Ranchonomics

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114. The Financial Tool That Changed Everything on Steve Kenyon's Farm Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

What if the numbers could make your biggest business decisions easier? In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Steve Kenyon to discuss the financial and economic tools that changed how Steve viewed his farm. Steve shares how learning to use gross margin analysis revealed that some parts of his operation were losing money despite strong production numbers, and how understanding opportunity cost led him to completely rethink his business model.

Steve and John also discuss why cash flow and profitability are two different things, how custom grazing allowed Steve to build a repeatable, cash-flow-positive business, and why owning land isn't always the best path to building a profitable operation. They explore the danger of following conventional assumptions, the difference between incremental improvements and transformational change, and why understanding your numbers can make it easier to know when it's time to do something differently.

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In this episode, we cover:

How gross margin analysis revealed where Steve was actually losing money
Why strong production numbers don't necessarily mean a profitable operation
How opportunity cost changed the way Steve looked at his grass and cattle
Why custom grazing became a more repeatable, cash-flow-positive business model
Why transformational changes can have a much bigger impact than incremental improvements
How questioning conventional assumptions can lead to better business decisions

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Send an email to skenyon@greenerpasturesranching.com

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At Ranch Right, we help producers slow decisions down just enough to see the real tradeoffs: cash flow, risk, and long-term impact. Better information leads to better decisions—and better sleep. If you want more confidence in the choices you’re making, click below to learn more.

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113. The First Transformation: Separating Your Personal and Business Finances Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, host John Haskell explains why separating personal finances and business finances is one of the most fundamental steps a rancher can take toward gaining financial clarity. From creating separate accounts and books to establishing a family budget and treating money taken from the business as a deliberate draw, John breaks down how mixing personal and business spending can hide where money is actually going and make it harder to understand profitability.

John also explains why separating finances is only the beginning. Once personal spending is out of the business, ranchers can more clearly evaluate individual enterprises, understand the economic value of internal transfers, and decide where to reinvest for future returns. The goal isn't simply to make one change and stop. It's to create a business where better data leads to better decisions and continuous improvement.

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In this episode, I cover:

Why separating personal and business finances is the first transformation in building a better business
How separate checking accounts, books, and a family budget create greater financial clarity
Why spending business money on personal expenses can cause money to leak out of the business
How to think about money spent as either an expense that is gone or a reinvestment that can generate future value
Why ranchers should separate individual enterprises to understand which ones are actually creating value
Why building a better ranch business is a process of continuous improvement rather than a one-time transformation

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112. From Cattle to Goats: What 26 Years in Small Ruminants Taught Greg Christiansen Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, John Haskell talks with Greg Christiansen of Grandview Livestock about the 26 years he has spent raising meat goats and sheep alongside row crops and cattle. Greg shares how he got started, what he learned along the way, and how adjustments to kidding dates, grazing strategies, fencing, and marketing have shaped the enterprise over time.

The conversation gets into the practical details of managing goats, from using brush and weeds as forage to grazing cover crops, managing parasite pressure, and finishing kids for the right market. Whether you're considering adding small ruminants to your operation or looking for ways to make better use of the resources you already have, Greg's 26 years of experience offer plenty of practical lessons.

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In this episode, we cover:

How Greg got started raising goats and sheep and what he learned from his early years in the business
Why timing the kidding season around weather, forage, parasite pressure, and the market matters
How Greg uses brush, weeds, and cover crops as valuable forage for goats
The simple, low-cost fencing system Greg uses to contain goats on perimeter fences and manage interior paddocks
What Greg's production costs and returns look like from the nanny through weaning and finishing
Why paying attention to market demand and the value of adding weight helps determine when to sell small ruminants

Connect with Greg:

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Check out his website
Email him at greglchristiansen@gmail.com

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111. When Prices Are Too Good to Be True — Steve Kenyon on the Cattle Cycle and Custom Grazing Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

Cattle prices are high, but how long can the good times last? In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Canadian rancher and longtime custom grazer Steve Kenyon to talk about the cattle cycle, what history can teach us about today's market, and why trying to predict the exact top or bottom may be a losing game. Steve shares lessons from more than 30 years in the cattle business, including how gross margin analysis led him to sell his own herd and build a custom grazing operation.

The conversation explores the market disruptions Steve has experienced firsthand, from drought and BSE to today's record cattle prices, and why outside forces can make the traditional 10-year cattle cycle harder to predict. John and Steve also discuss the danger of expanding simply because prices are good, why producers should be planning for the next downturn while times are profitable, and how strategies like Sell/Buy Marketing can help ranchers make decisions based on margins rather than trying to time the market.

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In this episode, we cover:

Why today's high cattle prices have Steve thinking about the next market downturn
Whether the traditional 10-year cattle cycle still applies in today's market
How drought, BSE, world events, and other outside forces can disrupt cattle markets
Why Steve sold his cow herd even though cattle prices were strong
How gross margin analysis changed the direction of Steve's ranching business
Why high cattle prices aren't necessarily a signal to expand your herd
The risks of trying to predict the exact top or bottom of the cattle market
Why producers should make a plan for changing markets before prices turn

Connect with Steve:

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Kevin & Mandy Wiltse — The Farm That Keeps Changing (And Why That's the Point) [Ranchonomics Stories Ep 10] Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Ranchonomics Stories, John Haskell sits down with Kevin and Mandy Wiltse to explore how their farm has evolved over the years as they learned what worked, what didn't, and what the land needed next. What began as a conventional cropping system gradually shifted toward cover crops, livestock integration, and perennial forage as Kevin recognized the limitations of their previous system. Rather than trying to find one perfect formula, they have continued experimenting, observing, and adapting their approach to embrace a farm that keeps changing.

Kevin and Mandy also share how Ranching for Profit helped them rethink their goals and make changes that have created less stress, healthier soil, and greater profitability. They discuss transitioning acres gradually, building flexibility into the farm business, learning from mentors outside their local community, and using rest and grazing management to make the most of their land. Their story is a reminder that successful management is not about sticking with a plan forever, but continuing to learn and make better decisions as circumstances change.

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In this episode, we cover:

How Kevin and Mandy moved from conventional cropping to a system centered on cover crops, livestock, and perennial forage
Why they learned that no-till alone wasn't solving their soil and weed challenges
How livestock integration and forage production have increased net profit per acre while reducing costs
Why they transition acres gradually instead of converting the entire farm at once
How building a flexible system allows them to shift between forage and cash crops as conditions and markets change
What Kevin has learned by experimenting with grazing management, including the value of resting pastures for a full season
Why having clear goals, supportive partnerships, and a willingness to keep learning has helped them navigate difficult years and build a business they feel good about

Connect with Ranch Right:

Subscribe on YouTube
Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc
Follow on Facebook
Check out the website
Check out all of our past webinars here

Resources & Links:

Green Cover Seed Podcast: Building a Drought Resilient Grazing Operation Using Perennials and Cover Crops with Kevin Wiltse
Green Cover Seed Podcast: Kevin Wiltse - Integrating Livestock Producer Stories Webinar Series
Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
Ranching for Profit
Ranching.FYI
Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

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110. Know Your Worth: The Business Value of a Rancher's Time | Amos Troester Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Your time is one of the most valuable assets in your business, but are you actually treating it that way? In this episode, John Haskell and Amos Troester explore how ranchers can increase their profitability by understanding the opportunity cost of their time, focusing on high-value work, and putting the right people in the right roles. From buying and selling cattle to planning ahead and learning from others' experience, Amos shares how knowing your worth and better time management can create significant value without simply working more hours.

The conversation digs into the real economics of delegation, employee strengths, and focus. Amos and John discuss how to calculate what your time is worth, why paying someone else to handle a lower-value task can actually make you money, and how clear roles, trust, and planning allow everyone on the team to work where they create the most value. They also explore how continually improving your skills can increase the value of your time as your business evolves.

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In this episode, we cover:

Why time is one of the most valuable assets in your ranching business
How learning from other people's experience can help you avoid costly mistakes
Why planning ahead can help you save time and avoid unnecessary work
How to calculate the opportunity cost of your time and identify your highest-value work
Why putting the right people in the right roles can dramatically increase efficiency
How trust and clear responsibilities help ranch teams stay focused and productive
Why continually increasing your skills and value is essential to long-term business growth

Connect with Amos:

Follow on Facebook
Check out his website
Send an email at TBarACattle@gmail.com

Connect with Ranch Right:

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Check out all of our past webinars here

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The Sims Family (Part 2) — How the Sims Family Keeps Getting Better With Every Generation [Ranchonomics Stories Ep 9] Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

In Part 2 of the Sims family's story, John Haskell continues the conversation, focusing on how their approach to ranching has continued to evolve across generations. They discuss changes to grazing management, calving dates, genetics, and drought planning, along with the lessons they've learned from testing new ideas and paying attention to what the land and cattle are telling them.

The conversation also dives into what it takes to build a family business that gets better with every generation. The Sims family shares how they approach succession, involve the next generation, create space for different perspectives, and use regular strategy meetings to make sure everyone has an opportunity to be heard. At the heart of their story is a commitment to continued learning, experimentation, and listening, both to the people around the table and to the land itself.

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In this episode, we cover:

How the Sims family has continued evolving its grazing and drought management strategies
Why they changed their calving date and how that decision affected weaning weights and economics
How adaptive genetics and experimentation have shaped their cattle operation
What the Sims family has learned about bringing the next generation into the ranch at the right time
How regular strategy meetings give every family member a chance to contribute
Why listening, observation, and monitoring are essential skills for both ranch management and family business
How a commitment to continued learning and trying new ideas keeps the ranch moving forward

Connect with the Sims:

Check out their website

Connect with Ranch Right:

Subscribe on YouTube
Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc
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Check out the website
Check out all of our past webinars here

Resources & Links:

Ranchonomics Stories Episode 8. The Sims Family (Part 1) — From $2 an Acre to a Four-Generation Ranch
Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
Ranching for Profit
Ranching.FYI
Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

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109. How to Build a More Resilient Farm Business with Cover Crops — Kevin Wiltse Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

In Part 2 of John Haskell's conversation with Kevin Wiltse, the focus shifts from implementing cover crops to building a resilient farming business that can withstand changing markets and weather. Kevin explains why resilience comes from designing flexible production systems, reducing dependence on expensive inputs, and treating forage as a profitable enterprise rather than simply a tool for soil health. By integrating livestock, perennial forages, and annual crops, he shares how his operation has become more adaptable while improving both profitability and land stewardship.

The conversation also explores the importance of making management decisions based on economics instead of tradition. Kevin discusses when annuals outperform perennials, why he adjusts his cropping plans based on projected profitability, and how lowering operating costs helped eliminate the need for an annual operating loan. The episode offers practical insights for producers looking to build businesses that are financially resilient, environmentally sustainable, and prepared to adapt as conditions change.

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In this episode, we cover:

Why perennial and annual forage systems each have a place in a resilient farming operation
How integrating livestock can reduce costs while improving soil health and profitability
The management changes that allowed Kevin to eliminate the need for an annual operating loan
Why projected losses should trigger a change in management, not business as usual
How flexible forage systems create opportunities to custom graze cattle and generate additional revenue
Why profitable farms are managed as integrated systems, not individual enterprises

Connect with Kevin:

Green Cover Seed Podcast: Building a Drought Resilient Grazing Operation Using Perennials and Cover Crops with Kevin Wiltse
Green Cover Seed Podcast: Kevin Wiltse - Integrating Livestock Producer Stories Webinar Series

Connect with Ranch Right:

Subscribe on YouTube
Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc
Follow on Facebook
Check out the website
Check out all of our past webinars here

Resources & Links:

Mentioned in this episode:

Website

The Sims Family (Part 1) — From $2 an Acre to a Four-Generation Ranch [Ranchonomics Stories Ep 8] Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

In this Ranchonomics Stories episode, John Haskell sits down with the Sims family to trace the roots of a ranching operation that began with leased ground at $2 an acre and has grown into a thriving four-generation business. Scott and April Sims, along with their son Shannon and daughter-in-law Melinda, reflect on the pivotal decisions, financial challenges, and mindset shifts that shaped their four-generation ranch over the years. From surviving periods of heavy debt to embracing new management ideas, they share how a willingness to learn and adapt laid the foundation for future generations.

The conversation also explores the power of a shared family vision and the role it has played in guiding major business decisions. The Sims family discusses developing a holistic vision, creating space for every family member's voice, and using that vision to evaluate opportunities, genetics, grazing management, and long-term succession. More than anything, this episode is about building a ranch that reflects shared values while preparing the next generation for success. Stay tuned for part 2 of this conversation.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we cover:

How the Sims family grew a ranching business from leased ground into a four-generation operation
The financial decisions that helped them overcome debt and improve profitability
Why creating a shared family vision became a turning point for the business
How their vision guided decisions around adaptive genetics, grazing, and business growth
Why embracing new ideas and calculated risks has shaped each generation of the ranch
The importance of building a business that creates opportunities for future generations

Connect with Ranch Right:

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Check out all of our past webinars here

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Mentioned in this episode:

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108. Cover Crops, Cattle & Cash Flow: A Better Ranch Management Strategy — Kevin Wiltse Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

Can cover crops actually make your operation more profitable? In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Kansas farmer and rancher Kevin Wiltse to discuss how integrating livestock into a dryland cropping system has transformed the economics of his operation. Kevin shares how his family's fifth-generation farm shifted from viewing cover crops as an expense to treating them as a profitable forage enterprise, creating additional income while reducing herbicide and fertilizer costs.

The conversation explores the practical realities of making cover crops work in a semi-arid environment, including grazing management, species selection, seed costs, and measuring profitability. Kevin explains why success comes from evaluating the entire system instead of individual enterprises, and how stacking multiple sources of revenue on the same acres has helped his operation remain profitable, even during challenging years for traditional row crop farming. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this conversation.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we cover:

Why Kevin transitioned from viewing cover crops as a cost to treating them as a forage enterprise
How integrating livestock can offset lower crop yields through additional revenue and reduced input costs
Practical guidelines for selecting cover crop species and managing grazing in a dryland system
How cover crops have reduced herbicide and fertilizer costs on Kevin's operation
How stacking livestock, forage, seed production, and cash crops can significantly increase profit per acre
Why adapting farming systems to local rainfall and growing conditions is essential for long-term success

Connect with Ranch Right:

Subscribe on YouTube
Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc
Follow on Facebook
Check out the website
Check out all of our past webinars here

Resources & Links:

Mentioned in this episode:

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