The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast

In this episode, Jim Gerrish challenges one of the most common assumptions in the cattle business—that feed is always your largest expense. While winter feed has traditionally topped the budget for most cow-calf operations, Jim explains why that may soon change. As the cattle cycle shifts, depreciation—not feed—could become the biggest financial threat facing producers over the next several years....

In this episode, Glenn Elzinga of Alderspring Ranch shares the remarkable journey from starting with just seven cows and 60 acres in rural Idaho to building one of the nation's most recognized direct-marketed grass-fed beef businesses. Along the way, Glenn discusses how a defining moment involving a Kansas feedlot changed the direction of his operation and led him toward regenerative grazing, dire...

In this episode, Russ Wilson shares why legumes have become one of the most valuable tools in his adaptive grazing system. Drawing from more than 40 years of grazing experience, Russ explains how species like clover, alfalfa, and birdsfoot trefoil improve profitability, reduce input costs, strengthen livestock performance, and build healthier soils. The discussion explores how legumes function as...

In this episode, Allan Nation breaks down custom grazing from the client’s perspective and explains why the future of profitable ranching may depend more on management and service than land ownership or cattle ownership. Drawing from decades of economic analysis and real-world ranch examples, Allan challenges many long-held assumptions in the cattle business. He explores why separating land and li...

In this episode, Greg Judy shares practical, field-tested lessons on building profitable and resilient multi-species grazing systems. This remastered session dives into the infrastructure, grazing strategies, drought planning, and diversified income streams that help producers improve pasture performance while reducing dependence on costly inputs. From fencing and portable paddocks to hunting leas...

In this episode, Doug McCarty shares the story behind  farmersnavigator.com — a tool designed to help producers cut through  the complexity of U.S. agricultural programs and make better, more  informed decisions.   The episode explores how confusing program requirements, shifting regulations, and “government-ese” often prevent producers from accessing valuable resources. Doug e...

In this episode, Joel Salatin dives into the practical side of building a resilient and profitable direct-to-consumer farm business. This installment moves beyond philosophy and into execution—covering how to expand your product line, adapt to shifting consumer behavior, and create multiple revenue streams without compromising your brand. From value-added products to farm events and strategic coll...

In this episode, Lydia Kyle shares the story of John and Betty Mobbs and their transformation of Lazy JM Ranch in Idaho. What began as a struggle to stay afloat evolved into a regenerative grazing operation rooted in adaptability, stewardship, and long-term thinking. The episode explores how challenging deeply held traditions—like winter calving and conventional feeding systems—opened the door to...

In this episode of The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast , we sit down with Austin Unruh , founder of Trees for Graziers  and author of The Grazier’s Guide to Trees , to explore how trees can become one of the most powerful tools on a livestock operation. Austin shares how he moved from suburban roots into agroforestry, eventually developing practical, scalable systems for planting and protecting...

In this episode, Allen Williams brings the series to a powerful close by connecting grazing management, soil health, and genetic selection into one unified system. This final installment emphasizes that genetics are not fixed—they are expressed through environment, management, and decision-making. By aligning grazing practices with plant biology and focusing on economically relevant traits, produc...

In this episode, Stan Parsons delivers a hard-hitting analysis of the modern livestock business model, challenging producers to rethink how they measure success and profitability. The episode explores the difference between financial survival and true economic viability, emphasizing that many ranches operate with positive cash flow while failing to cover the real costs of land, labor, capital, and...

In this episode, Allen Williams shares the powerful story of how a historic ice storm devastated his regenerative farm in Mississippi and the lessons that emerged from the experience. The conversation explores the realities of managing livestock through extreme weather, the importance of preparedness, and the resilience required to keep a farm operating when infrastructure fails. Allen also reflec...

This special episode marks Episode 100 of The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast , and to celebrate the milestone we’re launching a three-part series featuring one of the most influential voices in regenerative agriculture, Joel Salatin . In Part 1 of this series, Joel lays the foundation for understanding why direct marketing is such a powerful strategy for modern farm businesses . Drawing from decades...

In this episode, Greg Judy shares practical, field-tested insight into successfully grazing sheep and cattle together. Drawing from his experience managing South Poll cattle and parasite-resistant hair sheep across owned and leased farms in Clark, Missouri, Greg explains how multi-species grazing increases profitability, improves pasture health, and simplifies parasite management. Rather than prom...

In this episode,Greg Judy shares a practical and encouraging roadmap for building a profitable farm business without owning land. The conversation explores how access to land — not ownership — is often the real gateway to opportunity, and how strategic leasing, relationship building, and enterprise focus can help producers launch and grow successful operations. Rather than waiting to purchase prop...

In this episode, Ben Sargent and Mary Lin discuss their book Mootopia: How to Easily Fix Human Health and Heal the Planet , exploring the profound connections between grazing animals, ecosystem health, and human wellbeing. Their work examines how regenerative grazing restores soil fertility, supports microbiome diversity, and strengthens the natural feedback loops that sustain resilient landscapes...

In this remastered episode, Dr. Allen Williams challenges conventional thinking around livestock genetics by making a bold case: true genetic performance begins in the soil . Rather than focusing solely on EPDs, DNA markers, or breed selection, this episode dives deep into how regenerative agriculture and soil biology drive epigenetics, animal health, and productivity . Dr. Williams explains how f...

In this episode, Rebekah Pierce , author of Agri-Energy: Growing Power, Growing Food , joins Carolyn Nation to share her hands-on experience with agrovoltaics —the practice of grazing livestock under solar panels. Rebekah currently manages seven solar grazing sites across four counties in upstate New York , transforming underutilized land into productive agricultural systems while providing v...

In this episode, Dr. Anibal Pordomingo shares hard-earned insights from more than two decades researching, producing, and refining grass-finished beef systems in the Argentine Pampas. Drawing from direct experience with chefs, markets, and consumers, the conversation explores what truly defines quality in pasture-finished beef—and why perception, preparation, and consistency matter just as much as...

Recorded at: SGF’s First Gathering at Polyface (2021) In this episode, Jordan Green shares the foundational mindset and practical decision-making required to become a true farm builder. Recorded at SGF’s first-ever Gathering at Polyface, the conversation reflects on the realities of building a farm business through economic uncertainty, market shifts, and long-term growth challenges. Drawing from...

In this remastered episode of the Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast , we revisit a foundational session from the Multi-Species Grazing School , led by renowned grazier Greg Judy . This episode is Part 1 of 3 from the first module of the complete Multi-Species Grazing course , and it sets the philosophical and practical groundwork for building resilient, profitable grazing systems through diversity. Gre...

In this episode of The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast , Danielle Devota shares practical, boots-on-the-ground lessons from her first full season selling meat at a farmers’ market. Drawing from her experience raising grassfed beef, pasture-raised chicken, and forest-raised pork, Danielle walks through the real considerations behind moving from selling meat shares to offering retail cuts—and what that...

In this episode, Bud Williams shares a timeless, experience-driven perspective on livestock marketing that challenges conventional thinking and expands how producers view profitability. Rather than focusing solely on selling animals, Bud explains why true marketing success comes from a whole-system approach that includes buying decisions, grazing management, inventory control, cash flow, and under...

In this episode of The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast , Mike Stockton shares a clear, experience-driven look at common breeding season strategies and the decision-making process behind selecting the right approach for your operation. Drawing from his own work raising direct-market beef on leased land, Mike explains how calving timing and breeding method choices affect labor, cash flow, genetics, and...

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