e58. Grazing on the Wild Side with Christina Traeger

In this episode, Christina Traeger of Rolling Hills Cattle Company shares her journey as a grass farmer from central Minnesota, raising British white cattle, hogs, sheep, and poultry on a grass-based operation. She discusses regenerative farming and innovative livestock management, including the processes of rotational grazing and bale grazing, which she has successfully implemented on her farm. Christina also talks about her experience raising unique Mangalitsa pigs and the challenges of running a farm as a single mom to three kids. She also touches on her experience with grazing cattle on DNR leased land and the positive impact it has on wildlife.

Continue reading e58. Grazing on the Wild Side with Christina Traeger

e57. Grilled Onion Burgers for The Win with Jennifer and Luis Hernandez

In this episode, Jennifer & Luis Hernandez of 3J Farms discuss their journey of reviving their family farm and transforming it into a successful, sustainable grass-fed beef operation. They share the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned from experts, and their future plans, including reintroducing sheep and offering farm stays for an authentic agricultural experience. Jennifer and Luis also share their advice for new farmers, emphasizing the importance of finding a niche and focusing on a few things at a time.

Continue reading e57. Grilled Onion Burgers for The Win with Jennifer and Luis Hernandez

e56. Turning Bedrock into Thriving Grazing Land with Claudia Kaelin

In this episode, Claudia Kaelin shares her experiences raising cattle, goats, and turkeys on Fossil Ridge Farms in Canada, detailing the challenges of grazing on bedrock and the importance of forage utilization. She also discusses the regulations and quotas Canadian farmers must adhere to and the importance of bridging the gap between consumers and their food sources, the personable nature of turkeys, and her experiences with full-blood Limousin cattle. Additionally, Claudia shares invaluable advice on working deliberately, understanding the dangers of moving parts, and taking extra precautions when working with animals.

Continue reading e56. Turning Bedrock into Thriving Grazing Land with Claudia Kaelin

e55. The Power of Observation and Adaptation with Leo Arnold

In this episode, Leo Arnold talks about his journey grazing corn stalks with Stocker cattle in southwest Nebraska. He discusses his educational experiences in the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship and working in New Zealand, as well as the invaluable lessons gained from the Greg Judy Advanced Grazing School. We also delve into the differences in pasture management between the East and West coasts of New Zealand, exploring the use of nitrogen and fertilizer, various farm types, and calf rearing techniques. Lastly, we discuss the benefits of attending Wally Olson’s marketing school, attending grazing schools, and the importance of record keeping for tracking progress and investment returns in agriculture.

Continue reading e55. The Power of Observation and Adaptation with Leo Arnold

e54. A Desert Rancher’s Journey with Javier Mesta

In this episode, Javier Mesta, a rancher from Chihuahua, Mexico, shares his inspiring journey of transforming a 3,000-acre desert ranch through high-density grazing. By effectively managing the land and avoiding overgrazing, Javier has increased his stocking rate by 2.5 times and plans to double it once more. He discusses the challenges and rewards of managing a ranch in a desert environment, the importance of proper grazing, and how high-density grazing can lead to better regeneration of grasslands and improved land value. Javier also shares his experience with obtaining carbon credits, the certification process, and the use of satellite technology to monitor carbon capture on individual ranches.

Continue reading e54. A Desert Rancher’s Journey with Javier Mesta

e53. Racing to Greener Pastures with Taylor Moyer

In this episode, Taylor Moyer, owner of Ridgeview Land and Cattle, shares his journey in agriculture and innovative cattle management while balancing his career in NASCAR. From observing the land before making changes to utilizing technology for automation and monitoring, Taylor discusses his approach to rotational grazing, cattle herd development, and artificial insemination. They also explore the benefits of bale grazing for regenerating farm ground and the importance of networking and advocating for agriculture through social media. Tune in for a fascinating conversation on farming, business, and the passion for a rural lifestyle.

Continue reading e53. Racing to Greener Pastures with Taylor Moyer

e52. Adapting Ranching Practices for a Sustainable Future with Brian Alexander

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of ranching, exploring topics such as the evolution of ranching practices, managing drought risk, custom grazing, adapting cattle to changing environments, and marketing cow-calf operations direct to consumers. I speak with Brian, a rancher from South Central Kansas, about his journey and experiences in the industry. We touch upon the importance of preserving water resources, the use of solar wells, the benefits of Corriente cattle, and the value of connecting directly with consumers. We also discuss the potential of using platforms like Hipcamp and LandTrust to generate income from ranch properties and the importance of rural community outreach. Join us as we explore the ins and outs of ranching and the creative solutions ranchers must implement to ensure their business remains viable during difficult times.

Continue reading e52. Adapting Ranching Practices for a Sustainable Future with Brian Alexander

e51. The Regen Ranch Story: A Holistic Approach to Sustainable and Profitable Livestock Management with Christine Martin

In this episode, Christine Martin shared her journey from homesteading to operating the Regen Ranch in East Texas. She discusses how her health issues led her to clean up her diet and start producing her own food. Christine also talks about holistic management, which helped her shift from homesteading to running a profitable ranch. She shares her experience with managing livestock, parasite loads, and proper infrastructure, as well as using turkeys to mitigate parasite load in sheep. In addition, Christine discusses direct-to-consumer marketing strategies for selling sheep and turkey products, focusing on farmers’ markets and online shipping. She also touched on the concept of planned grazing, which allows for better recovery and management of the land.

Continue reading e51. The Regen Ranch Story: A Holistic Approach to Sustainable and Profitable Livestock Management with Christine Martin

e50. Exploring the Power of Regenerative Ranching and Agro-tourism in California with Dana Wilson

In this episode, we dive into the world of rotational grazing, land management, and sustainable farming practices on a California ranch. We explore the journey of Dana Wilson and her family as they manage their forty-acre property with Highland cattle, meat goats, chickens, and ducks. We discuss the importance of water management and the challenges of managing different sized animals with electric fencing. We also talk about the benefits of goats and Highland cattle in browsing and land management, as well as the potential of agro-tourism as a way to diversify income streams and promote sustainable farming practices. Join us as we learn from Dana’s experiences and insights in land management and livestock care, and explore the opportunities and challenges faced in providing grass-finished vintage beef and goat meat to a diverse market in California.

Continue reading e50. Exploring the Power of Regenerative Ranching and Agro-tourism in California with Dana Wilson

e49. Regenerative Farming and Livestock Management at Greenacres Foundation with Leevi Stump

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Leevi Stump, Livestock Manager at Greenacres Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio. We discussed the regenerative farming practices they use at Greenacres, including raising a variety of livestock such as grass-fed and finished beef and sheep, pasture-raised chickens and turkeys, and heritage pigs. We explored the benefits of using smaller breed genetics like Aberdeen Angus for grass-fed and finished cattle operations, as well as the importance of rotational grazing and avoiding herbicides and pesticides for overall soil health and ecology. We also delved into the management and integration of various livestock species on the farm, such as integrating sheep into the cattle herd, creating a “flerd,” and the potential benefits of parasite control and protection from predators. Additionally, we discussed the process of raising meat birds on pasture, ensuring their health and wellbeing through the use of chicken tractors and diverse diets. We also touched on their turkey operation, focusing on the broad-breasted bronze breed, and the growth of their pig enterprise. Finally, we explored the use of pigs on the farm to disrupt and root up invasive honeysuckle in wooded areas, improving the overall quality of the land for other livestock species. We also highlighted various resources and books related to grazing and regenerative farming, emphasizing the importance of time management, creating a game plan, and having a supportive team in the farming industry. Join me as I learn more about Greenacres and their incredible work in regenerative farming practices and livestock management.

Continue reading e49. Regenerative Farming and Livestock Management at Greenacres Foundation with Leevi Stump