Ranchonomics

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...

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, de...

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 de...

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...

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 f...

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...

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 sha...

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 M...

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...

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 plent...

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...

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...

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...

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 operati...

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 d...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...