed,” Monnie Carol Carter says. “Because the creek runs through the farm, it’s really important for us to manage our land and tailor our practices to protect that water source.”
The cattle graze year-round, and the Carters use a rotational grazing program to protect soil and forage health while improving pasture utilization. The Carters also use electric fencing to minimize cattle access to the creek, which helps prevent contamination of the creek and watershed.
“We run water lines and use water troughs in our pastures to provide a clean source of water for our cattle,” Monnie Carol says. “The practices we do aren’t hard — they aren’t rocket science — but they make a big difference.”
In addition to their efforts to maintain local water quality, the Carters implement several pasture management strategies that promote better grass production. “Our business is based on growing grass,” Will Carter adds. “We use cattle to turn a low-quality product into a high-quality protein.”
Primary grasses used for forage include bahiagrass in the summer and ryegrass in the winter. The Carters also maintain white clover to improve grazing while reducing commercial fertilizer needs.
When invasive species, including smutgrass and multiflora rose, became an issue on some parts of the ranch, the Carters established a targeted brush management plan. They also perform routine soil tests, allow for adequate pasture rest periods and keep detailed records to ensure cattle can make the most of the land available for grazing.
“We must take care of this place, so that it can take care of us, and the next generation — and the next generation,” Will says. “My hope for the future of Carter Cattle Company is that it will continue to grow, and we’ll continue to improve the resources that we have been blessed to care for.”
Learn more about Carter Cattle Company here.
Learn about seasonal opportunities, rancher success stories, and management strategies for pastures and rangeland.
