Working Cows - Regenerative Ranching to Maximize Profitability and Soil Health

It’s easy to focus on the various pieces of our marketing strategy to the point that we forget to actually sell the products we are marketing. Karoline Bohannan, of the KRose Company, joined me to discuss the things to pay attention to as we seek to get the word out about our ranch and rural business products. This episode might focus on bulls and bull sales but the principles apply to all rural b...

As we seek to bridge the gap toward a redesign of our agricultural systems natural options are going to be the best option for a host of reasons. Lynn Hoover of Ocean Blue Agronomics joins me to discuss the role of sea salt in balancing nutrients, activating soil biology, and connecting plants with the nutrients they need. Thanks to our Studio Sponsor, Understanding Ag! Head over to UnderstandingA...

Drones continue to improve in efficiency and cost. They are proving useful across agriculture and reducing waste and over application of chemicals. Preston Cave shares some of his experiences using drones in different agricultural applications. We also talk about him joining a team of heroes that help delivered relief to victims of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. Thanks to our Studio S...

Is regenerative agriculture enough to fix America’s broken rural economies? Can we simply soil health our way out of the mess that the has been created by inflation and the printing of money? Joel Hollingsworth says “no.” While soil health and regenerative agriculture are crucial without sound money we are going to struggle to get meaningful traction in bringing back rural America. Thanks to our S...

Managing winter feed costs can boost profitability as reliably as almost any other change we can make. Stefan Bouw, of Edie Creek Angus, joined me once again to discuss some of the different strategies they have implemented over the years to manage labor costs and boost animal performance through his harsh Canadian winters. Thanks to our Studio Sponsor, Understanding Ag! Head over to Understanding...

Brian Dougherty of Understanding Ag joins me once again. This time to discuss how we can become more adaptable with our nutrient management. Rather than following the conventional 4R approach of right source, right rate, right time, right place we look at the 6P approach where we let the 6 Principles of Soil Health guide our redesign of our whole nutrient management system. Thanks to our Studio Sp...

Will Winter joins me once again. This time we are focused on the A to Z of Apple Cider Vinegar. What purpose does it fill in a livestock operation? Why the source matters? As well as some practical considerations for how we use it on our operations. Thanks to our Studio Sponsor, Understanding Ag! Head over to UnderstandingAg.com to book your consultation today! Sponsor: Wineglass Ranch KRose Compa...

Calving season can be a stressful time for cattle and cattlemen alike. Ellen Bench joins me once again to talk about a different approach to helping calving season go more smoothly and less stressfully for everyone involved. Thanks to our Studio Sponsor, Understanding Ag! Head over to UnderstandingAg.com to book your consultation today! Sponsor: KRose Company Bull Sale Marketing Guide Wineglass Ra...

Our mindset determines what we are willing to entertain as an option. Being willing to wean ourselves off of conventional approaches to agriculture and experiment with regenerative agriculture is no different. Luke Jones, Consultant with Understanding Ag, joins me to discuss the process he has seen work well in helping people change their mindset and their practices. Thanks to our Studio Sponsor,...

If we are going to regenerate our food system we must also work on regenerating fruit and nut crops generally grown in orchards. Much of the conventional wisdom in the orchard industry is stacked against the application of the Six Principles of Soil Health. Chuck Schembre, Soil Health Consultant with Understanding Ag, joined me to discuss some of the most fruitful strategies he has seen in applyin...

Marketing is a big lever for the average ranch. How do we push on that lever with the right information at the right time to help us make profitable market transactions? Nelson Koehn developed his Value of Gain website to help people do just that. Thanks to our Studio Sponsor, Understanding Ag! Head over to UnderstandingAg.com to book your consultation today! Sponsor: Wineglass Ranch Ranch Right R...

In this episode I share a talk I gave during a breakout session at the recent South Dakota Grassland Coalition annual conference. I take a look at a few passages from the New Testament Book of Matthew and consider the implications for how we handle leadership. Thanks to our Studio Sponsor, Understanding Ag! Head over to UnderstandingAg.com to book your consultation today!

Good leaders direct their organizations toward success. Great leaders replace themselves with leaders better than they are. Josh Kerpan has been on a journey to replace himself. He and his team have accomplished that. Today on the Working Cows podcast we discuss the importance of Purpose, Processes, and People to escape the entrepreneurial trap. Thanks to our Studio Sponsor, Understanding Ag! Head...

How do leaders shape the future of the resources with which they have been entrusted? What does it take to avoid catastrophe and maximize positive results? In a word, intentionality. We have to continue making small regular investments in our resources to ensure long-term success. In this episode I share a keynote I gave to the gathering at the 2024 South Dakota Grassland Coalition Annual Conferen...

Many places around the country talk about sheep being the mortgage lifters. South Central Kansas is no different. Ryan and Kelsey Keeling have been on a journey to transition the ranch they manage to a higher percentage of grazing days allotted to sheep. They joined me to discuss how they are sharing this journey on Kelsey’s new podcast “Feed the Sheep” as well as the advantages and challenges of...

In part two of a discussion on where we stand in American agriculture Gabe Brown and Dr. Allen Williams joined me to discuss what we can do to revive rural America economically speaking. We discuss the role of regenerative agriculture in accomplishing this goal as well as the causes of the hollowing out of rural America. Thanks to our Studio Sponsor, Understanding Ag! Head over to UnderstandingAg....

Wineglass Ranch has been on a mission for many years to develop easy-keeping cattle. They have sought to do this by developing heifers that get bred year after year, developing bulls that add heterosis, and maintain a low frame score cow that can graze 365 days per year. Cow boss TJ Ellicott joined me to discuss the process of accomplishing this mission as well as how you can get these cattle into...

What is the State of Agriculture in 2025 in America? How do we substantively make a difference in 2025 in American Agriculture? Gabe Brown and Dr. Allen Williams join me to discuss their understanding of where we are in agriculture and how we make real progress in a regenerative direction. Thanks to our Studio Sponsor, Understanding Ag! Head over to UnderstandingAg.com to book your consultation to...

Over 90% of our communication is non-verbal. From body language, to tone, to mirror neurons it’s less about what we said and more about how we said it including our posture while saying. Guests Joshua and Tara Dukart help me take a deep dive on all things communication. Thanks to our Studio Sponsor, Understanding Ag! Head over to UnderstandingAg.com to book your consultation today! Sponsor: Farmin...

The Great Wealth Transfer is coming. What are Joel Salatin and Polyface Farms doing to prepare leaders to thrive? Among other things they are training them to run attractive businesses, fostering a culture of innovation, and teaching their employees how to complain. Thanks to our Studio Sponsor, Understanding Ag! Head over to UnderstandingAg.com to book your consultation today! Sponsors: SDGrass.o...

Jared Luhman, host of the newly rebranded Ranching Returns podcast, joined me to discuss his strategy of investing in real estate. We also discuss his favorite resources and lessons learned. We get the discussion started by talking about his recent rebrand. The conversation turns to real estate investing as Jared discusses lessons learned through the podcast. Thanks to our Studio Sponsor, Understa...

John Hays, a consultant with Understanding Ag, joined me to discuss the journey he and his family have been on to diversify and market the products raised on their farm. We discuss the necessary education, connections, and infrastructure to succeed in direct marketing pastured proteins. We also discuss his ability to compete for leases in a context dominated by corn and soy bean operations. Thanks...

Eric Fuchs, a consultant with Understanding Ag, joined me to talk about the journey they have been on at his farm to get to more diversity. We talk about the role the Six Principles played in this journey as well as some of the things he had to unlearn from his previous education in grazing management. Thanks to our Studio Sponsor, Understanding Ag! Head over to UnderstandingAg.com to book your co...

Jonathan and Stefan Bouw of Howrey Angus and Edie Creek Angus joined me to discuss the journey they have been on to find grass-based genetics. We discuss the steps they have taken from genetics developed to thrive in the feedlot to genetics developed to thrive on grass. We also discuss the process of taking over ownership of a herd of cattle that was developed by Monte Howrey that currently runs n...

Grant Vassberg, of Bos Sires and Kallion Farms, joined me to discuss the journey he has been on to develop a cooperative for producers looking to source fertile cattle. We discuss what makes a fertile cow as well as the heritability of fertility. Thanks to our Studio Sponsor, Understanding Ag! Head over to UnderstandingAg.com to book your consultation today! Sponsor: Sea-90.com/Tractor Relevant Li...