Join us as we welcome Tyler and Justin to the Grazing Grass Podcast, where we explore the multi-generational farming legacy of their family in Yakima Valley, Washington. We kick off by discussing how their father began the family farm in the early 1990s and how Tyler and Justin now manage the operation, with Tyler overseeing livestock and Justin focusing on farming. The conversation touches on the integration of the third and fourth generations into the family business and shares historical anecdotes about the challenges their grandfather faced. With Yakima Valley's unique climate and irrigation systems, we also learn about the region's resilience through tough times like the Depression and Dust Bowl.
As we navigate through their journey, the focus shifts to family farming expansion and diversification. Tyler and Justin share personal stories of growing up on a farm and the varied paths their family members have taken. They highlight the humorous challenges of raising pasture pigs and the essential skills like welding that have supported their farming endeavors. The discussion is rich with insights into integrating children into farm life and managing livestock with distinct personalities, offering a unique charm to the farming experience.
Our engaging dialogue continues as we explore livestock expansion, modern challenges, and the intricacies of livestock management and adaptation. Listen in as we discuss the transition from traditional farming practices, the strategic breeding of sheep for hardiness, and innovative grazing techniques. Tyler and Justin share their experiences with irrigation systems and the complexities of rotational grazing. For those interested in starting a farming venture, we provide practical advice and emphasize the importance of hands-on experience. Don't miss this insightful episode, filled with valuable lessons and a deep appreciation for the rich farming history of Yakima Valley.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Cascade Sheep and Cattle Company
Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute
Redmond
Kencove Farm Fence
NOTE This file was generated by Descript
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 Welcome to the grazing grass podcast.
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 Episode 137.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:07 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: I would tell them to go work for
00:00:07 --> 00:00:12 somebody for a year doing what exactly what they think they want to do
00:00:12 --> 00:00:15 Cal: You're listening to the grazing grass, podcast, sharing
00:00:15 --> 00:00:19 information and stories of grass-based livestock production
00:00:19 --> 00:00:21 utilizing regenerative practices.
00:00:21 --> 00:00:24 I'm your host, Cal Hardage.
00:00:25 --> 00:00:27 You're growing more than grass.
00:00:28 --> 00:00:32 You're growing a healthier ecosystem to help your cattle
00:00:32 --> 00:00:33 thrive in their environment.
00:00:34 --> 00:00:38 You're growing your livelihood by increasing your carrying capacity
00:00:38 --> 00:00:40 and reducing your operating costs.
00:00:41 --> 00:00:46 You're growing stronger communities and a legacy to last generations.
00:00:47 --> 00:00:50 The grazing management decisions you make today.
00:00:50 --> 00:00:56 impact everything from the soil beneath your feet to the community all around you.
00:00:56 --> 00:01:01 That's why the Noble Research Institute created their Essentials
00:01:01 --> 00:01:07 of Regenerative Grazing course to teach ranchers like you easy to follow
00:01:07 --> 00:01:13 techniques to quickly assess your forage production and infrastructure capacity.
00:01:13 --> 00:01:17 In order to begin grazing more efficiently.
00:01:17 --> 00:01:22 Together, they can help you grow not only a healthier operation,
00:01:22 --> 00:01:24 but a legacy that lasts.
00:01:25 --> 00:01:28 Learn more on their website at noble.
00:01:29 --> 00:01:30 org slash grazing.
00:01:30 --> 00:01:38 It's n o b l e dot org forward slash grazing.
00:01:38 --> 00:01:38 On today's show.
00:01:38 --> 00:01:42 We have Tyler and Justin Waitington from cascade, sheep
00:01:42 --> 00:01:44 and cattle company in Washington.
00:01:45 --> 00:01:47 We share about their journey.
00:01:47 --> 00:01:50 Actually, we reminisce about days gone by.
00:01:51 --> 00:01:53 Then we talked about their operation, what they're doing now.
00:01:54 --> 00:02:00 We get into the overgrazing section and we talk about grazing and irrigated pastures.
00:02:00 --> 00:02:01 And how's that working.
00:02:02 --> 00:02:04 Then we wrap up with the famous four questions.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:06 It's really good episode.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:07 I think you'll enjoy it.
00:02:08 --> 00:02:11 For 10 seconds about the farm.
00:02:11 --> 00:02:14 I don't really have anything to update.
00:02:15 --> 00:02:17 And I really don't want to complain about the lack of rain.
00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 So we're just going to move on.
00:02:20 --> 00:02:22 10 seconds about the podcast.
00:02:22 --> 00:02:24 For those people who purchased shirts.
00:02:24 --> 00:02:25 Thank you.
00:02:25 --> 00:02:28 Um, I do realize, you know, with shipping and everything, no
00:02:28 --> 00:02:31 shirts costs get high quickly.
00:02:32 --> 00:02:33 Uh, so I was thinking about it.
00:02:34 --> 00:02:38 If you like the artwork on those shirts, I added that to the Etsy store.
00:02:38 --> 00:02:40 You can download just the digital file.
00:02:41 --> 00:02:43 And take it to a local print shop.
00:02:44 --> 00:02:46 Um, I do support local.
00:02:46 --> 00:02:49 That's one reason we have a local homestead printing out
00:02:49 --> 00:02:50 our shirts for us right now.
00:02:50 --> 00:02:55 Um, But if you would rather not spend that money for a shirt and you would
00:02:55 --> 00:02:58 just want to buy the the artwork.
00:02:58 --> 00:02:59 Take it in and get it printed.
00:03:00 --> 00:03:02 I have that up on the Merch store as well.
00:03:02 --> 00:03:06 So you can just go grazing grass, click on Merch and be able to do that.
00:03:07 --> 00:03:13 I got to join Jared last week on ag Steward's profitable mindset series.
00:03:13 --> 00:03:14 I think I got that.
00:03:14 --> 00:03:14 All right.
00:03:14 --> 00:03:15 Uh, really good.
00:03:16 --> 00:03:16 Enjoyed it.
00:03:16 --> 00:03:17 I say really good.
00:03:17 --> 00:03:21 I did a speaking, so maybe, maybe not so good.
00:03:21 --> 00:03:21 I enjoyed it.
00:03:21 --> 00:03:24 I thought it, it went over good.
00:03:24 --> 00:03:29 Um, that should be out in the near future on his channel.
00:03:29 --> 00:03:30 So podcasts.
00:03:30 --> 00:03:31 So you have to check that out.
00:03:32 --> 00:03:34 Also one more thing about the podcast.
00:03:35 --> 00:03:36 It's really about grazing grass insiders.
00:03:37 --> 00:03:40 We will be announcing the date for the October Grazing
00:03:40 --> 00:03:42 Grass Insider zoom meeting.
00:03:42 --> 00:03:43 Uh, soon.
00:03:44 --> 00:03:46 Probably next week right here on this podcast.
00:03:47 --> 00:03:50 So that's coming up and we're going to get those zoom we need started.
00:03:50 --> 00:03:52 Like I've been planning for way too long.
00:03:52 --> 00:03:53 Anyway.
00:03:53 --> 00:03:54 Enough about that.
00:03:55 --> 00:03:57 Let's talk to Tyler and Justin.
00:03:57 --> 00:03:58 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Tyler and Justin, we want to welcome
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 you to the Grazing Grass Podcast.
00:04:00 --> 00:04:01 We're excited you're here today.
00:04:01 --> 00:04:01 We
00:04:03 --> 00:04:04 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Thanks for having us.
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 I'm glad we could glad we could do this.
00:04:06 --> 00:04:06 Yeah.
00:04:06 --> 00:04:07 Yeah.
00:04:07 --> 00:04:08 I put it off a little bit.
00:04:08 --> 00:04:12 We got really busy and glad we were finally able to pull this together.
00:04:13 --> 00:04:16 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: have farming, cattle, livestock, it's like that.
00:04:16 --> 00:04:20 At times you can't catch your tail and other times you may
00:04:20 --> 00:04:21 have a little bit more time.
00:04:21 --> 00:04:24 I find a lot of times I'm too busy and I don't get to everything.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:25 That's me.
00:04:26 --> 00:04:30 To get started, can you tell us a little bit about yourselves and your operation?
00:04:32 --> 00:04:33 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Go ahead first.
00:04:33 --> 00:04:35 Well, we're basically second generation.
00:04:37 --> 00:04:41 Our dad started it back in the early nineties he's
00:04:41 --> 00:04:42 pretty much semi retired now.
00:04:42 --> 00:04:45 Tyler and I run the stuff.
00:04:45 --> 00:04:47 It's a pretty even split somewhat.
00:04:47 --> 00:04:52 I run the farming end of things mostly and Tyler oversees more
00:04:52 --> 00:04:54 of the livestock side of things.
00:04:56 --> 00:04:59 We come together and help on quite a bit of stuff though, of course, and
00:05:00 --> 00:05:05 discuss and talk about how we can make both of these things really integrate
00:05:05 --> 00:05:10 real well, but that's the day to day stuff I run the farming side of it and
00:05:10 --> 00:05:11 Tyler runs the livestock side of it.
00:05:13 --> 00:05:20 Yeah, and so my second oldest son came back to the farm last spring.
00:05:20 --> 00:05:21 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
00:05:21 --> 00:05:23 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: third generation's on the farm and
00:05:23 --> 00:05:26 then just had a little baby boy.
00:05:26 --> 00:05:28 So now the fourth generation's on the farm.
00:05:29 --> 00:05:33 our grandfather started farming in this, in the valley here, but he never
00:05:33 --> 00:05:35 was able to get a go of it on his own.
00:05:35 --> 00:05:35 He,
00:05:35 --> 00:05:36 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
00:05:36 --> 00:05:36 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: out.
00:05:37 --> 00:05:42 On his own and natural disasters wiped him out, which is funny because the one
00:05:42 --> 00:05:46 crop he lost was to a hailstorm, and that's the only time we've had a hailstorm
00:05:46 --> 00:05:49 that came in at that time of the year and wiped crops out in this valley.
00:05:51 --> 00:05:52 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, wow.
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: He tried it, but he just ended up
00:05:54 --> 00:05:57 being a farm waiver his whole life.
00:05:57 --> 00:06:00 And then my dad able to get going on it.
00:06:00 --> 00:06:01 Wow.
00:06:03 --> 00:06:04 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Very good.
00:06:04 --> 00:06:10 Not that this is about me, but I was talking to my dad the other day about My
00:06:10 --> 00:06:16 great great grandfather and he went into the depression and the dustbowl years with
00:06:16 --> 00:06:19 40 sections of land out in West Texas.
00:06:20 --> 00:06:25 And he had a lot of stock in the market and he finished it with 10 sections.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:31 And so he took a major hit and then he passed away and he had 10 kids.
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 So everything gets divided up.
00:06:33 --> 00:06:34 You know how it works, but
00:06:35 --> 00:06:35 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Yeah.
00:06:35 --> 00:06:36 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: yeah, those
00:06:37 --> 00:06:39 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: 75 percent of the family farm.
00:06:40 --> 00:06:41 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: yeah.
00:06:41 --> 00:06:41 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Wow.
00:06:42 --> 00:06:43 interesting.
00:06:43 --> 00:06:47 You bring that up an old, the farmer that my grandpa ended up working
00:06:47 --> 00:06:49 for the most time of the years.
00:06:50 --> 00:06:52 I remember visiting with him a couple of years ago when he was
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 really young during the depression,
00:06:54 --> 00:06:55 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yes.
00:06:55 --> 00:06:58 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: he said that this valley was never
00:06:58 --> 00:07:03 hurting because the irrigation never stopped and they grew a lot of spuds
00:07:04 --> 00:07:04 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yes.
00:07:04 --> 00:07:07 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: They ship spuds actually all over the world.
00:07:08 --> 00:07:12 He said they were shipping spuds into France, helping to support the
00:07:12 --> 00:07:18 French resistance, they sent back a special boxcar that was dedicated
00:07:18 --> 00:07:21 to the farmers of the valley that used to be on display here.
00:07:21 --> 00:07:22 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
00:07:22 --> 00:07:25 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: But he said it was Because of
00:07:25 --> 00:07:28 the irrigation, he said, he said the valley never stopped ticking.
00:07:29 --> 00:07:32 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, interesting, and that brings up a great question.
00:07:32 --> 00:07:33 Where are you all located?
00:07:34 --> 00:07:35 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Yakima Valley.
00:07:35 --> 00:07:38 We're central Washington, Yakima Valley.
00:07:38 --> 00:07:38 Yeah.
00:07:38 --> 00:07:39 South Central.
00:07:39 --> 00:07:40 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: South Central.
00:07:40 --> 00:07:40 Okay.
00:07:41 --> 00:07:42 Well, I was about to ask.
00:07:42 --> 00:07:44 I'm not familiar with Washington.
00:07:44 --> 00:07:45 I was going to say, is that East or West?
00:07:46 --> 00:07:50 But I know West is rough land over there.
00:07:50 --> 00:07:53 Not too much farming going on over there is my belief.
00:07:53 --> 00:07:56 Now, I'm very, I have not been to Washington, so.
00:07:56 --> 00:07:56 Oh,
00:07:57 --> 00:07:59 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: So, Cascade, the Cascade
00:07:59 --> 00:08:01 Mountains split the state in half.
00:08:01 --> 00:08:05 So you got the west side, which is evergreens and lots of rain
00:08:06 --> 00:08:10 Seattle and the west side is more of the coastal and then you have us on the
00:08:10 --> 00:08:11 east side, which is more of a desert.
00:08:12 --> 00:08:12 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: We have an annual rainfall of about seven
00:08:14 --> 00:08:16 inches, seven and a half inches right in
00:08:16 --> 00:08:17 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
00:08:17 --> 00:08:19 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: the irrigation project this
00:08:19 --> 00:08:21 valley would dry up and blow away.
00:08:21 --> 00:08:22 There, there wouldn't be anything.
00:08:23 --> 00:08:26 should clarify that there it's actually annual precipitation,
00:08:26 --> 00:08:27 not just the rainfall.
00:08:27 --> 00:08:28 Right, annual precipitation.
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 Accumulation of snow and rain.
00:08:30 --> 00:08:31 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
00:08:31 --> 00:08:33 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: And so it is funny because you, we
00:08:33 --> 00:08:38 can drive about an hour and a half and they'll get 40 inches of rain over there.
00:08:38 --> 00:08:42 In Seattle there's one area that is actually what they
00:08:42 --> 00:08:43 call a protected rainforest.
00:08:43 --> 00:08:44 They just get
00:08:45 --> 00:08:45 there.
00:08:45 --> 00:08:46 Yeah.
00:08:46 --> 00:08:47 Oh yeah.
00:08:47 --> 00:08:48 Peninsula.
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: That's very interesting.
00:08:51 --> 00:08:54 So you all mentioned your dad got started in the early 90s.
00:08:54 --> 00:08:56 Was he focused on the farming side?
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Yes.
00:08:59 --> 00:08:59 Yeah.
00:08:59 --> 00:08:59 Yeah.
00:08:59 --> 00:09:04 He was we started with 18 acres of an old alfalfa field
00:09:05 --> 00:09:05 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah
00:09:06 --> 00:09:09 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: We picked up a PTO pump and was
00:09:09 --> 00:09:13 that an H, an old H tractor that had a hand crank on the front?
00:09:13 --> 00:09:14 An old
00:09:14 --> 00:09:15 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
00:09:15 --> 00:09:17 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: And and hand line out there.
00:09:17 --> 00:09:19 And my brother and I, we were out there changing this.
00:09:21 --> 00:09:24 It's just one 32 joint, three inch aluminum hand lines.
00:09:25 --> 00:09:26 And that's the first summer.
00:09:26 --> 00:09:27 That's what we started with.
00:09:27 --> 00:09:30 And my grandpa, and that tractor was dual purpose.
00:09:30 --> 00:09:34 So it ran the pump and then we would unhook from it and hook up to the pipe
00:09:34 --> 00:09:36 trailer and then pick up the hand line.
00:09:37 --> 00:09:39 Take it back to the beginning of the field and lay it out and my grandpa would
00:09:39 --> 00:09:42 drive that tractor while Justin and I loaded it and unloaded it, laid it out
00:09:43 --> 00:09:47 irrigated across and so yeah, that's what we first started with that first summer.
00:09:47 --> 00:09:49 I didn't have a driver's license yet.
00:09:49 --> 00:09:49 I'm the older brother.
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 I'm two and a half years older than Tyler.
00:09:51 --> 00:09:57 So grandpa, So would would drive us out to the field and we'd change the hand line.
00:09:57 --> 00:10:00 And then my dad also picked up some custom work, a little bit of,
00:10:01 --> 00:10:04 We just had a, an old swather, a baler and a harrow bed.
00:10:04 --> 00:10:06 And that's what he started with.
00:10:07 --> 00:10:10 And yeah, I don't, be possible today.
00:10:10 --> 00:10:13 There's no way you would start anywhere farming like that now, but.
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 40 years ago, almost 40 years ago, you could do that.
00:10:18 --> 00:10:19 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Yeah, that's crazy.
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 When you it's crazy.
00:10:20 --> 00:10:24 When you start figuring how many years ago that was now One thing
00:10:24 --> 00:10:25 that I think is interesting.
00:10:25 --> 00:10:28 So you both were back there working on your dad's farm
00:10:28 --> 00:10:31 helping him I grew up on a dairy.
00:10:32 --> 00:10:36 I have two siblings and as soon as they could get away from the dairy
00:10:37 --> 00:10:41 They took off running and I don't think they've looked back yet.
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 I left and came back.
00:10:42 --> 00:10:46 So I wasn't the smartest one or I don't know.
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 You can decide that.
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 Why are you all there now?
00:10:49 --> 00:10:50 Did you all stay the whole time?
00:10:51 --> 00:10:53 Did you always know you wanted to be there?
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: no, we didn't.
00:10:56 --> 00:10:57 Justin left.
00:10:57 --> 00:11:02 I was still, the summer I was 15, he left and he worked some other
00:11:02 --> 00:11:07 places and then I left right, a couple months before I turned 18.
00:11:07 --> 00:11:13 I left and He came back, he was just gone two winters, two different winters.
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 years.
00:11:15 --> 00:11:20 Yeah, and so I didn't come back until I was and then left again when I
00:11:20 --> 00:11:26 was 29, to work on some other ranches in Montana for a couple years too.
00:11:27 --> 00:11:30 So yeah, we've had stints outside the farm,
00:11:31 --> 00:11:33 Not really much outside of agriculture though.
00:11:34 --> 00:11:36 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Well, that was my next question.
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 Justin, was it all in ag?
00:11:38 --> 00:11:41 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Now, I spent a few years off and on
00:11:41 --> 00:11:46 in welding shops, fabricating shops, machine shops, some manual lathes,
00:11:46 --> 00:11:48 manual mills for a couple of years.
00:11:50 --> 00:11:54 and then when I was in Montana, In Miles City, Montana, I worked a
00:11:54 --> 00:11:56 winter there in a farm weld shop, too.
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: I've done a lot of welding,
00:11:58 --> 00:12:00 fabricating, stuff like that.
00:12:00 --> 00:12:02 Yeah, but it ends up correlating
00:12:03 --> 00:12:05 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Justin, good job on getting Tyler
00:12:05 --> 00:12:07 get that welding experience.
00:12:07 --> 00:12:09 That means he does the welding to fix stuff.
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Absolutely.
00:12:11 --> 00:12:15 Yeah, I can make two pieces of metal stick together, but that's
00:12:15 --> 00:12:17 about as far as I could call it.
00:12:17 --> 00:12:19 Yeah,
00:12:19 --> 00:12:19 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: ability.
00:12:19 --> 00:12:22 I can stick them together and I guarantee it.
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 When it breaks, I'll weld it again.
00:12:25 --> 00:12:30 So when did y'all were farming, y'all came home had the farm expanded at that time?
00:12:30 --> 00:12:32 So there was room for you all?
00:12:33 --> 00:12:36 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: think it was in the process of expanding.
00:12:37 --> 00:12:43 yeah, it was by the Harry's place was first.
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 I wasn't here.
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 Yeah, it was working here and Uncle Ben.
00:12:46 --> 00:12:51 We had two uncles working here and well, it's hard to nail all that
00:12:51 --> 00:12:53 down because my dad is a visionary.
00:12:54 --> 00:12:54 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yes.
00:12:54 --> 00:12:56 Oh yeah.
00:12:57 --> 00:12:59 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: whether it's plausible or not at times.
00:12:59 --> 00:13:03 We've passed up on some deals that we probably shouldn't have took
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 some deals that we shouldn't have.
00:13:04 --> 00:13:07 Maybe, I don't know, we're still floating.
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 Thanks be to the Lord.
00:13:08 --> 00:13:11 But so there's always been different types of expansions.
00:13:12 --> 00:13:14 Like we just expanded the sheet block.
00:13:16 --> 00:13:18 so we're up to 800 ewes right now.
00:13:19 --> 00:13:21 So there's always some form of expanding, whether it's.
00:13:23 --> 00:13:27 Looking into different crops, different rotations livestock endeavors.
00:13:27 --> 00:13:31 We did some of those wonderful pastured hogs one summer.
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yes.
00:13:32 --> 00:13:34 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: I thought I would listen to the advice of
00:13:34 --> 00:13:41 all these great regenerative guys that are Die hard no Boy, we don't till that soil.
00:13:41 --> 00:13:44 Anybody who does is, they're a demon and, but they run pigs.
00:13:44 --> 00:13:46 So that shouldn't be a big deal, right?
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 They run a bunch of pasture pigs.
00:13:47 --> 00:13:52 Well, Man, oh man, they could till up faster than a big
00:13:52 --> 00:13:54 John Deere tractor and a plow.
00:13:54 --> 00:13:54 smokes.
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 was crazy.
00:13:57 --> 00:13:57 eating, but
00:13:58 --> 00:14:00 that might not be the expansion we want right now.
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Right.
00:14:02 --> 00:14:02 Yeah.
00:14:03 --> 00:14:05 I've said this for years on the podcast.
00:14:05 --> 00:14:09 I keep thinking I'm going to get a few hogs just to play with it, see how it is.
00:14:09 --> 00:14:09 But
00:14:09 --> 00:14:11 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Just keep thinking that, just keep
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 thinking that, and keep it there.
00:14:13 --> 00:14:13 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: yeah.
00:14:13 --> 00:14:13 Oh
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: funny though?
00:14:14 --> 00:14:19 My kids all of my kids have been heavily integrated whether they wanted to or not.
00:14:19 --> 00:14:19 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: yeah.
00:14:20 --> 00:14:20 Right.
00:14:20 --> 00:14:23 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: all the animals we've had miniature goats,
00:14:23 --> 00:14:28 and sheep, and chickens, and guineas, and ducks, and swans, whatever, and they come
00:14:28 --> 00:14:30 and go, the pigs have been their favorite.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yes.
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: funny.
00:14:33 --> 00:14:35 They have such a cute little personality.
00:14:35 --> 00:14:39 I hate saying that, but they do, they love to be scratched.
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 They'll
00:14:40 --> 00:14:43 used to, they come running over and they're like in your business.
00:14:43 --> 00:14:49 They are they have a very interesting character about those pigs, man.
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 They are a hoot.
00:14:51 --> 00:14:54 And then they start running your guard dogs off from their dog
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 food, and you hear this squalling
00:14:56 --> 00:15:00 out there, and they figure out where the dog food is, it's, they are entertaining.
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: oh yeah.
00:15:02 --> 00:15:02 Yeah.
00:15:02 --> 00:15:08 Well, for me, the goats, I love the personality of goats and having them.
00:15:08 --> 00:15:11 I've just got a handful because I need to figure out how to
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 make more money with them.
00:15:12 --> 00:15:14 But yeah, I love the goats personality.
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 Yeah.
00:15:15 --> 00:15:19 When did you all, or when did your dad add livestock to the operation?
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: That's a good question.
00:15:22 --> 00:15:26 I remember the cows we, he bought those cows from was it from Dale Meschke?
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 Dale Meschke, yep.
00:15:27 --> 00:15:30 So one of the, Yeah, one of the farms, it's actually where we
00:15:30 --> 00:15:35 first started farming, where we expanded our first expansion.
00:15:35 --> 00:15:40 I was 6, 17 when we started on the yellow house.
00:15:40 --> 00:15:44 That was the first farm that we actually, 200 some acres, an
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 older gentleman was retiring.
00:15:46 --> 00:15:50 when we started farming his ground, I think he kept the cows
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 for maybe another year or two.
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 And then we bought his cows.
00:15:53 --> 00:15:57 It was, 40, 40 cows or something, back in the day up here in our
00:15:57 --> 00:16:00 valley, All the farmers had cows.
00:16:01 --> 00:16:01 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:16:01 --> 00:16:03 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: If you farmed, you had cattle.
00:16:03 --> 00:16:07 If you drive around this valley, everywhere you see old little feedlots,
00:16:07 --> 00:16:13 old corrals, and I mean they're everywhere you find yeah little feedlots of cow.
00:16:14 --> 00:16:20 Guy would have 40, 50 cows, 100 cows, 150, and they'd have a little silage,
00:16:20 --> 00:16:25 and they'd put up hay, and that was just the thing, harvest the corn, put
00:16:25 --> 00:16:30 the cows on the corn stalks but yeah time went on, I think, I don't know the
00:16:30 --> 00:16:35 different types of farming that kind of went by the wayside, but we didn't
00:16:35 --> 00:16:39 have as much residue left over the sugar beets were huge in this valley.
00:16:39 --> 00:16:39 And so
00:16:40 --> 00:16:40 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:16:41 --> 00:16:43 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: They, at one time there was over
00:16:43 --> 00:16:47 10, 000, was it 10 to 14, 000 sheep wintered in this valley too.
00:16:48 --> 00:16:53 Superior Farms had a big kill plant right here, miles from our house,
00:16:53 --> 00:16:57 and then north of us, they had one about 40 miles north of us.
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 Up around Ellsberg, yeah.
00:16:58 --> 00:17:02 But the beets and our winters are generally, mild
00:17:02 --> 00:17:04 it to all around us.
00:17:04 --> 00:17:06 You can winter out pretty carefully.
00:17:06 --> 00:17:10 We could graze, hands down, without a doubt, year round in this
00:17:10 --> 00:17:13 valley, through the snow, whatever.
00:17:13 --> 00:17:15 Every now and then you'll run into a hiccup.
00:17:15 --> 00:17:19 The problem is, when you're dealing with irrigated ground, it's expensive,
00:17:19 --> 00:17:23 and you're trying to pull a cash crop and a cash value out of it
00:17:23 --> 00:17:28 while still, grazing it some, and so you're constantly, you know, just
00:17:28 --> 00:17:31 running into that whole dynamic, yeah,
00:17:32 --> 00:17:32 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Yeah.
00:17:32 --> 00:17:35 And we're going to just as a precursor for our listeners, we're going to dive
00:17:35 --> 00:17:38 more into that grazing and irrigation.
00:17:38 --> 00:17:41 I can't think of the right word, but that balance there more in the
00:17:41 --> 00:17:43 overgrazing section just a little bit.
00:17:44 --> 00:17:49 So your dad had, or actually the whole area really had
00:17:49 --> 00:17:51 more livestock long time ago.
00:17:51 --> 00:17:53 You all kept up with the cattle.
00:17:53 --> 00:17:55 What are you all running now for cattle?
00:17:57 --> 00:17:59 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: well, we should actually probably go back
00:17:59 --> 00:18:01 a little bit because when dad bought those
00:18:01 --> 00:18:01 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, okay.
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: then.
00:18:04 --> 00:18:06 He started spending more time down at the sale yard.
00:18:07 --> 00:18:07 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
00:18:08 --> 00:18:10 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: My dad has a serious bug for auctions.
00:18:10 --> 00:18:12 Oh man, he
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Does he love bargains?
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: What he thinks are bargains,
00:18:16 --> 00:18:18 let's clarify what a bargain is.
00:18:18 --> 00:18:22 There's times he gets bargains and other times he brings home a bargain.
00:18:22 --> 00:18:24 Yeah.
00:18:24 --> 00:18:26 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Someone that may be similar to him.
00:18:26 --> 00:18:33 We sold out the dairy and dad loves auctions and the stuff he would bring
00:18:33 --> 00:18:38 in and he'd be like, well, in fact, It's still, a few years ago, we did
00:18:38 --> 00:18:43 stalkers, just a handful, we'd never done stalkers before, so we were going
00:18:43 --> 00:18:47 to do it, and of course, dad wants to buy them, so he goes up there and he
00:18:47 --> 00:18:54 says, he buys this calf, it's black with a little white on it, so it's crossed
00:18:54 --> 00:19:00 up a little bit, but it had no ears, and he paid, I don't know, 20 cents for
00:19:00 --> 00:19:03 it we put it out there, and it actually does pretty good, and we bought heifers,
00:19:03 --> 00:19:07 because we, We hadn't done stockers before and we wanted a second out.
00:19:08 --> 00:19:10 We could breed them and sell them as bred.
00:19:10 --> 00:19:14 And we got to the point, we decided it was time to sell those.
00:19:15 --> 00:19:18 Well, we didn't want to sell her with the group because we thought they'd
00:19:18 --> 00:19:20 just pull her off and knock her so hard.
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 So we kept her.
00:19:23 --> 00:19:27 And then along that time, of course, she got bred and I was expanding my herd.
00:19:28 --> 00:19:33 So dad convinced me a buyer and, As I think back, I didn't get much
00:19:33 --> 00:19:35 of a break on that heifer's price.
00:19:37 --> 00:19:42 I still have her in my herd, and actually she does a great job, but that bargain
00:19:42 --> 00:19:45 actually worked out, but we've got plenty of other stories that they didn't.
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Those are the ones they always
00:19:48 --> 00:19:50 remember to, but my dad, he did.
00:19:50 --> 00:19:54 So one of his deals were when we were putting up a lot of hay.
00:19:54 --> 00:19:57 So, we're stacking, hey, bottom bales, top bales.
00:19:58 --> 00:20:03 then we would cover the top stacks with little two string straw bales.
00:20:03 --> 00:20:08 So you have all this straw bale that we would throw off, and then if it damaged
00:20:08 --> 00:20:12 the top layer and the bottom layer of the little bales, the dairy didn't want it.
00:20:12 --> 00:20:12 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Right.
00:20:13 --> 00:20:15 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: he would buy these broken mouth cows.
00:20:16 --> 00:20:18 and feed up this hay.
00:20:18 --> 00:20:18 Yeah.
00:20:18 --> 00:20:22 And so you're feeding them all this, borderline moldy hay.
00:20:22 --> 00:20:25 And I look back now and I just remember running around all, and
00:20:25 --> 00:20:27 you'd start calving in January.
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 So it's a mud
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Yeah.
00:20:29 --> 00:20:31 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: And I'm looking around, I'm thinking
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 back like, it was just a norm.
00:20:32 --> 00:20:37 I just accept it as a fact, like, hey, calving time, scouring time.
00:20:37 --> 00:20:37 Yeah.
00:20:37 --> 00:20:40 Hey, doesn't everybody have an old cow that prolapses
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: yeah.
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: this is, a normal thing, it's what I
00:20:43 --> 00:20:47 grew up with and when I left and worked on some other ranches and I realized,
00:20:48 --> 00:20:53 no, there's a word called culling they cull and sell them at the sale
00:20:53 --> 00:20:55 yard and guys like my dad buy them.
00:20:55 --> 00:20:55 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Yeah.
00:20:56 --> 00:20:56 Yeah.
00:20:56 --> 00:20:58 So they can find out what problems there.
00:20:58 --> 00:20:58 Yeah.
00:20:58 --> 00:21:00 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Maybe
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: like a grab bag.
00:21:02 --> 00:21:04 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: It worked in a way though.
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 I can't complain.
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Well
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: what else are you going to do when
00:21:08 --> 00:21:10 you're 16, 17, 18 year old kid?
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 Keeping busy, Fine.
00:21:13 --> 00:21:19 Actually also, I just remembered that we really started in the cattle business.
00:21:19 --> 00:21:22 Day old Holstein bull calves.
00:21:22 --> 00:21:25 Oh we raised a bunch of them.
00:21:25 --> 00:21:29 Weren't huge in it, we had probably 40 or 50 at a time
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: that's enough.
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 Keep you busy.
00:21:31 --> 00:21:33 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Yeah, that's true.
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 I forgot about that.
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 Getting all those from wheelers.
00:21:36 --> 00:21:40 my mom, man, my mom, she was a workhorse, man.
00:21:40 --> 00:21:42 a North Dakota farm girl.
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 She grew up.
00:21:44 --> 00:21:44 You just did it.
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 Whatever it was, you just went out and did it.
00:21:46 --> 00:21:46 Yep.
00:21:47 --> 00:21:47 Yep.
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 Absolutely.
00:21:48 --> 00:21:50 Know, Cal, you're gonna get a lot more reminiscing here
00:21:50 --> 00:21:52 than actually what we're doing
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: But I think it's great.
00:21:53 --> 00:21:56 Just as I think about, we had a dairy, so we always had calves and
00:21:56 --> 00:22:00 then I bottle fed calves, but hosting steers, that's what I grew up on.
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 That's what we ate all the time.
00:22:02 --> 00:22:04 And, those bargain cows.
00:22:04 --> 00:22:06 I remember I'd come in from work.
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 I was working off the farm at the time.
00:22:08 --> 00:22:11 I'd come into the corral, see what dad bought that day, so,
00:22:11 --> 00:22:14 because I needed to earnotch them and tag them and get them ready.
00:22:15 --> 00:22:15 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Yep.
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 Yep.
00:22:16 --> 00:22:22 Yeah, we did bummer lambs at one point too when we were way back when 12 13.
00:22:22 --> 00:22:22 Yeah,
00:22:23 --> 00:22:23 lambs.
00:22:24 --> 00:22:29 Yeah bottle fed lambs and raised them up, too Got that one big suffolk lamb.
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 he was mean.
00:22:31 --> 00:22:34 Yeah, man Turn an eye away from him.
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 Oh, he whooped you.
00:22:36 --> 00:22:39 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Have you always ran multiple species
00:22:39 --> 00:22:41 or dabbled in different species?
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: really.
00:22:45 --> 00:22:50 No, sheep and cattle pretty much it, but we haven't definitely
00:22:50 --> 00:22:52 have not run them at the same time
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yeah.
00:22:53 --> 00:22:55 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Just here recently that we've, been
00:22:55 --> 00:22:59 doing it quite a bit because we were into the sheep, I tell you about raising
00:22:59 --> 00:23:03 the bummer lambs didn't last very long.
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 two, like two summers.
00:23:05 --> 00:23:09 About an old neighbor fella that was.
00:23:09 --> 00:23:14 He still had a small band of sheep and we'd help him and run our
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 sheep with him through the winter.
00:23:16 --> 00:23:19 And then he passed away and that I think that kind of ended, I
00:23:19 --> 00:23:22 think that at that point is when we started raising bottle calves
00:23:23 --> 00:23:23 the cow thing.
00:23:25 --> 00:23:25 Yeah.
00:23:25 --> 00:23:30 So we, and we didn't start doing sheep again until when did you buy sheep?
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 When did you start that?
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 Seven years ago?
00:23:32 --> 00:23:34 No, it was 10, 10 years ago.
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 I went down while I bought.
00:23:36 --> 00:23:41 About three, a set of triplets black Katahdin lambs,
00:23:42 --> 00:23:42 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yes.
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 Yes.
00:23:44 --> 00:23:46 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Only one ended up surviving out of the deal
00:23:46 --> 00:23:51 and I'm not sure why that didn't give me a warning but from there, then I
00:23:51 --> 00:23:55 started building it, I don't know, I got up to about 540 ewes then it peaked,
00:23:56 --> 00:23:59 the prices, and it's like, you know what, I could cull way down to about
00:23:59 --> 00:24:03 230, 250, and pay off all the notes.
00:24:03 --> 00:24:06 So I culled sold them all and put them in chunks.
00:24:06 --> 00:24:11 And ewes were hot, that was October, November, December in those area,
00:24:12 --> 00:24:14 really, it's did it paid them all off.
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 They were free and clear.
00:24:16 --> 00:24:20 then, I was doing that on the side ish everything.
00:24:20 --> 00:24:25 We just got to talk and all of us, you can't do stuff on the side anymore, in a
00:24:25 --> 00:24:30 way, if you want your business to flourish and to really come together, right.
00:24:30 --> 00:24:33 And you've got to bring everything under the same umbrella.
00:24:33 --> 00:24:38 And so I integrated my sheep into the farm and we just went through
00:24:38 --> 00:24:42 and started integrating things and figure, you know what, if we're
00:24:42 --> 00:24:45 going to make it float, we're going to make it float together or not.
00:24:45 --> 00:24:49 And so now we're actually running the sheep.
00:24:49 --> 00:24:54 And cattle together in different settings, like replacement heifers with the sheep,
00:24:54 --> 00:24:59 and next year, I believe, where we're set up, we're probably going to run
00:24:59 --> 00:25:05 all the mother cows and all the main flock together, and then run replacement
00:25:05 --> 00:25:09 ewes and replacement heifers together is what I think we might end up doing.
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:25:11 --> 00:25:14 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: so we're sitting at about 330 mother
00:25:14 --> 00:25:17 cows, 800 ewes, and then farming.
00:25:17 --> 00:25:25 Corn, wheat, barley, like, not soybeans, but like black beans, edibles
00:25:25 --> 00:25:27 You can't grow soybeans in our country.
00:25:27 --> 00:25:28 The weather is not conducive for it.
00:25:29 --> 00:25:32 They've tried several times, but soybeans just, they don't grow up here.
00:25:34 --> 00:25:34 Yeah.
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Do you know why that is?
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: I don't know if it's the humidity.
00:25:38 --> 00:25:41 What they, we don't have the humidity that they like in the Midwest.
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 Colder nights generally too.
00:25:42 --> 00:25:42 Yep.
00:25:43 --> 00:25:43 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:25:44 --> 00:25:46 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: we had a neighbor just try it again
00:25:46 --> 00:25:51 here, I think last year, a little five acre spot and it just and I don't
00:25:51 --> 00:25:55 know if they could possibly develop bean for this area, but there's
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 not enough interest and not enough,
00:25:57 --> 00:25:57 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:25:58 --> 00:25:59 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: yeah.
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 And then where do you have to go with it?
00:26:00 --> 00:26:02 That's the one thing that we've been struggling with.
00:26:02 --> 00:26:06 That part of it is trying to get cover crop.
00:26:06 --> 00:26:09 We played around a lot with no tilling and things like that, and then
00:26:09 --> 00:26:11 finding crops that we can actually.
00:26:12 --> 00:26:12 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yeah,
00:26:13 --> 00:26:17 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: canola, peas, any of these other things
00:26:17 --> 00:26:23 to get out of some of the rotations we're in, then you don't, where do you take it?
00:26:23 --> 00:26:27 And the, we don't have the locations to the markets and
00:26:27 --> 00:26:27 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: right.
00:26:27 --> 00:26:29 You've got to have a market for it.
00:26:29 --> 00:26:29 Yeah.
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: They're too far away.
00:26:32 --> 00:26:32 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Yeah.
00:26:34 --> 00:26:40 With the cattle and the sheep, I got this generic question I love to ask.
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 You mentioned Katahdins a while ago.
00:26:43 --> 00:26:45 Is that the breed you're continuing with sheep?
00:26:45 --> 00:26:46 Or what are you doing there?
00:26:46 --> 00:26:47 What are you doing with cattle?
00:26:47 --> 00:26:49 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Both of them we have been
00:26:49 --> 00:26:50 working on composites.
00:26:50 --> 00:26:56 Katahdin, no I don't care for the Katahdin as much, in a way.
00:26:56 --> 00:26:57 There is some influence.
00:26:57 --> 00:27:01 So are going to have actually a bit of.
00:27:02 --> 00:27:04 Texel and Cheviot in their background
00:27:05 --> 00:27:05 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, okay.
00:27:06 --> 00:27:08 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: because being irrigated.
00:27:09 --> 00:27:11 So, so you're playing around with these false environments.
00:27:12 --> 00:27:19 And you go from, we'll dry out really fast and then we can be really wet and
00:27:19 --> 00:27:21 trying not to graze when it's too wet.
00:27:22 --> 00:27:24 There's not, you can't get around it half the time,
00:27:25 --> 00:27:25 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yeah.
00:27:25 --> 00:27:26 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: feet are always an issue.
00:27:27 --> 00:27:27 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Yes.
00:27:28 --> 00:27:32 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: so Texel and Shevet have exceptional feet.
00:27:32 --> 00:27:32 Really good feet.
00:27:32 --> 00:27:38 Shevet, hands down, probably the best feet I have ever seen in any flock.
00:27:39 --> 00:27:42 I had a foot rock, brought it in from a sale yard purchase, I bought
00:27:42 --> 00:27:45 a bunch of ewes from a guy that wanted to disperse through a sale
00:27:45 --> 00:27:46 yard, so I had to buy them that way.
00:27:46 --> 00:27:51 Well, I brought in a foot rock, and I probably ended up, I've
00:27:51 --> 00:27:52 never dealt with it like that.
00:27:52 --> 00:27:55 So, foot baths and all of this, and I'm just doctoring.
00:27:55 --> 00:27:59 I probably doctored close to 70 percent of the sheep that fall.
00:27:59 --> 00:27:59 It
00:27:59 --> 00:28:00 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: yeah.
00:28:00 --> 00:28:02 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: And I was sitting at about 320 ewes.
00:28:03 --> 00:28:09 I had 45 Cheviot and I only doctored one out of all of them, only
00:28:09 --> 00:28:10 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yes.
00:28:10 --> 00:28:11 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: borderline.
00:28:12 --> 00:28:15 so, they're just, they're really hardy, they have really good parasite
00:28:15 --> 00:28:17 resistance, texels are similar.
00:28:17 --> 00:28:20 And so we, I've used that as some of our base.
00:28:21 --> 00:28:25 But yeah, they have a nice, thick, compact, and we sell into that.
00:28:25 --> 00:28:27 They're a smaller, moderate frame sheep,
00:28:28 --> 00:28:28 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, okay.
00:28:28 --> 00:28:30 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: into the ethnic markets really well.
00:28:30 --> 00:28:32 So, crossing those with Dorpers.
00:28:33 --> 00:28:35 Have a little bit of white royal influence.
00:28:35 --> 00:28:35 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yes.
00:28:36 --> 00:28:38 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: little white Dorper influence.
00:28:38 --> 00:28:38 Through that.
00:28:39 --> 00:28:42 Oh, one of our really nice crosses.
00:28:42 --> 00:28:47 I ran a a Barbados ram on some of my Texel influenced ewes.
00:28:48 --> 00:28:52 And I got a really nice set of ewe lambs out of that.
00:28:53 --> 00:28:53 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yes.
00:28:53 --> 00:28:53 Yeah.
00:28:54 --> 00:28:56 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: a ram lamb out of him, a couple ram lambs.
00:28:59 --> 00:29:03 So right now we've got a, we're going to be set up this winter with
00:29:03 --> 00:29:06 our replacement new flock for rams.
00:29:06 --> 00:29:06 Really?
00:29:06 --> 00:29:08 That's the one mostly.
00:29:08 --> 00:29:12 And then we'll have our commercial, more or less our commercial ones,
00:29:12 --> 00:29:16 but really trying to hone in feet to me, feet is one of the biggest
00:29:17 --> 00:29:20 and of course parasite resistant, but that's not that hard to
00:29:20 --> 00:29:22 develop in our, in a flock,
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: yeah, with,
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: then with the cows too, we've
00:29:25 --> 00:29:28 done a composite with our cattle,
00:29:28 --> 00:29:30 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: but before we jump to cattle let's talk
00:29:30 --> 00:29:33 just a little bit more about your sheep, you're crossing Texel in
00:29:33 --> 00:29:35 there and I know you just said it,
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: cheviot yes, cheviot
00:29:36 --> 00:29:39 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: So, are you getting ewes that carry much wool,
00:29:39 --> 00:29:41 or are you able to breed that out?
00:29:41 --> 00:29:43 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: You can read that out pretty
00:29:43 --> 00:29:49 easily, especially depending on on how woolly they are.
00:29:49 --> 00:29:52 Some of them are really strong, bear pointed
00:29:52 --> 00:29:54 Some of them, and that made a difference.
00:29:54 --> 00:30:00 I've run a group of some different ram lams multiple times in the beginning, and
00:30:00 --> 00:30:06 so even the half bloods, I made a huge mistake and a really nice white doper ewe.
00:30:07 --> 00:30:10 That had a set of twins and one was a ram lamb that was half shevet.
00:30:10 --> 00:30:11 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: oh yeah,
00:30:11 --> 00:30:14 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: barely had a nap of maybe a half inch
00:30:14 --> 00:30:16 wool across the back and that was it.
00:30:16 --> 00:30:17 I only ran in two years.
00:30:17 --> 00:30:19 I should have kept that guy till he died.
00:30:19 --> 00:30:20 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: oh yes.
00:30:20 --> 00:30:22 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: he was an exceptional ram.
00:30:22 --> 00:30:23 He was everything you wanted.
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 Really good ewe.
00:30:25 --> 00:30:27 But it just varies.
00:30:27 --> 00:30:31 I've got a couple half blood shevet ewes out there that are six years old.
00:30:31 --> 00:30:35 I sheared them once when we were back shearing and I haven't sheared them since.
00:30:35 --> 00:30:37 They'll have about two inch nap
00:30:37 --> 00:30:37 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:30:38 --> 00:30:39 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: and that's it.
00:30:39 --> 00:30:40 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:30:40 --> 00:30:42 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: so they're going to go into the
00:30:42 --> 00:30:48 replacement flock this year and I'm hoping to have probably about 60 80 ewes.
00:30:49 --> 00:30:51 strictly for replacement rams.
00:30:51 --> 00:30:52 If it goes you goes well, yeah.
00:30:53 --> 00:30:56 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: So you mentioned replacement flock and your other
00:30:56 --> 00:31:00 flock, so you're using your replacement flock to raise your next generation,
00:31:01 --> 00:31:01 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Yes.
00:31:02 --> 00:31:07 And the rams are the things that is most important to me, way I look at making sure
00:31:07 --> 00:31:14 you have a good ram, those things, oh man you miss cut in one of those ram lambs.
00:31:14 --> 00:31:16 By the time they're three months old, they've bred 70 years.
00:31:16 --> 00:31:19 It's, well, not I'm exaggerating,
00:31:19 --> 00:31:20 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: But not by much.
00:31:20 --> 00:31:23 I had accidental lambing this year.
00:31:23 --> 00:31:28 I had 50 head of ewes lamb because I missed a ram lamb.
00:31:28 --> 00:31:29 And yeah.
00:31:29 --> 00:31:32 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: crazy how fast and how, and I don't
00:31:32 --> 00:31:37 think we've had a spring yet that we haven't had something pop up, laminate
00:31:37 --> 00:31:39 in January, laminate in December.
00:31:40 --> 00:31:41 going on out of that one?
00:31:41 --> 00:31:43 Oh, we missed that one guy.
00:31:43 --> 00:31:45 It's crazy how prolific those little
00:31:45 --> 00:31:46 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, they are.
00:31:46 --> 00:31:51 I try and run them through the alley multiple times and I've got spray paint.
00:31:51 --> 00:31:51 I'm marking them.
00:31:51 --> 00:31:54 Yeah it's harder than you think it would be.
00:31:54 --> 00:31:55 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Yeah.
00:31:55 --> 00:31:55 It's crazy.
00:31:55 --> 00:31:56 It is.
00:31:56 --> 00:31:57 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: I pulled in driveway.
00:31:57 --> 00:31:58 We kept five ram lambs.
00:32:00 --> 00:32:01 I pulled in driveway.
00:32:01 --> 00:32:04 I don't know, just a couple of days ago and there's only four out there.
00:32:04 --> 00:32:05 I called dad.
00:32:05 --> 00:32:06 I'm like, Hey, we're missing a ram lamb.
00:32:06 --> 00:32:07 Well, we found him.
00:32:08 --> 00:32:09 He'd found the ewes.
00:32:09 --> 00:32:09 Yeah.
00:32:10 --> 00:32:11 It's a pretty good fence.
00:32:11 --> 00:32:14 I still don't know where he got out and got out there, but we got him back where
00:32:14 --> 00:32:17 he's supposed to be, but it was on us.
00:32:17 --> 00:32:22 We're in a little bit of a drought right now and our water sources
00:32:22 --> 00:32:23 we're watering out of ponds.
00:32:24 --> 00:32:27 We have some troughs set up to water that's feeding out of a pond, but they've
00:32:27 --> 00:32:34 actually quit feeding because the pond's gotten so low and so we can only water
00:32:34 --> 00:32:40 in a few certain ponds So I have way too many gates open and animals going too
00:32:40 --> 00:32:45 far You know, I like to keep them in one pasture and let pasture rest right now.
00:32:45 --> 00:32:48 I'm not doing a great job So no one come visit my farm right
00:32:48 --> 00:32:52 now But those ewes Got across.
00:32:52 --> 00:32:53 They didn't get across.
00:32:53 --> 00:32:56 I opened the gate and let him across from the Rams.
00:32:56 --> 00:32:59 That's my fault I should never let them across one fence.
00:32:59 --> 00:33:00 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: yeah.
00:33:00 --> 00:33:02 The drought, that's on one of those topics.
00:33:02 --> 00:33:04 We went through one this summer.
00:33:04 --> 00:33:07 They put us on, we were put on a 30 percent cut.
00:33:07 --> 00:33:07 You're on
00:33:08 --> 00:33:08 rotation.
00:33:09 --> 00:33:09 And.
00:33:10 --> 00:33:12 Six days on, three days off.
00:33:12 --> 00:33:12 Yeah.
00:33:13 --> 00:33:13 Yeah.
00:33:13 --> 00:33:13 So 65%.
00:33:13 --> 00:33:13 Yeah.
00:33:13 --> 00:33:17 So it was it was a little challenging.
00:33:17 --> 00:33:19 It worked out, pretty good.
00:33:19 --> 00:33:20 We have good neighbors
00:33:21 --> 00:33:22 deal with.
00:33:22 --> 00:33:27 And yeah, but yeah, that's something that you can't get around even
00:33:27 --> 00:33:28 with irrigation sometimes, yeah.
00:33:30 --> 00:33:33 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Yeah just one of those things Mother Nature likes to throw
00:33:33 --> 00:33:35 at us, see if we can make it through.
00:33:36 --> 00:33:36 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Yeah.
00:33:37 --> 00:33:38 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: So let's jump back to your cattle.
00:33:39 --> 00:33:42 What are you running with cattle and how are you doing that?
00:33:43 --> 00:33:45 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Well, here we go.
00:33:45 --> 00:33:46 Here we go.
00:33:46 --> 00:33:46 Yeah.
00:33:47 --> 00:33:54 When I left the farm, we were running about 300 cows, 330
00:33:54 --> 00:33:56 cows, 300 cows when I left them.
00:33:56 --> 00:33:57 I was 29.
00:33:57 --> 00:34:02 I moved out to Montana and Justin was really dealing with a lot of that
00:34:02 --> 00:34:08 buying bulls and we were buying, we had actually a tad bit of the SimAngus.
00:34:08 --> 00:34:08 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yeah.
00:34:09 --> 00:34:12 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: didn't down in where we were, the
00:34:12 --> 00:34:15 irrigated ground, subby ground, a lot of flood irrigation in some
00:34:15 --> 00:34:16 of the areas too, their feet,
00:34:17 --> 00:34:17 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yeah.
00:34:18 --> 00:34:20 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: So, but, most of our cows,
00:34:20 --> 00:34:25 like we were saying, my dad would buy and sell and trade.
00:34:25 --> 00:34:31 And so core of our herd comes from sale barn.
00:34:31 --> 00:34:31 It's a
00:34:31 --> 00:34:32 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yeah.
00:34:33 --> 00:34:34 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: so we didn't keep heifers.
00:34:34 --> 00:34:36 No, didn't keep heifers.
00:34:36 --> 00:34:37 Bought replacements from wherever.
00:34:37 --> 00:34:42 The year or two I came back, I was 31, 32, something like that.
00:34:42 --> 00:34:43 It's 15 years ago.
00:34:44 --> 00:34:46 And they had started retaining heifers.
00:34:46 --> 00:34:52 And So, then we built up, at one point we were at, we had about 540
00:34:52 --> 00:34:55 cows we built up really quick to.
00:34:55 --> 00:34:59 I came back and you were talking about expanding, my dad saw, oh, this
00:34:59 --> 00:35:01 is right, we gotta have enough cows.
00:35:01 --> 00:35:05 Now and so there's another guy working full time with the cattle bin too.
00:35:05 --> 00:35:08 And so, it was predominantly Angus, we were running some corn grower.
00:35:08 --> 00:35:11 My dad loved the Charlay bulls.
00:35:11 --> 00:35:12 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yes.
00:35:12 --> 00:35:15 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: And I don't want to on anybody
00:35:15 --> 00:35:20 at all, but where we're at, just with what we're doing, pink eye,
00:35:20 --> 00:35:21 we're always dealing with eyes,
00:35:21 --> 00:35:22 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yeah.
00:35:23 --> 00:35:25 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: any of those crosses, man, or you
00:35:25 --> 00:35:30 always knew you were going to have one, cow killer that came out, big
00:35:30 --> 00:35:35 calf, and it just, but what we were doing we ended up going all back to
00:35:35 --> 00:35:37 just straight, straight Angus bulls.
00:35:37 --> 00:35:38 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yeah.
00:35:38 --> 00:35:40 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: And then my brother has been really
00:35:40 --> 00:35:44 kind to allow my mind to always wander.
00:35:45 --> 00:35:50 But what happened was we lost a bunch of acreage, leased acreage.
00:35:52 --> 00:35:54 three months, we had about 900 acres.
00:35:56 --> 00:35:56 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yes.
00:35:56 --> 00:35:58 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: acres and it was just chunk after
00:35:58 --> 00:36:01 chunk within like a three month period right before calving.
00:36:02 --> 00:36:05 we ended up calving out like 500 cows.
00:36:06 --> 00:36:11 and 80 acres and then pairing them out trying to find pasture we had to figure
00:36:12 --> 00:36:13 do something different.
00:36:13 --> 00:36:15 That's when we started converting our farm ground.
00:36:16 --> 00:36:20 Well, when you go into these areas that you no longer have big bodies of water,
00:36:20 --> 00:36:26 big old shade trees, old barns, old lean to's for them to get in there in the heat.
00:36:26 --> 00:36:30 And we've hit triple digits for 14, 15 days in a row.
00:36:31 --> 00:36:31 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yes.
00:36:31 --> 00:36:32 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: unheard of for us here.
00:36:32 --> 00:36:32 Yeah.
00:36:34 --> 00:36:36 Now that is a little extreme, but our summers are at least
00:36:36 --> 00:36:38 upper nineties, mid to upper
00:36:38 --> 00:36:41 you start moving these cows into this irrigated ground
00:36:41 --> 00:36:43 where no shade whatsoever.
00:36:44 --> 00:36:48 you start seeing that Angus are not conducive to your region at
00:36:49 --> 00:36:50 or how you're able to run them.
00:36:51 --> 00:36:54 So that's when I started, man, I was in Barzones South Poll.
00:36:54 --> 00:36:58 I started doing all this research, trying to find how something that.
00:36:59 --> 00:37:01 going to be more heat tolerant, Brahma.
00:37:02 --> 00:37:02 No, thank you.
00:37:03 --> 00:37:06 And that's when I came across Jaime Elizondo.
00:37:07 --> 00:37:07 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yeah.
00:37:07 --> 00:37:09 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: I'd tell you, if you ever have a chance
00:37:09 --> 00:37:15 that he is one of the most enjoyable, nice, kind, humble guys I have ever
00:37:15 --> 00:37:19 had the pleasure of learning from, getting to know, spend time with.
00:37:19 --> 00:37:20 Great guy.
00:37:20 --> 00:37:27 But the mishonas, so the original guy that had them in New Mexico, Weaver I
00:37:27 --> 00:37:33 got to visiting with him, missed the sale of those cows by like a few months.
00:37:34 --> 00:37:38 we ended up bringing up a mishona bull after I went down to Katy, Texas.
00:37:39 --> 00:37:43 brought one up from Oklahoma Hopping Brothers.
00:37:43 --> 00:37:44 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah down the road from me.
00:37:45 --> 00:37:47 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Oh yeah, yep, stale yard
00:37:47 --> 00:37:48 guys right there, right?
00:37:49 --> 00:37:50 sale going, yeah.
00:37:51 --> 00:37:55 I actually, I got a ramlam from them too at the same time.
00:37:55 --> 00:37:55 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes
00:37:56 --> 00:37:59 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: So that's where we started our influence,
00:37:59 --> 00:38:04 and at first we thought we just wanted a quarter blood, and we chased that
00:38:04 --> 00:38:08 around a little bit, and looking back, we should have gone a little more
00:38:08 --> 00:38:10 aggressive to a higher percentage
00:38:10 --> 00:38:10 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: yes,
00:38:11 --> 00:38:12 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Or more.
00:38:12 --> 00:38:17 Trying to find the animal that hides that influence enough,
00:38:18 --> 00:38:21 still is very marketable, and that's the trouble.
00:38:21 --> 00:38:25 Yeah, in the northwest, especially up here, that, anything with a little
00:38:25 --> 00:38:29 bit of ear or slickness or anything like that gets beat up really badly.
00:38:30 --> 00:38:30 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:38:30 --> 00:38:32 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: you get down in the southern area,
00:38:32 --> 00:38:33 that's pretty much of a norm.
00:38:34 --> 00:38:39 Well, I think part of that too is now, the more I think about it is, automatically
00:38:39 --> 00:38:45 assume it has a Holstein Jersey influence because it is so Prevalent
00:38:45 --> 00:38:47 up here to have that kind of a cross.
00:38:47 --> 00:38:47 So
00:38:47 --> 00:38:48 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:38:49 --> 00:38:50 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: it's got some or anything with horns
00:38:51 --> 00:38:53 Automatically has coriander because
00:38:53 --> 00:38:56 rope and steers and you know a lot of the Mexicans up here
00:38:57 --> 00:38:58 There's the Hispanic people.
00:38:58 --> 00:39:00 There's a lot of coriander
00:39:00 --> 00:39:01 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:39:02 --> 00:39:04 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: up in the, up here, you're gonna see
00:39:04 --> 00:39:06 those are what people will assume.
00:39:06 --> 00:39:07 It is, yeah.
00:39:07 --> 00:39:08 Yeah.
00:39:08 --> 00:39:12 But we have turned the corner quite nicely, I think, finally.
00:39:12 --> 00:39:15 We've held some half blood bulls, quarter blood bulls.
00:39:15 --> 00:39:17 We have a lot of influence.
00:39:17 --> 00:39:18 We've rotated a few.
00:39:18 --> 00:39:21 We have one full blood Michona bull left right now.
00:39:21 --> 00:39:23 That is really exceptional.
00:39:23 --> 00:39:24 Really nice bull.
00:39:25 --> 00:39:25 Our heifers.
00:39:26 --> 00:39:30 We didn't breed very many because we brought in some, we incorporated the
00:39:30 --> 00:39:33 rest of my dad's cows, so we're like, we don't really need to breed heifers.
00:39:34 --> 00:39:34 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:39:34 --> 00:39:37 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: really the heart of them, 15 left,
00:39:37 --> 00:39:40 and so it's like, let's throw them out in the bowl for 33 days,
00:39:40 --> 00:39:42 and we had 95 percent breed up.
00:39:43 --> 00:39:44 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, very good.
00:39:44 --> 00:39:44 Yeah
00:39:44 --> 00:39:47 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: And all of those are, all of
00:39:47 --> 00:39:49 those are a percentage Michona.
00:39:49 --> 00:39:50 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes,
00:39:50 --> 00:39:51 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: definitely, the heat,
00:39:51 --> 00:39:52 they handle the heat.
00:39:53 --> 00:39:54 above and beyond.
00:39:54 --> 00:39:56 It is pretty impressive, even a quarter blood.
00:39:57 --> 00:39:59 Their body condition they've done well.
00:39:59 --> 00:40:03 And then we sell, we've been selling direct now and expanding
00:40:03 --> 00:40:06 our, that's our website is Cascade Sheep and Cattle Company.
00:40:07 --> 00:40:11 And so we are selling direct sheep lamb and beef.
00:40:11 --> 00:40:12 Yep, lamb and beef.
00:40:13 --> 00:40:17 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: You find those Michonas dress out pretty good Tender.
00:40:18 --> 00:40:20 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: They are tender, they have good
00:40:20 --> 00:40:21 marbling, they have a nice dark meat.
00:40:21 --> 00:40:27 We just butchered out three animals and they had them cut, hung up and those guys.
00:40:27 --> 00:40:30 There's a lot of grass fed people that are doing all sorts of different things around
00:40:30 --> 00:40:35 here and he's made the comment more than once that ours, ours are finished, they're
00:40:36 --> 00:40:36 are finished
00:40:37 --> 00:40:37 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Yeah.
00:40:38 --> 00:40:39 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: that's the hard thing to do is to get a
00:40:39 --> 00:40:44 good marbling and getting that good fat pocket on those tail heads and to notice
00:40:44 --> 00:40:48 that and see that and no, they marvel out good and they do, they taste good.
00:40:49 --> 00:40:51 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh Very good.
00:40:51 --> 00:40:51 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: man.
00:40:51 --> 00:40:52 Oh, yeah.
00:40:53 --> 00:40:53 Absolutely.
00:40:53 --> 00:40:54 Yeah.
00:40:55 --> 00:40:58 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Now, you mentioned the marbling on the, or the
00:40:58 --> 00:41:01 fat on the tail head and stuff on a calf.
00:41:01 --> 00:41:03 How do you know your lambs are ready?
00:41:05 --> 00:41:07 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: That's, that's
00:41:07 --> 00:41:08 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: It's something I struggle with,
00:41:08 --> 00:41:09 so I hope you have an answer.
00:41:11 --> 00:41:13 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: It's a little difficult on some of them
00:41:13 --> 00:41:15 that have a little bit more of a wool nap
00:41:16 --> 00:41:16 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:41:16 --> 00:41:19 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: And I think a lot of that is I've been
00:41:20 --> 00:41:27 doing it long enough to where now I just wait for them to just get know, enough,
00:41:27 --> 00:41:28 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:41:28 --> 00:41:31 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: they're just a size, and I know hit
00:41:31 --> 00:41:35 six to eight months old, anywhere in there, seven, eight months old they're
00:41:35 --> 00:41:39 pretty good because of also the breed in there, I know they're not too tall, so
00:41:40 --> 00:41:43 they're already stopped growing, and they're just filling, and on some
00:41:43 --> 00:41:48 of those, like if they don't have a lot of wool on them and they got a
00:41:48 --> 00:41:51 nice shorter hair, you can see that when they walk, you can see the sides
00:41:51 --> 00:41:53 of them back to their loin area.
00:41:53 --> 00:41:55 It starts to jiggle and move.
00:41:56 --> 00:41:57 And I know they're getting a nice layer on,
00:41:58 --> 00:41:58 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:41:59 --> 00:42:02 I have the same problem when I look at myself in the mirror, so we'll just
00:42:02 --> 00:42:02 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Ha.
00:42:03 --> 00:42:06 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Well, I hope I'm not finished yet, it's been great
00:42:06 --> 00:42:10 talking to you all, but we better go ahead and move on to the overgrazing
00:42:10 --> 00:42:12 section sponsored by Redmond,
00:42:13 --> 00:42:14 for the overgrazing section.
00:42:15 --> 00:42:17 Let's dive a little bit more into grazing.
00:42:17 --> 00:42:19 and irrigated property.
00:42:20 --> 00:42:23 So how are you all handling that first on your irrigation?
00:42:23 --> 00:42:27 You, we talked a little bit about it, but what's your irrigation look like now?
00:42:29 --> 00:42:31 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Well, most all of our irrigation
00:42:31 --> 00:42:34 is, In some way, sprinklers,
00:42:35 --> 00:42:40 hand line, lines, or actually any more, the vast majority of
00:42:40 --> 00:42:41 our irrigation is under pivot,
00:42:42 --> 00:42:43 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:42:43 --> 00:42:44 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: pivot irrigation.
00:42:44 --> 00:42:47 We still have a little bit of flood irrigation, a couple of pastures that
00:42:47 --> 00:42:52 we've got gated pipe or dams and open ditches, that kind of thing but mostly
00:42:52 --> 00:42:57 the irrigation is done with pumps and pivots to wheel line type thing.
00:42:57 --> 00:42:58 Yeah,
00:42:59 --> 00:43:03 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: What does, how does that well, maybe before I ask that
00:43:03 --> 00:43:08 question, Let's just talk about what grazing looks like on your irrigated
00:43:08 --> 00:43:10 land because you're also farming too.
00:43:10 --> 00:43:12 So you're not grazing everything.
00:43:12 --> 00:43:14 There's certain times stuff's farmed.
00:43:14 --> 00:43:18 So let's just talk about how that looks for grazing and for your farming.
00:43:20 --> 00:43:24 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: so some of that, well, one thing also so none
00:43:24 --> 00:43:26 of ours is none of our irrigation as well.
00:43:26 --> 00:43:27 Well, we have a little tiny bit, but
00:43:28 --> 00:43:33 is an open ditch and it's runoff, snow runoff from the mountains, the Cascade
00:43:33 --> 00:43:34 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
00:43:34 --> 00:43:36 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: comes out of there, runs down through
00:43:36 --> 00:43:38 the river, diversion, big reservoirs.
00:43:38 --> 00:43:38 Yep.
00:43:38 --> 00:43:41 And then big reservoirs that they'll open up halfway through
00:43:41 --> 00:43:43 the year at different stages.
00:43:43 --> 00:43:45 So, so we're not pumping out of.
00:43:46 --> 00:43:48 of agriculture wells.
00:43:48 --> 00:43:49 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah,
00:43:49 --> 00:43:51 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: which, I don't know if it really
00:43:51 --> 00:43:54 matters, I just thought I'd throw that out there for anyone listening.
00:43:54 --> 00:43:59 So, does change it, because with an irrigation well you, you,
00:43:59 --> 00:44:00 you're on your own schedule.
00:44:01 --> 00:44:01 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: right.
00:44:02 --> 00:44:04 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: water comes in, and then goes
00:44:04 --> 00:44:07 out, and your window of irrigation with the system we're on.
00:44:08 --> 00:44:13 And then as for grazing practice When we moved into this, I had already
00:44:13 --> 00:44:19 gotten what's funny is, we were doing a rotational grazing originally, with our
00:44:19 --> 00:44:24 main herd of cows, which is just about 300, and we had a big flat, big giant
00:44:24 --> 00:44:29 flat, and I started cutting it up with electric fence, we move in, almost all
00:44:29 --> 00:44:30 of it was flood irrigated down there,
00:44:31 --> 00:44:31 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:44:31 --> 00:44:33 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: irrigate it, You would shut it off
00:44:33 --> 00:44:36 got to where we figured you need about five, seven days for, you
00:44:36 --> 00:44:38 want about that much to dry up.
00:44:38 --> 00:44:40 Make sure you dry it pretty good.
00:44:40 --> 00:44:42 You didn't want them in your irrigation ditches because
00:44:42 --> 00:44:43 300 cows will destroy a wet
00:44:44 --> 00:44:45 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, I imagine so.
00:44:45 --> 00:44:45 Yeah.
00:44:45 --> 00:44:47 Oh, yeah,
00:44:47 --> 00:44:50 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: so, we started cutting it up and figuring
00:44:50 --> 00:44:56 if I could have those cows in there five to eight ish days, nine days, Get
00:44:56 --> 00:45:00 it as much of it grazed as possible and then move them on to the next one then
00:45:00 --> 00:45:04 fire up the irrigation So that was the rotation we were doing and at that time
00:45:04 --> 00:45:10 I didn't realize And it was working well.
00:45:11 --> 00:45:16 the last summer we had all of that guy There was three of us They were
00:45:16 --> 00:45:20 incorporating it with other stuff, but two of us really handling it,
00:45:20 --> 00:45:24 most of it, the grass was really good.
00:45:24 --> 00:45:30 And what I realized I was doing at the time, not until years later, was really
00:45:30 --> 00:45:33 a very strong, a total grazing principle.
00:45:34 --> 00:45:35 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: non selective.
00:45:36 --> 00:45:38 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: and non selected.
00:45:38 --> 00:45:43 And so the regrowth that we'd always come back into was extremely even,
00:45:43 --> 00:45:49 extreme high leaf to stem ratio, lush grass, boom, you hit it and you move on.
00:45:50 --> 00:45:56 And then when we had to go in and convert our farm ground, pivots and all of that, I
00:45:56 --> 00:45:58 thought, hey, I need to treat this better.
00:45:58 --> 00:46:01 And that's when we started getting into our rotational of like Be
00:46:01 --> 00:46:03 careful, take half, leave half.
00:46:04 --> 00:46:05 It did not work.
00:46:06 --> 00:46:07 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
00:46:07 --> 00:46:07 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: work.
00:46:08 --> 00:46:12 what you end up having was more and more was, like, our plant spacings
00:46:13 --> 00:46:15 started getting a little bit bigger.
00:46:15 --> 00:46:19 Your residue starts covering up growing points.
00:46:19 --> 00:46:22 And the cows are eating more leaf, so you end up with a little bit,
00:46:22 --> 00:46:24 you end up with more stem left over.
00:46:25 --> 00:46:26 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:46:26 --> 00:46:26 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: grass.
00:46:27 --> 00:46:29 and if you don't or legumes Yeah the cl.
00:46:30 --> 00:46:35 So you're not really generating as much photosynthesis as you'd like because
00:46:35 --> 00:46:37 you know you have a lot of stem.
00:46:37 --> 00:46:38 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:46:39 --> 00:46:40 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: trying to figure out what's
00:46:40 --> 00:46:44 that happy and that good, happy medium, you get a good graze, get
00:46:44 --> 00:46:46 a good return, get a proper rest.
00:46:46 --> 00:46:51 And that's when we started realizing we needed to incorporate.
00:46:52 --> 00:46:56 At least some time in the year, a very total grazing, everything
00:46:56 --> 00:47:00 that we could, everything back out, clear it up, and expose anything
00:47:00 --> 00:47:02 we needed to growing points.
00:47:02 --> 00:47:03 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:47:03 --> 00:47:03 So,
00:47:04 --> 00:47:07 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: and so, that was one of the
00:47:07 --> 00:47:08 biggest shifts and changes.
00:47:09 --> 00:47:13 We'd hit it, we'd plateaued really on what we were able to run per
00:47:13 --> 00:47:18 acre, pairs per acre on our irrigated ground, and diminished a little bit.
00:47:19 --> 00:47:20 Until we we got into that,
00:47:21 --> 00:47:23 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: so would you say you do non selective or
00:47:23 --> 00:47:28 total grazing 75 percent of the time, 60 percent of the time?
00:47:30 --> 00:47:33 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: yeah, I would say 60 to 70, 60 to
00:47:33 --> 00:47:37 70, depending on the year, there's quite a bit of our farm ground that
00:47:38 --> 00:47:41 we don't during the growing season.
00:47:41 --> 00:47:42 We'll graze it.
00:47:43 --> 00:47:47 With crop residue or stockpile something
00:47:47 --> 00:47:48 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:47:48 --> 00:47:50 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: rules will stockpile some of that
00:47:50 --> 00:47:56 or the last two years we have gone in and got some winter triticale,
00:47:56 --> 00:47:59 winter rye like that planted in the fall and up to where we were able to
00:47:59 --> 00:48:01 do some grazing on it in the spring.
00:48:02 --> 00:48:04 then the cash crop into that.
00:48:05 --> 00:48:09 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: So, does it end up that you're grazing every
00:48:09 --> 00:48:14 acre and farming some of it, or is there still some that's just farmed?
00:48:17 --> 00:48:18 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: still some that is just
00:48:18 --> 00:48:20 farmed in a in a way.
00:48:20 --> 00:48:23 It's like trying to get something incorporated into
00:48:23 --> 00:48:24 it over a couple year period.
00:48:24 --> 00:48:28 Some of 'em are more conducive because of the location to water
00:48:28 --> 00:48:31 can actually use it in a growing season.
00:48:32 --> 00:48:36 there's a couple of our pieces that, that's where we're, we are doing the.
00:48:37 --> 00:48:41 We'll be planting hopefully some more winter triticale and winter rye
00:48:42 --> 00:48:47 soon here where then we can graze through that And then we'll end up
00:48:47 --> 00:48:52 disking that regrowth in and probably planting corn or something like that
00:48:52 --> 00:48:53 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:48:53 --> 00:48:55 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: I don't think there's any acreage
00:48:55 --> 00:48:59 that we farm doesn't at some point have cattle across it.
00:48:59 --> 00:49:00 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, okay.
00:49:01 --> 00:49:02 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: In a one year, even in the year.
00:49:03 --> 00:49:04 At least every other year, at
00:49:04 --> 00:49:05 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, every other.
00:49:05 --> 00:49:06 Yeah, at least.
00:49:06 --> 00:49:07 Yeah.
00:49:07 --> 00:49:08 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: because like you say, either
00:49:08 --> 00:49:14 some crop residue or a cover crop type setting that we'll graze
00:49:14 --> 00:49:16 on in the fall or early spring.
00:49:17 --> 00:49:21 But yeah there's pretty much at one point about the only thing that we don't
00:49:22 --> 00:49:29 graze hard on or at least every year would be Like a permanent alfalfa field.
00:49:30 --> 00:49:30 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, okay.
00:49:31 --> 00:49:33 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Everything else we have is either going
00:49:33 --> 00:49:38 to be a residue that we can graze on or we'll plant something at some point
00:49:38 --> 00:49:41 that it'll probably get grazed through.
00:49:42 --> 00:49:46 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: So, Justin, I think you mentioned earlier that a lot
00:49:46 --> 00:49:51 of the farms, they mentioned earlier that, or at least somewhat, and now
00:49:51 --> 00:49:53 they're um, and you guys are diversified.
00:49:53 --> 00:49:58 If you think about a farmer that's out there just growing crops, how would you
00:49:59 --> 00:50:02 approach them about introducing livestock or should they introduce livestock?
00:50:04 --> 00:50:05 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Yeah, I think everybody
00:50:05 --> 00:50:07 should introduce livestock.
00:50:07 --> 00:50:09 I think it's going to improve your soil health.
00:50:09 --> 00:50:13 It's going to, it's another avenue.
00:50:13 --> 00:50:18 For an income stream, whether as a farmer you own the cattle or you
00:50:18 --> 00:50:24 have somebody bring their cattle in and you grazer your residues or you
00:50:25 --> 00:50:30 plant something or allow them to plant something to graze in the spring.
00:50:30 --> 00:50:31 Lot of it is logistics.
00:50:32 --> 00:50:34 A big huge thing is water.
00:50:34 --> 00:50:35 It's access to water.
00:50:35 --> 00:50:39 That, that is big because the fencing deal is easy.
00:50:39 --> 00:50:43 Putting up a temporary fence and we see it, we do it here in
00:50:43 --> 00:50:44 the valley and we see it a lot.
00:50:44 --> 00:50:48 You see it around a lot that people put up temp fences all over.
00:50:49 --> 00:50:52 There's a lot of corn stalks get grazed in this
00:50:53 --> 00:50:53 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:50:53 --> 00:50:55 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: That is a pretty standard thing.
00:50:55 --> 00:50:59 Some farmers don't care for it because they talk about either compaction is
00:50:59 --> 00:51:03 a big thing and that is somewhat of an issue in our country, just because of
00:51:03 --> 00:51:06 the winters that we have, if they're wet and mild, you're going to have a
00:51:06 --> 00:51:11 lot of pocking, a lot of and I guess when I say pocking, it's hugging
00:51:12 --> 00:51:13 they're, yeah.
00:51:13 --> 00:51:17 So that that's, That is definitely just something that you deal with.
00:51:18 --> 00:51:22 Other thing is, if you have enough cattle at certain places, then,
00:51:22 --> 00:51:25 a farmer says, hey, you can have this piece, but you've got 45 days.
00:51:26 --> 00:51:29 I need them out by, 1st of December or whatever, you get your cattle
00:51:29 --> 00:51:31 in, get it grazed and get it off.
00:51:31 --> 00:51:32 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:51:33 --> 00:51:34 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: but yeah I guess that's what I would
00:51:34 --> 00:51:37 say is that you can generally find somebody who's looking for some grazing.
00:51:38 --> 00:51:44 So even if you don't want to own the cattle, can make money of renting your
00:51:44 --> 00:51:46 residue or whatever off to somebody.
00:51:47 --> 00:51:51 And still get the benefits of having an animal come across your ground
00:51:52 --> 00:51:54 and still have a revenue stream.
00:51:55 --> 00:51:56 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Yeah.
00:51:56 --> 00:51:57 Excellent there.
00:51:57 --> 00:51:59 I'm not familiar with irrigated ground.
00:51:59 --> 00:52:06 We just don't have it in our area, but I think it's akin to sheep because I see
00:52:06 --> 00:52:10 all these beef cattle running here and I'm like, everyone that's running beef cattle
00:52:10 --> 00:52:11 ought to have some sheep in there too.
00:52:12 --> 00:52:13 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Yeah, actually, I agree.
00:52:13 --> 00:52:14 Yeah.
00:52:14 --> 00:52:14 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: And
00:52:14 --> 00:52:16 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: if you have any issues with compaction,
00:52:17 --> 00:52:18 get sheep, because then you won't.
00:52:19 --> 00:52:19 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: oh, yeah.
00:52:20 --> 00:52:21 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: actually, if you have
00:52:21 --> 00:52:22 issues with water, too.
00:52:22 --> 00:52:22 Yeah.
00:52:22 --> 00:52:23 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:52:23 --> 00:52:25 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: you could probably water 15 or 20
00:52:25 --> 00:52:27 ewes to one cow during the winter.
00:52:27 --> 00:52:28 It's crazy.
00:52:28 --> 00:52:29 I've had them.
00:52:29 --> 00:52:32 When we have decent snow on the ground or whatever, I've had them
00:52:32 --> 00:52:36 not come into a water tank for three and four days and I started
00:52:36 --> 00:52:39 getting worried and yeah different.
00:52:39 --> 00:52:44 But to each his own, every little thing has its, it's up and down, grazing
00:52:44 --> 00:52:48 and irrigated ground can, there's so many different challenges with it.
00:52:48 --> 00:52:49 And.
00:52:50 --> 00:52:53 a couple of them that you run into is fencing, you're rolling your fence
00:52:53 --> 00:52:57 over your fence, or you're rolling your wheel line or your irrigation
00:52:57 --> 00:52:59 over a fence and putting it back up.
00:52:59 --> 00:53:01 There's so many different things out there.
00:53:01 --> 00:53:04 We have drive over fences for our pivots that have springs in them.
00:53:05 --> 00:53:09 we actually put the first one of Gallagher brought into the United States and we
00:53:09 --> 00:53:13 got the first one in as a trial basis for their show that was coming up.
00:53:14 --> 00:53:17 And I was really good friends with their rep in the Northwest.
00:53:17 --> 00:53:18 And so we put it in.
00:53:19 --> 00:53:20 He's like, okay, it looks like it works.
00:53:20 --> 00:53:25 And he went to the show to sell it, we put a few of those in they work really nice.
00:53:25 --> 00:53:28 The biggest challenge
00:53:30 --> 00:53:34 I see with irrigated ground is the irrigated ground is very similar to
00:53:34 --> 00:53:39 the really high quality Midwestern ground you have good enough rainfall,
00:53:40 --> 00:53:43 everybody can grow really exceptional crop and they just pay more for it.
00:53:43 --> 00:53:44 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:53:44 --> 00:53:47 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: In that situation here, dry land
00:53:47 --> 00:53:49 out around us is almost worthless.
00:53:50 --> 00:53:50 It's
00:53:50 --> 00:53:50 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:53:51 --> 00:53:51 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: touches it.
00:53:51 --> 00:53:52 It's nothing.
00:53:53 --> 00:53:58 You're gonna pay Quadruple the price for irrigated ground here in lease.
00:53:58 --> 00:54:00 Then you have your pump.
00:54:00 --> 00:54:03 I don't know I think for the other day we were figuring there's what two hundred and
00:54:03 --> 00:54:11 eighty dollars an acre fixed cost Well, depending on yeah between 280 to 350, yeah
00:54:11 --> 00:54:12 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, wow.
00:54:12 --> 00:54:13 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: costs per acre.
00:54:13 --> 00:54:17 So, so when you start looking at that and you start figuring that's one of the
00:54:17 --> 00:54:21 reasons too We expanded the sheep per acre if you're willing to do the work
00:54:21 --> 00:54:24 you can gross a lot of money per acre
00:54:24 --> 00:54:25 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
00:54:26 --> 00:54:28 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: and We bought some sheep
00:54:28 --> 00:54:29 that didn't lamb out, right?
00:54:29 --> 00:54:36 So we turned out rams and we changed them to fall winter So now, when we have the
00:54:36 --> 00:54:41 escaped ram, we don't really feel that bad because we can say we planned it,
00:54:41 --> 00:54:42 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:54:42 --> 00:54:42 Yeah.
00:54:42 --> 00:54:44 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: it hitting some of those specific
00:54:44 --> 00:54:49 light lambs in that specific market, in the Ramadan, the Easter,
00:54:49 --> 00:54:50 the Passover, the two Easter's.
00:54:50 --> 00:54:52 That's the big money one right
00:54:52 --> 00:54:52 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:54:53 --> 00:54:55 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: So, the what we have been, well,
00:54:55 --> 00:54:58 it's a thought I, my brother, let me toy with my thoughts.
00:54:59 --> 00:55:02 The thought that I've had for the last few years is, how can we
00:55:02 --> 00:55:07 take, we ran stalkers one summer that actually it worked out well.
00:55:07 --> 00:55:11 We just didn't expect the wheat to be what it is, but
00:55:13 --> 00:55:19 they grazed well, and we saw the regrowth on our pasture the next spring was very
00:55:19 --> 00:55:21 different because we had hayed a lot.
00:55:21 --> 00:55:21 So,
00:55:22 --> 00:55:25 take stockers and lambs?
00:55:26 --> 00:55:28 and make them a crop rotation.
00:55:29 --> 00:55:34 So where we're at with irrigated ground, we don't have much of a market
00:55:34 --> 00:55:36 for legumes, except for alfalfa,
00:55:37 --> 00:55:38 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, okay.
00:55:38 --> 00:55:38 Yeah.
00:55:38 --> 00:55:40 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: not a true legume.
00:55:40 --> 00:55:42 But it is, but you're out five years.
00:55:42 --> 00:55:42 Yeah.
00:55:42 --> 00:55:45 But you're not really doing your soil all that much.
00:55:45 --> 00:55:48 You're not breaking this cycle, dependent on, you're talking like the nematodes.
00:55:49 --> 00:55:50 or the wireworm, right?
00:55:50 --> 00:55:52 That would break that cycle of our wireworm.
00:55:53 --> 00:55:58 So, we can't, peas beans, we're got back into them a little bit,
00:55:58 --> 00:56:02 we don't have canola either, corn, wheat, rotation, or alfalfa?
00:56:02 --> 00:56:03 You're stuck in these three things.
00:56:04 --> 00:56:13 Well, if we can grow a very high clover, vetch pea mix with some
00:56:14 --> 00:56:19 grasses rye, you graze that for a whole summer with some stockers
00:56:19 --> 00:56:20 and your sheep or your whole sheep.
00:56:21 --> 00:56:25 A cash crop that breaks your cycle, puts a ton of nutrients back in,
00:56:26 --> 00:56:27 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
00:56:27 --> 00:56:29 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Or we grazed sorgham, sundans
00:56:30 --> 00:56:35 and then we've also incorporated season perennials into some of
00:56:35 --> 00:56:37 our pieces that they take hold.
00:56:37 --> 00:56:40 But we're dealing with kind of a false environment.
00:56:41 --> 00:56:46 Those, we dry up and burn up pretty much by May.
00:56:46 --> 00:56:52 June 1st, this valley looks yellow cheap grass just burned up, and so when
00:56:52 --> 00:56:58 you add irrigation and our heat, we should be growing season perennials,
00:56:59 --> 00:57:00 they're not really native here.
00:57:01 --> 00:57:04 So you're always playing around with this false environment.
00:57:04 --> 00:57:05 It's like, what do we do?
00:57:05 --> 00:57:07 How do we incorporate this?
00:57:07 --> 00:57:11 How do we utilize all of this growing season that we can't graze?
00:57:12 --> 00:57:14 but it's expensive ground.
00:57:14 --> 00:57:17 You don't want to just dump a bunch of cows on it and still utilize a
00:57:17 --> 00:57:20 cash crop that, isn't livestock.
00:57:20 --> 00:57:26 So it's this constant kind of a moving picture sometimes trying to figure it out.
00:57:26 --> 00:57:27 Yeah.
00:57:27 --> 00:57:28 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: back to logistics.
00:57:28 --> 00:57:31 Just the amount of what crop you're growing.
00:57:31 --> 00:57:32 When does it go in?
00:57:32 --> 00:57:34 When does it come off on pasture?
00:57:34 --> 00:57:37 Now, that brings me to the opposite of the question or the
00:57:37 --> 00:57:39 converse of what I'd asked earlier.
00:57:39 --> 00:57:41 I said, are you all grazing?
00:57:42 --> 00:57:46 Every acre, even the acres you farm, are you farming every acre or
00:57:46 --> 00:57:51 do you have some that's just into put, put into permanent pasture?
00:57:52 --> 00:57:52 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Yeah.
00:57:52 --> 00:57:54 There's absolutely permanent pasture.
00:57:54 --> 00:58:00 We've got at least two, at least 300 acres,
00:58:01 --> 00:58:05 of this permanent pasture that there is no crop taking off of it.
00:58:05 --> 00:58:09 It's cattle 100 percent or sheep.
00:58:09 --> 00:58:10 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yeah.
00:58:11 --> 00:58:12 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Yeah,
00:58:12 --> 00:58:13 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Gentlemen, it's getting close.
00:58:13 --> 00:58:18 We need to move to a famous four, but before we move there, is there anything
00:58:18 --> 00:58:22 that we didn't cover today that you're like, Hey, I would like to have said
00:58:22 --> 00:58:24 that, but Cal just didn't ask it.
00:58:24 --> 00:58:24 So.
00:58:25 --> 00:58:27 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: man, actually, there's so many things
00:58:27 --> 00:58:29 that we've chased down over the years.
00:58:29 --> 00:58:31 I don't know if I could hit on all of them.
00:58:31 --> 00:58:31 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Yeah.
00:58:32 --> 00:58:34 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: soil amendments we've played around
00:58:34 --> 00:58:36 with on pasture and farm ground biochar.
00:58:36 --> 00:58:37 We use a lot of
00:58:38 --> 00:58:43 now in a mix a sea salt biochar with a little soy meal and cracked corn, but
00:58:43 --> 00:58:47 I'm going to go to a crushed barley and you have enough salt in there to where
00:58:47 --> 00:58:49 they're just costly and getting a nice.
00:58:49 --> 00:58:54 bit of that diet winter and it really has made a huge difference for our cats.
00:58:54 --> 00:58:55 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
00:58:56 --> 00:58:57 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: yeah, and the sheep actually been
00:58:57 --> 00:59:00 running on the sheep and then we're going to probably put a 50 50
00:59:00 --> 00:59:01 blend out for the cows this winter.
00:59:02 --> 00:59:04 Heavier on the salt to make sure they're backed off enough.
00:59:05 --> 00:59:07 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: And the biochar, where are you getting that?
00:59:08 --> 00:59:12 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: So I get that through Char, Phil Blom.
00:59:12 --> 00:59:13 He's actually down in your neck of the woods.
00:59:13 --> 00:59:14 I think he's in Missouri,
00:59:15 --> 00:59:17 has He has co ops all over the place.
00:59:17 --> 00:59:18 So down
00:59:19 --> 00:59:23 has a place that produces the biochar for him and we've got
00:59:23 --> 00:59:25 it up and tote sacks from him.
00:59:25 --> 00:59:25 Yeah.
00:59:27 --> 00:59:29 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Well, let's transition to our famous four questions
00:59:29 --> 00:59:31 sponsored by Kencove Farm Fence.
00:59:32 --> 00:59:35 Cal: Kencove Farm Fence is a proud supporter of the Grazing Grass
00:59:35 --> 00:59:37 podcast and graziers everywhere.
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00:59:42 --> 00:59:43 of graziers and land stewards.
00:59:44 --> 00:59:47 The results that follow proper management and monitoring can
00:59:47 --> 00:59:49 change the very world around us.
00:59:49 --> 00:59:54 That's why Kencove is dedicated to providing an ever expanding line of
00:59:54 --> 00:59:57 grazing products to make your chores easier and your land more abundant.
00:59:58 --> 01:00:01 Whether you're growing your own food on the homestead or grazing
01:00:01 --> 01:00:06 on thousands of acres, Kencove has everything you need to do it well.
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01:00:25 --> 01:00:28 Call them today or visit Kencove.com.
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01:00:33 --> 01:00:40 channel @KencoveFarmFence for helpful how to videos and new product releases!
01:00:40 --> 01:00:42 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: They're the same four questions
01:00:42 --> 01:00:43 we ask of all of our guests.
01:00:43 --> 01:00:48 Our first question, what is your favorite grazing grass related book or resource?
01:00:48 --> 01:00:50 I
01:00:51 --> 01:00:51 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: be me.
01:00:52 --> 01:00:56 Man, I'm going to throw out a really hard read that started
01:00:56 --> 01:01:00 me down a path of Frustration.
01:01:01 --> 01:01:04 And that is by . André Voisin.
01:01:04 --> 01:01:07 The soil can't soil, cancer.
01:01:08 --> 01:01:09 Oh, what is the third?
01:01:11 --> 01:01:12 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: know what book you're talking about because I
01:01:12 --> 01:01:14 was just looking at it the other day.
01:01:15 --> 01:01:16 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: I tell you, that's a hard read
01:01:17 --> 01:01:18 to struggle through some of it.
01:01:18 --> 01:01:20 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Soil, grass, and cancer.
01:01:21 --> 01:01:21 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: man, there it is.
01:01:22 --> 01:01:23 That started me on this whole
01:01:26 --> 01:01:27 debacle research,
01:01:27 --> 01:01:28 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: oh, yeah.
01:01:28 --> 01:01:29 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: that 10, 12 years ago.
01:01:30 --> 01:01:34 The other book, and it's not even about that, that I spent a lot
01:01:34 --> 01:01:37 of time in is Weeds of the West.
01:01:38 --> 01:01:39 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
01:01:39 --> 01:01:41 Oh, yeah.
01:01:41 --> 01:01:43 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: all the pictures, man, I spent a lot
01:01:43 --> 01:01:44 of time in there like, what is this?
01:01:44 --> 01:01:45 What is this?
01:01:45 --> 01:01:46 Oh, you gotta be kidding me.
01:01:46 --> 01:01:47 We got that here now?
01:01:49 --> 01:01:54 Yeah, those two, like, And I did, I think, one that I really enjoyed.
01:01:54 --> 01:01:57 My brother, he read a little bit of it, watched some of the
01:01:57 --> 01:02:00 times, but the Johann Zeitzman's,
01:02:01 --> 01:02:02 was a pretty interesting book.
01:02:02 --> 01:02:07 There's a lot of other ones I've hit here on and this and that, and they just didn't
01:02:07 --> 01:02:10 strike me as much, I probably haven't read as many of them as I should have.
01:02:11 --> 01:02:14 I've gone to a lot of conferences over the years.
01:02:15 --> 01:02:18 Nicole, who from New Zealand,
01:02:18 --> 01:02:20 And we had her out on the property.
01:02:20 --> 01:02:20 Yeah.
01:02:21 --> 01:02:21 She was out here.
01:02:21 --> 01:02:23 She was first here in New Zealand.
01:02:23 --> 01:02:26 She was here and consulted on the property.
01:02:26 --> 01:02:29 Actually knew her quite, actually knew her quite well, stayed with
01:02:29 --> 01:02:33 some close friends in Montana and it was one of her main hubs.
01:02:34 --> 01:02:40 But, yeah, I used to make sure to go to at least one conference
01:02:40 --> 01:02:42 every year, if not more.
01:02:44 --> 01:02:46 But, yeah, anyways, those would be two books that I
01:02:46 --> 01:02:48 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: those are great resources there and
01:02:48 --> 01:02:52 conferences are always wonderful and then getting Nicole Masters there.
01:02:52 --> 01:02:54 That's just icing on top of it all.
01:02:55 --> 01:02:59 Our second question, and this one you both can answer and we'll
01:02:59 --> 01:03:01 see how your answers compare.
01:03:02 --> 01:03:04 What is your favorite tool for the farm?
01:03:04 --> 01:03:05 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Wow.
01:03:06 --> 01:03:08 Well, I know what I would say.
01:03:09 --> 01:03:13 The one we have, I wish it was three times its size our brush hog.
01:03:14 --> 01:03:14 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
01:03:14 --> 01:03:16 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: might sound funny, but, man, there's
01:03:16 --> 01:03:22 times when it's nice to just let those cows or sheep, graze a little bit, pick
01:03:22 --> 01:03:25 up something, give yourself a break, and then just come behind them and mow
01:03:25 --> 01:03:29 some of that thistle or russian olives that's starting to peak up around here.
01:03:30 --> 01:03:34 just mow it off, let it fall down on the ground and return to the ground
01:03:34 --> 01:03:38 where it belongs but I would probably say that's probably my favorite tool.
01:03:38 --> 01:03:40 If I wasn't working here, it would be a horse and a rope.
01:03:41 --> 01:03:42 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
01:03:43 --> 01:03:44 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: hands down.
01:03:44 --> 01:03:46 I would rather be in a branding pen than anything else.
01:03:47 --> 01:03:47 Yeah.
01:03:49 --> 01:03:51 Well, my favorite tool is a combine.
01:03:51 --> 01:03:53 My favorite.
01:03:53 --> 01:03:55 It's a combine.
01:03:55 --> 01:03:55 Sorry.
01:03:56 --> 01:03:59 Doesn't sound very grazing grassy, but mine, mine's a combine.
01:04:00 --> 01:04:00 though?
01:04:00 --> 01:04:01 Why?
01:04:02 --> 01:04:08 so we came from a very predominant earlier alfalfa.
01:04:09 --> 01:04:11 That's when we started farming, it was alfalfa.
01:04:11 --> 01:04:14 And at one point we were running 1200 acres of irrigated alfalfa.
01:04:15 --> 01:04:15 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
01:04:16 --> 01:04:16 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: times.
01:04:16 --> 01:04:17 Four and five times a year.
01:04:18 --> 01:04:24 So you were running three swathers, two rakes, two balers, a
01:04:24 --> 01:04:25 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Yeah, a little bit of work.
01:04:25 --> 01:04:27 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: pieces of equipment, lots of labor.
01:04:29 --> 01:04:34 And we've cut way back on that now, but not enough labor actually at the time.
01:04:34 --> 01:04:36 So we were oh, just running ragged
01:04:37 --> 01:04:42 from May to October in this irrigated, that time period in the last 25 years.
01:04:43 --> 01:04:46 We have probably gone through a million dollars worth of haying equipment,
01:04:47 --> 01:04:51 buying it, using it up, replacing it, multiple pieces of equipment.
01:04:52 --> 01:04:57 In that same time period, still have the same combine,
01:04:58 --> 01:05:01 grain head, and same corn head.
01:05:01 --> 01:05:03 We purchased at an auction 25 years
01:05:03 --> 01:05:04 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
01:05:06 --> 01:05:09 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: So that same piece of equipment has
01:05:09 --> 01:05:13 combined thousands of acres of corn, wheat we actually combined some
01:05:13 --> 01:05:16 peas with it years ago sunflowers.
01:05:16 --> 01:05:18 We cut, we did some sunflowers a few years.
01:05:19 --> 01:05:25 So for the amount of input that combine is so far and above
01:05:26 --> 01:05:27 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
01:05:27 --> 01:05:31 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: then the haying side of equipment.
01:05:31 --> 01:05:37 So yeah, that's, I guess when it comes to cash, crop it count, combine hands down,
01:05:38 --> 01:05:40 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Well, you will not find haying
01:05:40 --> 01:05:41 equipment very high on my list.
01:05:41 --> 01:05:42 So
01:05:42 --> 01:05:44 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: No, yeah, I agree.
01:05:46 --> 01:05:47 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: very good answers.
01:05:47 --> 01:05:51 Our third question What would you tell someone just getting started?
01:05:53 --> 01:05:57 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Oh, in, farming or in cattle,
01:05:57 --> 01:05:59 in grazing, in, in all of it.
01:06:00 --> 01:06:03 because you if you're trying to do it full time, I guess
01:06:03 --> 01:06:04 it depends on where you're at.
01:06:05 --> 01:06:07 If you're just going to get started, I'd tell you,
01:06:10 --> 01:06:16 really think about it really hard, because our area is definitely different.
01:06:17 --> 01:06:21 The competition, we're in this valley with the irrigation and with the climate.
01:06:22 --> 01:06:27 You've got, trees, you've got fruit, you've got grapes, you've got wine
01:06:27 --> 01:06:30 grapes, you've got hops are huge in this
01:06:30 --> 01:06:31 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yes.
01:06:32 --> 01:06:35 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: So the competition for ground and the inputs
01:06:35 --> 01:06:44 are so astronomical that starting into it in our area is basically existent.
01:06:44 --> 01:06:45 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah
01:06:45 --> 01:06:47 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: So, different areas, you're
01:06:47 --> 01:06:50 going to have different different avenues of being able to start.
01:06:51 --> 01:06:53 But here it's really tough.
01:06:55 --> 01:06:58 yeah, trying to make a go of it right now, just starting into it.
01:06:58 --> 01:07:00 If it's a hobby and you have a good paying job.
01:07:01 --> 01:07:02 Yeah that's a good story.
01:07:02 --> 01:07:06 You need to keep, or if you're that type of, if you're
01:07:06 --> 01:07:08 smart enough to have married.
01:07:08 --> 01:07:13 Your wife is smarter than you and makes more money, you can do that.
01:07:15 --> 01:07:20 But yeah I think at the end of the day, if, is it financially feasible?
01:07:20 --> 01:07:21 I don't know.
01:07:22 --> 01:07:26 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Yeah, the cost to get started is just so great
01:07:26 --> 01:07:32 if you're doing any kind of farming or equipment heavy Something yeah, Tyler.
01:07:32 --> 01:07:33 What's your advice?
01:07:34 --> 01:07:36 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: I would tell them to go work for
01:07:36 --> 01:07:41 somebody for a year doing what exactly what they think they want to do,
01:07:41 --> 01:07:42 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah.
01:07:42 --> 01:07:44 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: that is the one thing in this whole journey.
01:07:45 --> 01:07:48 Yeah, I don't even know if I like it.
01:07:48 --> 01:07:49 Whatever it is.
01:07:50 --> 01:07:53 In all the years, you talk to people, you meet them, you hear what they
01:07:53 --> 01:07:58 say they're doing, and then you go and you realize, number one, well,
01:07:58 --> 01:08:00 you're predominantly a consultant.
01:08:00 --> 01:08:02 You don't even really do this at home.
01:08:02 --> 01:08:06 you're not pulling a paycheck from all these things that you're recommending.
01:08:07 --> 01:08:08 am I supposed to incorporate this?
01:08:08 --> 01:08:11 Like you're talking 200 an acre of inputs.
01:08:11 --> 01:08:12 You just recommended me.
01:08:12 --> 01:08:13 It's like,
01:08:13 --> 01:08:13 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh, yeah
01:08:14 --> 01:08:15 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: what am I supposed to do with it?
01:08:15 --> 01:08:16 Throw that out the window.
01:08:16 --> 01:08:17 Make it different.
01:08:17 --> 01:08:24 Like I was told one time I said, if I do some of this, what you're telling me is
01:08:24 --> 01:08:28 if I, you do some of this process, but I'm going to have something more stem involved
01:08:28 --> 01:08:34 than leaf, leaf to stem ratio, and that's going to lower my quality of feed.
01:08:35 --> 01:08:38 You're trying to take a little hay and cut, as you're, it's to get a head, so
01:08:38 --> 01:08:44 you cut it, and their response was, Oh, your stems will be more, more nutritious.
01:08:45 --> 01:08:47 And I said, Oh, great.
01:08:48 --> 01:08:49 Can I see that?
01:08:49 --> 01:08:49 Like,
01:08:49 --> 01:08:50 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: right,
01:08:50 --> 01:08:52 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: it hasn't, but it will.
01:08:52 --> 01:08:53 That's what will happen.
01:08:53 --> 01:08:54 Oh, well, great.
01:08:54 --> 01:08:59 Like, So, where's your test site 2, 3, 4?
01:08:59 --> 01:09:02 but I'm just saying that's what will happen as you're so Like,
01:09:02 --> 01:09:05 well, that's a lot of blind faith,
01:09:05 --> 01:09:05 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yeah,
01:09:06 --> 01:09:08 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: And so, there's a lot of things that
01:09:08 --> 01:09:11 I've come to find that After I was instructed or told something, then I'm
01:09:11 --> 01:09:13 like, Ooh, we can incorporate this.
01:09:13 --> 01:09:16 You start incorporating it, and you realize Man, I'm running into this,
01:09:16 --> 01:09:19 and this and you talk to them and you get into conversations and you
01:09:19 --> 01:09:21 find out, having the same problems.
01:09:22 --> 01:09:23 Well,
01:09:23 --> 01:09:23 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Yeah.
01:09:24 --> 01:09:24 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: That would have been nice.
01:09:25 --> 01:09:27 Why didn't you tell me about this after you figured it all out?
01:09:27 --> 01:09:32 Yeah Instead of, or Go work with somebody or spend your weekends with somebody for
01:09:32 --> 01:09:35 a year and see is it really panning out?
01:09:35 --> 01:09:37 It's like the pastured pigs.
01:09:37 --> 01:09:42 I wish I'd gone somewhere and saw those guys, because I know that there's some
01:09:42 --> 01:09:46 tillage going on their no till areas.
01:09:46 --> 01:09:47 Yeah.
01:09:47 --> 01:09:49 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: I think that's excellent advice.
01:09:49 --> 01:09:51 Spending a year there.
01:09:51 --> 01:09:56 So you get to see all the seasons and yeah, people selling you stuff
01:09:56 --> 01:09:57 or trying to convince you of stuff.
01:09:58 --> 01:09:59 What's not being said?
01:09:59 --> 01:10:00 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Being shown,
01:10:00 --> 01:10:01 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: What's not being shown?
01:10:02 --> 01:10:02 Yeah.
01:10:02 --> 01:10:03 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: back 40 that you're not,
01:10:04 --> 01:10:07 Acres in the way back that you're doing things that you're, to
01:10:07 --> 01:10:09 make the ranch pay or the farm
01:10:09 --> 01:10:10 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Oh yeah.
01:10:11 --> 01:10:11 Well,
01:10:11 --> 01:10:12 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: your little project is up front
01:10:12 --> 01:10:13 where everybody can see it.
01:10:14 --> 01:10:15 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: yeah, exactly.
01:10:15 --> 01:10:19 And I've already told y'all don't come visit me right now because I'm, I've
01:10:19 --> 01:10:24 got cattle open everywhere because of water issues, but then again, I try
01:10:24 --> 01:10:25 and be a little transparent about it.
01:10:25 --> 01:10:27 So everyone knows what I'm doing.
01:10:27 --> 01:10:30 So, but yeah, no, I completely agree.
01:10:30 --> 01:10:32 Excellent advice there on both sides.
01:10:33 --> 01:10:36 So no brother can go home and say, I gave better advice than the
01:10:36 --> 01:10:38 other, or keeping that fair there.
01:10:38 --> 01:10:42 Our last question, where can others find out more about you?
01:10:43 --> 01:10:46 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Oh Cascade Sheep and Cattle Company
01:10:46 --> 01:10:50 is our website where we sell our grass fed meats.
01:10:50 --> 01:10:55 Yeah, there is a, my wife does some things updating our cascade sheep and cattle.
01:10:55 --> 01:10:55 Yeah.
01:10:55 --> 01:10:58 That's where you could go and look at, and that's it.
01:10:58 --> 01:11:00 There's email and phone numbers on that.
01:11:00 --> 01:11:05 But if they were interested any questions or want to talk to either one of us
01:11:05 --> 01:11:07 that's definitely a way of finding us.
01:11:07 --> 01:11:10 I know and of us are pretty candid about our failures.
01:11:10 --> 01:11:17 Neither one of us look to any of our debacles at all because honestly,
01:11:17 --> 01:11:21 I think that's the sad case on many of these situations is that stuff is
01:11:21 --> 01:11:23 hidden or not talked enough about it.
01:11:23 --> 01:11:25 That's where we learn the most.
01:11:25 --> 01:11:29 What's truly where we learn the most is our frustrating failures.
01:11:29 --> 01:11:33 Yeah, and that's what Gabe Brown Right.
01:11:34 --> 01:11:35 Oh, yeah, you gotta fail.
01:11:35 --> 01:11:39 You need to fail at something every year Does that mean the truth is I
01:11:39 --> 01:11:43 don't think enough of them hear his original story about his massive
01:11:43 --> 01:11:47 failures of working Outside the farm and look at all of the failure failed
01:11:47 --> 01:11:52 crops that started a process that was out of his control Yeah his soil.
01:11:52 --> 01:11:56 Like, he didn't even, he wasn't even, literally wasn't even making
01:11:56 --> 01:11:59 a plan to try to go into this.
01:12:00 --> 01:12:05 Cover cropping, hail and all the storms made him do it.
01:12:05 --> 01:12:08 And so, it is really important to remember those things.
01:12:08 --> 01:12:13 Every year, about the end of May, I think I'm a great grazer.
01:12:14 --> 01:12:18 So, you gotta run into some problems so you can get better.
01:12:18 --> 01:12:20 Yeah, that's only way.
01:12:20 --> 01:12:23 Don't listen to someone who's just been grazing in May.
01:12:24 --> 01:12:24 that's right.
01:12:25 --> 01:12:26 That's right.
01:12:26 --> 01:12:27 That's right.
01:12:27 --> 01:12:29 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: I told this on the podcast.
01:12:29 --> 01:12:36 Some episode ago, there's a guy next to me on some lease property I have that he
01:12:36 --> 01:12:40 just bought the land And I had a heifer get over on him, which was just odd
01:12:40 --> 01:12:45 across the road And typically I don't have cattle that like to go to other
01:12:45 --> 01:12:49 pastures because I don't like getting them out of other pastures And so I go
01:12:49 --> 01:12:53 over and I meet with him i'm talking He's got like six cows out there and
01:12:53 --> 01:12:55 he's got like a dozen in his corral.
01:12:55 --> 01:12:59 He's like, yeah just bought these You And we're he says, I'm leaving them
01:12:59 --> 01:13:01 in the corral for a couple of days.
01:13:01 --> 01:13:03 Just give them used to it and I'll turn them out.
01:13:03 --> 01:13:05 He's like, how many more cows should I buy?
01:13:06 --> 01:13:10 And I said let's stop right here and see what your grass does over here.
01:13:10 --> 01:13:12 I said, it, I think is.
01:13:12 --> 01:13:14 Late April, it may have been early May.
01:13:14 --> 01:13:15 I said, this is the best.
01:13:15 --> 01:13:17 It's going to look all year.
01:13:17 --> 01:13:19 So let's graze what you have.
01:13:19 --> 01:13:20 Don't buy any more.
01:13:21 --> 01:13:24 I think you got plenty and let's see how it responds.
01:13:25 --> 01:13:27 Yeah, gotta be careful about that.
01:13:27 --> 01:13:28 What it looks like in May.
01:13:29 --> 01:13:29 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Oh man.
01:13:29 --> 01:13:31 Boy, isn't that the truth.
01:13:31 --> 01:13:31 Yeah.
01:13:33 --> 01:13:35 cal_1_10-02-2024_100155: Well, Tyler and Justin, I really appreciate you
01:13:35 --> 01:13:37 all coming on and sharing today.
01:13:37 --> 01:13:39 I've enjoyed the conversation.
01:13:39 --> 01:13:40 I think our listeners will enjoy it.
01:13:42 --> 01:13:43 squadcaster-j79h_1_10-02-2024_080155: Thanks.
01:13:44 --> 01:13:44 Thanks, Cal.
01:13:45 --> 01:13:45 it.
01:13:45 --> 01:13:48 Cal: I really hope you enjoyed today's conversation.
01:13:49 --> 01:13:50 I know I did.
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