Join us as we explore the transformative journey of Angus McIntosh, a former London stockbroker turned regenerative agriculture practitioner in South Africa. Angus shares his compelling story of transitioning from the corporate world to managing a wine farm near Cape Town. Influenced by Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma," he embraced regenerative farming practices that challenge traditional agriculture norms. Angus offers insights into the contrast between conventional and regenerative agriculture, particularly in the United States, and discusses the unique challenges he faced while branding his products under the name "Farmer Angus." Through his experiences, we gain an understanding of the potential regenerative agriculture holds for the environment and local communities.
Our discussion also highlights the vital role of marketing in farming, emphasizing how effective strategies can shift farmers from being price takers to price makers. Drawing on his background in equity sales, Angus shares his insights into the importance of clearly communicating a core offering, a concept inspired by a talk from Tai Lopez. This approach has led to adjustments in branding and online presence, aiming to better connect with consumers. By focusing on clearly defining and presenting a value proposition, Angus hopes to improve market positioning and attract a wider customer base.
Angus takes us further into the intricacies of livestock management, sustainable farming strategies, and the exciting potential of crossbreeding. He shares innovative practices on his farm, from free choice minerals for cattle to using eggmobiles for laying hens. Angus also discusses the integration of European cattle breeds with local genetics and the role of pigs in land rehabilitation. Listen in as we explore his collaborative efforts with larger companies to produce cured meats and wine, the challenges of a small market in South Africa, and the potential for export expansion. Throughout the conversation, Angus’s passion for regenerative agriculture and dedication to sustainable practices shine through, offering valuable insights and inspiration for those interested in the future of farming.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Farmer Angus
Spier Wine
Tai Lopez
Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute
Redmond
Kencove Farm Fence
NOTE This file was generated by Descript
00:00:00 --> 00:00:04 Welcome to the grazing grass podcast episode 138.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:07 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Understand first, you must understand
00:00:07 --> 00:00:11 the production systems and then you have to go into marketing.
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 --> 00:00:23 I'm your host, Cal Hardage.
00:00:25 --> 00:00:27 You're growing more than grass.
00:00:27 --> 00:00:31 You're growing a healthier ecosystem to help your cattle
00:00:31 --> 00:00:32 thrive in their environment.
00:00:33 --> 00:00:37 You're growing your livelihood by increasing your carrying capacity
00:00:38 --> 00:00:40 and reducing your operating costs.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:46 You're growing stronger communities and a legacy to last generations.
00:00:47 --> 00:00:49 The grazing management decisions you make today.
00:00:50 --> 00:00:55 impact everything from the soil beneath your feet to the community all around you.
00:00:56 --> 00:01:00 That's why the Noble Research Institute created their Essentials
00:01:00 --> 00:01:06 of Regenerative Grazing course to teach ranchers like you easy to follow
00:01:06 --> 00:01:12 techniques to quickly assess your forage production and infrastructure capacity.
00:01:13 --> 00:01:16 In order to begin grazing more efficiently.
00:01:17 --> 00:01:21 Together, they can help you grow not only a healthier operation,
00:01:22 --> 00:01:24 but a legacy that lasts.
00:01:24 --> 00:01:27 Learn more on their website at noble.
00:01:28 --> 00:01:30 org slash grazing.
00:01:30 --> 00:01:37 It's n o b l e dot org forward slash grazing.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:42 On today's show, we have Angus McIntosh from South Africa on
00:01:42 --> 00:01:43 to share about his journey.
00:01:43 --> 00:01:49 How he is branding himself, branding his products, Farmer Angus.
00:01:50 --> 00:01:53 And how he's getting them to the consumer and what he's doing on his
00:01:53 --> 00:01:55 farm, how he started at ground zero.
00:01:55 --> 00:01:59 And for the past 16 years been working on his operation.
00:02:00 --> 00:02:00 Really good episode.
00:02:00 --> 00:02:02 I think you enjoy it.
00:02:03 --> 00:02:05 For 10 seconds about the farm.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:07 Well, the drought continues.
00:02:07 --> 00:02:08 We're still hopeful for rain.
00:02:09 --> 00:02:12 , our heart goes out to those people in Tennessee, where the
00:02:12 --> 00:02:14 hurricane just dump massive.
00:02:15 --> 00:02:16 Reigns on them.
00:02:16 --> 00:02:21 If you happen to watch Justin Rhodes on YouTube, he's got some videos showing
00:02:22 --> 00:02:24 in the middle of the storm and stuff.
00:02:24 --> 00:02:25 It's really interesting.
00:02:25 --> 00:02:26 I encourage you to go watch it.
00:02:28 --> 00:02:31 It's amazing how much damage it did.
00:02:33 --> 00:02:34 Also for the farm.
00:02:35 --> 00:02:36 Normally.
00:02:37 --> 00:02:40 I see a post about the Ozark fall farm Fest.
00:02:40 --> 00:02:45 Usually it's because of Travis Ellis from episode 26, he always goes there and he
00:02:45 --> 00:02:49 posts and I see it and I'm like, oh, I wish we would have planned for it and
00:02:49 --> 00:02:53 went well, last week we saw the post and we didn't have anything planned.
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 So we went up there for the weekend.
00:02:55 --> 00:02:57 , Airbnb a house.
00:02:57 --> 00:03:03 Nice old house that creaks when you walk, but it was a really enjoyful weekend.
00:03:03 --> 00:03:07 We were able to go out to the Ozark fall farm Fest and really enjoyed it.
00:03:07 --> 00:03:12 I enjoyed seeing the equipment, the booths and the animals.
00:03:12 --> 00:03:15 I think the animals, there are a great addition.
00:03:15 --> 00:03:18 That's one reason I like going to the state fairs.
00:03:18 --> 00:03:21 But this got me the benefit of the farm show.
00:03:22 --> 00:03:23 With the animals.
00:03:23 --> 00:03:23 So.
00:03:24 --> 00:03:27 I told my wife next year, when we talk about Tulsa state fair.
00:03:27 --> 00:03:32 Remind me, I'd rather go to the Ozark fall farmfeast.
00:03:32 --> 00:03:35 And if you're in that area near Springfield, Missouri, it's well worth it.
00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 Of course now you've got to wait until the next one.
00:03:39 --> 00:03:41 , for 10 seconds about the podcast.
00:03:42 --> 00:03:45 If you listened last week, you know, we had a little bit of audio issue.
00:03:45 --> 00:03:49 I think we've resolved those and we've uploaded new versions.
00:03:49 --> 00:03:50 Should be better.
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 Shouldn't have any problem today.
00:03:53 --> 00:03:55 However, if you do hear issue, just let me know.
00:03:57 --> 00:04:00 For the grazing grass insiders are monthly.
00:04:00 --> 00:04:03 , zoom will be coming up October 22nd at 7:00 PM.
00:04:03 --> 00:04:08 We're going to talk about the types of grazing and what type you should use.
00:04:08 --> 00:04:09 So if your insider.
00:04:10 --> 00:04:11 And be watching for that.
00:04:11 --> 00:04:14 If you're not a insider, you can find out more information at
00:04:14 --> 00:04:16 our website, grazing grass.com.
00:04:18 --> 00:04:19 Enough of that.
00:04:19 --> 00:04:21 Let's talk to Angus.
00:04:22 --> 00:04:25 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Angus, we want to welcome you to the Grazing Grass Podcast.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:27 We're excited you're here today.
00:04:28 --> 00:04:30 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Listen I'm more excited than you are.
00:04:30 --> 00:04:30 I can tell you.
00:04:31 --> 00:04:35 It's the, what I've always loved about, so I've been practicing regenerative
00:04:35 --> 00:04:39 agriculture for 16 years and, and all of my leadership, well, not all of
00:04:39 --> 00:04:41 it, but most of it comes out of the U.
00:04:41 --> 00:04:41 S.
00:04:41 --> 00:04:46 So it's wonderful to be, to be speaking with you and, and, you know, this
00:04:46 --> 00:04:51 network that you've tapped into, you know, the sort of paradox of American
00:04:51 --> 00:04:55 agriculture is that American agriculture gave birth to this monstrosity that
00:04:55 --> 00:04:59 is cage animal agriculture that is just destructive in every way.
00:04:59 --> 00:05:02 And yet, America is also the place.
00:05:03 --> 00:05:06 where the counter movement, the regenerative movement, the grass
00:05:06 --> 00:05:08 movement is the strongest in the world.
00:05:08 --> 00:05:11 It's, it's, it's a fascinating situation actually.
00:05:13 --> 00:05:13 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: right.
00:05:13 --> 00:05:14 And that's so true.
00:05:14 --> 00:05:15 Yes.
00:05:16 --> 00:05:20 So to get started, Angus, tell us a little bit about yourself and your operation.
00:05:22 --> 00:05:25 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Yeah, Cal, so I manage a wine farm
00:05:25 --> 00:05:28 outside Stellenbosch, which is near Cape Town in South Africa.
00:05:29 --> 00:05:30 It's called Speer.
00:05:30 --> 00:05:32 I've been doing this for 16 years.
00:05:33 --> 00:05:39 Before that, well, I actually grew up very rurally on a farm in
00:05:39 --> 00:05:40 the Eastern part of the country.
00:05:40 --> 00:05:43 It was so rural that Zulu was the first language that I spoke.
00:05:43 --> 00:05:47 And then my father went into Parliament in South Africa.
00:05:47 --> 00:05:50 The Parliament was in Cape Town and so we lived half a year on a
00:05:50 --> 00:05:51 farm and half a year in Cape Town.
00:05:51 --> 00:05:54 Anyway, I then studied management accounting.
00:05:54 --> 00:05:55 I went to London.
00:05:55 --> 00:05:57 I worked as a stockbroker for Goldman Sachs.
00:05:58 --> 00:06:02 And it was I was sort of four and a bit years into my stockbroking career and
00:06:02 --> 00:06:04 I didn't really want to go to Tokyo.
00:06:04 --> 00:06:06 Which is where they wanted to promote me.
00:06:06 --> 00:06:11 So my wife and I made the decision because we had at that stage, two young kids to
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 quit the whole Goldman Sachs lifestyle.
00:06:14 --> 00:06:19 We managed to get an opportunity to build a house on this farm, which
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 turned out to be a clay house.
00:06:21 --> 00:06:23 So clay and adobe.
00:06:23 --> 00:06:28 And I then in June of 2008, read Michael Poland's book, The Omnivore's Dilemma,
00:06:29 --> 00:06:33 where the book, I'm not sure how familiar you are with the book, but it's
00:06:33 --> 00:06:34 about, there's three parts to the book.
00:06:35 --> 00:06:38 And it's basically traces a meal from source to, to, to finish.
00:06:39 --> 00:06:42 And the middle part is about a grass based farmer who happens to be Joel Salatin.
00:06:43 --> 00:06:45 And it was July of 2008.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:47 I read the book.
00:06:47 --> 00:06:48 I was so inspired by it.
00:06:48 --> 00:06:48 I put it down.
00:06:48 --> 00:06:50 I said to my wife, I want to be like Joel.
00:06:51 --> 00:06:55 So I've been trying to be like Joel for the last 16 years.
00:06:55 --> 00:07:00 We, so we, there are seven product lines that we produce.
00:07:00 --> 00:07:01 The latest one.
00:07:02 --> 00:07:05 being wine that we released two months ago.
00:07:05 --> 00:07:09 So we're two, just over two months into a wine brand.
00:07:09 --> 00:07:13 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: So when you came back to South Africa on that
00:07:13 --> 00:07:17 farm and built your house, what was happening on the farm at that time?
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): That is a wonderful question, Carl.
00:07:20 --> 00:07:21 I call it ground zero.
00:07:22 --> 00:07:28 So the history of that farm is that it had been, yeah, so, so we, we, we are
00:07:28 --> 00:07:31 quite a brittle environment where we are.
00:07:31 --> 00:07:36 We, our annual rainfall is 650 to 700 millimeters of rain.
00:07:36 --> 00:07:38 That's the long, long term average.
00:07:39 --> 00:07:41 700 mils, I think is 28 inches.
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: I was just looking it up because
00:07:43 --> 00:07:45 I'm, I'm not sure right off.
00:07:45 --> 00:07:45 Yeah.
00:07:45 --> 00:07:48 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So, however, we've, we, we had nine
00:07:48 --> 00:07:51 years of drought leading up to 2023.
00:07:53 --> 00:07:56 Our rains come in quite a short period, which is the sort of,
00:07:56 --> 00:07:59 our winter, which is your summer.
00:07:59 --> 00:08:03 So we get them usually a bit in May, June, July, August, a little
00:08:03 --> 00:08:07 bit maybe in September, and then it's, it gets quite hot and dry.
00:08:07 --> 00:08:12 So our summers are, are, We can get up, comfortably get up to 40 degrees Celsius,
00:08:12 --> 00:08:15 which I think is close to 100 Fahrenheit.
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 Not very, not humid at all, very dry.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:21 We so, so I'm digressing a little bit, but I just want to
00:08:21 --> 00:08:22 sort of talk about the climate.
00:08:22 --> 00:08:23 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:08:23 --> 00:08:24 I think it's good to
00:08:24 --> 00:08:26 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): what's amazing about, about our
00:08:27 --> 00:08:32 situation is that the Apartheid government built an irrigation
00:08:32 --> 00:08:35 system for approximately 600 farms.
00:08:35 --> 00:08:40 where they put huge pipes underwater through a very, very big area.
00:08:40 --> 00:08:45 And so our irrigation water, we are not having to turn on any pump.
00:08:45 --> 00:08:47 There's no electricity costs involved.
00:08:47 --> 00:08:51 All we do is we open this huge valve or tap and we've got five
00:08:51 --> 00:08:53 and a half bars of pressure.
00:08:54 --> 00:08:54 It's unbelievable.
00:08:54 --> 00:09:00 And it's super cheap, the, both the water and the, and the, and the cost.
00:09:00 --> 00:09:05 So, so we have this amazing thing, Cal, where we get irrigation
00:09:05 --> 00:09:07 in summer and rain in winter.
00:09:08 --> 00:09:14 The result of that is my cattle, I never have to feed a, feed a bale.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:15 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yes.
00:09:15 --> 00:09:17 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): I never have to buy any food from outside.
00:09:18 --> 00:09:21 They survive entirely what's on the pastures and then in winter, what's,
00:09:21 --> 00:09:23 what's being grown off the pasture.
00:09:23 --> 00:09:25 So we, we're very, very, very lucky like that.
00:09:26 --> 00:09:27 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yes.
00:09:27 --> 00:09:31 It sounds like a great advantage to have that in, in place.
00:09:32 --> 00:09:35 Now you mentioned about your temperatures in summer.
00:09:36 --> 00:09:38 How cold does it get during the winter for you?
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): When I tell you what it, how cold it
00:09:42 --> 00:09:45 gets for us, you guys, you guys are going to sort of laugh and say cold.
00:09:45 --> 00:09:46 You don't know what you're talking about.
00:09:46 --> 00:09:47 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yes,
00:09:47 --> 00:09:51 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So in winter, we might get one or
00:09:51 --> 00:09:56 two frosts a year so that it could go down to sort of zero degrees
00:09:56 --> 00:10:02 Celsius at night on a really cold morning for us is below five Celsius.
00:10:02 --> 00:10:04 And then it usually in winter sort of will heat up to.
00:10:04 --> 00:10:08 15, 20 degrees or so.
00:10:08 --> 00:10:11 So, so it's, it's, it's pretty mild.
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: it is.
00:10:12 --> 00:10:14 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): It's a, it's a pretty mild winter.
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 It's probably as mild as Florida in winter.
00:10:17 --> 00:10:20 Uh, maybe even not quite as, a bit colder than that.
00:10:20 --> 00:10:25 So, so yeah, that's the situation we, we, we are, um, the farm,
00:10:26 --> 00:10:27 I'm afraid I'm talking hectares.
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 I, I think, I think acres is 2.
00:10:29 --> 00:10:31 2 or something, that conversion.
00:10:31 --> 00:10:31 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Almost 2.
00:10:31 --> 00:10:32 5.
00:10:32 --> 00:10:32 So,
00:10:33 --> 00:10:33 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): We were in five.
00:10:33 --> 00:10:35 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: one hectare to 2.
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 5 acres.
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): hectares, the whole
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, okay.
00:10:39 --> 00:10:41 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): However, so that's what
00:10:42 --> 00:10:43 over 2000 acres, I think.
00:10:43 --> 00:10:49 And, and, and part of that 30, 35 hectares ish is where we, we have a
00:10:49 --> 00:10:56 hotel and restaurants and shops and an organic vegetable garden, et cetera.
00:10:56 --> 00:10:59 And then the rest of the farm is 21 hectares of vignettes.
00:11:00 --> 00:11:02 We are in a wine growing area.
00:11:02 --> 00:11:05 116 hectares of irrigated pasture.
00:11:05 --> 00:11:13 We have about 150 or so hectares of So when it rains in winter, the cattle
00:11:13 --> 00:11:15 can graze there about twice a year.
00:11:15 --> 00:11:21 And then we have a rewilding area or what we call a Feynbos restoration area.
00:11:21 --> 00:11:27 So the Feynbos is the Afrikaans name for the original biome or the plants
00:11:28 --> 00:11:33 that were in the area, or that we think, you know, because they weren't, the
00:11:33 --> 00:11:38 first white people who came here was in 1652 and they didn't have cameras.
00:11:39 --> 00:11:42 So we don't actually know what this area looked like.
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yes.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): We're just speculating.
00:11:46 --> 00:11:49 So, but this is an area where the animals don't graze and we're
00:11:49 --> 00:11:54 trying to, you know, resurrect what we think is the original bio.
00:11:54 --> 00:11:54 Yeah.
00:11:55 --> 00:11:58 And, and, and, and I mean, we, I've worked very hard over the
00:11:58 --> 00:11:59 16 years on building a brand.
00:12:00 --> 00:12:02 Everything I sell goes under the farmer Angus brand.
00:12:03 --> 00:12:06 Which I was, you and I were joking about earlier is confusing because of
00:12:06 --> 00:12:11 Angus the Angus cattle breed, but, but interestingly, I, if you allow me to
00:12:11 --> 00:12:13 digress on the, on the brand development,
00:12:13 --> 00:12:13 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yes.
00:12:13 --> 00:12:15 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): it's Joel Salatin who said that
00:12:15 --> 00:12:18 50 percent of your time needs to be spent on marketing and 50
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 percent of your time on production.
00:12:20 --> 00:12:25 And, and, and I've over time realized that the, the truth of that statement
00:12:25 --> 00:12:29 and, and within the production, you know, I've emphasized on production
00:12:29 --> 00:12:32 is to try and drive down production costs and have, protocols and
00:12:32 --> 00:12:34 systems in place all the time.
00:12:34 --> 00:12:37 And then of course, staff is a huge thing.
00:12:37 --> 00:12:42 You know, Cal, I've got, I've got two staff who finished high school.
00:12:42 --> 00:12:45 You know, it's, it's, it's I mean, literacy is a real problem in Southern
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yes.
00:12:47 --> 00:12:50 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So, so that is a very big drive
00:12:50 --> 00:12:54 for us is the social work and trying to upskill our staff.
00:12:54 --> 00:12:57 And we, we, we at the stage now, we've mostly got really good people.
00:12:57 --> 00:13:01 But yeah, I could bore you for hours about the, the, the problems that,
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 that we've run into on the farm.
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 Now, obviously for us, labor is much cheaper than for you guys.
00:13:06 --> 00:13:12 It's a very different economy, but we, we sell, we've got one product that really
00:13:12 --> 00:13:16 goes to a big national retailer, but the rest all goes direct to consumer.
00:13:17 --> 00:13:22 And because we have the brand, we are what we call price makers, whereas
00:13:22 --> 00:13:24 commodity producers are price takers.
00:13:25 --> 00:13:25 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Yes.
00:13:25 --> 00:13:30 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): In South Africa cowl, the farm gate prices
00:13:30 --> 00:13:37 for wiener, wiener, wiener oxen or heifers in the last seven years has gone up by 1.
00:13:37 --> 00:13:37 3%.
00:13:39 --> 00:13:39 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yes.
00:13:40 --> 00:13:42 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So, in South Africa, South
00:13:42 --> 00:13:45 Africa from 2010 to 2024.
00:13:45 --> 00:13:49 In 14 years, we have lost 56% of our cattle farmers.
00:13:49 --> 00:13:52 They've gone bust and 54% of our corn farmers.
00:13:53 --> 00:13:58 So I I, when I was in, in Virginia, in, in August, Jim Gar, not Jim Garris,
00:13:58 --> 00:14:00 um, oh my gosh, I Company, kit Farrow.
00:14:01 --> 00:14:01 Kit
00:14:01 --> 00:14:01 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: oh,
00:14:01 --> 00:14:04 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): was, and Kit Farrow said that between,
00:14:04 --> 00:14:08 in the US between 2017 and twenty twenty two, a hundred and forty
00:14:08 --> 00:14:10 2000 farmers in America went bus.
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 This is just the most shocking statistic.
00:14:14 --> 00:14:14 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh.
00:14:15 --> 00:14:18 Yes, the numbers are crazy when you start looking into that.
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Cal, I don't know, I don't know
00:14:21 --> 00:14:25 how it ends, but at some stage I mean, let's talk later on about it.
00:14:25 --> 00:14:29 I've got a few ideas as to how I think this thing can, can, can change, or this
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:31 Well,
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): But, but, but sorry, just back to us.
00:14:33 --> 00:14:37 So, so, June of, July 2008, I finished reading Onward's Dilemma.
00:14:37 --> 00:14:41 I was lucky that I had a Zimbabwean mentor for three years.
00:14:41 --> 00:14:44 He had been practicing a lot of this rotational grazing thing.
00:14:44 --> 00:14:47 things on his farms in Zimbabwe.
00:14:47 --> 00:14:52 So he had four farms, employed 350 people, and Mugabe, in those days,
00:14:52 --> 00:14:54 he, Mugabe came onto his farm and said, you got 24 hours to leave.
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: oh,
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): It's unbelievable what
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 happens in Zimbabwe.
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 Absolutely incredible.
00:15:02 --> 00:15:06 And, you know, prior to that, Zimbabwe was the bread basket of Africa.
00:15:06 --> 00:15:08 They were the best farmers in the entire continent.
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 They're incredible.
00:15:10 --> 00:15:12 So so I was lucky for three years.
00:15:12 --> 00:15:16 He was my mentor and a lot of the stuff he hadn't done either.
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 You know, he hadn't done boiler chickens before.
00:15:17 --> 00:15:19 We hadn't done layers in egg mobiles.
00:15:20 --> 00:15:23 But sort of the principles, I guess, of regenerative agriculture, he understood.
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 well.
00:15:26 --> 00:15:30 And, and, and, and, during the time that he was there, the first year or
00:15:30 --> 00:15:35 two, I guess, we would sell our product as pasture reared, pasture reared.
00:15:35 --> 00:15:35 And,
00:15:36 --> 00:15:36 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yes,
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): then, Carl, someone says,
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 Oh, I do pasture reared.
00:15:40 --> 00:15:43 And another guy in another part of the country goes, I do pasture reared.
00:15:43 --> 00:15:46 So I said to my wife, this is crazy, man.
00:15:46 --> 00:15:48 These guys aren't doing pasture reared.
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 They don't understand the first thing about it.
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 They can barely spell it.
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: right.
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): she said, well, you've got to brand
00:15:53 --> 00:15:59 it around you and I resisted because I said to her, I'm not doing this for me.
00:16:00 --> 00:16:02 I'm doing it for the regenerative agriculture movement.
00:16:03 --> 00:16:07 And she kept going on and she was right because in, in, in branding something
00:16:07 --> 00:16:12 around a person, it immediately makes the story more interesting.
00:16:12 --> 00:16:15 And, and I fundamentally, I think humans like a story.
00:16:15 --> 00:16:17 That's why you, that's why you like podcasts.
00:16:18 --> 00:16:18 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: oh, yeah.
00:16:18 --> 00:16:23 Yeah, it's the story the journey learning about people Yes, I agree
00:16:24 --> 00:16:26 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So I've paid epic amount of school fees.
00:16:26 --> 00:16:30 I just hope I've got, that's why I open source everything.
00:16:30 --> 00:16:34 You'll see on my website, all my Eggmobile plans are available to download.
00:16:35 --> 00:16:39 Everything we've got is open sourced because we don't want other people
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 to pay the school fees that we have.
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:16:42 --> 00:16:46 With your farm and your marketing, I think that's an interesting angle
00:16:46 --> 00:16:50 because to be honest, and I've mentioned this on the podcast before, I think
00:16:50 --> 00:16:55 that marketing is so, so important, but so many farmers are resistant to it.
00:16:55 --> 00:16:59 And it sounds like you were resistant to it at first as well.
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 How
00:17:00 --> 00:17:03 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Well, yeah, so, so my job at
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 Goldman Sachs was equity sales.
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): It is basically a stock broker.
00:17:07 --> 00:17:10 So I mean, selling is something I've enjoyed doing.
00:17:10 --> 00:17:13 I love talking and I'm quite passionate.
00:17:13 --> 00:17:17 And so the marketing part was easy.
00:17:17 --> 00:17:19 The hard part of the marketing thing.
00:17:19 --> 00:17:24 is to try and get the appropriate message across and to, and
00:17:24 --> 00:17:25 to work on your packaging.
00:17:26 --> 00:17:31 That's taken us a hell of a long time, but we are, we are very, very close to having
00:17:31 --> 00:17:37 all our packaging finally look the same, to have the same look and feel, same font.
00:17:37 --> 00:17:40 I mean, because we've got loads of different products.
00:17:40 --> 00:17:45 You know, whether it's bone broth or a tea that we make, or, you know,
00:17:45 --> 00:17:48 we, we freeze dry egg whites and, and, and, and egg white powder.
00:17:48 --> 00:17:53 I mean, and then there's salami and beef and eggs and wine to try and have the
00:17:53 --> 00:17:55 similar palette from which one's painting.
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 So that, that's been a real challenge.
00:17:57 --> 00:18:00 And then I tell you what's, what was really amazing for me on the
00:18:00 --> 00:18:03 marketing was this August thing at salad on Joel Salatin's farm
00:18:03 --> 00:18:05 where a guy called Ty Lopez.
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, okay.
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 I don't know that name.
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): yeah, look him up.
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 I mean, he's got millions of followers.
00:18:12 --> 00:18:14 L O P E Z is his surname.
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 Tai, T A I.
00:18:15 --> 00:18:18 He was actually one of Salatin's first interns, believe it or not.
00:18:19 --> 00:18:22 And, and, but, but, but he's a business coach, et cetera, et cetera.
00:18:22 --> 00:18:26 So he spoke for the couple of hours on what he calls
00:18:26 --> 00:18:28 the 39 triggers of marketing.
00:18:30 --> 00:18:32 Now, now, but, but let's go back to farmers.
00:18:33 --> 00:18:36 Most farmers just want to produce.
00:18:36 --> 00:18:38 They do not want to market.
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 They don't trust marketers.
00:18:40 --> 00:18:42 Marketers are snake oil salespeople, etc, etc.
00:18:43 --> 00:18:46 The fact though, Cal, is if you're not prepared to market,
00:18:47 --> 00:18:49 you will be a price taker.
00:18:49 --> 00:18:53 Whereas if you can market, you will You will be a price maker.
00:18:53 --> 00:18:57 Now, there's a possibility and I've, and I know a couple of farmers who've done this.
00:18:57 --> 00:19:04 They are mostly commodity big producers, but they have a little sideline, which
00:19:04 --> 00:19:08 they slowly but surely increasing where they sell direct to the consumer.
00:19:08 --> 00:19:10 So, you don't have to, it's not an either or.
00:19:12 --> 00:19:12 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: right.
00:19:12 --> 00:19:12 Yeah
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): know, in my, in my case, everything is
00:19:15 --> 00:19:19 down the niche line, trying to get the high margins, branded, da da da da da.
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 I'm just not big enough to be a commodity producer.
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 I'm not.
00:19:23 --> 00:19:27 And, and also our production costs in the regenerative model are way too high.
00:19:27 --> 00:19:30 So we couldn't be commodity producers even if we wanted to.
00:19:30 --> 00:19:32 You know, with, I mean, we've got enough volume and maybe
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 one or two of the products, but
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): it's just not a game
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 I'm prepared to be in.
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 So, so just back to the marketing thing.
00:19:38 --> 00:19:42 So, so there's Tyler Opace talks about the 39 triggers of marketing.
00:19:42 --> 00:19:45 And he says the first one, and I actually changed my website.
00:19:45 --> 00:19:49 within days of being with him because of this.
00:19:49 --> 00:19:54 He says the first thing, top of everything, is called the blunt reward.
00:19:56 --> 00:19:56 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Okay.
00:19:57 --> 00:19:58 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): so if we go to my
00:19:58 --> 00:20:00 website now, farmerangus.
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 ca.
00:20:01 --> 00:20:07 za, and you pull up my website, you'll see that if you go to the landing
00:20:07 --> 00:20:14 page, I've, I've, I've put in right, right, the first thing you're going
00:20:14 --> 00:20:17 to read is welcome to where you can buy the finest regenerative produce.
00:20:18 --> 00:20:21 And learn why and how regenerative agriculture heals the earth,
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 provides delicious clean food.
00:20:23 --> 00:20:25 So, that is what essentially we're about.
00:20:25 --> 00:20:29 You can buy our products, and you can learn about regenerative agriculture,
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 which is this healing exercise.
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 That's the blunt reward.
00:20:32 --> 00:20:38 Whereas, before that, the website had, you know, little pictures and, a thing
00:20:38 --> 00:20:42 that said, we believe in nature's power to sustain healthy life, da da da da da.
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 That's not the blunt reward.
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: So so
00:20:45 --> 00:20:45 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): was,
00:20:45 --> 00:20:48 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: sorry Angus jump in there So the blunt reward is you're
00:20:48 --> 00:20:53 just telling the viewer or whoever's landed on your page what you're doing
00:20:54 --> 00:20:54 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Correct.
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 And what Ty
00:20:56 --> 00:20:56 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: to hunt for it
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): absolutely.
00:20:58 --> 00:21:02 So what Ty did is he said, okay, let's go talk more about the Blunt Reward.
00:21:03 --> 00:21:05 Who of you in the audience has a website?
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 So the hands go up.
00:21:07 --> 00:21:09 Who of you is prepared for me to look at the website and
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 critique it in public here?
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: And the hands went down.
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): And no, no, no, no, actually a lot
00:21:13 --> 00:21:16 of people were prepared and then he looked at people's business cards.
00:21:16 --> 00:21:23 He looked at their brochures and and it's amazing Carl how few people Have
00:21:23 --> 00:21:31 their blunt reward slap bang right in the in the middle It's extraordinary.
00:21:31 --> 00:21:35 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: websites and I would say zero of them have the blunt
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 reward right there at the beginning.
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 This is really interesting to me.
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): It's fascinating.
00:21:40 --> 00:21:42 It's got me, it's really got me thinking.
00:21:42 --> 00:21:46 And then of course, all the other triggers are supportive of that thing.
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 They elaborating on it.
00:21:48 --> 00:21:52 So for example, if your target market is only men, then you need
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 to have lots of statistics in there.
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 Men love statistics,
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: yeah.
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): women not so.
00:21:56 --> 00:21:58 And, and, and, but that's how you refine it.
00:21:58 --> 00:22:00 But those are refinements further down.
00:22:00 --> 00:22:03 At the top and center of everything is the blunt reward.
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 Hmm.
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: That's very interesting.
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 Angus, I've got his website pulled up.
00:22:09 --> 00:22:12 I'm going to have to do some more looking on that.
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Oh, you found his website.
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 Excellent.
00:22:14 --> 00:22:14 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: I do.
00:22:14 --> 00:22:18 Yeah, I've got pulled up here, so I will have to spend some
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 more time looking at that.
00:22:20 --> 00:22:23 Let's, I think the marketing aspect is very interesting.
00:22:23 --> 00:22:25 I think being a price.
00:22:25 --> 00:22:29 taker versus a price setter is very important.
00:22:29 --> 00:22:34 And I, I readily admit we're too much on that price getter side.
00:22:35 --> 00:22:37 We're working towards that price setter side.
00:22:37 --> 00:22:41 So, so hopefully we get there.
00:22:41 --> 00:22:43 I actually want to rephrase that.
00:22:43 --> 00:22:46 We will get there at sometime in the future.
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 We're working that way.
00:22:48 --> 00:22:53 But let's talk, let's change gears just a little bit, and we could probably
00:22:53 --> 00:22:58 already transition and call this the overgrazing section sponsored by Redmond,
00:22:58 --> 00:23:02 Cal: At Redmond, we know that you thrive when your animals do.
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00:23:19 --> 00:23:24 Unaltered and unrefined, our minerals have the natural balance and proportion
00:23:24 --> 00:23:26 to help that your animals prefer.
00:23:27 --> 00:23:31 This gives your herd the ability to naturally regulate their
00:23:31 --> 00:23:34 mineral consumption as they graze.
00:23:35 --> 00:23:38 Our minerals won't just help you improve the health of your animals,
00:23:39 --> 00:23:44 but will also help you naturally build soil fertility so you can grow more
00:23:44 --> 00:23:46 nutrient dense pasture year after year.
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00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 Learn more at redmondagriculture.
00:23:55 --> 00:23:55 com
00:23:56 --> 00:23:59 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: where we're going to dive in deeper into your farm
00:23:59 --> 00:24:03 and what you're doing on your farm, because I think, for one, we could talk
00:24:03 --> 00:24:07 that marketing a long time, but let's talk about your farm and maybe we'll get
00:24:07 --> 00:24:09 some of that other a little bit later.
00:24:10 --> 00:24:14 So first on your farm, you've already talked about your environment.
00:24:14 --> 00:24:18 You talked about how many hectares that are set aside for each thing.
00:24:18 --> 00:24:20 Let's focus on your grazing animals right now.
00:24:21 --> 00:24:25 What do you have in way of grazing animals and how are you doing that?
00:24:25 --> 00:24:27 How are you managing those?
00:24:27 --> 00:24:31 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So we have cattle, we have
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 laying hens we have pigs.
00:24:35 --> 00:24:38 We used to have sheep, but we stopped the sheep because of theft.
00:24:38 --> 00:24:41 So Africa is a very criminal society.
00:24:42 --> 00:24:44 Listen, cow, sheep's the number one takeaway.
00:24:44 --> 00:24:48 Makes no sound, super comfortable to carry on your shoulders.
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 And, and it feeds a lot of people.
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:24:52 --> 00:24:54 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So, and we used to do broiler chickens.
00:24:55 --> 00:24:57 Unfortunately, I tried broilers three times.
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 I had to close the business.
00:24:58 --> 00:25:01 My, my mortalities were too much and my slaughter, slaughter costs
00:25:01 --> 00:25:04 were just exorbitant because there's no, there's no infrastructure here
00:25:04 --> 00:25:06 to support small scale farming.
00:25:06 --> 00:25:10 So I would have had to drive, I had to drive almost a hundred miles to go
00:25:10 --> 00:25:12 and get my, my animals slaughtered.
00:25:12 --> 00:25:15 So you've got to drive with a pickup and a trailer, come back the next day.
00:25:15 --> 00:25:18 You've got to drive the refrigerated truck there and come back.
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 This is epic.
00:25:20 --> 00:25:24 So which, so, so, so anyway, the animals that we graze in the pasture, the
00:25:24 --> 00:25:29 cattle, the laying hens and the pigs, the cattle, we move twice a day, every day.
00:25:30 --> 00:25:33 And as I explained to you earlier, we've got this amazing climate.
00:25:33 --> 00:25:36 We don't have a barn because our winters are super mild.
00:25:37 --> 00:25:41 We because we've got this irrigated pasture in, in summer and winter
00:25:41 --> 00:25:46 grazing and rain in winter, we have green growing grass all year round.
00:25:46 --> 00:25:49 There are times when the, when the nutrition is down a little bit in
00:25:49 --> 00:25:52 the grass and the cattle sort of stabilize, but mostly they're just
00:25:52 --> 00:25:55 growing all year, so we never have to bring in food from outside.
00:25:57 --> 00:26:00 The only things that we do bring in from outside from the cattle are
00:26:00 --> 00:26:04 the ingredients of the free choice mineralics, which is another idea
00:26:04 --> 00:26:05 that we got out of, out of the U.
00:26:05 --> 00:26:06 S.
00:26:06 --> 00:26:09 And, and there are very, very few farms in this country that
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 do the free choice minerals.
00:26:10 --> 00:26:12 It's just boggles my mind.
00:26:12 --> 00:26:15 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: So are you doing pre mixed minerals or?
00:26:15 --> 00:26:17 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): so we, we will buy all
00:26:17 --> 00:26:18 the raw minerals and
00:26:18 --> 00:26:21 then in the compartment of the wagon, we will put minerals in.
00:26:22 --> 00:26:23 Yeah, yeah,
00:26:23 --> 00:26:24 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: that cafeteria style.
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): exactly.
00:26:25 --> 00:26:26 Cafeteria style.
00:26:26 --> 00:26:28 The brilliant description.
00:26:28 --> 00:26:30 So the cattle, we move twice a day, every day.
00:26:31 --> 00:26:35 We've currently got about 175 cattle on the farm.
00:26:35 --> 00:26:39 We'll be close to 200 when the, the calving season finishes.
00:26:39 --> 00:26:42 We, we, we aim to calve when nature calves.
00:26:42 --> 00:26:47 So in our spring early summer, which is right now.
00:26:47 --> 00:26:49 I can talk about the cattle breeds if, if, if,
00:26:49 --> 00:26:50 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: I, I do.
00:26:50 --> 00:26:54 I, I love breeds and I know you're new to the podcast.
00:26:54 --> 00:26:56 That's always my question.
00:26:56 --> 00:26:57 What breeds are you running?
00:26:58 --> 00:26:59 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): But let me, I'll come back
00:26:59 --> 00:26:59 to the cattle if you don't
00:27:00 --> 00:27:00 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Okay.
00:27:00 --> 00:27:01 Yeah, that's great.
00:27:01 --> 00:27:01 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): about the chickens.
00:27:02 --> 00:27:06 So we've got 6, 000 laying hens in Eggmobiles, which is another
00:27:06 --> 00:27:10 American invention and they are incredibly aggressive graziers.
00:27:12 --> 00:27:15 Though the eggmobiles, we move, they're on wheels and we move them
00:27:15 --> 00:27:17 every single day to fresh pasture.
00:27:17 --> 00:27:22 If we don't, they completely overgraze and overfertilize the area.
00:27:23 --> 00:27:23 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Yeah.
00:27:23 --> 00:27:27 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): The, the, so, so, so, so that's
00:27:27 --> 00:27:28 an important thing for us to do.
00:27:28 --> 00:27:31 The pigs is a very different story.
00:27:32 --> 00:27:35 The pigs, we move approximately once a week.
00:27:37 --> 00:27:40 We have them in areas where we want them to open up the bush.
00:27:40 --> 00:27:45 And, and, and really get their noses.
00:27:45 --> 00:27:48 I mean, that pig snout is just the greatest agricultural tool ever developed.
00:27:49 --> 00:27:53 And, and, and, and get them into really turn up the soil and bring, and bring
00:27:53 --> 00:27:56 fertility into, to a very degraded farm.
00:27:56 --> 00:27:58 You know, we spoke earlier about the farm, but I actually should tell you a little
00:27:58 --> 00:28:00 bit more about what used to happen here.
00:28:00 --> 00:28:05 So, for a long, long time, it was a university's farm and they just
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 did all sorts of tests on it.
00:28:07 --> 00:28:09 And then at one stage they grew tobacco on it.
00:28:10 --> 00:28:13 and they fumigated all the soils with methyl bromide
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 and then planted tobacco in.
00:28:15 --> 00:28:22 And then on an 80 hectare block, which is what, nearly 200 acres, they did, they did
00:28:22 --> 00:28:26 carrots without rotation for seven years.
00:28:26 --> 00:28:27 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh
00:28:27 --> 00:28:29 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So you can imagine the poison that they
00:28:29 --> 00:28:34 had to put on by the end of that time, you know, and, and, and lots of artificial
00:28:34 --> 00:28:36 fertilizers et cetera, et cetera.
00:28:36 --> 00:28:42 So, so it has been a genuine regenerative product or project in
00:28:42 --> 00:28:44 our case of rebuilding the soils.
00:28:44 --> 00:28:46 The, the, what's really gratifying.
00:28:47 --> 00:28:52 is that every time, and we do this three on three yearly intervals,
00:28:52 --> 00:28:53 we test the carbon in the soils.
00:28:53 --> 00:28:55 It's gone up and up and up.
00:28:55 --> 00:29:00 And we've actually been paid carbon credits three times already for
00:29:00 --> 00:29:02 increasing the carbon in our soils.
00:29:03 --> 00:29:04 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yes.
00:29:04 --> 00:29:06 So, so another income stream
00:29:06 --> 00:29:06 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Yes.
00:29:07 --> 00:29:07 Yes.
00:29:07 --> 00:29:11 But I have to tell you, Cal, it's not a big income stream and
00:29:12 --> 00:29:15 the carbon credit market itself Collapsed about two years ago on
00:29:15 --> 00:29:18 the bearer's frauds regarding trees.
00:29:19 --> 00:29:24 So it was, it was looking very positive, the, the, the carbon credits, but
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 that's just, it's completely collapsed.
00:29:26 --> 00:29:32 However, I do believe that in the future we will have a more, how can I
00:29:32 --> 00:29:38 say, wider view of accounting and then farmers who are improving the ecosystems.
00:29:39 --> 00:29:41 their land will become more valuable.
00:29:41 --> 00:29:43 They'll be paid more.
00:29:44 --> 00:29:46 I, I, I, I see a future of,
00:29:46 --> 00:29:47 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: yeah.
00:29:48 --> 00:29:49 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): yeah.
00:29:49 --> 00:29:53 And then, and then, and then the yeah, so that's the grazing and, and, and we have
00:29:53 --> 00:29:57 a, we have a rule on the farm where it's at least six weeks before any animal is
00:29:57 --> 00:29:59 allowed to come back onto that piece of
00:29:59 --> 00:30:01 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, so letting it rest for six weeks.
00:30:02 --> 00:30:05 One thing you mentioned mentioned there was the land, the university
00:30:05 --> 00:30:08 had it and you know, growing carrots on that one section.
00:30:09 --> 00:30:13 When you got started, did you have to go in and plant your
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 different forage species?
00:30:15 --> 00:30:16 Yes.
00:30:16 --> 00:30:17 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So, so we had established
00:30:17 --> 00:30:18 all the pastures.
00:30:18 --> 00:30:24 Interestingly a grass called kikuyu, which is a Kenya, which is a very,
00:30:24 --> 00:30:26 very strong grass has come up.
00:30:27 --> 00:30:32 And the other, there has been a plant called plantain P L A N T A I N.
00:30:32 --> 00:30:34 I think it's in New Zealand.
00:30:34 --> 00:30:36 It's a forb in a way.
00:30:36 --> 00:30:40 And that's, and that's, and that's grown, which has been wonderful, but you know,
00:30:40 --> 00:30:42 the grass and legumes we've brought in.
00:30:43 --> 00:30:47 And the mix in the pasture slowly changes as the soils get more fertile,
00:30:47 --> 00:30:49 the mix has changed differently.
00:30:50 --> 00:30:56 You know, John Kempf has, is very persuasive in talking about forbs
00:30:56 --> 00:31:01 and how, how dominant the US prairies are with forbs actually,
00:31:02 --> 00:31:03 and how good they are in the soil.
00:31:04 --> 00:31:09 So a long term project for us is the introduction of more forbs.
00:31:10 --> 00:31:14 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: So with your, your pastures, you're letting it rest
00:31:14 --> 00:31:16 six weeks before any other animal.
00:31:16 --> 00:31:20 There with your chickens, are you moving those behind your
00:31:20 --> 00:31:22 cows or those on a separate area?
00:31:23 --> 00:31:25 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): No, they, they are in the same,
00:31:25 --> 00:31:28 they will be sometimes in the same area, so the cattle will
00:31:28 --> 00:31:30 graze through the chicken pasture.
00:31:30 --> 00:31:31 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, okay.
00:31:31 --> 00:31:35 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): however, we will leave a space of at
00:31:35 --> 00:31:39 least 7 to 10 days for the chickens to go.
00:31:41 --> 00:31:44 In other words, we won't have the cattle grazing directly in front of
00:31:44 --> 00:31:47 the chickens because the pasture, it's just too hard on the pasture.
00:31:48 --> 00:31:50 Having the cattle hammer it and then the chickens hammer it immediately.
00:31:51 --> 00:31:55 That, that, that's why we want that long recovery.
00:31:56 --> 00:32:01 So, so 10 days, then, then the chickens can go over where the cattle used to
00:32:01 --> 00:32:03 be and we're, and we're fine with that.
00:32:03 --> 00:32:05 But, but, but, but not less.
00:32:05 --> 00:32:09 I mean, some people have talked about the chickens following the cattle,
00:32:09 --> 00:32:11 scratching open their manure piles.
00:32:12 --> 00:32:13 We tried that.
00:32:13 --> 00:32:15 It's just too hard on the pasture.
00:32:16 --> 00:32:20 Um, and, and yeah, it didn't really work for us.
00:32:21 --> 00:32:23 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Well, that, that's interesting because I do hear a lot
00:32:23 --> 00:32:29 of people like follow your, your cattle with chickens just a day or two later
00:32:29 --> 00:32:30 so they can scratch through the manure.
00:32:31 --> 00:32:31 However,
00:32:31 --> 00:32:33 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Kyle, the, the, sorry to interrupt
00:32:33 --> 00:32:36 you, but the, the other, whilst, I just need to finish that chickens following
00:32:36 --> 00:32:38 cattle thought before we move on.
00:32:40 --> 00:32:45 Our other complication is that we've got 6, 000 hens and 21 eggmobiles.
00:32:46 --> 00:32:50 So to move those behind the cattle is a logistical nightmare.
00:32:50 --> 00:32:51 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yeah.
00:32:52 --> 00:32:54 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Two, our egg meals are quite big.
00:32:54 --> 00:32:56 They, they three and a half meters wide by eight meters long.
00:32:57 --> 00:33:00 So that, so, you know, to, to, to have those things cruising around the
00:33:00 --> 00:33:03 cattle, I, I just, it's too difficult.
00:33:03 --> 00:33:07 And then finally, we have a predator problem with the chickens.
00:33:08 --> 00:33:12 It's, it's, it's a thing called a caracal, which is very close to your bobcat
00:33:14 --> 00:33:17 and, and that thing loves the chickens.
00:33:17 --> 00:33:20 I mean, on these farms, it's only been guineafowl.
00:33:20 --> 00:33:23 So now it's suddenly got dinner with a white tablecloth as well.
00:33:24 --> 00:33:29 So, we, we were, we have an area, a 30 hectare block that we've
00:33:29 --> 00:33:32 sort of tried to keep fenced off.
00:33:32 --> 00:33:37 To keep those cats out from the, the the, the, the chickens.
00:33:37 --> 00:33:41 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: you have a perimeter fence you, you hope you try
00:33:41 --> 00:33:43 and keep those cats out of there from
00:33:44 --> 00:33:44 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Yup.
00:33:44 --> 00:33:47 And then in addition to that, in addition to that, we've got people
00:33:47 --> 00:33:51 moving around during the day, and then when my people knock off at five, I
00:33:51 --> 00:33:57 employ security guards at night to look after, or not at night, they have to
00:33:57 --> 00:33:59 stay with their hands until it's dark
00:34:00 --> 00:34:00 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:34:00 --> 00:34:02 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): they're all inside the Eggmobiles
00:34:02 --> 00:34:03 and then lock the Eggmobiles.
00:34:04 --> 00:34:05 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, okay.
00:34:05 --> 00:34:06 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Because otherwise that, that
00:34:06 --> 00:34:10 predator, that bobcat cousin will just massacre them.
00:34:10 --> 00:34:11 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:34:12 --> 00:34:13 Interesting.
00:34:13 --> 00:34:14 I was wondering about predators.
00:34:14 --> 00:34:18 Do you have to worry about any predators for you mentioned your sheep?
00:34:18 --> 00:34:20 You get some human predators there.
00:34:21 --> 00:34:21 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): That's it.
00:34:21 --> 00:34:21 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: any?
00:34:22 --> 00:34:24 Any other issues with your pigs or cattle?
00:34:25 --> 00:34:26 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Listen, the two legged predator
00:34:27 --> 00:34:28 that likes to steal the sheep.
00:34:28 --> 00:34:30 Good luck to him trying to catch pigs.
00:34:33 --> 00:34:34 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Right, that's true.
00:34:34 --> 00:34:34 Yeah.
00:34:35 --> 00:34:37 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): And I'll tell you, if, if he makes the
00:34:37 --> 00:34:42 mistake of getting into the nursery where we are, pigs are currently, we've got 16
00:34:42 --> 00:34:44 gilts giving birth for the first time.
00:34:44 --> 00:34:48 They are unbelievably aggressive.
00:34:48 --> 00:34:52 I mean, he, he tries to get close to baby pig.
00:34:52 --> 00:34:55 Mama's, mama pigs, there's been nothing left of this guy.
00:34:55 --> 00:35:00 So I, I don't, listen, I, maybe they do steal the pigs, but
00:35:00 --> 00:35:02 I, I, I dare them to try and
00:35:02 --> 00:35:04 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: yeah, you're not seeing much losses
00:35:04 --> 00:35:05 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): No, not losses there.
00:35:05 --> 00:35:08 And the cattle, fortunately, we've also got quite big perimeter fencing.
00:35:08 --> 00:35:11 So for these guys to steal the cattle, they'd need to get
00:35:11 --> 00:35:12 a big vehicle onto the farm
00:35:12 --> 00:35:14 and, and and that would be stopped.
00:35:14 --> 00:35:18 You know, in other parts of South Africa, cattle rustling is a real thing.
00:35:19 --> 00:35:21 But for us, fortunately, we're okay.
00:35:21 --> 00:35:22 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: oh yeah.
00:35:23 --> 00:35:25 So with, with your pigs, you were just talking about those gilts,
00:35:25 --> 00:35:29 feraling, and you've got them in an area and you're going to move them.
00:35:29 --> 00:35:34 Is the goal there that you're going to plant more forages in there so
00:35:34 --> 00:35:38 that you can hopefully open it up and get more grazing for your cattle?
00:35:39 --> 00:35:40 Or do you have
00:35:40 --> 00:35:43 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): so that, so absolutely, so up, so we've
00:35:43 --> 00:35:50 had pigs on the farm for six years, I think six or seven years, not quite sure.
00:35:51 --> 00:35:55 And, and, and they were always in an open area where.
00:35:56 --> 00:36:00 They would graze, and we actually eventually took the irrigation out,
00:36:00 --> 00:36:03 and so the cattle would only be able to graze there twice a year with winter.
00:36:04 --> 00:36:10 However, the pigs are, I don't know how to, I don't even know English,
00:36:10 --> 00:36:14 my English is beyond me, but they are ultimately disrespectful
00:36:15 --> 00:36:15 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yeah.
00:36:15 --> 00:36:17 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): any human plans that you have,
00:36:18 --> 00:36:19 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: That they are.
00:36:19 --> 00:36:19 Yes.
00:36:20 --> 00:36:22 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Okay, so what we've now done is we have
00:36:22 --> 00:36:30 fenced off a huge 12 hectare block in an abandoned plum orchard where Where
00:36:30 --> 00:36:34 we've fenced it with barbed wire enough that the pigs can't actually get out
00:36:34 --> 00:36:38 of that area So the electric fences now if they break the electric fence
00:36:38 --> 00:36:42 We don't really mind because they are contained within a bigger area.
00:36:43 --> 00:36:49 So our goal with them is to Revitalize that plum orchard
00:36:50 --> 00:36:51 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yes.
00:36:51 --> 00:36:52 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): You know, they say pigs have
00:36:52 --> 00:36:55 co evolved as with the trees, they're like forest animals.
00:36:55 --> 00:36:58 So this is the most foresty area we have on the farm.
00:36:58 --> 00:37:03 So the first thing is we're the only guys in South Africa raising pigs outdoors.
00:37:04 --> 00:37:05 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yes.
00:37:05 --> 00:37:07 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): also the only guys who are
00:37:07 --> 00:37:10 curing them without adding nitrites, nitrates and phosphate.
00:37:11 --> 00:37:15 It's, it's becoming more common in the, in the, in the U S.
00:37:15 --> 00:37:17 I
00:37:17 --> 00:37:19 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: to process them on your land
00:37:19 --> 00:37:20 there or you have to take them?
00:37:20 --> 00:37:22 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): have a butchery on my farm.
00:37:22 --> 00:37:26 I did process them there for about three years.
00:37:27 --> 00:37:33 And fortunately I've outsourced that production to a huge factory in Cape Town.
00:37:34 --> 00:37:36 And, and, and it's actually one of the things that's
00:37:36 --> 00:37:38 similarly happened with my wine.
00:37:38 --> 00:37:41 I've collaborated with a much bigger company.
00:37:41 --> 00:37:45 And it's been a real benefit that I've got, you know, this sort of little
00:37:45 --> 00:37:47 guy is working with the big guy.
00:37:47 --> 00:37:50 So it's not, it's not the big little guy being crushed by the big guy.
00:37:51 --> 00:37:52 I'm getting, it's the best of both worlds
00:37:53 --> 00:37:53 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh
00:37:53 --> 00:37:55 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): these collaborations, both on
00:37:55 --> 00:37:56 the cured meat and on the wine.
00:37:57 --> 00:37:57 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, very good.
00:37:58 --> 00:38:01 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So they, I mean, they, we're just lucky
00:38:01 --> 00:38:02 that they were prepared to do this for us.
00:38:02 --> 00:38:05 And so they, like, contract make it for us.
00:38:05 --> 00:38:08 We're the only stuff in their factory without the nitrites,
00:38:08 --> 00:38:08 nitrates, and phosphates.
00:38:10 --> 00:38:13 But it's a business that's kind of going, it goes okay.
00:38:13 --> 00:38:16 I, South Africa is quite a small market.
00:38:16 --> 00:38:19 It's not hugely appreciative of this kind of thing.
00:38:20 --> 00:38:22 I am looking into export for this product.
00:38:23 --> 00:38:26 Because I, I, I want to find a bigger market that's more appreciative of it.
00:38:27 --> 00:38:27 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yeah.
00:38:28 --> 00:38:31 And are you marketing locally there to Cape Town?
00:38:31 --> 00:38:33 How far away from Cape Town are you?
00:38:33 --> 00:38:34 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Sure.
00:38:34 --> 00:38:38 So we are about half an hour from Cape Town.
00:38:38 --> 00:38:42 We do deliveries three days a week, a week into Cape Town and
00:38:42 --> 00:38:44 then the other two days elsewhere.
00:38:45 --> 00:38:50 Our cured meat, this pork I was talking about, it goes to a national retailer.
00:38:51 --> 00:38:55 So that we take to their big distribution center and then they ship it around
00:38:55 --> 00:38:57 the country, which is very handy.
00:38:58 --> 00:39:01 And then we do have a client up in Johannesburg who we,
00:39:01 --> 00:39:02 who we send all our stuff to.
00:39:03 --> 00:39:09 In fact, that we use a a freight company that specializes in refrigerated
00:39:09 --> 00:39:17 transport and the gate, they broke the gate going into my butchery on Tuesday.
00:39:17 --> 00:39:18 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh no.
00:39:18 --> 00:39:20 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So now I've said to them, listen, hold
00:39:20 --> 00:39:24 on, we, you're charging us, but for a change, we're going to charge you.
00:39:26 --> 00:39:27 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: You were right.
00:39:27 --> 00:39:27 Yeah.
00:39:29 --> 00:39:32 Well, let's jump back just a little bit, Angus.
00:39:32 --> 00:39:36 Let's talk about your breeds of animals you're, you're running there.
00:39:36 --> 00:39:38 So let's start with your cattle.
00:39:38 --> 00:39:40 What kind of cattle are you running?
00:39:40 --> 00:39:45 And you know, with, with a name like Angus, you might think
00:39:45 --> 00:39:46 you're running Angus cattle.
00:39:48 --> 00:39:50 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Listen, it's a joke that unfortunately I
00:39:50 --> 00:39:54 never get tired of that my father named me after a cattle breed, although he
00:39:54 --> 00:39:55 claims he didn't name me after a cattle
00:39:55 --> 00:39:56 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yes.
00:39:56 --> 00:39:58 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): It's amazing that the Angus Breed
00:39:58 --> 00:40:00 Society and hats off to them
00:40:00 --> 00:40:02 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, they have done a wonderful job.
00:40:02 --> 00:40:04 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): a wonderful job of fooling the
00:40:04 --> 00:40:07 world into thinking there's something special about Angus beef.
00:40:07 --> 00:40:08 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Yes.
00:40:08 --> 00:40:09 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): It's absolute nonsense.
00:40:10 --> 00:40:12 Beef is entirely dependent on what it's eaten.
00:40:12 --> 00:40:13 I mean, I've done these trials.
00:40:13 --> 00:40:20 I had eight breeds of oxen, raised them all, same diet, blind
00:40:20 --> 00:40:21 tasted them to all the chefs.
00:40:21 --> 00:40:22 No one can tell you any difference.
00:40:23 --> 00:40:23 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh,
00:40:23 --> 00:40:25 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Obviously the breed societies are
00:40:25 --> 00:40:29 desperate to tell you a difference and, and I mean the most, some of the
00:40:29 --> 00:40:32 most fanatical people in the world are people committed to their cattle breed.
00:40:33 --> 00:40:36 So, I mean, again, I can't talk for the Anguses in America because I'm
00:40:36 --> 00:40:41 never found in America and, and there's obviously huge differences within breeds,
00:40:41 --> 00:40:42 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, there are.
00:40:42 --> 00:40:44 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): but that most of the Anguses
00:40:44 --> 00:40:45 here are quite different.
00:40:46 --> 00:40:47 thin and
00:40:47 --> 00:40:48 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yes.
00:40:48 --> 00:40:49 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): more framed and skinny.
00:40:49 --> 00:40:52 And, and, and I prefer a bit more meat.
00:40:52 --> 00:40:55 I'm in a very fortunate position that I've got this amazing grazing all year round.
00:40:56 --> 00:40:58 So I can afford slightly larger framed animals.
00:40:58 --> 00:41:02 Right at the, so for, for quite a few years, I was just doing
00:41:02 --> 00:41:04 pure limousine cows, limousine
00:41:04 --> 00:41:04 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: yeah.
00:41:05 --> 00:41:06 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Then I crossed them with a red
00:41:06 --> 00:41:09 Angus actually, very nice cross.
00:41:09 --> 00:41:10 And this
00:41:11 --> 00:41:12 I've crossed them with a Bonsmora bull.
00:41:13 --> 00:41:17 So Bonsmora is a, is a, is a, You could call it a hybrid breed, but
00:41:17 --> 00:41:20 I mean, it's been around since the forties and fifties now, so it's
00:41:20 --> 00:41:22 quite well established and Dr.
00:41:22 --> 00:41:26 Bornsma, I think, modeled the Bornsma or for Tom Lasseter
00:41:26 --> 00:41:27 was doing with the Beefmaster
00:41:27 --> 00:41:28 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: yeah.
00:41:28 --> 00:41:31 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): and And and so what we do is we
00:41:31 --> 00:41:36 have a closed bullying season We give them three cycles in
00:41:36 --> 00:41:40 which to conceive So 60, 63 days.
00:41:41 --> 00:41:47 And yeah, we do pregnancy tests and if they're not pregnant, then we'll
00:41:47 --> 00:41:53 call them, you know, there's usually one this year, two cows that weren't
00:41:53 --> 00:41:56 pregnant and, and, and then there, and the, and the, and the rest are fine.
00:41:56 --> 00:42:02 And, and then we did an experiment the year before with a Simmon tolerable.
00:42:02 --> 00:42:06 And the Simmentaler Bull on the limousine cows, those calves are just
00:42:06 --> 00:42:07 too big, they were just enormous.
00:42:08 --> 00:42:12 So we had, we, for two of them we had, we lost a calf with birthing
00:42:12 --> 00:42:14 problems, which is very sad.
00:42:14 --> 00:42:18 But, I've got, literally two days ago I got the first calf on the ground
00:42:18 --> 00:42:20 of the season, and they're beautiful.
00:42:20 --> 00:42:22 Those little Bonsmara calves, they'll be fine.
00:42:23 --> 00:42:27 But what I like about the Bonsmara is there's a lot of boss, Inus in
00:42:27 --> 00:42:30 it and the limousine is obviously Bo and the Limousine and the
00:42:30 --> 00:42:32 Red Angus is are a boss Taurus.
00:42:32 --> 00:42:35 So we you can get that boss Taurus, boss Indicus cross.
00:42:35 --> 00:42:35 it's
00:42:36 --> 00:42:37 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, get that hybrid
00:42:37 --> 00:42:39 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): I have to say I was in the States two
00:42:39 --> 00:42:43 years ago, two and a half years ago, and I spent two weeks driving around
00:42:43 --> 00:42:45 rural Alabama and rural Tennessee.
00:42:45 --> 00:42:48 Just going, trying to find some ridge err to forms and I was.
00:42:49 --> 00:42:52 I ended up on, on, on a couple of farms where they were really
00:42:52 --> 00:42:53 involved with the South Poll.
00:42:54 --> 00:42:54 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh,
00:42:54 --> 00:42:57 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): My gosh, what an animal,
00:42:58 --> 00:42:59 how I was impressed.
00:43:00 --> 00:43:02 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: I've been impressed with him as well.
00:43:02 --> 00:43:03 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Damn it's
00:43:04 --> 00:43:05 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: In fact, that's the bulls I'm
00:43:05 --> 00:43:06 running right now are south Poll
00:43:06 --> 00:43:07 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): wonderful.
00:43:07 --> 00:43:08 Wonderful.
00:43:09 --> 00:43:11 I mean, there's not a single South Poll in South Africa.
00:43:11 --> 00:43:12 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: oh yeah.
00:43:12 --> 00:43:14 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): who knows one day I might be
00:43:14 --> 00:43:16 able to actually bring some embryos in or some semen in.
00:43:17 --> 00:43:18 I'd love to just see them here.
00:43:18 --> 00:43:20 They were just, they were magnificent.
00:43:21 --> 00:43:24 So, and the thought that this Teddy Gentry, I think it was put
00:43:24 --> 00:43:27 in two And the money was proper.
00:43:27 --> 00:43:28 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:43:28 --> 00:43:28 Yeah.
00:43:28 --> 00:43:30 Well, I have to admit this.
00:43:31 --> 00:43:37 When, when I first heard of South Polls, I actually, when I thought,
00:43:37 --> 00:43:41 well, Teddy Gentry from the band Alabama made it, I'm like, I'm not
00:43:41 --> 00:43:43 so sure I'm interested in that,
00:43:43 --> 00:43:45 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Mm mm mm
00:43:45 --> 00:43:49 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: and then up on more research and actually seeing them
00:43:49 --> 00:43:51 and stuff, I've been very impressed.
00:43:52 --> 00:43:56 And then I heard Teddy Gentry talk at One of the field days they had and
00:43:56 --> 00:44:02 he spent a lot of time researching what he wanted for his environment
00:44:03 --> 00:44:03 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): mm
00:44:03 --> 00:44:06 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: then Spent the money to breed towards that that
00:44:06 --> 00:44:10 took if he wasn't a famous singer He might have got some of that done,
00:44:10 --> 00:44:11 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Mm
00:44:11 --> 00:44:16 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Being that gave him the ability, financially, time wise,
00:44:16 --> 00:44:17 to be able to do it, which is amazing.
00:44:18 --> 00:44:19 I've been pretty impressed, too.
00:44:20 --> 00:44:23 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So how long have you had South Poll Bulls?
00:44:24 --> 00:44:27 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: This will be, I think, three years.
00:44:27 --> 00:44:29 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): And are you happy with the offspring?
00:44:29 --> 00:44:31 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: I am very happy with them.
00:44:31 --> 00:44:33 We, we've got two herds here.
00:44:34 --> 00:44:36 We have my dad's herd, we have my herd.
00:44:36 --> 00:44:40 With my herd, I'm breeding just to South Poll and I'm going
00:44:40 --> 00:44:41 completely that direction.
00:44:41 --> 00:44:42 I'm all in on it.
00:44:43 --> 00:44:45 Now, I've got some Corriente cows.
00:44:45 --> 00:44:46 I also have some South Poll cows.
00:44:47 --> 00:44:48 But I'm working that way.
00:44:49 --> 00:44:53 With Dad's herd, it's a limousin based herd that we've crossed
00:44:53 --> 00:44:57 up with a few different breeds, and we're liking the crosses.
00:44:57 --> 00:45:04 We have not got any, I guess the heifers we just weaned will be
00:45:04 --> 00:45:05 half South Pole, some of them.
00:45:05 --> 00:45:10 We use multiple bulls and we've used multiple breeds on his herd.
00:45:10 --> 00:45:15 So we haven't got any cows in production in his herd that are half South Pole.
00:45:16 --> 00:45:19 For my herd, I am just so impressed with them.
00:45:19 --> 00:45:25 I'm impressed with the South, with the half South Pole, half Corriente.
00:45:25 --> 00:45:28 They just really make a nice functional cow that.
00:45:29 --> 00:45:33 Then you breed 'em back to that South Poll, you get a really nice calf that you
00:45:33 --> 00:45:35 would think was full blood South Poll.
00:45:35 --> 00:45:37 So I've been, I've been really impressed with them.
00:45:37 --> 00:45:42 Just the way they can keep weight on, even in dry weather, rougher
00:45:42 --> 00:45:45 weather, they just handle it so well.
00:45:45 --> 00:45:48 My next step, and I mentioned this earlier, we're a price
00:45:48 --> 00:45:50 getter rather than a setter, but.
00:45:51 --> 00:45:54 The goal is to start finishing them out when I have enough
00:45:55 --> 00:45:57 and work towards that part.
00:45:57 --> 00:45:57 We're
00:45:58 --> 00:45:58 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Mm.
00:45:58 --> 00:46:00 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: we're probably a year off from that right now.
00:46:00 --> 00:46:04 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): But, but, but, but your cu cows or
00:46:04 --> 00:46:08 the heifers that don't fall pregnant, surely that's a perfect animal
00:46:09 --> 00:46:10 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: It is?
00:46:10 --> 00:46:11 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): to the butcher.
00:46:11 --> 00:46:14 And, you know, you know, do you know how I started in the meat business
00:46:14 --> 00:46:16 before I had my own butchery?
00:46:16 --> 00:46:21 I, I would my cu cows and whatever I take to the, to the heaven's
00:46:21 --> 00:46:25 floor, to take him to butchery and say, mince the entire thing.
00:46:25 --> 00:46:31 From the nose to the tail and and mince everything put all together and then I
00:46:31 --> 00:46:37 would sell Little rolls of beast mince that was literally I think now with
00:46:37 --> 00:46:40 hindsight was a bit stupid I should you should take out the 10 percent of
00:46:40 --> 00:46:43 the steaks because that's where the high value is and then mince the rest
00:46:43 --> 00:46:45 But literally just mince the rest.
00:46:45 --> 00:46:49 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: That's actually my thoughts that on my first set that I
00:46:49 --> 00:46:54 will have to slaughter or to process is It'll be my heifers that didn't breed.
00:46:54 --> 00:46:54 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Yeah.
00:46:54 --> 00:46:56 That beef is amazing.
00:46:57 --> 00:46:58 It's, it's delicious.
00:46:58 --> 00:46:58 And they're fat.
00:46:59 --> 00:47:07 So, so again, take literally what we do is we basically take the steaks out.
00:47:07 --> 00:47:08 They kind of sell themselves.
00:47:09 --> 00:47:12 The forequarter ground beef, we turn into burgers.
00:47:12 --> 00:47:16 And the hind quarter ground beef, we turn into just ground beef.
00:47:17 --> 00:47:18 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:47:18 --> 00:47:19 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): That's it.
00:47:19 --> 00:47:21 The burgers from the forequarter are delicious.
00:47:22 --> 00:47:23 And then the ground beef from the hind quarter.
00:47:24 --> 00:47:28 And then the other challenge, of course, is that 25 percent of your carcass, well,
00:47:28 --> 00:47:31 again, it's breed dependent, you know, between 20 and 30 percent of your carcass.
00:47:31 --> 00:47:32 is bones.
00:47:33 --> 00:47:37 Now, we again copied the Americans, but we've had a bone broth
00:47:37 --> 00:47:39 business now for quite a few years, and that's going really well.
00:47:40 --> 00:47:41 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yes.
00:47:42 --> 00:47:45 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So, so yeah, Cal, I mean, you guys
00:47:45 --> 00:47:49 already know all that stuff, but it'd be quite cool to just start
00:47:49 --> 00:47:51 your own brand with ground beef.
00:47:53 --> 00:47:56 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Yeah, which I think's a great idea, you
00:47:56 --> 00:47:58 know, as we work towards that.
00:48:00 --> 00:48:01 Not really as we work towards that.
00:48:01 --> 00:48:02 We're working towards that.
00:48:03 --> 00:48:04 Yeah,
00:48:04 --> 00:48:06 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Your question around breeding, to
00:48:06 --> 00:48:09 talk about, I'd like to touch on my chicken and pig breeds, but before
00:48:09 --> 00:48:11 I do that, let's just, we'll just talk something about the beef thing.
00:48:11 --> 00:48:15 So, have you heard of a guy called Dan Kittredge?
00:48:16 --> 00:48:18 The Bionutrient Association.
00:48:18 --> 00:48:20 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: I have not.
00:48:20 --> 00:48:22 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Dan Kitteridge and it's called
00:48:22 --> 00:48:24 the Bionutrient Association.
00:48:25 --> 00:48:27 Wonderful, wonderful man.
00:48:27 --> 00:48:34 He is about six months away, maybe 10 months away from having a handheld meter
00:48:34 --> 00:48:40 that's spectroscopy based that will tell you the omega six and three ratio of meat.
00:48:41 --> 00:48:42 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yes.
00:48:42 --> 00:48:44 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Carl, just understand what that's
00:48:44 --> 00:48:50 going to do for the grass fed beef market because all corn fed beef.
00:48:50 --> 00:48:54 is the omega 6 ratio is super high on the omega 6 side.
00:48:55 --> 00:48:58 As soon as you drop the corn and you introduce multi species
00:48:58 --> 00:49:01 pastures, it literally inverts.
00:49:02 --> 00:49:06 And, and, and, and so you have a very, very low omega 6 to 3 ratio.
00:49:06 --> 00:49:12 And that is, it's my belief that we are moving into a world where
00:49:12 --> 00:49:15 the consumer is going to be able to measure for nutrient density.
00:49:15 --> 00:49:20 And Dan's the first guy, first step towards doing that.
00:49:21 --> 00:49:26 And, and as soon as we've done that, then, then the, then the feedlots have
00:49:26 --> 00:49:29 got problems because people are going to go, I just want grass fed and grass
00:49:29 --> 00:49:30 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:49:32 --> 00:49:36 I think it, it has potential even help on, on grass fed because
00:49:36 --> 00:49:41 I've got a friend that they're like, we tried grass fed once.
00:49:41 --> 00:49:42 We won't try it again.
00:49:43 --> 00:49:45 I'm like let me change your mind.
00:49:45 --> 00:49:47 I'm, I'll, I'll be there soon.
00:49:47 --> 00:49:48 And I'll, I will change your mind.
00:49:48 --> 00:49:50 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): And then Cal there, those heifers
00:49:50 --> 00:49:51 of yours will change their minds.
00:49:51 --> 00:49:52 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:49:53 --> 00:49:57 So, jump back on the breeds on cattle before you get to the other species.
00:49:58 --> 00:50:03 Your genetics, are they predominantly South African genetics, or do
00:50:03 --> 00:50:07 you all, have you all imported genetics from Europe or North
00:50:07 --> 00:50:09 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Well, so the limousines would, would
00:50:09 --> 00:50:11 obviously have come from France.
00:50:12 --> 00:50:14 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: yeah, they had to come from somewhere else to get there, but
00:50:15 --> 00:50:17 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): I, I did bring in some limousine
00:50:17 --> 00:50:20 semen from the UK at one stage.
00:50:20 --> 00:50:21 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: yeah.
00:50:21 --> 00:50:23 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): But I, I, I, I was a member of the
00:50:23 --> 00:50:25 limousine society, but I stopped that.
00:50:25 --> 00:50:28 I just, I, I just don't have.
00:50:29 --> 00:50:35 Well, I don't have the time or the desire or the money to build a that's a,
00:50:35 --> 00:50:39 that's a multi multi year dedication to eventually setting, setting those pools.
00:50:39 --> 00:50:42 So, I mean, I've still got that semen I'm sure it's quite valuable.
00:50:43 --> 00:50:48 The, the Bonsmara genetics, Bonsmara was a breed created in South Africa
00:50:48 --> 00:50:49 from lots of different breeds.
00:50:50 --> 00:50:50 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Right.
00:50:52 --> 00:50:56 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Yeah, so, so, my, my philosophy is I bring
00:50:56 --> 00:51:00 a bull in, a different bull every time.
00:51:00 --> 00:51:04 I keep him for three years because I only put two year, I only put the
00:51:04 --> 00:51:07 heifers when they two to the bull.
00:51:07 --> 00:51:10 I don't, I don't buy the, I don't buy the old enough to
00:51:10 --> 00:51:12 bleed, old enough to breed story.
00:51:12 --> 00:51:13 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:51:14 --> 00:51:15 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Whereas a lot of people do that.
00:51:15 --> 00:51:20 They, they, they put them in nine, 10 months and they're carving, you know,
00:51:21 --> 00:51:24 before they're two, the first time.
00:51:24 --> 00:51:28 But then what they don't tell you is how much they struggle to get them
00:51:28 --> 00:51:29 to fall pregnant the second time.
00:51:29 --> 00:51:30 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: hmm.
00:51:30 --> 00:51:31 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So we've got the closed
00:51:31 --> 00:51:33 bulling season for the cattle.
00:51:33 --> 00:51:38 We've got the, the, we wait until they are two, two years old before we put
00:51:38 --> 00:51:39 the bull in with them the first time.
00:51:40 --> 00:51:44 And yeah, and, and, and, and, and it's just, we, we're very
00:51:44 --> 00:51:45 strict about the rotation.
00:51:46 --> 00:51:46 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh,
00:51:46 --> 00:51:48 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Twice a day, every day, six weeks
00:51:48 --> 00:51:50 before they come back to the same place.
00:51:50 --> 00:51:54 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: On the Bons Mara, have you used that for a number of years?
00:51:54 --> 00:51:54 Are you
00:51:54 --> 00:51:57 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): No, it's only my, I've only used it once.
00:51:58 --> 00:52:02 Um, and what I've seen so far from the calves, I mean, listen, the one calf is,
00:52:03 --> 00:52:05 Five days old and the other's two days old
00:52:06 --> 00:52:06 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh,
00:52:07 --> 00:52:09 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): it's, it's, it's very early to say.
00:52:09 --> 00:52:11 But their father is a magnificent bull.
00:52:12 --> 00:52:12 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yes.
00:52:13 --> 00:52:15 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): and, and I really think a Bonsmara
00:52:15 --> 00:52:17 limousine cross is going to be fantastic.
00:52:17 --> 00:52:22 The, the, the, you know, Bo Bo Bonsma was brilliant in his, in the Bonsmara,
00:52:23 --> 00:52:23 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:52:23 --> 00:52:26 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): and the Bo response Inus, I tell
00:52:26 --> 00:52:27 you, red Angus limousine cross.
00:52:29 --> 00:52:30 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, I could see that being a
00:52:30 --> 00:52:32 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): And what I like about the red angus
00:52:32 --> 00:52:37 limousine cross, unfortunately, no animal that, no carcass that I've seen
00:52:38 --> 00:52:40 has the conformation of a limousine.
00:52:40 --> 00:52:44 I mean, on a butcher's hook, a limousine carcass is just amazing.
00:52:44 --> 00:52:47 But Cal, it takes years to get them fat enough.
00:52:48 --> 00:52:49 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:52:49 --> 00:52:52 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): It really takes a very, very long time.
00:52:52 --> 00:52:57 So since we've added the red angus genetics, the carcasses aren't
00:52:57 --> 00:53:00 quite as magnificent, but those animals get fatter much quicker.
00:53:00 --> 00:53:01 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: You can get them finished earlier.
00:53:02 --> 00:53:02 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Much earlier.
00:53:03 --> 00:53:04 So that's the one.
00:53:04 --> 00:53:09 The other limousine cross, which, which, which people have
00:53:09 --> 00:53:11 experimented with is a Brahman,
00:53:12 --> 00:53:13 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yes.
00:53:13 --> 00:53:15 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): specifically the Mansu Brahmans.
00:53:15 --> 00:53:16 Those are very good.
00:53:16 --> 00:53:20 The other cross breed, which is really popular here, which does
00:53:20 --> 00:53:25 amazingly, is what they call the Simbra, which is Simantala Brahman.
00:53:26 --> 00:53:30 But, but it's those F1 crosses that do really well.
00:53:32 --> 00:53:35 You know, so it's the Brahman limousine.
00:53:35 --> 00:53:38 I, at one stage I was about to buy a Sussex bull.
00:53:38 --> 00:53:42 I don't know if the Sussex is a breed that's significant where you guys are.
00:53:42 --> 00:53:43 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: It's not significant here.
00:53:44 --> 00:53:46 I've actually tried to find some in the U.
00:53:46 --> 00:53:47 S.
00:53:47 --> 00:53:52 and I've not had any luck yet because I think it looks very interesting But I see
00:53:52 --> 00:53:54 they're popular in some other countries.
00:53:55 --> 00:53:55 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Yeah.
00:53:55 --> 00:53:59 So, I mean, I've, I've gone from being hugely limousine pro.
00:53:59 --> 00:54:03 To being limousine and something else pro
00:54:04 --> 00:54:05 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:54:05 --> 00:54:09 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Whereas, but but, but there'll come a
00:54:09 --> 00:54:14 day I hope, where I am less busy and I can give the South Poll a good look.
00:54:15 --> 00:54:15 Damn.
00:54:16 --> 00:54:16 Such a lovely breeder.
00:54:18 --> 00:54:20 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Yeah I I think they're doing some good things there.
00:54:21 --> 00:54:26 Okay, let's jump over to your chickens and pigs before we We wrap this up.
00:54:26 --> 00:54:27 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Okay, cool.
00:54:27 --> 00:54:27 Sorry man.
00:54:27 --> 00:54:29 I, I, I like you.
00:54:29 --> 00:54:29 I just love talking.
00:54:29 --> 00:54:30 We can
00:54:30 --> 00:54:30 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
00:54:30 --> 00:54:31 No, I'm enjoying it.
00:54:31 --> 00:54:32 I
00:54:32 --> 00:54:33 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So cow, where the,
00:54:33 --> 00:54:34 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: I watch
00:54:34 --> 00:54:36 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): okay cool, because I haven't
00:54:36 --> 00:54:38 even noticed what the time is.
00:54:38 --> 00:54:42 The, the, the Chickens, we specifically choose white chickens
00:54:43 --> 00:54:44 because of the heat stress.
00:54:45 --> 00:54:47 So the brown birds get much hotter.
00:54:49 --> 00:54:53 We have two breeds of hens, one lay white eggs, the other lay brown eggs.
00:54:53 --> 00:54:55 So they're called ambelinks and leghorns.
00:54:55 --> 00:54:59 But, but we have farmed, so one of the things Cal, to the point of marketing
00:54:59 --> 00:55:01 is we do farm tours all the time.
00:55:03 --> 00:55:05 My record is I think four in one day.
00:55:06 --> 00:55:09 So people will come and, because we're so close to Cape Town people
00:55:09 --> 00:55:11 come and visit us all the time.
00:55:11 --> 00:55:12 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yes
00:55:13 --> 00:55:17 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): and, and I guess about seven out of
00:55:17 --> 00:55:20 10 times when people ask us, why have you got white eggs and brown eggs?
00:55:20 --> 00:55:22 And I say to them, well, up until 11 o'clock in the
00:55:22 --> 00:55:24 morning, she lays a brown egg.
00:55:24 --> 00:55:29 And then after that, and more than more than half the people believe me.
00:55:29 --> 00:55:31 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, I bet you so yes, yeah,
00:55:32 --> 00:55:35 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So we choose those for that, for, for,
00:55:35 --> 00:55:36 for, for the, for the heat stress.
00:55:36 --> 00:55:41 And then the pigs we've actually using duroc boars, which are brown boars.
00:55:42 --> 00:55:44 Because the flip works for them.
00:55:44 --> 00:55:47 They handle the heat better than the white pigs
00:55:47 --> 00:55:48 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yes.
00:55:49 --> 00:55:52 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): and, and I mean, listen, the Duroc
00:55:52 --> 00:55:55 pros will tell you the marbling in a Duroc pig is better, blah,
00:55:55 --> 00:55:56 blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
00:55:57 --> 00:56:01 My theory of the pigs again is I want a pig that is
00:56:02 --> 00:56:03 epigenetically adapted to my farm.
00:56:04 --> 00:56:08 So I'm, I'm now in my third breeding cycle because I always
00:56:08 --> 00:56:10 just used to buy in wiener pigs.
00:56:10 --> 00:56:11 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yeah.
00:56:11 --> 00:56:13 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): But you know, I could talk at length
00:56:13 --> 00:56:14 about how we ended up breeding.
00:56:14 --> 00:56:18 It was the teenage pregnancies that caused a big problem for us.
00:56:18 --> 00:56:24 And anyway, so we, we, we've now really focused on, on trying to get our pigs
00:56:24 --> 00:56:26 epigenetically adapted to the farm.
00:56:26 --> 00:56:29 So again, with a boars, my philosophy is going to be that I'll keep them
00:56:29 --> 00:56:35 for three breeding cycles and, or however, because pigs are quicker.
00:56:35 --> 00:56:38 So it might be four or five, but I don't want them covering their daughters.
00:56:38 --> 00:56:40 And that's when I'll bring in new genetics.
00:56:41 --> 00:56:42 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Right.
00:56:42 --> 00:56:42 Yeah.
00:56:42 --> 00:56:44 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): But listen, pig, pig outdoor pig
00:56:44 --> 00:56:46 farming is an engineering challenge.
00:56:46 --> 00:56:47 That's it.
00:56:47 --> 00:56:48 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yeah.
00:56:49 --> 00:56:50 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Those things are destructive.
00:56:50 --> 00:56:51 Mamma mia.
00:56:51 --> 00:56:56 The other thing that's really fortunate for us is that South Africa, you're
00:56:56 --> 00:56:58 allowed to feed food waste to pigs.
00:56:58 --> 00:56:59 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, okay.
00:56:59 --> 00:57:02 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): And the result is that our pigs get this
00:57:02 --> 00:57:04 incredible diet of expired fruit and veg.
00:57:05 --> 00:57:09 Expired ice cream porridges that didn't work properly, you know, just lots
00:57:09 --> 00:57:11 of different things, which is, which
00:57:11 --> 00:57:11 is fantastic.
00:57:12 --> 00:57:12 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Yeah.
00:57:12 --> 00:57:14 It gives you a little bit more flexibility there.
00:57:16 --> 00:57:21 One thing, just real short, you're selling all that locally.
00:57:22 --> 00:57:26 Have you found the demand to be I know you have the three species and you
00:57:26 --> 00:57:31 had sheep and you've changed that and you're not doing broilers anymore.
00:57:31 --> 00:57:33 Are your customers asking for some of that or?
00:57:34 --> 00:57:40 Are the three species you have with the eggs and then the pork and beef
00:57:40 --> 00:57:42 really meeting your consumer's needs.
00:57:43 --> 00:57:47 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Yeah, well, the eggs not.
00:57:47 --> 00:57:51 So we were producing five and a half thousand eggs a day.
00:57:52 --> 00:57:53 Bird flu came along.
00:57:54 --> 00:57:57 The effect of bird flu was that we could not buy replacement hens.
00:57:58 --> 00:57:59 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yes.
00:57:59 --> 00:58:01 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): then for a whole year, we've been at
00:58:01 --> 00:58:02 two and a half thousand eggs a day.
00:58:03 --> 00:58:06 Now, a month ago, we managed to get some replacement hens, so our
00:58:06 --> 00:58:07 numbers are slowly picking up again.
00:58:08 --> 00:58:08 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yeah.
00:58:08 --> 00:58:11 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): We touch wood and we're very grateful.
00:58:11 --> 00:58:14 We're selling out of all our eggs, so we could have a bigger egg business.
00:58:15 --> 00:58:16 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yes.
00:58:17 --> 00:58:19 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): beef, we deliberately pulled our
00:58:19 --> 00:58:26 horns back because because we want to just, Instead of buying in, the
00:58:26 --> 00:58:29 other guys making the money, I want to breed my own and grow them by myself.
00:58:30 --> 00:58:32 So the beef business, I've really shrunk down.
00:58:32 --> 00:58:34 There's a, there's a, there's a quite a fancy hotel.
00:58:35 --> 00:58:38 that's opened that's, that's on the estate actually being renovated at
00:58:38 --> 00:58:43 the moment, but that hotel, we are going to exclusively supply them.
00:58:43 --> 00:58:48 So our beef is, our beef is, our beef is ready for ultra local consumption.
00:58:48 --> 00:58:50 The cured meat is a national thing.
00:58:51 --> 00:58:54 And the wine is my first export product.
00:58:54 --> 00:58:54 So the wine is
00:58:55 --> 00:58:55 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yeah.
00:58:56 --> 00:58:58 Do you, do you graze your vineyard at all?
00:58:59 --> 00:58:59 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Yes.
00:58:59 --> 00:59:02 Once a year super high density with a cattle.
00:59:02 --> 00:59:03 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yeah.
00:59:04 --> 00:59:06 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): the reason for that is we want them to
00:59:06 --> 00:59:09 graze the cover crop, smash it completely.
00:59:09 --> 00:59:12 We obviously want their manure and urine as a fertilizer.
00:59:12 --> 00:59:13 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yeah.
00:59:13 --> 00:59:17 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): And our, because we, we farm our vineyards
00:59:17 --> 00:59:22 organically and biodynamically, we don't use herbicides to, to kill the weeds.
00:59:24 --> 00:59:28 Sorry, the, the growth, but we want as much biomass as, as possible.
00:59:28 --> 00:59:31 And the enzyme in a herbivore spit that stimulates plant growth, we
00:59:31 --> 00:59:34 want that in the plant because the more biomass we can generate.
00:59:34 --> 00:59:39 In winter and in spring when the hot summers come that biomass
00:59:39 --> 00:59:40 covers the soil and keeps it cool.
00:59:41 --> 00:59:41 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh yeah.
00:59:43 --> 00:59:43 Very good.
00:59:43 --> 00:59:45 Angus, it's time we transition.
00:59:45 --> 00:59:49 We do our Famous Four, sponsored by Kencove Farm Fence.
00:59:49 --> 00:59:52 Cal: Kencove Farm Fence is a proud supporter of the Grazing Grass
00:59:52 --> 00:59:54 podcast and graziers everywhere.
00:59:55 --> 00:59:59 At Kencove Farm Fence, they believe there's true value within the community
00:59:59 --> 01:00:01 of graziers and land stewards.
01:00:01 --> 01:00:04 The results that follow proper management and monitoring can
01:00:04 --> 01:00:06 change the very world around us.
01:00:07 --> 01:00:11 That's why Kencove is dedicated to providing an ever expanding line of
01:00:11 --> 01:00:15 grazing products to make your chores easier and your land more abundant.
01:00:15 --> 01:00:18 Whether you're growing your own food on the homestead or grazing
01:00:19 --> 01:00:23 on thousands of acres, Kencove has everything you need to do it well.
01:00:24 --> 01:00:29 From reels to tumblewheels, polytwine to electric nets, water valves to
01:00:29 --> 01:00:32 water troughs, you'll find what you're looking for at Kencove.
01:00:33 --> 01:00:36 They carry brands like Speedrite, O'Brien's, Kiwitech,
01:00:36 --> 01:00:38 Strainrite, Jobe, and more.
01:00:39 --> 01:00:42 Kencove is proud to be part of your regenerative journey.
01:00:42 --> 01:00:45 Call them today or visit Kencove.com.
01:00:45 --> 01:00:51 And be sure to follow them on social media and subscribe to the Kencove YouTube
01:00:51 --> 01:00:57 channel @KencoveFarmFence for helpful how to videos and new product releases!
01:00:58 --> 01:01:01 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: And same four questions we ask of all of our guests.
01:01:01 --> 01:01:02 Our first question.
01:01:02 --> 01:01:06 What is your favorite grazing grass related book or resource?
01:01:07 --> 01:01:08 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Stockman grass farmer
01:01:10 --> 01:01:11 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Excellent resource.
01:01:11 --> 01:01:13 That's, I don't even know.
01:01:13 --> 01:01:17 I think back to when I started getting that and I don't even know where I came
01:01:17 --> 01:01:20 across it, but it's a tremendous resource.
01:01:20 --> 01:01:23 And the great thing is they deliver it to me each month.
01:01:25 --> 01:01:27 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Well, mine's also delivered but via email
01:01:28 --> 01:01:29 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, well, okay.
01:01:29 --> 01:01:34 So I splurge, I have the email version or the digital version
01:01:34 --> 01:01:37 and the paper version, because,
01:01:37 --> 01:01:38 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): to get the paper version it's
01:01:38 --> 01:01:40 fantastic reading it in my hands
01:01:40 --> 01:01:41 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Well, that's that's the thing.
01:01:41 --> 01:01:44 I think I love technology.
01:01:44 --> 01:01:50 I think I would enjoy consuming the digital version of More.
01:01:50 --> 01:01:53 I've got a e ink tablet that I read on.
01:01:53 --> 01:01:56 I think, oh, that's great, but that's not what I do.
01:01:56 --> 01:02:00 I end up finding I consume the paper version.
01:02:01 --> 01:02:04 That's the one that I always have next to me.
01:02:04 --> 01:02:08 It's one I can leaf through at any time, and I just, I read more
01:02:08 --> 01:02:09 when I have the paper version.
01:02:11 --> 01:02:12 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): And I can see also the other thing is
01:02:13 --> 01:02:18 the way Stockman grass farm has been put out by there's an article that
01:02:18 --> 01:02:20 starts and then it goes to this page,
01:02:20 --> 01:02:20 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: yeah.
01:02:20 --> 01:02:21 And you gotta jump.
01:02:22 --> 01:02:22 Yes.
01:02:23 --> 01:02:26 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): in a paper version, is much easier
01:02:26 --> 01:02:28 than in the digital version,
01:02:28 --> 01:02:29 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: It is.
01:02:29 --> 01:02:30 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): So, so, so to read the digital version,
01:02:30 --> 01:02:35 you've actually got to say, okay, I'm now committing to sitting and reading this.
01:02:35 --> 01:02:36 You're absolutely right.
01:02:37 --> 01:02:40 So, I think when, when my subscription comes up for renewal, I'm gonna,
01:02:40 --> 01:02:42 I'm gonna get the, the, The paper
01:02:42 --> 01:02:43 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
01:02:43 --> 01:02:45 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): You know, we just have issues with
01:02:45 --> 01:02:47 our post is rather unreliable down
01:02:47 --> 01:02:48 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yeah.
01:02:49 --> 01:02:50 Actually, I'm looking here.
01:02:50 --> 01:02:55 I have the renewal envelope I just got from them that, oh, right here.
01:02:55 --> 01:02:56 I have to renew mine.
01:02:57 --> 01:02:58 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): That's wonderful.
01:03:00 --> 01:03:02 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Our second question, what is your
01:03:02 --> 01:03:03 favorite tool for the farm?
01:03:05 --> 01:03:07 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Solar powered electric fence.
01:03:08 --> 01:03:08 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yes.
01:03:09 --> 01:03:12 I, I love the, the capability of having a solar powered
01:03:12 --> 01:03:14 energizer and the portability.
01:03:15 --> 01:03:19 It gives me the ability to run electric fences on land that I don't
01:03:19 --> 01:03:21 have power to, which is so nice.
01:03:22 --> 01:03:26 Our third question, what would you tell someone just getting started
01:03:26 --> 01:03:27 on their regenerative journey?
01:03:29 --> 01:03:30 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Avoid paying school fees.
01:03:31 --> 01:03:35 Try and limit yourself to doing one thing.
01:03:36 --> 01:03:38 That's been my biggest mistake.
01:03:38 --> 01:03:39 I've just done too many things.
01:03:41 --> 01:03:43 Limit yourself literally to doing one thing.
01:03:44 --> 01:03:48 Understand first, you must understand the production systems and then
01:03:48 --> 01:03:49 you have to go into marketing.
01:03:50 --> 01:03:52 So you've got to design a very good logo.
01:03:52 --> 01:03:54 Thanks to Tai Lopez.
01:03:54 --> 01:03:55 You've got to know what's the blunt reward.
01:03:56 --> 01:03:58 You got to really bring people along on your story.
01:03:59 --> 01:04:02 And even if you're starting, just, just start an Instagram
01:04:02 --> 01:04:07 page and take photographs and tell people what's going on.
01:04:08 --> 01:04:08 People just love it.
01:04:08 --> 01:04:10 They come along on the journey.
01:04:10 --> 01:04:12 You've got to bring people along on your journey with you.
01:04:12 --> 01:04:16 Don't put yourself under pressure that, Ooh, I've got to have
01:04:16 --> 01:04:17 all of these things in place.
01:04:17 --> 01:04:19 You're starting man.
01:04:19 --> 01:04:21 Everybody wants to see someone starting.
01:04:22 --> 01:04:23 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Right.
01:04:23 --> 01:04:23 Yeah.
01:04:25 --> 01:04:29 There's a lot you said there just putting it out there and I'll be honest That's
01:04:29 --> 01:04:34 a struggle for me because I I go through and I look at the pictures I've taken
01:04:34 --> 01:04:36 I'm like, oh none of those look good.
01:04:36 --> 01:04:37 None of those.
01:04:37 --> 01:04:38 I'm worried about everything.
01:04:39 --> 01:04:41 You just put it out there It's kind of like what I did with the podcast.
01:04:41 --> 01:04:47 I need to apply to the Farm a little bit more but the podcast I knew I didn't know
01:04:47 --> 01:04:48 what I was doing, but it didn't matter.
01:04:48 --> 01:04:51 I was going to start because that's the way you learn.
01:04:51 --> 01:04:54 That's kind of the same way with putting your, your farm out there
01:04:54 --> 01:04:56 and getting it out to the public.
01:04:56 --> 01:04:57 Just share what you have.
01:04:57 --> 01:04:58 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Yeah.
01:05:00 --> 01:05:01 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: And lastly, Angus, where can
01:05:01 --> 01:05:03 others find out more about you?
01:05:04 --> 01:05:04 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Yeah.
01:05:04 --> 01:05:07 The, I'm most active on Instagram.
01:05:08 --> 01:05:13 Farmer Angus Speer, S P E R, I've got a website, it's farmerangus.
01:05:13 --> 01:05:15 co.
01:05:15 --> 01:05:19 za there, you know, you can email me through that website.
01:05:19 --> 01:05:23 I, my Instagram is automatically linked to Facebook.
01:05:24 --> 01:05:27 Although I can tell you that I've never been on Facebook.
01:05:27 --> 01:05:30 I just know it's, it's, it's, it's linked to Facebook.
01:05:31 --> 01:05:35 I've also just started a little TikTok channel and a YouTube shorts channel.
01:05:35 --> 01:05:39 Obviously we, the best way is to come visit us.
01:05:40 --> 01:05:42 I realize it's a long way from Oklahoma.
01:05:42 --> 01:05:42 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Yeah, it is.
01:05:42 --> 01:05:43 I'd love to come visit.
01:05:44 --> 01:05:46 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): we are very, and it's cheap for you guys.
01:05:46 --> 01:05:49 You can't believe how far the dollar will take you in Africa.
01:05:50 --> 01:05:50 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Oh, yes.
01:05:52 --> 01:05:53 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Very, very far.
01:05:54 --> 01:05:56 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: You know, that'll have to be on my to do list.
01:05:57 --> 01:06:00 My wife has this little problem with vacations.
01:06:01 --> 01:06:06 If I say we're going on a vacation and then I somehow include looking
01:06:06 --> 01:06:10 at a farm or, or animals, she's like, that's not a vacation.
01:06:11 --> 01:06:11 Yeah, it is.
01:06:11 --> 01:06:12 It's still a vacation.
01:06:12 --> 01:06:16 We just took a little bit of time for the business so we can
01:06:16 --> 01:06:18 count some of those expenses.
01:06:18 --> 01:06:19 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Yes, yes.
01:06:21 --> 01:06:24 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Well, Angus, really enjoyed talking to you
01:06:24 --> 01:06:26 today and appreciate you coming on.
01:06:27 --> 01:06:27 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): Yeah, man.
01:06:27 --> 01:06:30 The pleasure has been all mine and strength to your arm.
01:06:31 --> 01:06:36 I look forward to, you know, reading more about what you guys are doing,
01:06:36 --> 01:06:39 especially your direct consumer beef.
01:06:40 --> 01:06:41 cal_1_10-03-2024_125632: Well, thank you.
01:06:41 --> 01:06:42 Appreciate that.
01:06:42 --> 01:06:42 squadcaster-geg3_1_10-03-2024_195632 (1): All the best.
01:06:42 --> 01:06:43 Stay well.
01:06:44 --> 01:06:47 Cal: I really hope you enjoyed today's conversation.
01:06:48 --> 01:06:49 I know I did.
01:06:49 --> 01:06:54 Thank you for listening, and if you found something useful, please share it.
01:06:54 --> 01:06:56 Share it on your social media.
01:06:56 --> 01:06:57 Tell your friends.
01:06:58 --> 01:07:00 Get the word out about the podcast.
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01:07:05 --> 01:07:08 your journey, go to grazinggrass.
01:07:08 --> 01:07:12 com and click on Be Our Guest.
01:07:13 --> 01:07:16 Fill out the form and I'll be in touch.
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01:07:46 --> 01:07:49 Also, if you haven't left us a review, please do.
01:07:49 --> 01:07:52 It really helps us as people are searching for podcasts.
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01:08:03 --> 01:08:05 And until next time, keep on grazing grass.