The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast

In this episode we're flipping the script as host Steve Kenyon of Greener Pastures Ranching leads a special Wednesday Night Networking conversation featuring Carolyn Nation , co-owner of The Stockman Grass Farmer magazine. This wide-ranging discussion explores the history of the iconic publication, the legacy of Alan Nation, the evolution of regenerative grazing education, and the real-world chall...

In this episode, Brad and Elizabeth of Otter Creek Farm share their journey transitioning a multi-generation New York farm from a conventional model to a diversified, regenerative, fully grassfed operation. The episode explores how they rebuilt their systems around animal welfare, soil health, transparency, and community connection , and why direct marketing became the heartbeat of their business....

In this episode of The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast , Texas rancher David Will shares his firsthand experience implementing Serengeti grazing —also known as High Density Zero Rotational Grazing (HDZR) —on his 65-acre ranch. After the devastating 2011 drought, David set out to find a grazing system that could thrive even under extreme stress. Inspired by Mr. Sabino Cortez Jr., he began experimentin...

In this episode, Russ Wilson explores the adaptation of no-till practices to pasture-based systems — showing how this crop-origin technique can revitalize and diversify your forages while improving soil function and reducing labor. Russ shares his personal transition from conventional to no-till methods, breaking down what worked, what didn’t, and the big lessons that reshaped his approach to rege...

In this episode, Jim Gerrish (along with Joel Salatin)  walks the pastures and pond banks of Polyface Farm, discussing how to balance grass, water, and livestock in a resilient grazing system. Jim explains how biological timing drives feed quality, why mechanical brush-hogging isn’t always worth it , and how to use stock density as your main management lever. Joel reflects on the financi...

In this episode, Mark Shepard shares the humbling — and humorous — journey of building a regenerative farm from the ground up in northern New York. Through trial and error, he’s learned four hard lessons that every beginning farmer should hear before jumping in with both boots. From mismatched leases and overfed pigs to undersized sheep and a rotten stock trailer, Mark’s reflections reveal what it...

In this episode of The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast , we feature Dan Glenn , author of “Lean on Nature for Long-Term Profits” from The Stockman Grassfarmer magazine. Dan, a cattle breeder and soil cowboy from southern Georgia, shares how graziers can align their operations with natural systems to build healthier soils, stronger herds, and more sustainable profits. He reminds us that the so-called...

In this episode, Eric Czaja , active-duty Army officer and regenerative grazing advocate, shares his journey of bringing adaptive grazing practices onto Department of Defense lands. From a small homestead in North Carolina to research at the Naval Postgraduate School, Eric’s work has evolved into a groundbreaking effort to connect soil health with national security. The discussion highlights how m...

  In this episode, grazing expert Jim Gerrish continues his in-the-field discussion with participants, highlighting how real-world decisions in grazing systems can make or break soil health, biodiversity, and long-term productivity. The conversation emphasizes flexibility, observation, and using nature’s own signals—like leaf stages and plant recovery periods—to guide effective grazing. Jim s...

In this episode, Jim Gerrish takes participants into the pasture for a hands-on lesson in grassland management and ecosystem processes . Recorded as part of In the Field with Jim Gerrish , this session highlights how solar energy capture, grazing behavior, and paddock decisions directly influence productivity and land health. With participants using their own square yard of pasture as a study plot...

  In this episode of The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast , we feature insights from Dr. Will Winter, retired veterinarian, holistic herd health consultant, and longtime advocate for sustainable livestock production. Mold and mycotoxins are silent threats that can damage both animal health and farm profitability. Dr. Winter outlines practical, proven strategies to protect livestock—and yourself—f...

  In this episode of The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast , we explore the practice of silvopasture through the insights of Greg Brann , the author of this article from our monthly magazine. A seasoned grazier and consultant with the National Soil Health Division of NRCS, Greg shares how integrating trees, forage, and livestock creates a resilient, productive, and profitable system. Silvopasture,...

In this episode of the Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast , we travel to Kauai, Hawaii, to meet Sharleen Andrade Balmores , a sixth-generation rancher carrying forward her family’s 138-year cattle ranching legacy. Although she once imagined her brothers or cousins would take over, Sharleen found her true calling in ranching — building The Rancher’s Daughter’s Reserve , creating Minnie’s Mercantile , and...

In this episode of The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast , Brandon Mitchell of Waynesboro, Tennessee, unpacks one of the most overlooked issues in pasture management: nutrient relocation . Unlike hay fields where nutrients are physically removed, pastures often face an internal imbalance—nutrients shift to the edges while the middle is left depleted. Brandon explains how practices like set stocking (co...

In this episode of The Stockman Grass Farmer Podcast , longtime SGF contributor and Texas sheep rancher Sally Thomson takes us behind the scenes of life with one of ranching’s most indispensable partners—the Border Collie. From everyday gathers to competitive sheepdog trials, Sally shares 40 years of experience raising and training these extraordinary dogs alongside her husband, Chris, on their Ce...

In this episode, Steve Kenyon shares how he built a profitable custom grazing business without owning land or livestock. Drawing from decades of experience with Greener Pastures Ranching in Alberta, Steve offers an honest and practical look at how regenerative graziers can succeed by keeping costs low, building strong relationships, and managing risk. The episode explores the mindset and strategie...

In this episode, grazing expert Jim Gerrish explores how digital mapping tools are revolutionizing grazing management for producers of all sizes. Drawing from his decades of experience—and looking ahead to his Advanced School on Grazing Economics and Mapping Tools —Jim explains how modern software and mobile apps are helping producers better plan, monitor, and optimize grazing systems. The episode...

In this episode, grazing expert and longtime SGF contributor Jim Gerrish tackles a frequently overlooked threat to pasture health— soil compaction . While it’s easy to spot visible issues like weeds or bare patches, compaction is stealthy. It reduces infiltration, chokes out biology, and quietly erodes pasture productivity—even when everything above ground looks fine. The episode explores how comp...

🎙️ Episode Title: Weak Links By Joel Salatin, Polyface Farm In this powerful episode, Joel Salatin challenges one of the most common assumptions in regenerative agriculture: that land access is the biggest barrier for aspiring farmers. With supply chain disruptions, regulatory overreach, and rising input costs, many well-intentioned investors are looking to help—but often target the wrong weak lin...

In this episode, grazing expert and longtime SGF columnist Jim Gerrish shares decades of experience transforming worn-out cropland into productive pasture using adaptive grazing—not chemicals. The episode explores Jim’s approach to pasture renovation , weed control , and animal performance , emphasizing observation, timing, and biological principles over conventional inputs. Jim discusses practica...

🎙️ Episode Title : Precision Agriculture ✍️ By Joel Salatin In this episode, Joel Salatin challenges the prevailing narratives around precision agriculture. While modern ag technologies promise efficiency and control, Joel asks whether these tools actually serve regenerative graziers—or if they erode the very principles that make biological farming successful. The episode explores the difference b...

In this episode, Louisiana farmer and entrepreneur Grant Estrade shares a grounded, no-nonsense approach to running a regenerative farm business without sacrificing personal well-being or profitability. As the co-owner of Local Cooling Farms and Laughing Buddha Nursery, Grant has spent over two decades balancing the tension between growth and sustainability. He explores the internal tug-of-war man...

In this eye-opening episode, Steve Kenyon challenges the mainstream agricultural mindset around pest control—particularly flies—and invites us to step back and consider the whole ecosystem . Instead of waging war on flies with sprays, pour-ons, and chemicals, Steve asks: What if flies are part of the solution? By treating flies not as enemies, but as employees of the land, Steve explores how prope...

In this episode, Carolyn Nation interviews regenerative grazing expert Tom Krawiec , who brings decades of experience in custom grazing, ranch management, and holistic livestock care. Now managing the grazing operations for the Pine Haven Hutterite Colony’s farm-to-plate beef program, Tom shares practical insights that blend data-driven planning with deep ecological awareness. Tom discusses his un...

In this episode, Tom Krawiec explores the art and science of maximizing forage production by grazing pastures at just the right time— the “sweet spot” —before forages enter the reproductive stage. Speaking from over 20 years of careful record-keeping and hands-on experience, Tom challenges some widely held assumptions in the grazing community and offers a compelling case for a more nuanced approac...