Ranching Returns Podcast
The Ranching Returns Podcast features conversations with farmers and ranchers about how they have increased profitability, improved their land resources, and built a rewarding lifestyle. Each episode highlights practical strategies and real-world experiences from people working in agriculture. The show focuses on boosting returns from ranching while balancing economic success with responsible land stewardship. It offers insights for those interested in sustainable and profitable ranching practices.
Episodes
300: Zach and Kacie - Moving Home but Starting from Scratch
Zach and Kacie moved back to Kacie's home but rather than working into the family ranch, they built their own. What started as a diversified direct to consumer farm has grown into a scaled commercial cow/calf operation. We discuss their growth, enterprises, virtual fence and more!Resourced Mentioned:Scale - Jeffrey westNeccessary Endings - Henry CloudWendell Berry A Guide for the PerplexedSmal
299: Josh Tranel - Diversified Midwestern Farm
Josh Tranel farms with his 3 first cousins and they have grown a diversified farm that compliments their core organic dairy. They have row crops, feedlot, and a beef herd in addition to the dairy. We discuss the family dynamics, succession planning, the pros and cons of different dairy models and much more in this fantastic episode with Josh.Resources Mentioned:E-MythThe GoalJames CollinsAILarry T
298: Jason Fradette - Building a Ranch
Jason Fradette along with his family built their ranch from scratch. He discusses purchasing their land, the management changes they made to achieve more profitability and more!Resources Mentioned:Ranching Returns PodcastUnderstanding AgWorking Cows PodcastPodcast Sponsors:If you are looking to add somebody to your team to help with your farm or ranch numbers, check out John Haskell and his team a
297: Eamon O'Toole - Running on Grass
Eamon O'Toole is a large commercial rancher who recently started the Running on Grass Podcast with Logan Pribbeno. We discuss his ranch spanning multiple western states, how he manages it as a business. Their willingness to shift enterprises and why and what makes a new ranch opportunity worth taking. Lots to learn from this one and when you are done listening to this episode, check out Runnin
296: Ross MacDonald - Building a First Generation Ranch
Ross MacDonald shares his awesome story of going out and building his own ranch business from the first land purchase to his recent shift into building a low input PCC registered herd and starting the first Pharo Cattle Company Canadian sale! Resources Mentioned:Let My People Go SurfingNourishment - Fred ProvenzaJoe Walter video clipsEpisode Sponsors:If you are looking to add somebody to your team
295 (Bonus): Haley Potter - How to Use AI in Ranching
Haley and I discuss how we can use AI to more efficiently manage our businesses by reducing the time we spend doing simple tasks and more!Check out www.pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and profit back into your ranching business! As always, check us out at Ranching Returns Podcast on Facebook and Instagram as well as at www.ranchingreturns.com.For Ranching
294: Colleen Withers - Ranching in Eastern Oregon
Colleen joins me to discuss her family's eastern Oregon ranch business. The challenges that region presents and how they are constantly evolving their management and improving the operations every generation. Episode SponsorsCheck out www.pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and profit back into your ranching business! As always, check us out at Ranching Retu
293: Blake and Ida Jane Allen - Building a First Gen Ranch
Blake and Ida Jane share their initial entrance into ranching starting with commercial cow/calf, their switch to stocker growing, and then back into cow/calf and growing a direct to consumer meat business that compliments their lifestyle and operation goals. They now are both full time on the farm and share how they did it!Resources Mentioned:Thoughts and Advice From an Old Cattleman - Gordon Haza
292: Eric Bailey - Difference Between Value and Marketing in Cattle Inputs
Who else has wondering what things actually pay vs what is all marketing and hype? I know I have. Eric discusses his perspective on this topic hitting on mineral, creep feed, apple cider vinegar and more!Episode Sponsors:If you are looking to add somebody to your team to help with your farm or ranch numbers, check out John Haskell and his team at https://www.ranchrightllc.com/.Check out
291: Dr. Rebekah Hartfield - Buying Vet Clinics and Ranches
Dr. Harfield and I discuss her journey in entrepreneurship and all the challenges as well as the benefits that have come from her real estate investing, buying vet clinics, building ranches, writing books and more! Lots to learn in this fantastic conversation!Podcast Sponsors:Check out www.pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and profit back into your ranching bu
290: Aaron and Erin Pape - First Generation Profitable Farm
Aaron and Erin Pape share their story on discovering their passion for land stewardship through management and the grazing business! They discuss the challenges and opportunities of custom grazing dairy heifers, scaling a pastured chicken enterprise to over 5000 chickens annually, and building a direct marketing enterprise as well as the details on how they grew their landbase.Resources Mentioned:
289: Brett Mcrae - Expanding a Profitable Farm and Ranch
Brett shares some of the major decisions he made in his farming career including switching from a seedstock business model to a commercial cow/calf operation and setting up his cropping enterprise to be portable allowing him to take on land opportunities that aren't in his backyard which was essential when trying to grow! Lots to learn from Brett in this episode!Resources Mentioned:Ranching fo
288: Dennis O'Callaghan - Doubling Production and Maximizing Profit!
Dennis when give the opportunity to take over his families 1800 acre station in New Zealand needed to make it profitable to do so. He focused on increasing production and profit per acre. We discuss how he did that through the type of animal they raise, their grass management and more!Resources Mentioned:Beef and Lamb New ZealandDiary NZIf you are looking to add somebody to your team to help with
287: Lloyd Calvert - Ranching in the Mountains
Lloyd was charged with making the High Lonesome mountain ranch profitable! We discuss how he has managed to increase ranch utilization, create hardy low input cows that thrive there, and so much more!Resources Mentioned:Ranching Returns PodcastKnowledge ProjectAIRanching for ProfitCheck out www.pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and profit back into your ranchi
286: James Paul Bailey - Cattle Ranching and Chicken Farming
James Paul had a goal of becoming a full time farming! A challenging goal but one he none-the-less accomplished by building chicken houses and contract raising chickens, making hay on non-grazeable land that others didn't value and building a ranching business and raising red angus cattle for Pharo Cattle Company! Lots to learn from James Paul in this episode!Resourced Mentioned:Ranching Retur
285: Tyson Langland - Running a Profitable Ranch
Tyson moved back to his family farm and took over the cow/calf operation with the goal of turning it into a profitable enterprise. He changed up grazing management, calving window, cow type and more and has been successful! Listen in to learn how he did it!Resources Mentioned:South Dakota Grasslands CoalitionSouth Dakota Soil Health CoalitionAlderspring RanchRanching Returns PodcastRanchenomicsAll
284: Brian Munger, Wally Olson, John Haskell - Sell/Buy Q&A
John, Brian and Wally join me to answer your questions on sell/buy marketing! We discuss the cattle square, cost of gain, cow depreciation, intrinsic value and much more!If you are looking to add somebody to your team to help with your farm or ranch numbers, check out John Haskell and his team at https://www.ranchrightllc.com/.Check out www.pharocattle.com for more information on
283: Nevil Speer - Beef Demand is Real
Nevil joins me for the third time to discuss the industry and beef market! Turns out beef demand is extremely strong and supports even this high market! We discuss what beef producers need to do in these times to strengthen their businesses for whatever the future holds!Check out www.pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and profit back into your ranching business
282: Charles Rohla - Silvopasture Explained
If you've ever wondered what silvopasture is, how to establish it, or the many benefits that come from it then this episode is for you! Charles answers all those questions and more!Resources Mentioned:Noble Research Institute ClassesDirt to Soil - Gabe BrownElaine InghamNicole MastersCheck out www.pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and profit back into your ran
281: Todd Churchill - The Business of Ranching
Todd has an incredible resume including active participation in farming and ranching, building one of the largest meat marketing companies, and serving at fractional CFO's for many food and ag companies! We discuss his story, how accounting is the language of business, perspectives on managing a ranch and more.Also tune in until the end to listen to Charles from Noble discuss overgrazing and g
280: Joe Gardiner - Cover Crops for Farm and Ranch Profitability
Cal Hardage Go Fund Me: https://gofund.me/aef1e28ecJoe Gardiner shares his awesome story of getting into farming and hitting the farming lottery followed by learning the hard way about volatility and unpredictability of the commodity world. He discusses his learning experience in cover crops, regenerative agriculture and building what has become a very successful cover crop company Covers & Co
279: Michael Detweiler - Cows and Water Buffalo on a Missouri Ranch
Michael manages a 4000 acre Missouri ranch where they are using cattle and water buffalo along with good grazing management and cover crops to build they rocky soil. We discuss his history coming to manage this ranch as well as him sharing his faith and hope he has in Jesus after losing a son. So much value to gain from Michael!Resources Mentioned:Robert E. Lee on LeadershipRanching Returns Podcas
278: Grant Harder - Sell/Buy Marketing Success
Grant shares his story of being a multi generational rancher on his own first generation ranch, starting from scratch and making a living off of his ranch business. We discuss how he grew the business, his focus on stockmanship, high risk cattle and sell/buy marketing!Resources Mentioned:Thoughts and Advice from an Old Cattleman - Gordon HazardKnowledge Rich Ranching - Alan NationWally Olson and R
277: Hayden and Taylor Sievers - Lifestyle by Design
Hayden and Taylor together are creating the lifestyle they want. We discuss the changes they've made over the years and what they are still working towards. We discuss the their plans of shifting more towards a grazing based farm in row crop country as well as what it takes to be a published author.Resources mentioned:authortaylorsievers.comSievers Blumen Farm on YoutubeJoanna PennThe Survival
276: Cory and Jennilee Bird - How Virtual Fence Improved Their Ranch
Cory and Jennilee ranch with his family in Montana on a combination of public and deeded land. They discuss their diverse operations, management and talk in depth about their experience using Nofence virtual fence collars to manage a group of cows on tough to fence terrain and how they hope to expand the use of nofence to more cows in the future!Resources Mentioned:NofenceIf you are looking to add
275: Glenn Elzinga - Building Alderspring Ranch
It's important to not just look at successful ranches when we try to learn how to build a successful ranch, but to look at how they became successful! Today we dive into Glenns story of building Alderspring Ranch from 6 cows on 60 acres to what it is today as one of the pioneers in regenerative ranching!Check out www.pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and p
274: Jarod Kiggans -Creative Financing as a First Gen Rancher
After 270+ episodes there are not to many episodes where I hear an idea that I have not heard before. But in this episode Jarod shares how he came up with creative financing ideas to get into his first line of equipment, his first cows and his first land purchase! An absolute must listen for anybody interested in building a ranch from scratch! We also discuss his shift in cattle genetics, marketin
273: Michael Mendel - Finding Success in a Diverse, Multi Family Farm
Michael shares how his family emphasized an early transition of farm ownership to the next generation as well as discuss the many different enterprises they run and how they work together. We discuss his spring and fall cow herd, heifer development and calving enterprise, feedlot, farm and more!Resources Mentioned:CattleconBeef SDCheck out www.pharocattle.com for more information on ho
272: Kit Pharo - Kit Addresses Low Input Critics
Kit responds to comments and questions on podcast clips. The following are just a few of the topics we discuss:- Maternal vs. Terminal Selection- Applying pressure in heifer development- What is ideal cow size- Calving season affect on lifestyle and profitIf you are looking to add somebody to your team to help with your farm or ranch numbers, check out John Haskell and his team at https://www.r
271: Dylan Enger - Growing a Family Ranch
Dylan shares how he and his brother came home to ranch with their uncle. They discuss adding enterprises, and maintaining full time off ranch jobs which left more money in the business for reinvestment and expansion!If you are looking to add somebody to your team to help with your farm or ranch numbers, check out John Haskell and his team at https://www.ranchrightllc.com/.Check out www
270: Tristen Miller - Building Businesses and a Farm
Tristen realized quickly he didn't want to work for anybody else and he along with his wife have been building their own cattle operation while also building several other businesses. He shares his story of how he got into custom spraying, trucking and starting a feed company as well as his farm growth and land ownership journey! I love when people go out and make things happen and Tristen and
269: PJ Budler - What Makes a Profitable Cow
PJ is a cattle expert who has judged over 100 different cattle breeds in 51 countries! He has seen what well adapted, functionally efficient, fertile cattle look like around the world and we discuss that here today. Resources Mentioned:Sapiens by Yuval Noah HarariIf you are looking to add somebody to your team to help with your farm or ranch numbers, check out John Haskell and his team at https
268: Dallas Dodson - Building a Profitable Ranch
An investor wanted to buy a ranch and asked Dallas to manage it. His two comments were 1) I don't lose money at anything and 2) If we can't have fun doing it, lets not even start!Dallas shares in this episode how he took those words and built a ranch that was profitable and enjoyable!Resources Mentioned:Ranching for Profit SchoolStockman Grass FarmerAllan Savory and Holistic ManagmentKit P
267: Tristan Swartz - Doing it Wrong Dairy
You can find Tristan on Facebook either under Tristan Swarts or Doing it Wrong Dairy with combined over 400,000 followers! He's not afraid to do things differently. He shares his story of farming in Missouri, owning a wheat harvest crew, and moving to Wisconsin to start his own dairy!Resources Mentioned:Common Sense Livestock Feeding - Michael J. MehrenCheck out www.pharocattle.com
266: Joe Pokay and Hugh Aljoe - Cutting Inputs on 13,500 Acres
Noble Research Institute does more than put together awesome classes on ranch finance, soil health, and grazing management. They actually own and manage 13,500 acres spread across 6 different ranches. Today Joe Pokay and Hugh Aljoe join me from Noble to discuss their experience cutting inputs from their ranch 5 years ago and diving into a low input regenerative and profit focused production model.
265: Harry Cope - Missouri Grazing Farm
Harry discusses his farmily farms history, getting through the 80's farm crisis and his decision to shift from row crops to a grazing based operation. We discuss the different enterprises he runs, how he converts endophyte infected fescue to a diverse warm and cool season pasture mix, and much more!Resources Mentioned:How to Win Friends and Influence PeopleIf you are looking to add somebody to
264: Dallas Simmonds - From 40,000 Acres to 0
Dallas built a large successful grain farm in Canada and grew it to over 40,000 acres. He then quit hoping that more time and freedom would help him find peace or fulfillment. It did not. He shares his story of building the farm, building a team, quitting and finding peace after giving up something he loves! Enjoy!ResourcesThe Launching Pad - Steve WeatherfordTony RobbinsCheck out www.pharoc
263: Dallas Mount - Succession, Debt, People, Investing
I pulled questions and comments from popular social media clips with tens of thousands of views and brought on Dallas Mount, owner of Executive Link and the Ranching for Profit School to address them. We discuss a wide range of topics from people management, succession planning, analyzing return on investment and much more!Interested in easy care sheep raised on pasture and crop residue. Reach out
262: Jesse Nelson - Regenerative Crop and Livestock in Idaho
Jesse Nelson shares his story of buying his grandfathers farm in Idaho and discusses the challenges and successes that have come with that journey. They raise organic crops, beef cattle, laying hens and direct market! Resources Mentioned:When Weeds TalkCalibrated AgA Better Way to FarmSoil Works LLCMan, Cattle, Veld - Johann ZietsmanJim GerrishCarbon Cowboys
261: Dr. Tom Roskos - Farmer and Veterinarian Discusses Animal Health
Dr. Tom is a vet, farmer and preventative health expert for cattle. He shares his thoughts on the difference between expenses and investments when it comes to animal health as well as how he manages his farm while being a vet.Resources Mentioned:Ranching Returns PodcastRich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert KiyosakiCheck out www.pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and prof
260: Matthew Grimes - Scaling Low Input Sheep Production
Matthew wanted a scalable enterprise that was consistently profitable. After considering his skill set, interests and opportunities he dove into easy care hair sheep. He has since scaled it to a couple thousand ewes and in this episode we discuss his families history in farming, why he decided on sheep and what he has learned since going down that path. We discuss how he grazes them on cornstalks
259: Jamie Hamilton - First Generation Full Time Farmer
Jamie is one of those young farmers proving you still can make a full time living and build wealth as a first generation farmer! He shares his story of growing his business, how he invested his money early on, what he would do different and where he's planning on going in the future! So much to learn from Jamie!Check out www.pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more f
258: Gabe Brown - Cattle Production Paradigm Shift
Everybody has heard Gabe Browns row crop challenges that led him to shift to regenerative agriculture minimizing inputs and diversifying crop rotations. A story that I hadn't heard but wanted to was the progression of his mindset towards cattle production and his cow herd genetic decisions. We discuss that in detail in todays episode from his Gelbvieh/Angus genetics with winter calving to summ
257: Ted Miller - 600 Cow Grazing Dairy in Louisiana
Ted is a first generation farmer who started and built a large scale grazing based dairy that allows him to compete in an industry typically dominated by high capital production focused dairy farms. We discuss his start, the decision to get into this model, using virtual fence in a dairy context and so much more.Resources mentioned:National Grazing Lands CoalitionGraze MagazineRanching for ProfitG
256: Marlene Moore - Fighting to Keep the Ranch
Marlene Moore shares her incredible story of taking over her Grandfathers ranch with little experience and fighting to keep it alive and growing it into a thriving profitable ranch. She discusses the enterprises she started with and changed to and also discusses her current progress towards transitioning the ranch to a non-family heir to keep the legacy moving forward!Resources Mentioned:Jesus Cal
255: Karson Rippstein - Family, Government Leases, Salt and Mineral
Karson ranches with his dad and brother in Utah and we discuss the challenges he deals with working in the mountains on permits as well as his recommendations for successfully partnering with family on a cattle ranch. I learn about how traditional salt/mineral programs are not necessarily the best option, and so much more! Resources Mentioned:Man, Cattle, Veld - Johann ZietsmannDirt to Soil - Gabe
254: Lawson Harper - Ranching in Australia
Lawson shares his families story of ranching in the land down under! His parents ranch expansion and exit of the industry and his entrance into the industry, working on multiple large cattle operations and beginning his own. Resources Mentioned:Greg JudyRanching Returns PodcastKLR MarketingGrazing for ProfitCheck out www.pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and p
253: Caitlin Word - Crossroads of Profitability and Regenerative Management
Caitlin and I discuss ways to improve profitability on the ranch. We discuss impacting it through improving gross margin, and reducing overhead. We discuss regenerative agriculture and how that impacts profitability and so much more!Resources Mentioned:Noble Research InstituteRanching for ProfitMindsetTribeCheck out www.pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and pr
252: Luke Perman - End of Year Preparations
Luke is owner and operator of Rock Hills Ranch in South Dakota. In this conversation we discuss what he does in the 4th quarter to prepare for the end of the year. We discuss his winter feed planning, financial management and more!Resources Mentioned:OutsidersCheck out www.pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and profit back into your ranching business! As always
251: Brian Munger, Wally Olson, John Haskell - What is Sell/Buy Marketing
In this podcast episode, ranching experts Wally Olson, John Haskell, and Brian Munger to discuss the intricacies of sell-by marketing in the cattle industry. The conversation covers the importance of understanding market dynamics, the risks associated with traditional buying and selling methods, and the practical applications of sell-buy marketing strategies. The guests share insights on valuing l
250: Nick Bailey - Scaling Direct to Consumer
Nick Bailey of Grand View Farming shares his story of starting and growing their direct to consumer meat marketing business. He shares the marketing strategies, meat production and acquisition methods, inventory management strategies and so much more! You can reach Nick at nick@grandviewfarming.comResources Mentioned:Free to Focus - Michael HyattLaunch - Jeff WalkerFarm to Table Legal Defense Fund
249: Ray Marxer - Insights of a Large Ranch Manager
Ray Marxer managed a large scale ranch running thousands of cows for multiple decades and in this episode we discuss many of his tips for running your farm and ranch like a business. If you are looking to add somebody to your team to help with your farm or ranch numbers, check out John Haskell and his team at https://www.ranchrightllc.com/.Check out www.pharocattle.com for more i
248: Derek Schwanebeck - Seasonal Grazing For Improved Lifestyle and Profit
Derek and his wife took over her families ranch and weren't afraid to make changes to improve their ranches profitability and lifestyle. They switched from an owned cow/calf operation to an entirely seasonal custom grazing of fall cows model that come in the spring and leave in the fall. He shares how this improved the profit of the operation as well as the impact it had on their lifestyle.Res
247: Brian, Tyson and Rob - Bull Development and Evaluation
Rob Pierce, Tyson Pharo and Brian Munger join me to discuss what happens when bulls are dropped off at a bull development site in January until the fall bull sales in November. We discuss the grazing, evaluation and culling process!If you are looking to add somebody to your team to help with your farm or ranch numbers, check out John Haskell and his team at https://www.ranchrightllc.com/.Che
246: Paul, Gavin and Jason - Profitable Cow Production
Paul Landrigan, Gavin Kemp, and Jason Orton join me to discuss how they apply pressure on their cow herds to select the most fertile and low input cows to produce bulls that will improve your cow herds. They discuss heifer development, cow wintering, the ideal cow and more! Check out www.pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and profit back into your ranching busi
245: Tony Munsterteiger - Grazing Farm in Minnesota
Tony is a friend and fellow Minnesotan who is doing an excellent job of developing a cowherd and grazing system to efficiently grass finish beef in central Minnesota in under 24 months. We discuss his genetic selection, grazing management, and succession planning experience.Resources Mentioned:BibleDirt to Soil - Gabe BrownWhat Your Food Ate - David MontgomeryGrass Fed to Finish - Allan NationRanc
244: John Locke - Ranching Success
In this conversation, John Locke shares his journey in ranching, detailing his family's legacy and the challenges faced after a significant succession event. He discusses the transformative experience of attending the Ranching for Profit School, which prompted a shift in his management strategies and mindset. John reflects on the frustrations of operating under traditional methods and the impo
243: Ray Archuleta - Soil Health and His Missouri Farm
Ray Archuleta A.K.A. the soil guy has been traveling the country for decades teaching people about soil health! In this episode we discuss soil health and it's importance, and we also discuss his implementation of those principles on his own Missouri farm!If you are looking to add somebody to your team to help with your farm or ranch numbers, check out John Haskell and his team at https://w
242: Noah Eubanks - Adapted Cows are a Low Input Factory
I love Noah's perspective on buying and breeding cows that may not be as desirable for others but thrive on his ranch and are a low investment but produce acceptable calves with little hassle! He shares this strategy and how he has grown his own ranching operation on family land, how he does it while working an off ranch job and much more!Resources Mentioned:The GoalRich Dad, Poor DadMan, Catt
241: Henry Burns - Startup Ranch and Virtual Fence
In this conversation, Jared Luhman and Henry Burns discuss the intricacies of ranching, focusing on the use of virtual collars for cattle management. Henry shares his family's ranching history, the challenges faced in South Texas, and the importance of mentorship in navigating the ranching landscape. They delve into the financial aspects of ranching, the learning curve associated with new tech
240: Matt Feldhaus - Ranching Sodak
Matt is a first generation rancher in South Dakota. He shares the details of building his ranch, buying and leasing land, growing the cowherd! We also discuss his trials with grazing of standing corn as well as bale grazing for winter feeding strategies. He shares his youtube strategy and so much more!If you are looking to add somebody to your team to help with your farm or ranch numbers, check ou
239: John Haskell - Trends of Successful Ranchers
John Haskell has an amazing perspective of one who is active in the livestock and ranching world but also works with dozens of other farmers and ranchers regularly. In this podcast we discuss the trends he sees in these operations that set apart the successful from the rest. He drops wisdom throughout this podcast so you don't want to miss it!If you are looking to add somebody to your team to
238: Treg Ulmer - Row Crops to Grazing
In this conversation, Treg shares his journey of transitioning from a family legacy in farming to establishing his own sustainable grazing operation. He discusses the challenges he faced, including balancing off-farm work, learning from early mistakes in livestock management, and the importance of genetics in sheep farming. Treg emphasizes the significance of low input practices and adapting manag
237: Tim Downing - Building a Multi-Generational Ranch
Tim shares in detail his journey of land acquisitions and trades that led him to the ranch he is on today. He shared the stories and sacrifices he has to make to build a first generation ranch at a scale that can sustain multiple generations! I really enjoyed this conversation!Resources Mentioned:Nebraska Grazing CoalitionSandhills Task ForceRanching for ProfitJim GerrishDoug FergusonCheck out
236: Giovana Benitez - Keeping the Ranch, and Faith!
Wow, this conversation to me was incredibly powerful and inspiring! Giovana and her father faced difficulty that most never would have to losing family and nearly losing the ranch! Through it all she grew in her faith in God and both her and the ranch today are thriving! Everybody should listen to this story!Resources mentioned:Texas Agriculture Lifetime Leadership ProgramRanching for ProfitIf you
235: Seth Pratt - Generational Ranching in Idaho
Seth shares his family's story of building the family business over generations as well as the investments they have made into adding value to their animals by owning them through finish as well as a share in the cooperative that markets the meat. We discuss his thoughts on how to improve the operation going forward in a world where land is difficult and so much more!Resources Mentioned:Tom Do
234: Rusty Lee - Grazing Grain Milo
Rusty is a University Extension specialist for University of Missouri and also a farmer and rancher with extensive experience grazing grain milo. He shares all the tips and considerations for reducing winter feed costs by grazing grain milo!Resources Mentioned:University of Missouri ExtensionCheck out www.pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and profit back into
233: Chris and Lyndsey - Solar Grazing
In this episode Jared Luhman speaks with Lyndsey and Chris from Shady Creek Lamb Co., who share their innovative approach to sheep farming through solar grazing. They discuss their backgrounds in agriculture, the challenges of transitioning from cattle to sheep, and the importance of water management and infrastructure in their operations. The couple emphasizes the significance of public relations
232: Keith Olsen - Low Input Crop and Cattle Farming
Keith is passionate about low input regenerative agriculture and is exploring both of those avenues on his own operation in SE Minnesota. We discuss how he's focusing on improving his land and pocketbook in both enterprises and much more.Resources Mentioned:Ranching Reboot PodcastRanching Returns PodcastStockman Grass FarmerTom KrawiecWilson Land and Cattle YoutubeSoil Works Youtube If you are
231: Sam Fryer - Ranching, Podcasting and Working!
Sam has an awesome story, he shares how he decided to separate himself from the family farm and go out on his own in order to preserve family relationships. We discuss the process of building his operation on his own and also discuss his thoughts on debt, leverage, land ownership and more. Stay tuned at the end of the conversation with Sam for some bonus content with founder and CEO of Ambrook, Ma
230: Jacob Gilley - Enterprise Analysis, Real Estate, and More!
Lots of good stuff in this conversation with Jacob. We discuss his path to farming, his decision to leave the off farm job, the many enterprises he has experience with and spend a while on his record keeping strategy and enterprise analysis. We then discuss his most recent venture which is a rural vacation rental property. Check out www.pharocattle.com for more information on how to pu
229: Ben Minden - Training Cowboys and Buying a Business
Ben is founder and president of Bear Hug Cattle Company which is a non-profit that trains retiring military members on the basics required to work in the cattle industry in the west! And in the second part of the conversation we discuss Ben's experience buying a well drilling business to generate revenue rather than getting a normal job. If you are looking to add somebody to your team to help
228: Drew Bruner - Going All in on Sheep
Drew talks about why in this particular market he chose not to invest in stockers and switch entirely to sheep. He discusses his permanent flock as well as his stocker ewe flock experiment for this year. He shares the main challenges with sheep production and how he manages them and finds success.Check out www.pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and profit back
227: Matthew Menke - Risk vs. Reward, Leverage and Knowing Your Business
Matthew shares his incredible story of turning down a dream opportunity to take over a family business because he couldn't do so profitably. He shares how he grew an ag business and eventually got back into farming and ranching when he knew he could do so successfully! He shares his perspective on not doing things just for the sake of growth and why knowing your business financials is so impor
226: Randal Breen - From Living in a Shed to Full Time Farmer
Randal shares his incredible story of building a farm. He now operates on over 650 acres and direct markets meat and eggs to local individuals and wholesale accounts! A story that highlights the relationship he has with his community is that when he experience complete drought and destocked almost entirely, their community continued paying CSA shares receiving only eggs until rain returned. We dis
225: Alex McKiernan - Car Wrecks Can't Stop This Family!
Alex and his wife have built a diverse farm and ranch business that started with direct to consumer vegetable production through a CSA and has grown to a large ranch that does custom grazing, goat production for weed management as well as building a brand that serves food from their farm and other local farms direct to local consumers!Resources Mentioned:Robinette FarmsRanching For Profit and Exec
224: Caleb Smith - Switching from Dairy to Sheep
Caleb has a unique story to getting into agriculture, he had the opportunity to take on a 40 year land lease from a non-profit and built a dairy farm from scratch. He shares that story and also how he recently switched from the dairy model to a sheep production model and why. He shares the very real challenges that shift presented and how he adapted and improved the operation to accomplish his lif
223: Hayden Heigele - Changing Genetics, Calving Window, and More
Hayden felt some resistance when wanting to experiment with new farming and ranching practices on his family farm. Rather than give up, he has been growing an operation of his own on the side of working for the family business and is experimenting with low input ranching. Resources Mentioned:Greg JudyDave RamseyWill HarrisUnderstanding AgRanching Returns PodcastCheck out www.pharocattle.com
222: Doug Badcock - Building an Adapted Cow on a Zambian Ranch
Doug is building a ranch in Zambia and trying to develop a cow herd adapted to his harsh climate! He shares all the traditional paradigms he's pushing back against and where he's finding success. He also shares the story of how and why he left the family farm to build this on his own.Resources Mentioned:Man, Cattle, Veld - Johann ZietsmannDirt to Soil - Gabe BrownFertility Farming - Newman TurnerL
221: Ryan Cone - Building a Business in Order to Buy a Ranch
I absolutely love Ryan's story of finding a creative way to building a large and successful ranch from nothing! He shares his story of buying and improving a medical sales business that was weeks away from being shut down and turning it around and ultimately selling that to buy and grow a 1000+ cow ranch on his own! He's confident that it's still possible to get into ranching today wit
