In 1988, John and Mike began a farming joint venture with Pete Taggares (Taggares Farms) in Oregon and took-over management of the alfalfa farming operations. This venture was called TACX. Over the next 5 years, TACX increased alfalfa production from 1,800 acres to over 12,000 acres (75,000 tons annually) thus producing a controlled supply of forage that contributed to their growth to become the largest exporter of forage and roughage in the industry. During more than 10 years in which John and Mike managed TACX, they honed and perfected numerous farm management disciplines including:
- Soil analysis and fertilization of fields
- Ground preparation and planting
- Seed variety determination and pounds per acre input
- Herbicide and Insecticide application for weed and insect control
- Water amounts and schedules
- Harvest equipment selection, purchase and maintenance
- Harvest crew hiring and training
- Cutting and harvesting schedules
- Storage and processing facilities and equipment
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles related specifically to farming
In 2012, John and Mike started subsidiary Al Dahra Farms USA which is now wholly owned by Al Dahra ACX Global. The farm became the largest subsurface drip irrigation alfalfa farm in the United States with over 5,000 owned or controlled alfalfa acres in Arizona and California. Al Dahra Farms USA systems and processes were designed to control all factors related to traceability of product from seed to harvest to market and ensure compliance with any overseas phytosanitary, GMO, or other PPQ regulation. Through Al Dahra Farms USA, John and Mike honed their agricultural management skills on a global basis with the ability to manage farms, logistics, and marketing from “cradle to grave,” meaning, locate the dirt, perform the due diligence, establish the water rights, develop and manage the farm, and market the hay products to export customers.