Roots + Ruminants

After a couple of weeks away, the guys are back with a snapshot of their summers so far. Honestly, who knows what direction the conversation is going to go! In this episode, they're catching up on life during their hiatus, sharing market updates, and discussing what's ahead for the rest of the summer. Tune in if you're looking for something to listen to over the upcoming holiday wee...

The guys are back this week with plenty to cover! Justin shares highlights from his recent trip to Mexico to judge a sheep show. They also dive into all things sheep, livestock disease concerns, and the latest market updates. Give it a listen!

This week, Jared and Justin are in the spring state of mind. With the weather (hopefully) warming up, they dive into cattle talk, plans for this spring, and how they’re gearing up for the season. They also touch on some hot topics in ag right now and share updates on the different AgSpire programs they’re enrolled in. Tune in for a laid-back spring catch-up!

Our guest this week, Ryan Gravenhof, is a Minnesota farmer who shares how he is using cattle collars to transform grazing management and reduce labor on his operation. These GPS collars allow him to create virtual fences and quickly locate animals without relying on traditional fencing. Jared and Justin talk with him about everything from grazing cover crops in low traffic fields to managing escap...

On this week's episode, hear Jared and Justin discuss what’s happening around the world and how current events could impact input prices moving forward. They also share a quick spring catch up before shifting gears to something a little more fun, talking meat and getting the grill fired up as warmer weather rolls in. Tune in for the latest market talk and a laid back conversation as we head i...

The guys are back with their first guest of the year, Garrett Masat! He breaks down how he built his herd into a successful cattle operation and shares insights on increasing herd value, controlling costs, and navigating changing markets. Whether you're just getting started or an experienced rancher, you won’t want to miss this episode.

 Back by popular demand, Jared and Justin return to their regularly scheduled (most of the time) recordings. In this episode, they break down winter livestock feeding, including how grazing still plays a role, which feed types they use, and practical strategies to maintain performance during the cold months. Sit back and listen in! 

Join hosts Justin Fruechte and Jared Knock as they return from a hiatus with the annual New Year’s Predictions podcast. The duo revisits their predictions from this time last year and shares new predictions for the year ahead. Tune in as they reflect on their analysis and share what’s next for the podcast. We know you’ve missed Roots + Ruminants , so be sure to give this episode a listen!

You’re stuck with just Jared and Justin this week, and they’re giving you both a fall forecast and a summer recap. They break down the wet summer much of the Upper Midwest has experienced and what it could mean as we head into fall. The guys also share a few state fair highlights, and even toss in some unsolicited parenting advice for good measure. Tune in to this week’s episode for a mix of insig...

In this episode, Jared and Justin chat with Reed Feller about the ins and outs of native seed and small grain production. Reed partners with growers through production contracts to bring seed from the field to the final product. Listen as the three talk and share a few stories (some involving rattlesnakes) throughout the episode. Give it a listen!

We’re throwing it way back this week to our very first guest on Roots + Ruminants, James Holz! Justin, Jared, and James dive into the Big Beautiful Bill and the potential ripple effects it could have across the ag world. They break down what it means for agriculture today and how it might shake things up for farmers in the future. Tune in for an interesting conversation and get the scoop on what&a...

We’re digging into diverse forage systems with agronomy expert John Holman from Kansas State University. Jared, Justin, and John talk through the real challenges farmers are facing and some of the creative solutions out there. John brings decades of research to the table and shares how these practices can pay off, both for the land and the bottom line. Tune in to hear how diverse forage systems ar...

Justin and Jared catch up with Justin Pettit from Santa Carota Beef , a unique ranch that actually feeds roots to ruminants (ironic, right?). The ranch finishes cattle on carrots, and in this episode, they dive into the operation’s roots, how they’ve navigated ups and downs, and what makes carrot-finished beef stand out nutritionally. Pettit shares the creative marketing strategies that helped gro...

This week on the show, Jared and Justin sit down with Rich Blair, a longtime pro in the cattle and commodities world. They chat about where the cattle market’s been, where it’s headed, and everything in between. Hear about everything from price swings to industry trends and what it takes to stay steady in a changing game. Go give it a listen!

Alexandre Family Farm is an entirely grass-based dairy farm in Crescent City, California. Their mission is to farm in harmony with nature, and in doing so they produce A2/A2 organic milk that is rich in nutrients and easier for human digestion than your typical milk found in the grocery store. Blake Alexandre, along with Jared and Justin, dives deep into the dairy industry, grass-based dairying, t...

Jared and Justin are back with this year’s spring catch-up conversation! They dive into current planting conditions, cattle prices, and the ever-changing value of land. They also chat about the importance of community support for farms and ranches, and how they’re handling new challenges in the industry. Tune in to hear all this, plus some fun as they answer questions from their new card game!

Jared and Justin are reunited for a classic podcast episode this week! Joining them is Doug Crowell, a retired police officer turned Fort Worth Stockyards tour guide. Doug shares his rich family history, personal experiences, and deep knowledge of the famous stockyards. Hear the three of them chat about historical cowboy culture, the influence it’s had on today's entertainment industry, and m...

Jay Algiere, a first-generation rancher based near De Soto, Missouri, has worked to build his operation from the ground up. Along the way he has documented his passion and progress on his YouTube channel @AlgiereRanch. In this episode, Jay joins Justin to talk through how he got started in ranching and where he hopes his operation might go in the future. Listen in to this live consult as Justin an...

Jared and Justin were part of a learning session at Commodity Classic a few weeks ago! Listen to their session, Diverse Crop Rotations: Not Such a Steep Mountain to Climb, as an episode of the podcast now!  Recorded at 2025 Commodity Classic

We're live at Commodity Classic 2025! Jared and Justin are chatting with a few guests from around the country. These guests include a newlywed couple from Kansas, a representative from U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action, a father and son duo from Montana, the Nebraska Corn Growers Association Secretary, and a few students from South Dakota State University. This exciting episode is one you d...

“The Wakeboarding Farmer” Quentin Connealy joins Jared and Justin this week to share insights from his operation in Tekamah, Nebraska. Connealy enjoys sharing agricultural content across different social platforms, all while running an operation where he’s always looking for new opportunities and keeping an open mind – something that isn’t always common in our industry. Tune in to hear about some...

Justin and honorary host Alex Guttormsson talk to special guest Cole Sonne from Sonne Farms on this week’s episode. Cole and his dad run a cattle and crop operation in Mount Vernon, South Dakota, and Cole shares their experiences online through his YouTube channel. Content creation has given Cole awesome industry opportunities, both on and off the farm. Tune in this week to hear Cole share a littl...

For our first official guest of the new year, Justin chats with rancher Matt Feldhaus about his cow-calf operation and different feeding practices. Feldhaus runs a ranching operation in the Coteau Hills of South Dakota where he brings his YouTube followers along with him on his channel, Ranching Sodak. Hear the pair chat about how Feldhaus got into Wagyu beef and his approach to YouTube. Tune in!

It’s what you’ve all been waiting for! Buckle up to review the predictions that Jared and Justin made for 2024, as well as what they think might happen in the coming year. Will mustaches or mullets be more popular? Will we get to the bottom of the drone mysteries? Hear all this (and some actual agriculture predictions) to start off your year!

Jared and Justin are back again chatting about more things related to the U.S. food industry. This week they focus more on the meat industry as a whole, covering both a little bit of the history and future outlook. Hear how certain health and political trends can affect production and consumption across the country. Also hear the two tell some funny stories about college and their careers. You don...