Ted Sheely, Owner, Azcal Management Company has been awarded with the 2021 Cotton Grow Cotton Achievement Award.
A graduate from the University of Arizona, Sheely earlier worked on a farm in the San Joaquin Valley – first as an assistant to a foreman, then foreman, ranch manager, and eventually a partners.’”
The lessons learned drive his businesses and industry involvement today, especially in a production environment where water – or the lack, thereof – impacts every decision made on what to grow.
Currently, there are about 1,200 acre of cotton on the Azcal operation. Sheely grows both upland and Pima varieties, including 320 acres of organic Pima. With all Pima acres combined, its about a 50/50 acreage split with upland.
To better manage their own water supply, Azcal has its own water company to help keep track of the farm’s multiple deep wells, along with maintenance.
He was an early participant in the USDA/NASA Ag 20/20 Program, which studied the integration of remote sensing-based tools in precision ag management systems to increase production, efficiency, and improve job quality. He’s also on the board of the Global Farmer Network, a farmer-led, non-profit group that supports free trade and the freedom to choose the tools, technologies, and strategies needed to maximize productivity and profits in a sustainable manner.
