Marcelo Vedovatto and Brittany B. Zaunbrecher

The Choctaw Cattle Company began in 1994 when Dr. Angela Mayeux-Hebert, an orthopedic surgeon at that time who is now retired, purchased her first piece of land in Sunset, Louisiana. She was motivated by her lifelong love of horses and her desire to build something of her own. What started as a small pasture gradually expanded as she acquired neighboring tracts and developed a growing interest in grazing management. She began working with rotational grazing in 1996. Her early steps into cattle production eventually connected her with Roylee Hebert, an animal scientist and lifelong cattleman whose family has raised cattle in Louisiana since the 1930s. The couple married in 2002 and began shaping the operation together.

From the beginning, the couple approached the farm as a place of continuous learning. They tested new ideas, refined old ones and were never afraid to experiment. Many of the simple, low-cost strategies they use today were once difficult and expensive to figure out. Years of trial, error and persistence gradually transformed the property into a highly efficient cow-calf operation of 40 to 50 cows on about 65 acres fully supported by farm income. No outside money is used to sustain the system today, a point they take pride in. The farm is profitable, sustainable and visually picturesque.

Their success and long-standing relationship with the LSU AgCenter led to a formal partnership in 2024 when the Choctaw farm became an official LSU AgCenter model cattle farm. Today, the site serves as a showcase of an efficient cattle operation for LSU students, extension agents, faculty and ranchers. It also hosts farm research projects designed to evaluate practical, science-based management strategies for small- and medium-sized beef operations.

What is a regenerative cattle operation?

In simple terms, a regenerative system is designed to improve the land while producing cattle. A regenerative cattle operation focuses on rebuilding soil health, increasing forage productivity, enhancing animal performance and improving the farm’s long-term resilience. At the same time, it aims to reduce dependence on external inputs such as purchased feed, fertilizers and chemicals. Rather than emphasizing short-term production gains, regenerative systems prioritize restoring the natural processes that support cattle production. These processes include soil biological activity, plant growth, nutrient cycling and overall ecosystem function. In this approach, the farm is viewed as a living system where all components are interconnected. Healthy soils lead to more productive and resilient forage systems. In turn, better forage supports greater performance and healthier cattle. Healthier cattle require fewer inputs and interventions, helping reduce costs and environmental impact. Over time, this creates a positive feedback cycle that benefits both the producer and the land.

Regenerative practices adopted by the Choctaw Model Farm

Soil conservation and grazing management

Soil conservation is the foundation of the regenerative system at the Choctaw model farm. The owners base their management on a simple idea: Protect the soil surface and keep living roots in the ground year-round. To achieve this, they avoid overgrazing by moving cattle frequently and giving each pasture enough rest to recover. Cattle typically remain in each pasture for only about three to four days, always leaving a noticeable amount of forage behind. That leftover forage is not waste. It is an investment in the soil that protects the surface, supports deeper root growth and contributes to long-term improvements in organic matter, water infiltration and drought resilience. As organic matter accumulates, the soil becomes more biologically active and better able to retain nutrients released from plant residues, manure, urine and any applied fertilizer (Figure 1). Over time, this reduces the need for external inputs, a trend confirmed through regular soil testing and careful nutrient management.

The grazing system is supported by a simple and flexible infrastructure. Permanent fencing exists only around the perimeter of the property, and all internal divisions are created with temporary electric fences. This design allows Choctaw’s proprietors to adjust pasture size as forage conditions change, control grazing pressure with precision and remove fences easily when needed for fertilization, mowing or other management practices. Electric fencing is less expensive than permanent fencing, making the system accessible and cost-effective for small- and medium-sized operations.

Creep grazing adds another layer of efficiency within this rotational system by meeting the nutritional needs of growing calves. At the Choctaw model farm, one of the electric fence wires is raised high enough for calves to pass underneath while cows remain in the previous pasture. This gives calves early access to fresh pasture, where forage is fresher and more nutrient-dense. Because young animals have greater nutritional requirements, this access to better forage supports faster growth without increasing feed costs. Meanwhile, the cows help manage the more mature forage in the previous pasture.

Forage, hay and baleage

Forage production at the Choctaw model farm follows the rhythm of Louisiana’s seasons. During winter and spring, the farm grows annual ryegrass mixed with clover, which is the most nutritious forage produced on the property. In summer and early fall, the pastures shift to warm-season grasses such as bermudagrass, bahiagrass and pearl millet. Even with this diversity, there is a predictable forage gap from October through December, when cool-season forages have not yet grown enough and warm-season grasses have already declined. To bridge this gap, the farm relies on hay and baleage. Hay is produced during the summer when warm-season grasses can dry properly in the field. Ryegrass and clover, however, are difficult to cure into hay during winter and spring due to the high humidity and rainfall, which prevent adequate drying. Because ryegrass and clover are the highest quality forages on the farm, preserving them for fall feeding requires a different approach. Baleage provides that solution.

Baleage is made by cutting the forage and allowing it to wilt for a few hours until it reaches about 40% to 60% dry matter. The forage is then baled tightly and wrapped with several layers of specialized plastic. This creates an anaerobic environment that allows fermentation to occur, preserving the forage until fall. The resulting product is highly palatable and very nutritious. Cows readily consume it, and its high quality supports strong animal performance during the fall without the need to purchase grain.

If only low-quality hay were available, grain supplementation would be necessary to supply adequate protein and energy. Baleage changes that equation. Even when fed alongside hay to stretch supplies, such as offering one bale of hay and one bale of baleage, the system maintains excellent animal performance entirely on forage. This allows the Choctaw model farm to operate year-round normally without purchasing external feed grains. Although baleage is more expensive to produce than hay, its role on this farm is not to replace hay but to replace grain. When compared to the cost of purchased feed, baleage is significantly more economical. This strategy keeps the operation forage-based, low-input and nutritionally consistent throughout the year.

Grains and mineral supplementation

The farm’s goal is to avoid purchasing grains to feed during the fall. In most years, hay and baleage provide enough nutrition to maintain excellent performance. However, in unusually dry winters when cool‑season forages produce less than expected, hay and baleage may need to be fed earlier and in larger amounts. If baleage supplies run short, the farm may need to rely on purchased feed. For these situations, Hebert and Mayeux-Hebert worked with a feed company to produce a formula that contains no starch or sugar. This allows the rumen — the largest compartment of cattle’s stomachs where microbes break down tougher plant fibers — to remain adapted to a forage‑based diet throughout the year.

Mineral nutrition is a critical component of the Choctaw model farm because Louisiana forages, even when grown on fertile soils, do not supply all the minerals required for maximum cattle performance and health. Across the state, deficiencies in sodium, magnesium, copper and zinc are common. At Choctaw, selenium is also deficient. Although plants do not require selenium for growth, cattle do, which makes supplementation essential. To address these gaps, the farm provides a loose mineral and vitamin mix year-round, ensuring that minerals are always available in the trough. Encouraging consistent mineral intake can be challenging, so the Choctaw farm’s owners developed a simple and highly effective mineral and water trough system (Figure 3). The mineral feeder is placed directly beside the water trough, so every time a cow goes to drink, the mineral is right there. This increases intake and reduces the number of cows that would otherwise underconsume. The system is portable and moves with the herd during rotational grazing, eliminating the need for multiple troughs across the farm and helping cattle stay familiar with the same equipment, thereby reducing hesitation and improving mineral consumption.

The mineral formula also includes an insect growth regulator, or IGR. Louisiana herds experience heavy pressure from horn flies, which consume blood, reduce weight gain and cause significant discomfort during the summer. The IGR is not absorbed by the animal. Instead, it passes through the digestive tract and remains active in the manure, preventing fly larvae from developing. Because horn flies lay their eggs in fresh manure, this approach breaks the life cycle at its source. After several years of consistent use, fly pressure on the Choctaw farm is now very low, and the operation no longer needs injectable or pour‑on insecticides to control flies.

Cattle genetics adapted for efficient grazing and hot weather

The farm works mainly with Brahman and Braford genetics, two breeds well known for their ability to thrive in the heat, humidity, parasites and forage‑based systems typical of the southeastern United States. These genetics are not just a preference; they are a strategic choice that aligns perfectly with the regenerative, low‑input philosophy of the Choctaw model farm. Brahman‑influenced cattle bring natural heat tolerance, parasite resistance and the ability to maintain performance on warm‑season forages. Braford cattle complement these traits with strong maternal ability, good udder quality and longevity. In addition to choosing breeds adapted to the region, Mayeux-Hebert and Hebert apply a strict selection program within the herd. Animals are evaluated for performance, temperament, maternal ability, conformation and calving ease, and any individual that does not meet these criteria is removed from the herd. This continuous selection ensures that each generation becomes better adapted to the farm’s grazing‑based, low‑input environment.

Beyond genetics, the farm’s environment further supports animal comfort and performance. Every pasture contains natural tree shade, providing relief during the hottest months and reducing heat stress.

Cattle health

Cattle health at the Choctaw model farm is based on prevention. Most issues are handled early by Mayeux-Hebert, which keeps the need for veterinary intervention very low. The herd is given a broad vaccination program, receives a yearly deworming to control internal parasites and gets a trace mineral injection at key times to support immune function. Because of this preventive protocol, the healthy environment created on the farm, the use of genetics that are naturally more resistant to parasites and diseases, and the low-stress handling practices, health problems are very rare.

Integration of chicken and cattle

Integrating species is one of the core principles of regenerative agriculture, and the Choctaw model farm has refined a system that combines chickens and cattle in a practical, low‑cost and low‑labor way. Over the years, the Choctaw farm’s owners developed a mobile chicken barn that can be moved across the pastures (Figure 4). The current design requires only a few minutes each morning to check feed and water, collect the eggs and move the barn forward using a four‑wheeler. The eggs are sold through a local agricultural supply store, providing an additional source of income that complements the cattle enterprise. This integrated system contributes directly to pasture health. As the chickens move behind the cattle, they scratch through manure pats, spread organic matter and reduce fly larvae. They also consume a wide variety of insects they encounter, including fire ants, which helps lower pest pressure in the pastures. Their manure adds nutrients to the soil, enhancing soil fertility and supporting the farm’s regenerative goals. Beyond the practical benefits, the presence of chickens adds an enjoyable and dynamic element to daily farm life.

Conclusion

The Choctaw model farm shows how a small cattle operation can become productive and resilient by focusing on soil health, rotational grazing, adapted genetics and consistent proper management. The system works because each practice reinforces the others. Healthy soils support strong forage growth, which keeps cattle performing well on a forage-based diet. Adapted genetics and preventive healthcare reduce the need for treatments and external inputs. Simple infrastructure and low stress handling keep labor and costs low. The farm also demonstrates the value of continuous learning. Mayeux-Hebert and Hebert test ideas, refine what works and collaborate with the LSU AgCenter to generate practical knowledge for Louisiana producers. Their experience shows that regenerative agriculture is not complicated or expensive. It is a set of decisions that builds long-term productivity while keeping the operation profitable and sustainable.

Marcelo Vedovatto, an assistant professor of beef cattle nutrition, is the Mayeux-Hebert Endowed Professor in Applied Beef Cattle Research. He is stationed at the LSU AgCenter Dean Lee Research and Extension Center. Brittany B. Zaunbrecher is an LSU AgCenter agriculture and natural resources extension agent focused on beef cattle and forages for St. Landry, Evangeline, Avoyelles and Allen parishes.

This article appears in the spring 2026 edition of Louisiana Agriculture.

Figure 1: High accumulation of organic matter on the soil surface in pasture areas at the Choctaw model farm. Photo by Marcelo Vedovatto

Figure 2: The Choctaw Model Farm follows Louisiana’s seasons, with annual ryegrass mixed with clover — the most nutritious forage produced on the property — in the winter and spring. In summer and early fall, the pastures shift to warm-season grasses. Photo by Marcelo Vedovatto

Figure 3: The Choctaw farm uses a simple and highly effective mineral and water trough system. The mineral feeder is placed directly beside the water trough, which increases intake and reduces the number of cows that would otherwise underconsume. Photo by Dr. Angela Mayeux-Hebert

Figure 4: The Choctaw farm uses a mobile chicken barn that can be moved across the pastures. Photo by Dr. Angela Mayeux-Hebert

A rainbow crosses above the Choctaw Cattle Company in Sunset. Photo provided by Dr. Angela Mayeux-Hebert

At the Choctaw model farm, permanent fencing exists only around the perimeter of the property, and all internal divisions are created with temporary electric fences, allowing pasture size to change as forage conditions change. Photo provided by Dr. Angela Mayeux-Hebert