Working Cows - Regenerative Ranching to Maximize Profitability and Soil Health

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

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.

Audio File Download Link Aaron and Tara Helmick joined me to talk about the journey they have been on toward radically transforming their business. We talk about what facilitated that change, how they decided which direction to head, and some of the lessons they have learned on the road less traveled. Sponsor:PerformanceBeef.com Relevant Links:Ranching for ProfitSoil Health AcademyRFP Online Registration

Aaron and Tara Helmick joined me to talk about the journey they have been on toward radically transforming their business. We talk about what facilitated that change, how they decided which direction to head, and some of the lessons they have learned on the road less traveled.

Roger and Betsy Indreland of Indreland Angus near Big Timber, MT joined me to talk about the journey they have been on to rejuvinate soil health on the landscape they manage. We talk about the use of different soil ammendments and how they have kickstarted their soil health and their plan to use grazing to maintain the gains they have seen in production and landscape health.Take the Survey:https://bit.ly/2ZfpXnX

Wyatt Donald is a key decision maker at Cayuse Livestock Co. near Big Timber, MT. This is a ranch that manages land in multiple locations with people from outside the family in different states. We talked about the what goes into management of all those moving parts.Sponsor:PerformanceLivestockAnalytics.com

Aaron Berger, an Extension Educator from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, joined me to answer a listener question regarding ranching as a side hustle. How do we do it well? What are the challenges? What enterprise lends itself to fitting into a side hustle?

Margaret Byfield is the Executive Director for American Stewards for Liberty an organization committed to protecting property rights. Specifically they focus on helping agriculturalists respond to Federal overreach into their lands and operations.

Jared and Marion Wine are first generation stocker operators from near Corpus Christi, TX. We talked about what it takes to get started as a first generation couple. We also talked about how they are using technology like Performance Beef and social media as part of their operation.

Chad and Crystal Berg are living nomadically and working to develop a platform where ranchers can develop relationships with the end consumers of their beef. They sat down with my wife and I to talk about a wide range of subjects from property rights, to beef consumption in urban areas, to the role of the church in society.

Ryan Noble, a rancher in Eastern Colorado, joined me to discuss how they make use of the information contained in EPDs. We talk about what the numbers mean and what numbers matter most when trying to organize a profitable ranching business.

Dr. Jonathan Lundgren is and agroecologist and the CEO of Blue Dasher Farm near Estelline, SD. He joined me to discuss the role of bugs on the landscapes we managed. We talked about how to invite beneficial bugs and how to mitigate the damage of less desirable bugs.

Derek Schwanebeck welcomed me into his office to talk about what they have been doing with Corriente cattle on their ranch in the Sandhills of Nebraska. We talked about the advantages and disadvantages as well as why they are getting out of cow/calf all together.

Hugh Ingalls is a rancher along Stoneville Road in western South Dakota. He was born in 1929 and has been managing his family ranch for nearly 70 years. We sat down at his kitchen table to talk about some of the history he has witnessed and lived.

Spud Lemmel has been making management decisions on the prairies of western South Dakota for nearly 70 years. I sat down with him to discuss how ranching has changed in that time and how it has stayed the same. We talk about living in sheep wagons, and fighting fires, as well as why it is more difficult to get started now.

David and Janet Paul have been partners in life, agriculture, and family for nearly 60 years. They have been through lean times and times of plenty. We sat down to document a portion of that history in part of a new series.

My Beautiful Wife, the mother of my children, and my best friend Miranda Conry joined me today to talk about some of the challenges we have been facing in the 2021 drought season. We talk about grazing strategy, culling strategy, and custom grazing strategy.

Shanon Sims a rancher from McFadden, WY. He joined me to discuss the motiviations and process of starting to raise the bulls they use in their operation.

Dallas Mount, CEO of Ranch Management Consultants, joined me to discuss some strategies and resources for succession success. We talked about how to start the conversation, restart the conversation, and when to start the conversation. We also touched on an upcoming opportunity to attend a Succession Planning Workshop hosted by RMC and taught by Dallas Mount and Dave Pratt.

Craig Guffey of Swearngin Angus in Lawrence, KS joined me to share his perspective on the EPD. We talk about it’s origins, how it has been misused and misunderstood. We also talk about the alternatives and what to look for in a profitable cow.

Steve Campbell joined me again to talk about an out of the box approach to delivering minerals to cattle. We talk about the things affecting cow health as well as the things to avoid when looking for quality cattle minerals.

Troy Bishopp is a farmer, a husband, a father, and a grandfather. He joined me to discuss the process of moving from a dairy with forage to a custom grazing business in central New York. We talk about the differences between farming in the East and ranching in the West. We also touch on some the myths about the differences between the two regions.

Austin Troyer is a first generation rancher in Ohio. He and his wife have gotten their start by finding undervalued land and putting the work in to make it usable. We talk about the process of obtaining these leases as well as getting them ready for livestock and finding the right class of livestock to take advantage of the topography and forage.

Greg Christiansen of Grandview Livestock in Eastern Kansas joined me to discuss the benefits and challenges of incorporating goats and sheep into a commercial cattle operation. We talk about how goats are good for land than trends toward brush as well as the opportunities that exist to incorporate goats into land that is currently only being grazed by cattle.

Elaine Froese is a farm coach with 30 years of experience helping families facilitate healthy relationships. She joined me to discuss the process of getting the succession planning discussion started as well as some realistic goals and expectations. We also take some voicemails about getting people to join in the discussion and what to do when someone wants to change the agreement.

Mother-Daughter pair Leann Schafer and Chelsey Erdmann are Proud 5th and 6th generation on the farm, feedlot, cow-calf, and Purina feed dealership operation in central North Dakota. Their family farm got its start in 1893. Today it continues to be a family business with four generations involved daily. The opportunity to work close to and see family every day is the best part of their business. After working off farm following college, Chelsey left a job she enjoyed to invest in her family farm dreams. Her grandparents’ retirement opened a role for her and her brother to get started farming. Both Chelsey and Leann are actively involved every day. During feeding season they run the feed wagon, get their hands dirty and make the important decisions. The balance in their family business with a variety of perspectives is part of what makes it work and keeps it well rounded.

Craig Thompson and Gordon Decker joined me to talk about how agriculture is a great place for men in crisis to experience life change. We talk about how they are approaching this at Rockside Ranch as well as future expansion goals for the ministry.

Zack Smith joined me to discuss the progress on bringing the Cluster Cluck 5000 to market and scale the practice of Stock Cropping. We also talk about the economic benefits from the first year of the experiment plot.

Don Campbell is a legend of Canadian Holistic Management. He has been involved in all levels of Holistic Management International in Canada since the early days of it existence. Don joined me to talk about how HMI thinks about the grazing principles. We talk about how Don has seen the carrying capacity of his ranch nearly tripled with this management style. Don has a refreshing people first approach to management and grazing.

Justin Fruechte and Jared Knock, hosts of the new Roots and Ruminants podcast, joined me to talk about why they chose those two entities as their foci for their podcast. We also discuss the opportunities that exist on annual crop ground. To close out the show we answer a couple of questions from the private Facebook Group the “Working Cows Microbiome.”

Logan Pribbeno, a rancher at the Wine Glass Ranch in Southwest Nebraska, joined me to discuss their use of grazing exclusion cages. We talked about how and why they use them as well as what decisions are influenced by the process of range monitoring. Logan and I also discuss the advantages of being a second generation manager in a regenerative system.

James Rogers, a ranch manager and consultant, joined me to discuss the truth under regenerative agriculture. We talk about our understanding of God’s hand in designing a good world that works well when it is managed in a way that cooperates with the resources He provides.

Mike Seely, Co-Founder and CEO of Native Microbials, and Mallory Embree, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at Native Microbials, joined me to discuss the products they currently have on offer and those they will be bringing to market early in 2022. We talked about how they work, how they are administered, and how they are different from the current regime of supplements on the market.

Austin Hart of Redd Summit Insurance joined me to discuss the benefits of Pasture Rangeland and Forage Insurance. We talk about how it works and some of the success stories and strategies Austin has seen employed.