Working Cows - Regenerative Ranching to Maximize Profitability and Soil Health

Tom Williams has been running the Chappell Feedlot in Chappell, Nebraska for more than 30 years. I sat down with him and Doug Gillham to discuss some of the things that the Cow/Calf sector can learn from the Feedlot sector. We talk about vaccination programs, grade and yield considerations, and the importance of low-stress handling.

Will Winter DVM is a veternarian and holistic livestock health advocate. He has spent years lecturing and writing on the subject of optimizing herd health using all natural resources. Subscribe to WCP for Free:WorkingCows.net/Subscribe Contact Will:WillWinter.com willwinterdvm [at] gmail [dot] com

Will Winter DVM is a veternarian and holistic livestock health advocate. He has spent years lecturing and writing on the subject of optimizing herd health using all natural resources.

Amanda Radke is an agvocate, author, speaker, and rancher. She has traveled extensively speaking to ag groups about answering the objections raised by those opposed to agriculture. She joined me to talk about that work today as well as her new book, out today, Faith, Family, Freedom. Get a Custom Engraved Cribbage Board!:Patreon.com/WorkingCows June 7th Soil Health Tour:Mizera Ranch Tour Amanda’s Books:Faith, Family, FreedomThe Soil Quilt

Amanda Radke is an agvocate, author, speaker, and rancher. She has traveled extensively speaking to ag groups about answering the objections raised by those opposed to agriculture. She joined me to talk about that work today as well as her new book, out today, Faith, Family, and Freedom.

Cindy Zenk is the Coordinator for the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition. SDHC is a cutting-edge organization that has been pushing the soil health conversation forward. Cindy joined me to talk about the creation of the South Dakota Grazing Exchange. A tool developed to facilitate the integration of livestock on to crop ground. June 7th Soil Health Tour:Mizera Ranch Tour Relevant Links:South Dakota Soil Health CoalitionSD Grazing Exchange

Cindy Zenk is the Coordinator for the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition. SDHC is a cutting-edge organization that has been pushing the soil health conversation forward. Cindy joined me to talk about the creation of the South Dakota Grazing Exchange. A tool developed to facilitate the integration of livestock on to crop ground.

Cindy Zenk is the Coordinator for the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition. SDHC is a cutting-edge organization that has been pushing the soil health conversation forward. Cindy joined me to talk about

Ken Redman has used linear measuring to analyze thousands of cattle. He joined me to talk about how we can use this tool to speed up the selection process to move our herds toward the goals we have fo

Ken Redman has used linear measuring to analyze thousands of cattle. He joined me to talk about how we can use this tool to speed up the selection process to move our herds toward the goals we have for them more quickly.

Ken Redman has used linear measuring to analyze thousands of cattle. He joined me to talk about how we can use this tool to speed up the selection process to move our herds toward the goals we have for them more quickly. Get a Custom Engraved Cribbage Board!:Patreon.com/WorkingCows Contact Ken: khabc1 [at] yahoo[dot]com

Ken Redman has used linear measuring to analyze thousands of cattle. He joined me to talk about how we can use this tool to speed up the selection process to move our herds toward the goals we have fo

Curt Nelson is a farmer near Brookings, SD. He has been involved on his farm since his birth in 1929. He started driving his first team of horses pulling a corn cultivator at 6 years old. I talked with him and his grandson Darren about the changes he has seen as well as some of what his day-to-day life was like. Subscribe to WCP for Free:WorkingCows.net/Subscribe

Curt Nelson is a farmer near Brookings, SD. He has been involved on his farm since his birth in 1929. He started driving his first team of horses pulling a corn cultivator at 6 years old. I talked with him and his grandson Darren about the changes he has seen as well as some of what his day-to-day life was like.

Scott Hauck ranches with his wife and children near Mancos, CO. He joined me to talk about what makes regenerative agriculture truly regenerative. We talk about his history as well as what truly defines success for us. Get a Custom Engraved Cribbage Board!:Patreon.com/WorkingCows Links Mentioned: More to come. God is good. pic.twitter.com/OdnMPAKhPy — Scott Hauck (@sacredsongfarm) May 2, 2022 SacredSongFarm.com

Scott Hauck ranches with his wife and children near Mancos, CO. He joined me to talk about what makes regenerative agriculture truly regenerative. We talk about his history as well as what truly defines success for us.

Brian Alexander is a rancher from the Red Hills of Kansas and the host of the Ranching Reboot Podcast. He joined me to talk about a concept that comes up late in the Ranching For Profit school called Nature +1. We talk about what the concept is as well as the ways in which Corriente cattle are a fulfilment of that concept. Get a Custom Engraved Cribbage Board!:Patreon.com/WorkingCows Links Mentioned:Red Hills Rancher LinktreeRanching for Profit School

Brian Alexander is a rancher from the Red Hills of Kansas and the host of the Ranching Reboot Podcast. He joined me to talk about a concept that comes up late in the Ranching For Profit school called Nature +1. We talk about what the concept is as well as the ways in which Corriente cattle are a fulfilment of that concept.

Shane Barber of Barber Industries joined me to discuss the balance between a well-executed grazing plan and having employees (family) that love you. We talked about what we sacrifice first as well as how we think about keeping things in perspective. Get a Custom Engraved Cribbage Board!:Patreon.com/WorkingCows Relevant Links:Barber Industries on FacebookBarberIndustries.com

Shane Barber of Barber Industries joined me to discuss the balance between a well-executed grazing plan and having employees (family) that love you. We talked about what we sacrifice first as well as how we think about keeping things in perspective.

Get a Custom Engraved Cribbage Board!:Patreon.com/WorkingCows Relevant Links:RocksideRanch.org/GiveRocksideRanch.org/Podcast Guests’ Previous Episode:Ep. 190 Craig Thompson and Gordon Decker – Rockside Ranch – May 18th, 2021

Craig Thompson and Gordon Decker from Rockside Ranch joined me to talk about Rockside’s new podcast Restoration Matters. We talk about the meaning behind the name as well as the unique approach Rockside takes to addiction recovery.

Doug Ferguson is a sell/buy marketer and a sell/buy marketing intstructor. He joined me to talk about the power of mindset. We talk about the power of positivity, negativity, emotions, and how to make those impulses work for you. Get a Custom Engraved Cribbage Board!:Patreon.com/WorkingCows Links Mentioned:Doug in Beef MagazineDoug’s Marketing SchoolsDoug on Facebook

Doug Ferguson is a sell/buy marketer and a sell/buy marketing instructor. He joined me to talk about the power of mindset. We talk about the power of positivity, negativity, emotions, and how to make those impulses work for you.

Wayne Knight is the Executive Director of Holistic Management International. He joined me to discuss an initiative HMI has undertaken to simplify the monitoring process and increase the likelihood of timely destocking in the event of a drought. Support WCP:WorkingCows.net/Support Relevant Links:HolisticManagement.orgNCDC.NOAA.gov *Click “Download All Months/Years:” below the map Wayne’s Previous Episode:Ep. 180 Wayne Knight – The Practical Impacts of Holistic Management – March 15th, 2021

Wayne Knight is the Executive Director of Holistic Management International. He joined me to discuss an initiative HMI has undertaken to simplify the monitoring process and increase the likelihood of timely destocking in the event of a drought.

Steve Campbell joined me to discuss his bull sale catalog wish list. What information do we wish we would see in bull sale catalogs? How can we go about selecting bulls that will create the most grass-efficient females? We set out to answer these questions and more. Sponsor:DPHBiologicals.com Resources Mentioned:The Bonsma Lectures Steve’s Previous Episodes:Ep. 196 Steve Campbell – Remineralizing Cattle with Salt – June 29th, 2021Ep. 160 Steve Campbell – Selecting the Right Cow – October 25th, 2020

Steve Campbell joined me to discuss his bull sale catalog wish list. What information do we wish we would see in bull sale catalogs? How can we go about selecting bulls that will create the most grass-efficient females? We set out to answer these questions and more.Sponsor:DPHBiologicals.comShow Notes:WorkingCows.net/233

Steve Cote is a stockmanship expert from Idaho. He has traveled extensively putting on stockmanship clinics in the vein of Bud Williams. He joined me to talk about a day of stockmanship. We pick up this conversation where we started last week with Dr. Tom Noffsinger. We start from the corral and talk about our approach to getting cattle through the facilities in which we find ourselves. Part 1 of this Discussion:Ep. 231 Dr. Tom Noffsinger – A Day of Bud Williams Stockmanship pt. 1 Links Mentioned:Steve Cote – Stockmanship and Handling Cattle on the Range (Grandin.com) SteveCoteone1nine(at)gmaildotcom

Steve Cote is a stockmanship expert from Idaho. He has traveled extensively putting on stockmanship clinics in the vein of Bud Williams. He joined me to talk about a day of stockmanship. We pick up this conversation where we started last week with Dr. Tom Noffsinger. We start from the corral and talk about our approach to getting cattle through the facilities in which we find ourselves.

Dr. Tom Noffsinger joined me to start a two-part series on stockmanship in the vein of Bud Williams. We start at the trailers and walkthrough our approach of the cattle all the way to the corrals. We will pick this series up next week with Steve Cote about our approach in the pens and through the chute. Every Episode on One Page:RanchingPodcast.com Relevant Links:Production Animal Consultation Episodes Mentioned:Ep. 174 Hadley Hill – An Unconventional Ranching Biography – February 1st, 2021

Dr. Tom Noffsinger joined me to start a two-part series on stockmanship in the vein of Bud Williams. We start at the trailers and walkthrough our approach of the cattle all the way to the corrals. We will pick this series up next week with Steve Cote about our approach in the pens and through the chute.

Brad Kruse from Wisconsin joined me to discuss his journey from cow/calf, to pigs, to sheep, and finally to honeybees. We talk about the factors that influenced Brad’s decision to look deeper into honeybees as well as how he continues to balance his other enterprises. Subscribe, Rate, and Review:Apple Podcasts Links Mentioned: @krusefarms.brad #honey #honeybees #bees #directmarketing #wisconsin ♬ original sound – user9538974875511 Kamon Reynolds – Tennessee’s BeesThe HoneysteadVino Farm

Amber Kenyon of Gateway Research Organization joined me to talk about the work GRO has been doing on their heifer pasture. We talk about the history of the management and what they are hoping to discover through observation of different grazing system designs. Share WCP:RanchingPodcast.com Links Mentioned:Gateway Research Organization

Floyd and Donna Cammack have been ranching together for 70 years. I sat down with them to capture a portion of their story. We talked about raising kids, survivning the blizzard of ’49, and what it took to live on the prairies when they got started. Start Your Podcast:WorkingCows.net/Contact Pictures from the Episode:

Travis Krause and Frates Seeligson of Grazing Lands joined me to talk about the business of Grass-Finished Beef. We talk about what it takes to find animals that will finish on grass as well as how they are part of a movement to build an ecosystem of regenerative markets. Stoneville Stories:WorkingCows.net/Stoneville Links Mentioned:GrazingLands.com

Audio File Download Link Sage Askin of Askin Land and Livestock near Lusk, WY. He joined me to talk about this experience working with Peruvian Herders for his sheep flocks. We talk about the practicalities of supporting them with supplies, communicating, and working sheep with Peruvian Herders. Contact Us:WorkingCows.net/Contact Contact Sage:AskinLandandLivestock.com

Audio File Download Link Bob Havard, previous podcast guest on episode 98, joins me to catch up. We talk about the shift towards regenerative farming in the UK, the demand for grass finished beef, Bob’s research, and more.Support WCP:Patreon.com/WorkingCowsAmazon Wishlist Links Mentioned:Bob on TwitterDunlouise AngusNufield Scholarship

Erik Glenn of Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultrual Land Trust joined me to talk about the details of making use of Conservation Easements. We talked about what land makes a good candidate for a conservation easement as well as what restrictions are placed on land that is in a conservation easement. Every Episode on One Page:RanchingPodcast.com Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust Resources:ccalt.orgPORT FAQ’s

Bob McBride of McBride Bucking Bulls joined me to talk about the business of bucking bulls. We talk about the process of raising bucking bulls as well as training them, marketing them, and the bull that Bob has raised of which he is most proud. Contact Us:WorkingCows.net/Contact +1(605)549-5401 Links Mentioned:McBride Bucking Bulls on Facebook\

Audio File Download Link Justin Fruechte and Jared Knock joined me for a 2021 postmortem. We talked about the factors affecting agriculture in 2021 as well as a big picture discussion about how agriculture has changed as the West has been settled. Jared and Justin will be with us for a live podcast recording with Steve Kenyon at the 2022 Farm and Ranch Conference in Deadwood, SD January 21st, and 22nd. Contact Us:WorkingCows.net/Contact Links Mentioned:2022 Farm and Ranch Conference Previous Episode:Ep. 187 Justin Fruechte and Jared Knock – Roots and Ruminants Podcast – April 29th, 2021

Audio File Download Link Wally Olson of Ranching.FYI joined me to discuss an interesting statement he made on a recent webinar. He said, “Every ranch needs some sheep.” Wally isn’t great mind in ranching I have heard say this. So, I wanted to know why he thinks this is the case and how people can go about getting into the sheep business. Farm and Ranch Conference:Register Today! Links Mentioned:Ranching.FYIOlsonRanchLLC.com Book Mentioned:

Audio File Download Link Enrique Guerrero is a rancher from Chihuahua, Mexico. He joined me to discuss his recent project in mine land regeneration. We talk about his history of ranching, how he got started with regenerative agriculture, and how the mine land regeneration project got started and went on to win an award for sustainable mining. Sponsor:PorkCheckoff.org/sustainability Award Mentioned:Toward Sustainable Mining Environmental Excellence Award

Audio File Download Link Steve Strasheim is a vegetable farmer in Iowa. He joined me to talk about the mindset it takes to make a living on 2 acres of a vegetable farm. We talk about the business of selling, what works as far as marketing, and how to learn to love selling. Sponsor:DPHBio.com Follow Steve: When we 1st moved into this property in 2018 I only had the garden that is marked with the red dots. It’s about .20 ac in size. When pushed to it’s limit with high value vegetables you could probably make a little over $60k on it if your production and marketing were tight pic.twitter.com/MtushvyesH — Steve Strasheim (@TRFyeomanfarmer) November 10, 2021 TwistedRiverFarm.com Book Mentioned:

Audio File Download Link Bart and Shannon Carmichael run a seed stock operation North of Faith, SD. Over the last several years they have been on a journey to find a cow adapted to their environment. They joined me to talk about that process. We talked about what they have learned, where they have learned it, and the importance of always challenging your own thinking. Sponsor:DPHBio.comAg News Daily’s Tech Tuesday Episode with DPH Biologicals Wedge Tent Angus Ranch Online:WedgeTentRanch.comFacebook

Audio File Download Link Pete Ferrell of Ferrell Ranch and 4L Grazing joined me to discuss the difference between succession and perpetuating an ecological and economic unit that can benefit generations to come. We also talked about the value of separating the land business from the management company as well as ways to create buy-in among those who want to be a part of the business. Sponsor:PorkCheckoff.org/Sustainability Intern at the Ferrell Ranch:2022 Ferrell Ranch Apprenticeship Authors Mentioned:

Audio File Download Link Elaine Froese is a agricultural business transition expert. She joined me to discuss the ways farm families get stuck as well as how they can go about getting unstuck. 2022 Farm and Ranch Conference Registration:Wyoming and South Dakota YF&R Farm and Ranch Conference Follow Elaine:FarmFamilyCoach.com

Audio File Download Link Luke and Natalie Kovarik joined me to discuss how they have used technology to build a business that can scale as first generation operators. We talk about the importance of making use of overheads to produce multiple streams of income as well as tools like Performance Beef and how it has helped them keep track of where they are in their backgrounding operation. Sponsor:PerformanceLivestockAnalytics.com Relevant Links:Performance Beef Digital DemoNatalie on InstagramKovarikCattleCo.com

Luke and Natalie Kovarik joined me to discuss how they have used technology to build a business that can scale as first generation operators. We talk about the importance of making use of overheads to produce multiple streams of income as well as tools like Performance Beef and how it has helped them keep track of where they are in their backgrounding operation.Sponsor:PerformanceLivestockAnalytics.com

Audio File Download Link Steve Kenyon a grazier and educator in Canada joined me to discuss how he manages every year to prepare for a drought. We talked about his approach to grazing in good years and drier years and how he thinks about grazing given the history of a given paddock’s management. Every Episode on One Page:RanchingPodcast.com Links Mentioned: Steve’s Previous Episodes:Ep. 128 Steve Kenyon – The Discipline of Lifelong Learning – February 24th, 2020Ep. 095 Steve Kenyon – The Calendar of the Year-Round Grazier – June 13, 2019Ep. 068 Steve Kenyon – Managing “Waste” in Bale Grazing – January 16th, 2019Ep. 036 Steve Kenyon – Natural Parasite Control – July 3rd, 2018