e35. Becky Szarzynski – Transitioned to Beautiful Red Cows

In this episode of The Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal talks with Becky Szarzynski of Mountain Glen Farm. We discuss the transition of the family farm to a grass based farm with South Poll cattle. For the Overgrazing section, we dive deeper in to the South Poll cattle breed.

  • [01:07] – About Becky and her operation
  • [02:03] – Why did she choose farming as her livelihood
  • [06:46] – Her experience of putting polywire fencing
  • [08:52] – Kind of wire she used in fencing
  • [09:48] – Area of her pastures
  • [10:12] – How does she move the cattle
  • [10:57] – The key for having a successful grass space operation diversity
  • [13:40] – The climate in Virginia
  • [15:05] – Annual rainfall in her area
  • [16:35] -Utilizing stockpile and hay for the winters
  • [18:00] – How she unrolls the hay
  • [19:39] – Why she moved from Angus to South Poll cattle
  • [21:28] – Her strategy for calving
  • [23:50] – Challenges she faced as a farmer
  • [26:35] – Her future vision for her farm
  • [29:10] – The overgrazing section
  • [31:55] – South Poll Grass Cattle Field Day and Auction
  • [35:15] – Resources to find more about South Poll Cattle
  • [37:01] – Her favorite grazing grass related book or resource
  • [39:29] – Her favorite tool on the farm
  • [41:08] – Her advice to new farmers
  • [43:55] – How to find Becky 

NOTABLE QUOTES:

  • [20:20] – “I want to take farming seriously. I needed to be economical and I feel like the South Poll breed has been a key in helping us to accomplish that.”
  • [28:16] – “If you don’t have healthy soil you are not gonna have a healthy farm or animal or people.”
  • [28:58] – “If your heart’s in it, you can accomplish it.”
  • [43:34] – “Farming isn’t for everyone. It’s best to experience it before you go down that route.”

Watch

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Read

transcript coming soon

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Products Mentioned:

  • Four wheeler

Books/Resources Mentioned:

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