Ranching Returns Podcast

Latest Episodes:

93: Michael Groot - Regenerative Farming in Canada Nov 14, 2022

Show notes

Michael Groot had the opportunity to take over his in-laws farm and quickly got to work transitioning to a regenerative crop farm and direct market meat producer after attending a Dave Brandt event. Now he is researching how rotating cropland with perennial pastures improves the soil and potential profitability of his cropping enterprise. We also discuss their direct to consumer marketing brand, Wholesome Pastures.

Resources Mentioned:

Land, Livestock and Life - Allan Nation

Dirt to Soil - Gabe Brown

Sand County Almanac

For the Love of Soil - Nichole Masters

Herd Quitter Podcast

Working Cows Podcast

Notill Farmer Podcast

As always, check us out at Herd Quitter Podcast on Facebook and Instagram as well as at herdquitterpodcast.com. You can also check out Pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and profit back into your ranching business!

92: Rob Pierce - Part 2 Heat Tolerant Cattle Nov 07, 2022

Show notes

In this weeks episode we follow up on our conversation last week with Rob Pierce and discuss in more detail his heat tolerant cattle breeding program. If you haven't already, listen to episode 91 to hear Robs ranch transition and this one will talk about the different breeds he using to produce a low input, heat tolerant, beef animal bred to thrive in portions of the country and world where heat and humidity stress cattle!

91: Rob Pierce - Finding Ranch Success Oct 31, 2022

Show notes

Rob Pierce quit ranching in 2008 and after a member of his church signed him up for Kit Pharo's PCC Updates and Newsletters he found hope that there might be potential to be profitable in ranching. And so after a 4 year break from ranching he jumped back in with corriente crossed with PCC Red Angus bulls. He has since developed a heat tolerant breeding program which we will discuss in more depth in part two of this conversation next week. But we discuss this week how he managed to grow to over 500 cows and run cows at the same stocking rate while going from 4-5 bales per cow per year to less the half a bale! Rob also shares his journey to salvation, having not grown up knowing the Lord but finding him as an adult and the difference that made in his life.

Resources Mentioned:

PCC Discussion Group

Bible

90: Mark and Sara Hewitt - Leaving What Was Comfortable Oct 24, 2022

Show notes

Mark and Sara Hewitt from Minnesota joined me in this episode to share their story of taking the bold step of leaving the family farm where they were constantly met with opposition and no promises of transition or change to start a farm of their own! They talk about the decision to leave the family farm, their focus on minimal debt and managing their business as well as the many enterprises they juggle while both working off farm jobs and managing a family with 2 kids. So much to learn from them in this episode.
Resources Mentioned:

Farm Bureau

Legacy Farmer

Minnesota Farm Business Management

Minnesota Department of Ag

Extension

89: Jason Medows - Ag State of Mind Oct 17, 2022

Show notes

Jason Medows is a rancher in Missouri and also the host of the Ag State of Mind Podcast. We discuss his transition to an intentional low input ranch business, and how he runs the business while working full time off the farm as a pharmacist. We also discuss mental health in agriculture as his podcast is focused around breaking the stigma around mental health in Ag.

Resources Mentioned:

Can't Hurt Me

Atomic Habits

12 Rules for Life

88: Eric Barth - Polyface Farm Manager Oct 10, 2022

Show notes

Eric Barth is the Farm Manager largely responsible for managing the steward program which is their internship program. In this episode we discuss his path to Polyface farm, the farm and all it's enterprises and how they manage their internship program to ensure that interns leave with a ton of value.

Resources Mentioned:

Extreme Ownership - Book

Stockman Grass Farmer

87: Missy Bonds - Bonds Ranch Oct 03, 2022

Show notes

By running their ranch as a business and focusing on return on equity they have expanded their business to owning livestock in 26 counties in Texas and 13 different states. Missy Bonds talks to me about how they expanded the business, how they run their numbers and take action with confidence!

Resources Mentioned:

TCU Ranch Management Program

86: Andy Junkin - Working With Stubborn Farm Families Sep 26, 2022

Show notes

Andy Junkin of Stubborn.farm specializes in working with stubborn farm families to get out of crisis, or begin the conversations around farm succession. We discuss these as well as how you can work with another generation to incorporate new ideas into an existing operation!

85: Bobby Thoman - Grass Finished PCC 4H Show Steers Sep 19, 2022

Show notes

Bobby Thoman was first on the Herd Quitter Podcast back on Episode 16, check that out to hear about his ranch history and context. But today we discuss some of the philosophy around profitable ranching and then we get into a discussion around 4H show steers. Bobby and his kids raise 4H show steers right out of their PCC cooperator herd and develop them on grass and hay, NO GRAIN! And while they may not be grand champion steers, they are consistently middle of the pack competitors! This is pretty incredible considering what some people invest into their show animals to win, meanwhile his kids learn about what it means to raise profitable livestock in addition to the many benefits that come with working with livestock.

84: Brad Reese - Ranching, Hunting and Being on a TV Show Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

Brad Reese is owner of the Rockin 7 Ranch near Shawnee, Wyoming. They manage beef cows, a hunting lodge, an outfitting business and farming enterprise. Brad shares he perspectives on his production model, management style, views on land and land ownership, as well as his experience in season 41 of the popular tv show Survivor.

Resource Recommendations:

John Maxwell

Jim Collins

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