Ranchonomics

111. When Prices Are Too Good to Be True — Steve Kenyon on the Cattle Cycle and Custom Grazing Aug 18, 2026 25:05 Cattle prices are high, but how long can the good times last? In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Canadian rancher and longtime custom grazer Steve Kenyon to talk about the cattle cycle, what history can teach us about today's market, and why trying to predict the exact top or bottom may be a losing game. Steve shares lessons from more than 30 years in the cattle business, including how g

Kevin & Mandy Wiltse — The Farm That Keeps Changing (And Why That's the Point) [Ranchonomics Stories Ep 10] Aug 13, 2026 45:44 In this episode of Ranchonomics Stories, John Haskell sits down with Kevin and Mandy Wiltse to explore how their farm has evolved over the years as they learned what worked, what didn't, and what the land needed next. What began as a conventional cropping system gradually shifted toward cover crops, livestock integration, and perennial forage as Kevin recognized the limitations of their previous s

110. Know Your Worth: The Business Value of a Rancher's Time | Amos Troester Aug 11, 2026 24:46 Your time is one of the most valuable assets in your business, but are you actually treating it that way? In this episode, John Haskell and Amos Troester explore how ranchers can increase their profitability by understanding the opportunity cost of their time, focusing on high-value work, and putting the right people in the right roles. From buying and selling cattle to planning ahead and learning

The Sims Family (Part 2) — How the Sims Family Keeps Getting Better With Every Generation [Ranchonomics Stories Ep 9] Aug 6, 2026 59:36 In Part 2 of the Sims family's story, John Haskell continues the conversation, focusing on how their approach to ranching has continued to evolve across generations. They discuss changes to grazing management, calving dates, genetics, and drought planning, along with the lessons they've learned from testing new ideas and paying attention to what the land and cattle are telling them.The conversatio

109. How to Build a More Resilient Farm Business with Cover Crops — Kevin Wiltse Aug 4, 2026 24:21 In Part 2 of John Haskell's conversation with Kevin Wiltse, the focus shifts from implementing cover crops to building a resilient farming business that can withstand changing markets and weather. Kevin explains why resilience comes from designing flexible production systems, reducing dependence on expensive inputs, and treating forage as a profitable enterprise rather than simply a tool for soil

The Sims Family (Part 1) — From $2 an Acre to a Four-Generation Ranch [Ranchonomics Stories Ep 8] Jul 30, 2026 46:06 In this Ranchonomics Stories episode, John Haskell sits down with the Sims family to trace the roots of a ranching operation that began with leased ground at $2 an acre and has grown into a thriving four-generation business. Scott and April Sims, along with their son Shannon and daughter-in-law Melinda, reflect on the pivotal decisions, financial challenges, and mindset shifts that shaped their fo

108. Cover Crops, Cattle & Cash Flow: A Better Ranch Management Strategy — Kevin Wiltse Jul 28, 2026 21:33 Can cover crops actually make your operation more profitable? In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Kansas farmer and rancher Kevin Wiltse to discuss how integrating livestock into a dryland cropping system has transformed the economics of his operation. Kevin shares how his family's fifth-generation farm shifted from viewing cover crops as an expense to treating them as a profitable forage

Brian & Jill Munger — Help Enough People and Everything Else Follows [Ranchonomics Stories Ep 7] Jul 23, 2026 51:15 In this episode of Ranchonomics Stories, John Haskell sits down with Brian and Jill Munger to share the journey of building a diversified ranch business while continually creating new opportunities. From taking over family responsibilities at a young age to expanding into registered cattle, custom grazing, educational ventures, and even hospitality, the Mungers reflect on the decisions, relationsh

107. Don’t Step Over Dollars to Pick up Pennies: Time, Focus & Opportunity Cost with Amos Troester Jul 21, 2026 21:07 In Part 2 of John Haskell's conversation with Amos Troester (listen to Part 1 here), the focus shifts from forage systems to business thinking. Amos explains why many producers miss profitable opportunities by focusing on minimizing expenses rather than maximizing returns. Through real-world examples, he shares how integrating livestock with cover crops and annual forages can generate additional r

Pete Ferrell — Five Generations and a Ranch Worth Fighting For [Ranchonomics Stories Ep 6] Jul 16, 2026 48:20 In this episode of Ranchonomics Stories, John Haskell sits down with longtime friend Pete Ferrell to share the remarkable story of a ranch worth fighting for that has remained in his family since 1888. Pete reflects on the generations that came before him, the responsibility of stewarding a family legacy, and the difficult decisions required to keep the ranch financially viable through changing ma

106. Screwworm 2026: What's Happening, What to Watch, and What to Do with Travis Krause Jul 14, 2026 20:27 With screwworm confirmed in Texas for the first time in decades, producers across the country are asking what it means for their operations. In this special episode of the Ranchonomics Podcast, John Haskell is joined by Travis Krause to separate fact from fiction and explain what ranchers need to know about the outbreak. Travis discusses the biology of screwworm, why it poses such a serious threat

Josh Lucas — Building a Ranch Without Waiting for the Perfect Opportunity [Ranchonomics Stories Ep 5] Jul 9, 2026 56:32 In this episode of Ranchonomics Stories, John Haskell sits down with Josh Lucas to share the story of building a ranching business from the ground up in Vermont. Starting with rented land, a side job, and a willingness to pursue every opportunity that generated cash flow, Josh reflects on the early years of hauling livestock, leasing overlooked pastures, and steadily growing his operation one deci

105. From Row Crops to Forage Crops: A New Way to Think About Your Acres with Amos Troester Jul 7, 2026 20:07 Many producers think of cover crops as an added expense, but what if they could become a profitable enterprise? In part one of a two-part conversation, John Haskell sits down with Amos Troester to explore how integrating livestock with cover crops and annual forages can unlock new revenue streams while improving soil health and reducing input costs. Amos shares how his first-generation farming ope

Ben Habig — 45 Goats, a Rented Duplex, and a Business Nobody Else Was Building [Ranchonomics Stories Ep 4] Jul 2, 2026 46:27 In this episode of Ranchonomics Stories, John Haskell sits down with Ben Habig to share the unconventional path that led him from a rented duplex and a small herd of goats to building a prescribed grazing business in Montana. Along the way, Ben navigated multiple pivots, including growing and selling a goat enterprise, moving more than 1,500 miles across the country, working as an employee to gain

104. You Can’t Build a Sustainable Ranch on Unsustainable Effort — Josh Lucas Jun 30, 2026 24:54 Burnout, stress, and mental health are not topics often discussed in ranching, but they affect nearly every producer at some point. In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Vermont rancher Josh Lucas to discuss the realities of balancing business ownership, family responsibilities, and the pressures that come with building a ranch. Josh shares his personal experience with burnout, a panic atta

Roger & Betsy Indreland — Decades of Grit, Learning & Building Something That Lasts [Ranchonomics Stories Ep 3] Jun 25, 2026 44:11 In this episode of Ranchonomics Stories, John Haskell and Wally Olson sit down with Roger and Betsy Indreland to share the story of building a ranching operation over nearly five decades. Starting with just 13 bred heifers in 1977, Roger pursued a lifelong dream of ranching, gradually growing the business through persistence, continuous learning, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities. Alo

103. When Cattle Prices Are High, Stop Looking at Price and Start Looking at Relationships with Wally Olson Jun 23, 2026 28:05 Record cattle prices can create just as many challenges as opportunities. In this episode, John Haskell and Wally Olson discuss why producers should stop focusing on headline prices and start paying attention to the relationships within the market. Whether you're in the stocker business or the cow-calf sector, profitability comes from understanding value, costs, and margin, not from chasing the hi

Steve & Sarah Hisel — Proof That Starting from Scratch in Ranching Is Possible [Ranchonomics Stories Ep 2] Jun 18, 2026 47:02 In this episode of Ranchonomics Stories, John Haskell sits down with Steve and Sarah Hisel to share their journey of building a ranching business from scratch. Without inheriting a family operation, they navigated a series of unexpected turns, difficult decisions, and calculated risks to create opportunities for themselves and their growing family. Along the way, they discuss the mindset shifts, e

102. The Land Is the Unit of Production: Joel Ham on Ranching That Actually Works Jun 16, 2026 26:01 In this episode, John Haskell and Wally Olson sit down with longtime West Texas rancher Joel Ham to discuss the management principles that have transformed the way he thinks about ranching, grazing, and profitability. Drawing on decades of experience and mentorship from leaders such as Bud Williams, Joel explains why the land, not the animal, must be viewed as the true unit of production. The conv

Dave & Carol Perry - From 10 Cows to the American Dream [Ranchonomics Stories Ep 1] Jun 11, 2026 54:40 In the first episode of the new Ranchonomics Storytelling series, host John Haskell sits down with Dave and Carol Perry to share how they built a ranching operation from humble beginnings through decades of hard work, financial discipline, and persistence. Starting with just 10 cows and very little capital, the Perrys discuss the sacrifices, setbacks, and unconventional decisions that allowed them

101. The Smarter Way to Manage Invasive Weeds on Your Ranch with Ben Habig Jun 9, 2026 22:29 Invasive weeds can quietly reduce carrying capacity and create long-term management challenges across a ranch. In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Ben Habig to discuss how prescribed grazing with goats and sheep can provide a biological alternative to chemical weed control. Using species like leafy spurge and houndstongue as examples, Ben explains how targeted grazing can reduce weed pres

100. What Bob Metzger Taught Us About Wealth, Risk & Relationships – Wally Olson Jun 2, 2026 21:52 In this special 100th episode of Ranchonomics, host John Haskell sits down with longtime cattleman and investor Wally Olson to reflect on the life and legacy of their close friend, Bob Metzger. Through stories about business deals, investing, cattle trading, and friendship, the conversation explores what Bob taught us; the principles he lived by, including disciplined money management, delayed gra

99. The Most Valuable Asset on Your Ranch Isn’t Land or Cattle May 26, 2026 14:52 What separates two ranches with the exact same land, cattle, and infrastructure from having completely different outcomes? In this episode, host John Haskell explores the idea that the most valuable asset in any operation is not the ranch itself, but the knowledge, stewardship, and decision-making behind it. Using examples from learning curves, investing, grazing management, and succession, he exp

98. Stockmanship & Range Management with the Indrelands May 19, 2026 18:44 What happens when better grazing management changes not only your ranch, but the entire ecosystem around it? In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Roger and Betsy Indreland to discuss how a shift in thinking around soil health, recovery, and grazing management transformed their operation. What began as skepticism after hearing regenerative grazing concepts eventually became a complete rethi

97. The Rancher’s Guide to Surviving the Unexpected with Dallas Mount May 12, 2026 24:29 Every ranch will face the unexpected. The question is not if, but when. In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Dallas Mount to discuss how ranchers can better prepare for uncertainty, manage risk, and build operations that withstand shocks without falling apart. From droughts to market swings to personal challenges, the conversation focuses on building resilience into the business before pro

96. How to Build a Better Ranch by Letting Go of Control with Emilie Hopson May 5, 2026 25:51 Delegation sounds simple, but for most ranchers, it is one of the hardest skills to implement. In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Ranch Right HR Advisor Emilie Hopson to break down why leaders struggle to let go of control and how that limitation can cap the growth of the entire business. They discuss how the real goal of delegation is not to make life easier immediately, but to build lo

95. WITB vs. WOTB: The Ranch Meeting System You’re Missing Apr 28, 2026 17:09 Most ranches don’t have too many meetings. They have the wrong ones. In this episode, host John Haskell breaks down the difference between working in the business (WITB) and working on the business (WOTB), and why both are essential to running an efficient and profitable operation. From daily check-ins to long-term strategic planning, he outlines a practical meeting framework designed to improve c

94. Ranching, Money, and Freedom with Crockett Carothers Apr 21, 2026 18:26 What does financial freedom actually look like in a ranching life, and is it possible without sacrificing time with your family? In this episode, John Haskell welcomes back Crockett Carothers to explore the relationship between money, time, and freedom, and how ranchers can begin thinking differently about income, scalability, and opportunity.Crockett shares how his desire to provide more for his

93. Why Ranchers Need to Think Like Entrepreneurs Featuring Crockett Carothers Apr 14, 2026 18:16 What if the biggest opportunity in ranching isn’t working harder, but thinking differently? In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Crockett Carothers to explore how adopting an entrepreneurial mindset can fundamentally change the trajectory of a ranching operation and the people behind it.Crockett shares his journey from a traditional cowboy lifestyle to becoming deeply immersed in business,

92. The Management Decisions That Transformed Noble Ranch Apr 7, 2026 29:04 What does it actually take to transform a ranching operation, not just incrementally, but fundamentally? In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Ryan Noble to walk through the key decisions that reshaped Noble Ranch, from its early days of financial pressure to a high-performing, flexible business built on intentional management.Ryan shares the pivotal moments that drove change, including lev

91. The Hidden Risk Inside Today’s Record Cattle Prices with Ryan Noble & Wally Olson Mar 31, 2026 27:05 Record cattle prices have created strong profits across the industry, but how much of that success is actually driven by good management versus simple market inflation? In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Ryan Noble and Wally Olson to break down the critical difference between inflation, deflation, appreciation, and depreciation, and why confusing these forces can lead to costly missteps,

90. Good Debt, Bad Debt, and Toxic Debt in Agriculture Mar 24, 2026 19:58 Debt is one of the most powerful and misunderstood tools in agriculture. In this solo episode, host John Haskell explains how ranchers and farmers should think about debt not as inherently good or bad, but in relation to the asset it finances and the cash flow it generates. He walks through why matching the term of a loan to the life of the asset is critical and how properly structured debt can su

89. When Growth Creates New Risk in Your Business with Tyler Dawley Mar 17, 2026 29:23 As a business grows, the risks change. What works when you are selling small amounts to many customers may not work when your operation begins moving larger volumes and dealing with much bigger invoices. In this episode, John Haskell sits down with returning guest Tyler Dawley to talk about how growth in Tyler’s pasture-raised chicken business has introduced new financial risks.Tyler shares lesson

88. The 5-Part Inventory System Every Rancher Should Be Using Mar 10, 2026 17:27 In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Wally Olson to revisit the classic inventory triangle of money, feed or grass, and livestock, and expand it into a five-part system by adding time and people. Together, they discuss why these two additions matter and how thinking in terms of a full inventory framework can improve flexibility, risk management, and profitability.From maintaining cash rese

87. Why Good Operations Aren’t Enough Mar 3, 2026 11:02 In this solo episode, host John Haskell breaks down what he calls the five pillars of business and explains why operational excellence alone will not create a successful ranch. While many producers pride themselves on growing grass, managing cattle, and producing a quality product, John argues that operations are only one piece of a much larger system.He walks through marketing and sales, finance,

86. From Curiosity to Company: Building Covers & Co from the Ground up with Joseph Gardiner Feb 24, 2026 26:43 In this episode, John Haskell welcomes back Joseph Gardiner to talk about how curiosity turned into a company. Joseph shares the story behind launching Covers & Co, what problem he saw in the marketplace, and how he moved from idea to action while still managing the demands of his farming operation.The conversation walks through the realities of starting something from scratch, including testi

85. Doing the Right Thing Until It Works Feb 17, 2026 11:27 In this episode, host John Haskell speaks to people navigating slow starts, tight margins, and the frustration that comes when progress is not immediately visible. He explains why doing the right things often feels unrewarding early on, even when those decisions are setting the foundation for long-term success.John emphasizes the importance of having a clear plan, measuring progress along the way,

84. From Conferences to Change: What Actually Sticks with Joseph Gardiner Feb 10, 2026 21:46 In this episode, John Haskell welcomes back Joseph Gardiner to unpack what actually sticks after a conference is over. They talk candidly about why so much good information never turns into real change and what separates ideas that fade from ones that reshape how a ranch operates.Joseph shares practical insights on turning inspiration into implementation, including how to filter what you hear, dec

83. Implementing Sell Buy Marketing in Canada with Joseph Gardiner Feb 3, 2026 33:03 In this episode, John Haskell is joined by Canadian farmer Joseph Gardiner to explore how Sell Buy Marketing principles translate beyond U.S. borders and into a volatile, high-stakes market. Joseph shares how rethinking cattle as financial assets rather than inventory transformed his operation, sharpened decision-making, and improved cash flow during uncertain times.The conversation covers cow dep

82. Resilience Framework: A Ranch Right Conference Preview with Mike Glover Jan 27, 2026 22:58 In this episode, host John Haskell is joined by Mike Glover, a former Special Forces SGM and CIA contractor, for a conversation about preparedness, decision-making under pressure, and why resilience is a learned skill rather than a personality trait. Mike will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Ranch Right Conference, and this discussion offers a preview of the resilience framework he will be t

81. Self-Leadership, Teamwork, and Resilience: A Ranch Right Conference Preview Jan 20, 2026 33:16 Strong ranch businesses are built on more than good markets and solid production. In this episode, John is joined by Joshua and Tara Dukart, two of the speakers at the upcoming Ranch Right Conference, to talk about why self-leadership, teamwork, and resilience matter more than ever in today’s ranching environment.Joshua and Tara share insights from their own experience working with agricultural fa

80. Eye for Cattle: How a 16-Year-Old Built a Buyer’s Reputation Jan 13, 2026 21:18 Most people assume cattle buying is a business that takes decades to break into. In this episode, John sits down with Eli Hopping, a 16-year-old cattle buyer from northeastern Oklahoma, to talk about how skill, discipline, and reputation matter far more than age when having an eye for cattle. Joined by Wally Olson, the conversation highlights what it really takes to succeed in the sale barn and wh

79. Inside an Organic Row Crop Operation: Markets, Mistakes & Mindset with Reece Klug Jan 6, 2026 25:47 At a time when conventional row crop margins are under heavy pressure, John sits down with Reece Klug to explore a very different path. Reece farms with his family in eastern Nebraska, running both conventional and organic acres alongside a feedlot operation. In this conversation, they dig into what organic production actually looks like in practice, beyond the buzzwords and assumptions.Reece shar

78. The Rancher’s Guide to FSA Programs: Cash, Rules & Real Advantages Dec 30, 2025 24:06 Most ranchers know the Farm Service Agency exists, but few fully understand the programs, payments, and opportunities available to them. In this episode, John sits down with two former FSA employees, Kailee Butterfield and Micayla Giffin, to break down how these programs really work and how ranchers can use them as practical management tools rather than confusing government paperwork.Kailee and Mi

77. Cash, Profit, and Taxes: How to Balance All Three Dec 23, 2025 22:19 Tax planning is one of the most overlooked tools in ranch management, yet it can save a business thousands of dollars when done well. In this solo episode, John walks through the practical process Ranch Right uses with ranching clients to plan ahead, avoid surprises, and make smart decisions before the year ends. He explains why tax strategy should never be about panic spending and why good planni

76. Hidden Opportunities in Hard Times: A Conversation with Kim Barker Dec 16, 2025 25:45 Hard times can feel like the end of the world, but what if they're actually the start of something better?In this episode, I sit down with long-time friend and rancher, Kim Barker from Walnut Creek Farms in Oklahoma, to talk about the unexpected ways drought, high prices, family challenges, and even personal setbacks can become turning points in your ranching business. Kim has lived through plenty

75. Are Your Cattle Covered? Trucking Risks in a High-Price Market with Julie Davidson Dec 9, 2025 13:55 When cattle prices climb to levels few of us have ever seen, the dollar value of a single load can quietly double, or even triple. And while most ranchers wouldn’t dream of driving uninsured, many are still hauling cattle with cargo coverage that hasn’t been updated in years. Are your cattle covered?In this episode, Julie Davidson of High Country Coverage Consulting returns to walk us through the

74. How to Buy Right and Market Smarter with Wally Olson Dec 2, 2025 22:52 Buying cattle in a high market can feel intimidating, but as Wally Olson reminds us, the price doesn’t matter nearly as much as the relationship. In this episode, John and Wally dig into how to buy cattle the right way, why you always need to sell before you buy, and how understanding the value of gain, weight classes, and local market culture helps you make confident, profitable decisions no matt

73. Avoiding Health Insurance Headaches: Enrollment Tips with Julie Davidson Nov 25, 2025 24:46 It’s open-enrollment season, and if you’re sorting through health insurance options, you’re not alone. In this episode, John sits down with insurance expert Julie Davidson to walk through what ranch families need to know before choosing a Marketplace plan, from how subsidies actually work to what those deductibles and out-of-pocket numbers really mean.Julie breaks down why your modified adjusted g

72. The Most Undervalued Skill in Ranching: Knowing Your Inventory Nov 18, 2025 16:29 Most ranchers know their cow herd, but not everyone truly knows their inventory. In this solo episode, John breaks down why keeping track of what you own is one of the most overlooked (and most profitable) skills in ranching.Whether you run stockers or a cow-calf operation, knowing your inventory helps you make smarter sell/buy decisions, manage your assets like an investor, and keep your operatio

71. Making Smarter Selling Decisions with Wally Olson Nov 11, 2025 26:04 When should you sell your cattle, and how do you know if it’s the right move? In this episode, host John Haskell sits down with Wally Olson, longtime rancher and sell/buy marketer, to dig into the mechanics and mindset behind selling cattle well.From recognizing when your cattle are overvalued to choosing between selling in the country, through the sale barn, or on a video auction, Wally breaks do

70. Staying Covered: Smart Insurance Moves for Ranchers in a Changing Market Nov 4, 2025 21:42 Insurance might not be the most exciting part of running a ranch, but it can make or break your operation when things go wrong. In this episode, host John Haskell sits down with Julie Davidson, resident insurance expert, to unpack smart insurance moves and what every rancher should know about coverage, deductibles, and managing risk in a shifting market. Julie explains how rethinking your deductib

69. Avoiding Insurance Pitfalls: What Every Rancher Should Know Oct 28, 2025 28:04 Host John Haskell welcomes Julie Davidson to the podcast today to discuss trends in the insurance industry and how to avoid common insurance pitfalls. They discuss changes to underwriting and the increased use of drone technology, when to use insurance apps (and when not to), and what to consider before making an insurance claim. Julie also highlights the importance of understanding deductibles, e

68. SnapLand Case Studies with Ryan White Oct 21, 2025 17:10 Ryan White is back on the podcast today to discuss the importance of land monitoring in ranching operations. He shares several SnapLand case studies that highlight the solutions provided by his ecosystem services company for businesses and landowners. These cases really show how different businesses and their leadership are taking some of the best feedback and natural resource accounting and turni

67. Ecosystem Services & Ranching’s Future with Ryan White Oct 14, 2025 25:56 SnapLands founder Ryan White joins host John Haskell on the podcast to discuss how their ecosystem services help people manage their land by creating efficient feedback loops between their land and businesses. With Ryan's background in land restoration, he shares why it's important to have a holistic approach to land management by creating a continuous improvement system for natural resources. Rya

66. Protecting Your Ranch: Insurance Insights with Julie Davidson Oct 7, 2025 24:41 Julie Davidson, an experienced insurance professional, joins host John Haskell on the podcast today to share her farm and ranch insurance insights and considerations for how to protect your ranch. Key insights include the importance of regular policy reviews, the pitfalls of outdated coverage, and the critical role of insurance scores in setting premiums. Julie also emphasizes the need for adequat

65. Living and Leaving a Ranch Legacy with Alex McKiernan and John Locke Sep 30, 2025 25:25 Alex McKiernan and John Locke are back with host John Haskell in this episode of the Ranchonomics podcast to discuss the concept of legacy in ranching. Building on the discussion from last week's episode about mission and vision, John Locke stresses that legacy begins with a vision and can be either a blessing or a burden, depending on how it's understood and managed. They share stories that illus

64. Defining Your Ranch Legacy with Alex McKiernan and John Locke Sep 23, 2025 26:18 Host John Haskell and co-host Alex McKiernan welcome back John Locke to discuss the distinctions between mission, vision, and purpose in both business and personal life to define your ranch legacy. They emphasize the importance of shared vision in driving decisions and actions, highlighting the ICA process, a four-step tool for defining and achieving vision, and stress the significance of emotiona

63. Mindset and Emotional Barriers to Succession Sep 16, 2025 23:29 John Haskell and co-host Alex McKiernan welcome John Locke, a sixth-generation rancher and instructor at Ranching for Profit, to the podcast today to discuss mindset and emotional barriers to succession in ranching. John highlights the importance of understanding emotions and effective communication, citing the need for extreme ownership and intentional listening. He shares his personal experience

62. LandTrust with Founder Nic De Castro Sep 9, 2025 16:26 Nic De Castro, Founder and CEO of LandTrust, is back on the podcast today with host John Haskell to talk all about LandTrust, a marketplace for outdoor recreation on private land. Nic shares who it's for, the symbiotic relationship between LandTrust and landowners, and the low-touch, high-control nature of the business and its potential to provide extra income. They also discuss the types of activ

61. Entrepreneurship with Nic De Castro Sep 2, 2025 21:41 John Haskell hosts Nic De Castro from LandTrust in a discussion about entrepreneurship. Nic shares his unique background in technology, his early startup experiences, and his transition from New York City to Bozeman, Montana. He discusses his philosophy on what makes a business successful and the concept of hypotheses in business. Nic also highlights the challenges and opportunities in working wit

60. Social Dynamics with Bob Metzger Aug 26, 2025 23:28 Bob Metzger is back on the podcast to discuss social dynamics, the challenges and opportunities in America, and the importance of deferred gratification and realistic expectations with host John Haskell. They talk about how, despite economic ups and downs, opportunities are abundant for those willing to work hard and manage their finances. Bob highlights the resilience of previous generations who

59. Opportunity Cost with Bob Metzger Aug 19, 2025 29:27 In this episode of Ranchonomics, host John Haskell sits down with expert Bob Metzger to delve into the critical concept of opportunity cost in relation to both short-term and long-term investments. They explore the importance of factoring in interest payments when making financial decisions, as well as the power of compounding interest in maximizing returns. Metzger emphasizes that adopting a long

58. Management Mindset with Dr. David Kohl Aug 12, 2025 24:22 Dr. David Kohl again joins host John Haskell to discuss the importance of a management mindset in farming and ranching operations. They discuss why, as a non-financial factor, having a strong management mindset matters and some tools you can apply to improve the various aspects of your business. Dr. Kohl highlights the significance of having a written business plan, setting specific, measurable, a

57. Financial Metrics To Focus On with Dr. David Kohl Aug 5, 2025 22:44 Dr. David Kohl is back on the podcast today to discuss key financial metrics for ranch operations. With his background in agriculture, finance, and entrepreneurship, Dr. Kohl shares why you should be paying attention to your net profit margin, debt coverage ratio, net operating income, working capital, operating expense revenue, and debt-to-asset ratio. Dr. Kohl and host John Haskell break down wh

56. Commonalities of Successful Farmers & Ranchers with Dr. David Kohl Jul 29, 2025 13:13 Virginia Tech academic Dr. David Kohl joins host John Haskell on the podcast today to discuss key factors and commonalities for successful farmers and ranchers. He emphasizes the importance of developing a monthly or quarterly cash flow plan, which he refers to as the REM factor (respond, execute, monitor), as well as regenerative practices for both resources and personal well-being. He highlights

55. Management Experience & Competence with Dallas Mount Jul 22, 2025 20:20 Dallas Mount returns to the podcast to discuss the trend of over-specialization in ranching, highlighting the challenges and pitfalls of diversifying too much, too quickly. Dallas and host John Haskell emphasize the importance of focusing on a few core businesses that operate at scale and are profitable when talking about management experience and competence. Dallas notes that businesses with one,

54. Thinking About the Future While Ignoring the Past with Dallas Mount Jul 15, 2025 16:49 John Haskell welcomes Dallas Mount back to the podcast to discuss how to think about the future while ignoring the past. Sometimes we find ourselves in a situation we don't want to be in, and we want to reset and start over. Dallas walks us through an exercise he covered in a recent presentation to help us reconsider all of our assets on paper.He shares how to reevaluate and optimize assets on fam

53. Business Processes with the Ramsteads, Part 2 Jul 8, 2025 15:22 Host John Haskell welcomes back Stan and Eileen from Ramstead Ranch in part 2 of their conversation, discussing business processes and the operational improvements that have doubled their team's efficiency. They share the simple yet effective changes they implemented that led to a significant increase in package volume while maintaining error-free operations. The Ramsteads also emphasize the impor

52. Business Processes with the Ramsteads, Part 1 Jul 1, 2025 15:10 Stan and Eileen from Ramstead Ranch in Washington State sit down with host John Haskell to discuss the challenges of scaling a direct-to-consumer business, particularly in fulfillment.In part 1 of this conversation, they share how, after doubling their budget for paid advertising, they increased sales from $600,000 to $1.2 million within a year, leading to a fulfillment bottleneck. Faced with team

51. Relationship Between Gross Product and Grazing Management with Travis Krause Jun 24, 2025 23:46 In this episode, host John Haskell and guest Travis Krause discuss the relationship between gross product and grazing management. Travis is a new member of the Ranch Right team helping out on the consulting side, and he's here to talk about how whole ranch profitability ultimately ties back to some of those first decisions you make about running your cows.John and Travis define gross product as th

50. Financial Literacy with Micayla Giffin Jun 17, 2025 18:09 In today’s episode, host John Haskell welcomes Micayla Giffin, a new member of the Ranch Right team, to the Ranchonomics podcast to discuss the importance of financial literacy in agriculture. Her unique skill set combining finance and farming knowledge and her experience in communicating financial concepts to farmers make her the perfect addition to our team and this conversation. Micayla shares

49. Mindset with Charlotte Smith, Part 2 Jun 10, 2025 18:01 In today’s episode, host John Haskell welcomes back Charlotte Smith for conversation about the powerful connections between mindset and marketing for farm businesses. They discuss how thoughts like “I should be further along” can sabotage personal and business success, as well as practical tools for shifting to more supportive mindsets that drive action and growth. They also dive into the importan

48. Mindset with Charlotte Smith, Part 1 Jun 3, 2025 19:02 In this episode, host John Haskell reconnects with marketing and mindset coach Charlotte Smith to explore how our thoughts and beliefs shape business outcomes, especially in marketing. They discuss how our default thoughts and beliefs shape business outcomes and the importance of being intentional with our mindset and how it can impact our actions. John and Charlotte also discuss how the words we

47. Impacts of Drought on the Cattle Cycle and the Time We Got It Wrong with Logan Pribbeno May 27, 2025 21:54 Host John Haskell welcomes back Logan Pribbeno to the Ranchonomics podcast to dive into the complexities of market timing strategies for cow herd management and the significant impact drought has on stocking decisions. They also discuss the challenges and lessons learned from missed market cycles, as well as practical approaches to surviving multi-year droughts, including the use of irrigated corn

46. Cow Marketing Strategies with Logan Pribbeno May 20, 2025 22:44 In today’s episode, host John Haskell sits down with Logan Pribbeno to dive into cow marketing strategies and how the cattle cycle can drive key business decisions for ranch operations. They discuss their approach to buying and selling heifers based on market signals and the importance of timing in maximizing profits within the cattle industry. Additionally, they explore cash flow management, land

45. Succession Planning & Empowering the Next Generation May 13, 2025 25:55 In today’s episode, host John Haskell welcomes back Kim Barker and Wally Olson to discuss the challenges and strategies of bringing the next generation back to the family ranch, as well as the process of succession planning in agricultural operations. They dive into the importance of aligning personal values when teaching and transitioning responsibilities, and differing priorities across generati

44. Business Coaching with Josh Kerpan, Part 2 May 6, 2025 18:32 In today’s episode, host John Haskell welcomes back Josh Kerpan to discuss how practicing mindfulness through meditation and journaling can help you gain control over your mind and emotions. Josh explains the evolving role that goals and purpose play in directing his life and why he is careful about which goals he sets for himself. Josh also shares insights on developing keystone habits, the scien

43. Business Coaching with Josh Kerpan, Part 1 Apr 29, 2025 15:53 Host John Haskell is joined by Josh Kerpan to explore his personal transformation as well as the role of business coaching in creating sustainability for business owners. Josh shares insights into building Kaizen Solutions, his approach to coaching and consulting for farm and ranch owners, and how aligning purpose, people, and processes drives business success. They also discuss the challenges of

42. Agri-Culture with Emilie Hopson Apr 22, 2025 25:56 In this episode, host John Haskell is joined by Emilie Hopson for a conversation about human resource management and how it applies to the ranching industry. They discuss the significance of building a positive culture and developing trust and accountability within your ranch team. Emily also shares helpful insights on hiring based on character versus skills, discretionary effort, leadership vulne

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