Ranch Stewards Podcast

Ranchers Stewardship Alliance
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A podcast dedicated to the stewardship and conservation of grasslands, diverse ecological landscapes, and the salt-of-the-earth individuals who devote their lives to this endeavor.

  1. 1D AGO

    Ranch Insight: Sheep Industry Takeaways for Beef Producers

    What can the beef industry learn from the rise and decline of the sheep industry? In this final episode of the Rural Resilience webinar series, we are bringing you a replay of a live conversation with Brent Roeder, Montana State University Extension sheep specialist. Brent has spent his career in the sheep business, and in this talk he shares hard-earned lessons from decades of change, including global competition, shifting consumer demand, labor challenges, technology, and industry structure. More importantly, Brent draws some striking parallels between the sheep and beef industries. These are trends he believes cattle producers should be paying close attention to. This episode is the audio from a recorded webinar. If you would like to watch the full presentation, including slides and audience discussion, check out the link below. Watch the full webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNmpuli86GM In this episode, we cover: The rise and decline of the U.S. sheep industryKey moments that reshaped the industry over timeGlobal markets, imports, and price pressureDifferences in efficiency between sheep and beef productionThe role of consumer demand and retail spaceTechnology, genetics, and industry innovationWhat the beef industry can learn before history repeats itselfAbout the Guest: Brent Roeder is the Montana State University Extension Sheep and Wool Specialist and supervisor of the Montana Wool Lab. His work focuses on improving profitability, wool quality, and lamb production, while applying new technology to practical ranch management. About the Series: This episode is part of the 4-part Rural Resilience webinar series hosted by the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, focused on practical tools, technology, and insights for ranchers navigating change. Stay Connected: For more resources, upcoming events, and additional webinars, visit the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Enjoying the podcast? Be sure to like, share, and subscribe to the Ranch Stewards Podcast. It helps us keep these conversations going and reach more folks in the ag community. Support the show The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come. For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email info@ranchstewards.org. Want to support our mission? Visit www.ranchstewards.org/support.

    1h 21m

  2. 3D AGO

    Ranch Water: Low-Tech, High-Impact Restoration

    ⚠️ Heads up: this is a dense, information-rich episode pulled directly from a live webinar. If able, you will want to watch the full video replay on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gzL3MsevnOY?si=nPpL5mv1pDfQAfkm If audio is what you’ve got capacity for, you’re in the right place. This session explores Ranch Water: Low-Tech, High-Impact Restoration with Paul Jones of Tomichi Creek Ecosystem Services. Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration (LTPBR) is a hands-on approach to rebuilding natural water systems. By working with natural stream processes, landowners can:  Improve water retention  Restore riparian function  Increase drought resilience  Create lasting benefits for livestock and wildlife These techniques rely on minimal materials and practical methods that can create long-term impact on your land. ABOUT PAUL JONES: Paul began his career with the Colorado Division of Wildlife in 1992 as a District Wildlife Manager. Over his career, he: Served on the Gunnison Sage Grouse Working Group—the first collaborative group of its kind in the West Helped protect over 15,000 acres through conservation easements and habitat work Contributed to the development of the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) for Gunnison sage-grouse across 40 private ranches In 2006, he became Aquatic Conservation Biologist for the Southwest Region, working with native fish species and boreal toads until retiring in 2018. Today, he runs Tomichi Creek Ecosystem Services, focusing on wet meadow restoration and restoring gullied systems once thought too degraded to recover. 📩 Contact Paul: tomck2018@gmail.com RESOURCES Brian Fox’s BDA success story (“Becoming the Beaver”): https://youtu.be/YaQS8erqbbs?si=sUYI3PUzWv-Pcm3O Related episode — Eye in the Sky: Ranch Drones: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2166701/episodes/18714276 GIS & Mapping Tools for Wet Meadow Work:  USGS TopoView — https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewe ...  USGS Lidar Explorer — https://apps.nationalmap.gov/lidar-ex ...  USGS StreamStats — https://streamstats.usgs.gov/ss/  USDA NAIP Imagery — https://nrcs.app.box.com/v/naip/folde ...  QGIS (free GIS software) — https://qgis.org/Support the show The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come. For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email info@ranchstewards.org. Want to support our mission? Visit www.ranchstewards.org/support.

    1h 13m

  3. APR 30

    No Fence, No Problem? Virtual Fencing on a Montana Forest Allotment

    Not long ago, virtual fencing felt like a “maybe someday” idea. Today, ranchers are using it in some of the toughest country out there. Virtual fencing isn’t exactly a new conversation anymore, but how and where it’s being used continues to evolve. In this episode, we head off the prairie and into a forest allotment in western Montana. With rugged terrain, wildlife pressure, and little to no traditional fence, this is a real-world look at how the technology performs when things get complicated. Host Haylie Shipp is joined by Jim Felton of Felton Angus Ranch and Grace Inglee with Vence to walk through how virtual fencing works, how it’s being used on forest allotments, and what ranchers are learning along the way. In This Episode  What virtual fencing is and how it works  How it performs on forest allotments vs open prairie  Managing cattle in rough terrain without traditional fence  Time savings, labor considerations, and adoption  Lessons learned from real-world use Resources Previous episode: An Unfiltered Rancher Response to Virtual Fencing https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2166701/episodes/16149902-an-unfiltered-rancher-response-to-virtual-fencing Upcoming events: https://ranchstewards.org/events Why This Matters At the Ranch Stewards Podcast, we focus on the intersection of ranching, conservation, and community. This episode brings all three together and highlights how tools like virtual fencing can help producers manage land more effectively while staying connected to the landscapes and people that matter most. This podcast is brought to you in part by Vence. Learn more: https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/hub/vence/ Support the show The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come. For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email info@ranchstewards.org. Want to support our mission? Visit www.ranchstewards.org/support.

    32 min
  4. What Are Ranch Workers Really Worth?

    APR 28

    What Are Ranch Workers Really Worth?

    What should ranch workers really be paid, and why is nobody talking about it? Wages in agriculture can feel like a taboo subject, but avoiding the conversation is not helping anyone. In this episode of the Ranch Workforce Project, host Haylie Shipp sits down with Dr. Rachel Frost and McKenzie Rojas of Arrow M Cattle Company to break down what compensation actually looks like in today’s ranching world. McKenzie has built a strong following by saying the quiet part out loud. She tackles tough topics like pay, expectations, turnover, and transparency in ag. Drawing from her experience on both sides of the fence, she offers a candid look at how employers and employees can better understand each other and build more sustainable working relationships. In this episode, we discuss:  Why ranch wages are more than just a paycheck  Real world pay ranges for entry level to experienced workers  How housing, food, horses, and benefits factor into compensation  The importance of honesty and transparency in hiring  Common disconnects between employers and employees  What today’s workforce expects and why it matters for the future of ag 🔗 Resources and Links Dan Scott Ranch Management Program  https://animalrange.montana.edu/danscott/ Arrow M Cattle Company  https://www.facebook.com/ArrowMPH/ 🎙️ About the Show The Ranch Workforce Project is part of the Ranch Stewards initiative and the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at Montana State University. The show focuses on supporting the people behind agriculture. ⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Follow, rate, and review to help more folks in agriculture find these conversations. Share this episode with someone who should be part of it. Support the show The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come. For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email info@ranchstewards.org. Want to support our mission? Visit www.ranchstewards.org/support.

    36 min

  5. APR 17

    Ranch Health: Cattle Vaccination Best Practices

    If you’ve ever helped work cattle and thought, “I hope I’m doing this right,” this episode is for you. This episode is an audio replay of a recorded webinar from the Rural Resilience series. As you listen, you may hear references to visual demonstrations and slides. If you’d like to follow along or watch the full webinar, you can view the video replay here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEVQMhK5448&list=PL4o5WDFewKec-Wb2Wq09nTgdeTwf4vUV-&index=3 Healthy herds are the foundation of a resilient ranch. In this session, Dr. Katie Rein of Crazy Mountain Veterinary Service shares practical, hands-on guidance for livestock vaccination. Dr. Rein walks through the fundamentals with clear, field-ready instruction you can apply right away. Whether you're working cattle every day or stepping in to help when needed, this episode is designed to build confidence and improve outcomes in the chute and beyond. You’ll hear straightforward guidance on choosing the right needle, administering injections correctly, and avoiding common mistakes that can impact both animal health and meat quality. This episode is especially helpful for ranch hands, interns, family members who assist with livestock care, and experienced producers looking for a solid refresher. In this episode, you’ll learn:  How to choose the correct needle length and gauge  Where to give injections for animal health and carcass quality  The difference between subcutaneous and intramuscular injections  Practical tips for safe, effective, low-stress vaccination  Common mistakes—and how to avoid them About the Guest: Dr. Katie Rein grew up on her family’s ranch near Melville, Montana, land her family has stewarded since 1893. She earned her undergraduate degree from Montana State University and her veterinary degree from Washington State University, followed by an internship in Large Animal Medicine at Texas A&M University. After practicing at Harlowton Veterinary Clinic, she founded Crazy Mountain Veterinary Service, where she focuses on delivering practical, field-ready care to livestock producers. About the Series: This episode is part of the Rural Resilience series from the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance. Now in its sixth year, the series highlights practical skills and applied knowledge that support working lands and the communities who care for them. Support the show The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come. For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email info@ranchstewards.org. Want to support our mission? Visit www.ranchstewards.org/support.

    1h 16m
  6. Burnout on the Ranch: The Hidden Cost of Pushing Too Hard

    APR 14

    Burnout on the Ranch: The Hidden Cost of Pushing Too Hard

    Burnout in agriculture is often overlooked, but it carries real consequences for people, productivity, and profitability. In this episode of the Ranch Workforce Project, host Haylie Shipp and co-host Dr. Rachel Frost (Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at Montana State University) sit down with JD Hill of Padlock Ranch and Caroline Wild of Wild Ranch Solutions to explore burnout through both employer and employee lenses. From missed details and rising costs to turnover and safety risks, burnout is more than a personal issue. It’s a business issue. This conversation dives into how ranch managers can recognize early warning signs, foster better communication, and build systems that support both efficiency and employee well-being. The group also discusses the unique challenges of ranch life, where work and home often overlap, and how expectations, identity, and lifestyle all play a role in long-term sustainability in the industry. In This Episode, We Cover:  Why burnout matters in ranch operations  Early warning signs employers should watch for  The connection between burnout and operational efficiency  Communication strategies for both managers and employees  The importance of aligning expectations in hiring  How identity and lifestyle impact longevity in ag careers  Practical ways to reduce burnout without sacrificing productivity Guest Information: JD Hill – Operations Manager, Padlock Ranch Caroline Wild – Financial Consultant, Wild Ranch Solutions Resources & Links: 🔗 Caroline Wild LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-wild-a27067229 🔗 Padlock Ranch: https://padlockranch.com/ 🔗 Dan Scott Ranch Management Program: https://animalrange.montana.edu/danscott/ Key Takeaways: Burnout in agriculture often shows up subtly through disengagement, fatigue, and missed details, but can quickly impact safety, morale, and profitability. Addressing it requires intentional communication, realistic expectations, and a commitment to supporting both the personal and professional well-being of employees. About the Series: The Ranch Workforce Project is a multi-part limited series focused on solving workforce challenges in agriculture and rural America, bringing together industry leaders, educators, and practitioners to share insights and solutions. Support the show The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come. For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email info@ranchstewards.org. Want to support our mission? Visit www.ranchstewards.org/support.

    56 min
  7. Why Your Best Employees Leave and How to Make Them Stay

    MAR 31

    Why Your Best Employees Leave and How to Make Them Stay

    You hired well. You trained well. Everything seemed right. Then they left. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. Employee turnover is one of the biggest challenges in agriculture today, and every time someone leaves, it costs time, energy, and momentum. In this episode of The Ranch Workforce Project, Haylie Shipp and Rachel Frost (Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at Montana State University) are joined by Chris Redman, former Turner Ranches manager, to break down what actually keeps employees on a ranch. It is not just the paycheck. Today’s ranch employees are looking for purpose, connection, and a sense of belonging. The ranches that understand this are the ones building strong, lasting teams. What you will learn in this episode:  How to define your ranch’s culture and why it is the foundation of retention  Why onboarding is more than a first day process and how to do it right  The overlooked role of spouses, families, and community in employee satisfaction  Simple and practical ways to boost morale and engagement  What “treat it like you own it” really means and when it does not work  How to spot burnout before an employee quits  Why your best employees may be disengaging and how to address it  The power of stay interviews and the one question you should always ask  Bridging generational gaps in expectations around work and life  How to create a culture where feedback, growth, and teamwork are the norm Bottom line: Great ranches do not just hire good people. They keep them. That starts with intentional culture, clear communication, and creating a place where people feel like they belong. If you are tired of constant turnover, this episode will give you practical tools to start building a team that stays.  Support the show The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come. For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email info@ranchstewards.org. Want to support our mission? Visit www.ranchstewards.org/support.

    46 min

  8. MAR 20

    Mutually Beneficial: Conservation Funding at Work on Ranches

    What happens when ranchers, conservation partners, and local communities all pull in the same direction? In this episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, we pull back the curtain on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance’s Conservation Committee. Host Haylie Shipp is joined by Martin Townsend, Conservation Director for the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, and Leo Barthelmess, rancher and RSA Board Member currently serving as Co-Treasurer, for a conversation about how this committee came together, why it matters, and how it has become one of RSA’s most impactful efforts. What started as a small, relationship-driven idea has grown into a powerful model for delivering conservation projects that keep ranches productive, improve wildlife habitat, and strengthen rural communities. Through collaboration with more than 30 partners, including conservation organizations, agencies, and academic institutions, the Conservation Committee has helped bring millions of dollars into north central Montana and put those funds to work on the ground. From the committee’s early days to the way projects are identified, mapped, matched with funding, and implemented, this episode offers a firsthand look at the people and partnerships behind the work. Martin shares how the process functions today, while Leo reflects on the rancher perspective and RSA’s growth over the past decade. In this episode: How the Conservation Committee got its startWhy ranchers wanted a seat at the tableThe role of partners in expanding opportunityHow conservation projects move from idea to implementationThe growth of RSA’s impact across working landsWhy mutually beneficial solutions are key to long-term successThis is more than a conversation about funding. It is about building a model where ranching, conservation, and community all move forward together. Support the show The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come. For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email info@ranchstewards.org. Want to support our mission? Visit www.ranchstewards.org/support.

    59 min
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About

A podcast dedicated to the stewardship and conservation of grasslands, diverse ecological landscapes, and the salt-of-the-earth individuals who devote their lives to this endeavor.

Information

  • Creator
    Ranchers Stewardship Alliance
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ranch Stewards Podcast
  • Show Website
    Ranch Stewards Podcast

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