Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming

Adam Daugherty joins us from southern Indiana to share the story of how a few cows, some encouragement from family, and a willingness to try rotational grazing transformed his operation. Adam talks through the early days of partnering with his grandfather and great-aunt, the moment rotational grazing finally “clicked,” and how semi-permanent fencing, flexible water systems, and strategic winter fe...

Rachel Bouressa of Bouressa Family Farm joins us from central Wisconsin, where she’s a fifth-generation farmer and second-generation grazier managing 120 acres with a soil-first mindset. After returning home following a barn fire, she rebuilt her operation using perennial forages, diverse annuals, and a willingness to experiment. Today she’s deeply involved with Grassworks, Wisconsin Farmers Union...

Today’s episode features Doug Jobes , Regenerative Ranching Advisor at the Noble Research Institute , whose background spans rural Georgia agriculture, the 75th Ranger Regiment, wildlife science, and rangeland ecology. Doug brings a wildlife-first lens to grazing—not just how animals eat grass, but how grazing decisions ripple out into birds, deer, turkeys, insects, habitat structure, and even the...

Austin Unruh returns for another deep, practical conversation on silvopasture — this time focusing on “the dip,” livestock pressure, pruning, shade strategy, pigs and poultry in tree systems, and what to do in Year Zero before you ever put a seedling in the ground. If you’ve ever stared at your pastures on a hot day wishing you had more shade… this one will light a fire under you. What we cover in...

Leslie returns to share what’s changed since her first appearance in Episode 28. She runs Cylon Rolling Acres in northwestern Wisconsin, where she grazes both goats and Texel sheep on pasture and markets meat directly to consumers through a thriving online business. This episode dives deep into her evolution from wholesale to a sustainable, subscription-based direct-to-consumer model — plus her ap...

In this special in-person episode recorded at the South Poll Field Day , Cal sits down with some of the biggest names connected to the South Poll breed and regenerative grazing movement — Teddy Gentry, Greg Judy, Ralph & Jerry Voss, Steve Freeman, and Nathan Hahn . You’ll hear the story of how the South Poll breed was created, the philosophy behind it, and how it continues to thrive on real-wo...

In this episode, Cal visits with Shane Maddock , a fourth-generation rancher from north-central North Dakota, where cattle country meets farm country. Shane shares the story of building a regenerative operation through drought, grazing challenges, and generations of learning. He discusses taking over a neighbor’s ranch after returning from National Guard service, developing cross-fenced paddocks a...

Stan and his wife began farming in 2021 after adopting four children and realizing they wanted to raise them with meaningful work and stewardship. Starting with neglected, junk-filled land, they’ve built a regenerative, multi-species farm from scratch—learning through Greg Judy, Joel Salatin, and hands-on mistakes. Topics Covered Moving from western Kansas to Arkansas and starting a farm from noth...

In this episode, Cal talks with Adam Phomin from Hoof and Beak Farm in eastern Ontario, Canada. Adam shares his journey from fitness coach and gym owner to regenerative farmer, raising sheep, cattle, chickens, and llamas on his 100-acre farm. A first-generation farmer, Adam connects his passion for health and nutrition to raising his own protein and improving the land. He discusses starting from s...

In this episode, Cal visits with Lauren Jorgensen and Frank “Toby” Tobias , owners of Starlight Farm in North Florida. Lauren and Toby share their inspiring transition from suburban professionals to regenerative graziers, managing cattle, horses, and chickens on 108 acres of sandy Florida soil. Their story begins with a daughter’s recommendation to watch Kiss the Ground , which set them on a journ...

Dana Tinney Wilson of Chantilly Ranch in Northern California returns to the Grazing Grass Podcast to share what’s new since her first appearance in episode 50. Dana and her husband Gary raise Boer goats, Highland cattle, and Dexter cattle, direct-marketing beef to their community while also using goats for fire abatement and neighborhood grazing services. She talks about adapting her grazing manag...

In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal visits with Karl Palmberg of Sunlight and Rain in northwest Iowa . Karl shares his journey from growing up on a farm, serving in the Air Force, and eventually returning home to rebuild his family’s cattle operation. He dives into the lessons learned from shifting to no-till farming, integrating livestock for soil health, and experimenting with gene...

Bruce shares his journey from managing sheep and goats to building a South Poll seedstock operation, the pivotal experiences that shaped his philosophy, and how he balances practicality with profitability. He also reflects on the importance of family, community, and keeping options open in an unpredictable business. In this episode, we cover: Bruce’s background in agriculture and how he ended up i...

Josh shares his journey as a sixth-generation grazier managing South Poll cattle, woodland-raised pork, and pasture poultry with his father. He grew up immersed in rotational grazing from the late 1990s, giving him a unique second-generation perspective on regenerative practices. Josh explains how their family transitioned from commercial breeds to South Polls in 2006, seeing immediate differences...

Ann and Bob share their journey from Nebraska crop and cattle farming to building a regenerative grazing operation in the Ozarks. They discuss the challenges of starting over, investing in infrastructure like tire tanks and fencing, and adapting their herd with South Poll genetics to fit their environment. Their story highlights resilience, stewardship, and the pursuit of nutrient-dense beef and h...

Todd Barkley of Barkley Ranch in Southeast Montana joins us to share his journey as a fourth-generation rancher balancing education, cattle, and regenerative practices. Todd talks about building his cow herd through AI, crossbreeding with Herefords, and now introducing Galloway genetics for winter hardiness and fly resistance. He also dives deep into cover crops, soil health, and the powerful role...

In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal visits with Wyatt Jones of Happy Meadow Farm in Pisgah, Alabama . Wyatt shares his family’s journey from military life to building a thriving grass-based farm, raising beef and dairy cattle, Katahdin sheep, and poultry. Starting in 2021, Wyatt and his wife dove headfirst into regenerative agriculture, learning through mentors, books, and hands-on t...

In this episode, Hobbs Magaret, author of Herd: Animals That Gave Rise to Humanity and Why We Need Them More Than Ever , joins Cal for a deep, thought-provoking conversation about grazing, ecology, and shifting our perspectives on livestock production. Hobbs shares his journey from ranching in Oregon to working on massive cattle stations in Australia, blending personal experience with philosophica...

In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal visits with Jaime Elizondo, known as Jim in the United States, to explore his Total Grazing Program. This is a comprehensive approach to regenerative ranching focused on lowering costs, improving soil, and increasing livestock performance. With decades of experience managing cattle in Mexico and the U.S., Jim shares his path from red cattle in the...

Joel shares his inspiring journey from business economics and tech startups to building a fast-growing regenerative ranch. He explains how he used herd shares and ultra high density grazing to expand from a small herd to nearly 500 cows in just a few years. Along the way, he discusses developing hardy genetics, navigating serious labor shortages, and creating a supportive network of investors and...

In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast , Cal visits with Natalie Hancock of Olde Oak Glen, located near Perkins–Tryon, Oklahoma. Natalie shares her unique journey from the mountains of Greece to raising one of the rarest and most flavorful heritage pigs—Mangalitsa—on 60 forested acres. What began as a love for animals, particularly horses, turned into a passion for pigs after rescuing a potb...

In this episode, Cal sits down with Daniel and Mandie Stallings of Perch & Pasture in Waverly Hall, Georgia. This husband-and-wife team share their powerful story of transitioning from military life to full-time regenerative farming. Sparked by personal health challenges and a passion for nutrient-dense food, they’ve built a diversified farm enterprise that includes raw dairy, beef, pork, poul...

In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, we hear from Marque Renshaw of Peace in the Valley Farms in West Plains, Missouri. Marque shares her journey into rotational grazing and the lessons she and her husband Ryan have learned transitioning their operation to focus on sheep. From challenging beginnings—managing animals post-house fire and learning by doing with sale barn ewes—to building a r...

Tom Otton joins us from the far south coast of Australia to share his journey from growing up on a beef farm to operating a grazing-based dairy with his family. Tom discusses the evolution of his practices, including a heavy focus on multi-species pastures, no-till methods, and regenerative grazing—long before he even knew the word “regenerative.” He shares thoughtful insights on cow genetics, vir...

In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal talks with Ernie Mathis of Iron Root Pastures in Rising Fawn, Georgia. Ernie shares how he went from suburban New Jersey roots and metro Atlanta life to traveling the U.S. in an RV and finally settling on a dilapidated cow-calf farm to pursue a regenerative, multi-species livestock operation. He discusses starting with backyard broilers, managing r...