Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming

Latest Episodes:

225 | Sheep, Polywire, and Practical Grazing with Richard Popham May 27, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal visits with Richard Popham about raising registered Katahdin sheep in Kentucky using practical grazing systems and portable electric fencing. Richard explains how he successfully manages sheep with two strands of polywire, why fence training matters, and how good grazing management helps keep sheep content and productive.

The conversation explores:

Using two and three strand polywire systems for sheep
Why sheep must be trained to electric fence
Managing sheep with portable fencing and reels
Selecting productive and efficient ewes
Why buying better sheep matters more than buying more sheep
Building low-stress handling systems
Using records to improve flock genetics
Parasite resistance and culling decisions
Weaning strategies and lamb management
Grazing sheep on small acreage near neighborhoods
Managing sheep without livestock guardian dogs
Portable fencing tools and equipment recommendations
Rotational grazing timing and parasite management
Why Richard prefers moderate-sized ewes
The role of NSIP and flock performance records
Selecting rams and improving flock genetics over time

Richard also shares practical advice for new sheep producers, including starting small, focusing on quality animals, and building systems that fit your lifestyle and available time.

Find out more

Circle P Farm on Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@circlepfarm3776

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224 | From Flashlight Farmer to Profit Driven Grazing with Gabe Wight May 20, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Cal visits with Gabe Wight from Northwest Arkansas about building a profitable grazing operation while simplifying life and focusing on long-term stewardship. Gabe shares how he reduced his herd size from several hundred cows to around forty cows and how that shift dramatically changed his grazing management, stress level, and profitability.

Gabe discusses lessons learned from overgrazing, why stock density matters, and how smaller herds allowed him to improve pasture recovery, calf performance, and equipment longevity. The conversation also covers rotational grazing design, water placement, erosion challenges, fertilizer decisions, chicken litter, stockpiling forage, and managing grazing through seasonal changes.

The discussion shifts into cattle genetics, breeding strategies, marketing calves through value-added programs, direct-to-consumer beef sales, and the importance of focusing on profitability instead of comparison with neighboring operations. Gabe also shares how his curiosity, podcasts, feed store conversations, and modern AI tools help him continue learning and improving his operation.

Topics Covered

Downsizing a cow herd for profitability
Flashlight farming and balancing off-farm work
Rotational grazing management
Recovering from overgrazing
Designing paddocks and water systems
Stockpiling forage for winter grazing
Fertility management and fertilizer decisions
Using chicken litter on pastures
Cattle genetics and replacement strategies
Selling calves through value-added programs
Direct-to-consumer beef experiences
Learning from podcasts, books, and AI tools
Managing grazing in Northwest Arkansas

Find Out More

Herd Advisor

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223 | The Cow Built for Grass May 13, 2026

Show notes

What happens when a cattle breed is designed specifically for grass-based farming instead of the feedlot?

In this special narrative-style episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal Hardage tells the story of the South Poll breed and the people behind it. Starting with Teddy Gentry’s journey in the late 1980s, this episode explores how one goal shaped an entirely new kind of cow: heat tolerant, fertile, efficient on forage, and built to thrive in regenerative grazing systems.

You’ll hear from Teddy Gentry, Greg Judy, Ralph and Jerry Voss, Steve Freeman, and Nathan Hahn as they share how South Poll cattle changed their operations and why they believe smaller, forage-efficient cattle are the future of profitable grass farming.

This episode covers:

Why Teddy Gentry created the South Poll breed
The four breeds that formed South Poll cattle
Heat tolerance, slick hair genetics, and grass efficiency
Why fertility and longevity matter more than size
Greg Judy’s transition away from conventional cattle
Leasing land to grow a grazing operation
Why South Poll breeders avoid the show ring
Building profitable cows instead of high-input cows
Grass finishing cattle on pasture
Selling direct-to-consumer grass-fed beef
The economics of regenerative cattle production
Longevity and maternal performance in grazing herds
Using smaller cows to improve profit per acre

If you’ve ever wondered whether modern cattle genetics truly fit regenerative grazing systems, this episode will give you a lot to think about.

Resources Mentioned:

Teddy Gentry
Greg Judy
Burk Teichert
South Poll Grass Cattle Association

Listen, learn, and keep on grazing.

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222 | From Australia to Spain: Building a Profitable Farm on 15 Acres with Cian Francis Brazil May 06, 2026

Show notes

Cian didn’t grow up farming. He didn’t inherit land. And he didn’t follow a traditional path.

Instead, he moved from Australia to Spain during COVID, started from scratch, and built a profitable small-acreage farm in under a year.

In this episode, Cian shares how he and his wife took a leap of faith, navigated government grants, and built a direct-to-consumer farm business using chickens, pigs, and sheep. All on just 15 acres.

This conversation goes beyond the romantic vision of farming and dives into the real numbers, mistakes, and lessons learned along the way.

If you’ve ever wondered whether small acreage can truly support a full-time income, this episode gives you a clear, honest look at what it takes.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

How Cian went from city life to farming in Spain
Why small acreage can be more profitable than large operations
The role of direct-to-consumer sales in farm success
How egg production created fast cash flow
What went wrong (and right) with pigs and sheep
How government grants helped launch the farm
The importance of knowing your numbers before starting
Why mindset matters more than tradition in agriculture

Key Takeaways

Cian’s farm became cash-flow positive in just three months, driven largely by egg sales.

By focusing on efficiency, direct marketing, and profitability, he’s proving that you don’t need hundreds of acres to build a sustainable farm business.

But it hasn’t been easy. From infrastructure challenges to livestock losses, Cian shares the hard realities behind the success.

Find Out More

Website | https://www.obicodorio.com/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/obicodorio/
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@obicodorio
Email | hola [at] obicodorio.com

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221 | Grazing Cattle in Vermont: Can a Southern Breed Thrive Up North? Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

What happens when a producer in the heart of dairy country decides to build a grass-based beef herd? In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal visits with John Smith from northern Vermont.

John shares how his family farm moved out of dairying decades ago, how his career in dairy co-ops shaped his perspective, and how a desire to raise his own food led him back to livestock ownership. After trying multiple breeds, John found the fit he was looking for in South Poll cattle.

They discuss restoring worn-out pastures through grazing management, adapting southern cattle genetics to Vermont winters, raising pigs in wooded systems, and building a future seedstock herd for the Northeast.

This episode is full of practical lessons on persistence, genetics, pasture recovery, and finding livestock that match your goals and environment.

Topics Covered:

Growing up connected to a former dairy farm
Working in the dairy industry and helping producers
Returning home to raise food for the family
Leasing family ground and restoring poor pasture
Why South Poll cattle stood out
Adapting cattle to harsh Vermont winters
Multi-move grazing and tighter paddock management
Using cattle to rebuild soil fertility
Raising feeder pigs in woodland systems
Building a seedstock future for New England producers

Resources Mentioned:

Greg Judy
South Poll cattle breeders and community
Grazing conferences and producer networks

Find Out More:

Wandering Brook Farms | https://www.wanderingbrookfarm.com

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and leave a review.

Until next episode, keep on grazing.

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220 | Rebuilding Your Asset Base: Turning Sunshine Into Profit with Chris Henggeler Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

What if your most valuable daily income isn’t cattle… but sunlight?

In this episode, we explore a powerful mindset shift around rebuilding your asset base and managing what your land can sustainably produce. Instead of chasing short-term outputs, the focus turns to strengthening the foundation—your soil, your grass, and your system.

We talk through what it really means to think like a grazier first, how to view your operation through the lens of regeneration, and why aligning production with what your land can handle long-term leads to better outcomes.

If you’re working to improve your grazing system—or just starting to think differently about your land—this episode will challenge and encourage you.

In this episode, we cover:

What “rebuilding the asset base” actually means
Why sunlight is your most important input
Shifting from production-first to resource-first thinking
How to determine what your land can sustainably yield
The connection between soil health and profitability
Practical mindset shifts for regenerative grazing

Resources Mentioned:

Kachana Station, https://www.kachana-station.com/

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219 | Grazing the Sweet Spot: Numbers, Tipping Points, and Better Grass with Tom Krawiec Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal sits down with Tom Krawiec to explore a practical, numbers-driven approach to grazing management. Tom shares how focusing on the “sweet spot” in grazing can dramatically improve forage production, reduce labor, and increase profitability.

We dive into the importance of understanding your numbers, including stock days per acre, and how small management changes can lead to massive results. Tom explains the concept of the tipping point in forage production, where your system becomes self-sustaining, and why many operations fall short of reaching it.

The conversation also covers multi-species grazing, reducing workload through better systems, and the critical role of the grazing chart as a planning tool, not just a record. Along the way, Tom challenges common assumptions about rest periods, non-selective grazing, and the realities of modern homesteading.

If you're looking to improve your grazing system, simplify your operation, and get better results from your land, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Topics Covered

What “grazing in the sweet spot” really means
How to calculate and use stock days per acre
The tipping point in forage production
Why rest periods can be too long, not just too short
Multi-species grazing and its impact on soil health
Using animals to determine graze periods
The power of grazing charts as a planning tool
Labor reduction through smarter systems
Challenges facing homesteaders and small producers
Training livestock to diversify their diet

Key Takeaways

Small management tweaks can unlock major gains
You must respect both graze and rest periods
Numbers remove guesswork, “show me the numbers”
Grazing charts are essential for consistent results
Diversity in livestock can improve soil and forage
Profitability starts with understanding your system

Resources Mentioned

Ranching Like a 12-Year-Old by Tom Krawiec
Holistic Management framework
Ranching for Profit principles
Dr. Kris Nichols (soil biology)
Fred Provenza (animal behavior & nutrition)

About the Guest

Tom Krawiec is a regenerative grazing practitioner and author known for his practical, systems-based approach to ranching. His work focuses on simplifying operations, reducing labor, and improving profitability through better grazing management.

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218 | Custom Grazing, Katahdin Hair Sheep, and Building a Farm Legacy in West Virginia with Justin Frye Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

Justin Frye of JMR Farm in Rio, West Virginia joins the show to talk about building a farm from scratch on a family property that's been in his family since 1847. He and his wife Maggie custom graze cow-calf pairs, run a Katahdin hair sheep flock, and buy and finish feeder lambs — all while working off-farm jobs and figuring out what enterprises fit their operation best.

Justin shares the story of how his grandfather's surprise offer to sell the family farm set everything in motion, how a connection through a mentor led to their first custom grazing arrangement, and what three consecutive years of drought have taught him about managing grass for someone else's cattle. He also walks through the sheep learning curve, going from 89 ewes down to 30 through hard culling, and explains their feeder lamb protocol from receiving through market.

Topics covered:

Growing up on a family farm in West Virginia and the influence of mentors at Potomac State College
Buying the family farm (in operation since 1847) and what made it financially possible
How a mentor connection led to their first custom grazing opportunity
What services JMR Farm provides under the custom grazing agreement, daily moves, pink eye treatment, weaning and vaccinating calves, getting them started on feed
Managing three consecutive drought years while grazing someone else's cattle
Moving toward 60-day rest periods and what they've learned about residual sward height
Building 13,000 feet of exterior and cross fence with just Justin and Maggie
Silvopasture plans: thinning wooded areas and controlling multiflora rose and autumn olive
Why they chose Katahdin hair sheep, the profitability case, and the steep learning curve
FAMACHA scoring, dewormer resistance, and culling hard for a parasite-resistant flock
Grazing sheep with cattle: their plan for this season
The feeder lamb operation: buying 40-60 lb lambs, feeding to 80-100 lbs, sell-buy marketing
Cattle handling with a Bud Box, the DS Livestock sheep system, and tips for low-stress flow-through
Freeze branding: liquid nitrogen vs. dry ice, container options, and offering it as a service
Cattle breed direction: Leachman Stabilizer genetics and why it fits their marketing channel
The sentimental story of buying back Maggie's heifer (M005) on Valentine's Day

Find Out More
JMR Farm on Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550043373027

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217 | Raw Milk, Fall Seasonal Dairying & the Gallagher eShepherd with Dakota Finch Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Dakota Finch didn't grow up planning to be an organic grass-fed dairy farmer. He grew up on his grandfather's conventional dairy in upstate New York, left for the Air Force, started researching nutrition for his family, and found himself reading about the organic dairy market on a computer in Korea during downtime. That curiosity eventually led him back to farming — on his own terms.

In this episode, Dakota shares how he went from a six-year Air Force career to launching Finch Family Farm in 2017, milking 40–50 grass-fed organic cows in central New York, and recently opening a farm retail store selling raw milk, beef, pork, chicken, and eggs.

He's honest about where things are working and where they're not — from the farrowing struggles with his son's pig operation, to the challenge of making quality hay on marginal ground nobody else wanted, to the marketing learning curve that comes with selling direct. This is a practitioner's episode: real questions, real tensions, no pretending it's all figured out.

What we cover:

• How Dakota got his start through an internship on a grass-fed organic dairy and the relationship that made his first herd purchase possible

• Fall seasonal vs. spring seasonal dairying — and why his milk market actually pays a premium for winter milk

• The 10-and-7 milking schedule he tried to protect time for coaching his kids' sports teams

• Balage, native grasses, and the ongoing question of whether to make his own hay or buy it

• Breeding decisions: Jersey AI, Ayrshire bulls, the Black Angus that timed out perfectly with the calf market, and why he's now using AAA mating

• Opening a farm retail store with Barn2Door and a small business grant — and why raw milk is the lead product that brings customers to the farm

• His son's pig operation (currently a train wreck, honestly) and the real math on whether farrowing-to-finish pencils out

• First year with 100 meat birds and 100 egg layers — lessons learned, losses included

• The Gallagher eShepherd virtual fence collars: what worked, what didn't, and why he's still excited about them heading into this season

Find Out More
Dakota: Facebook (Dakota Finch)
Finch Family Farm on Facebook
https://www.finchfamilyfarmny.com

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Community question this week: What did the younger you dream of that you're doing today? Share in the Grazing Grass community.

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216 | Brett Chedzoy, New York | How to Turn Existing Woodland into Productive Grazing Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

Brett Chedzoy is a Cornell Extension Forester and co-operator of Angus Glen Farms in upstate New York, where he and his wife Maria graze over 100 cow-calf pairs across 600 acres with much of it wooded. He's also been ranching in central Argentina since the mid-1990s, where he first discovered his love for cattle after heading there as a Peace Corps volunteer fresh out of graduate school.

In this episode, Brett breaks down silvopasture and how to evaluate existing woodland and open it up for productive grazing. He explains why thinning your woods isn't just about letting in light, it's about protecting the long-term value of your timber while growing more forage.

Topics covered:

Brett's background: Kansas wheat farming roots, a Welsh sheep-herding grandfather, Peace Corps in Argentina, and what the gauchos taught him about the difference between working hard and working smart
What silvopasture looks like in the forested Northeast vs. the savanna-style systems common in other regions
Why cool-season forages like orchardgrass can actually thrive in light shade and how silvopasture extends your grazing season on both ends
The 10-question site evaluation tool Brett developed to assess whether a piece of woodland is a good silvopasture candidate
How to find the right logging crew for silvopasture thinning (hint: it's a very different operation than high-value timber harvest)
The forester vs. farmer timescale problem and how to find the middle ground
Who to call first: land grant extension, state forestry agencies, and your local soil and water conservation district
Why Brett recommends starting small and getting your first experience before tackling a 50-acre project

Resources mentioned: