Grazing Grass Podcast sharing Regenerative Ag Stories

Grazing Grass
  • 4.9 (110)
  • NATURAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Grazing Grass Podcast features insights and stories of regenerative farming, specifically emphasizing grass-based livestock management. Our mission is to foster a community where grass farmers can share knowledge and experiences with one another. We delve into their transition to these practices, explore the ins and outs of their operations, and then move into the "Over Grazing" segment, which addresses specific challenges and learning opportunities. The episode rounds off with the "Famous Four" questions, designed to extract valuable wisdom and advice. Join us to gain practical tips and inspiration from the pioneers of regenerative grass farming. This is the podcast for you if you are trying to answer: What are regenerative farm practices? How to be grassfed? How do I graze other species of livestock? What's are ways to improve pasture and lower costs? What to sell direct to the consumer?

  1. 210 | Kasie Harriet, Shepherd Farms

    6D AGO

    210 | Kasie Harriet, Shepherd Farms

    Kasie Harriet is the milkmaid at Shepherd Farms, where she and her husband Jacob are building a direct-to-consumer farm business that includes raw milk, sourdough, tallow skincare, and more, while managing cows in a rotational grazing setup and learning what it really takes to run a small dairy at the family scale.  In This Episode, We Explore:   Kasie’s path from FFA and wildlife work into farm life and dairy cows  Why they pursued raw milk and how that led to buying their first family milk cow  Lessons learned from a first cow that tested positive for bacteria and how they handled it  Setting up a movable, low-cost milking stanchion and why “you don’t need a lot to do a lot”  Hand milking vs machine milking and the real-world importance of equipment that is easy to clean  Calf sharing, grafting a calf, and how that can add flexibility to dairy cow ownership  Selling excess milk, managing weekly customers, and handling jars and deposits  What to look for when buying a milk cow: testing, temperament, training, feeding history, and more  Using Facebook to educate customers, build trust, and grow a local direct-to-consumer community  Why This Episode Matters  If you are considering a family milk cow or selling raw milk direct-to-consumer, this episode walks through the practical realities that often get skipped, including cow selection, sanitation concerns, equipment choices, customer management, and the setbacks that can happen even when you do things carefully. Kasie’s story is a grounded reminder to learn, adjust, and keep moving forward.  Resources Mentioned   Keeping a Family Cow by Joann S. Grohman  Keeping a Family Milk Cow, holistic and organic (Facebook group)  Find Out More   Shepherd Farms | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087351095567 Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory. Upcoming Grazing Events Noble Profitability Essentials - Jefferson City, Mo, March 24-25, 2026Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research Institute Redmond Agriculture Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook) Original Music by Louis Palfrey

    1h 22m
  2. 209 | Jacob Harriet, Shepherd Farms

    FEB 4

    209 | Jacob Harriet, Shepherd Farms

    Jacob Harriet of Shepherd Farms shares how his background in wildlife management in central Oklahoma shaped the way he uses livestock, prescribed fire, and land restoration to build better habitat and a workable farm business. From starting on a small homestead to managing over 1,240 acres through creative lease agreements, Jacob walks through what has worked, what he learned the hard way, and how grazing fits into a broader land stewardship plan. In This Episode, We Explore: Jacob’s path from wildlife law enforcement to using livestock as a habitat toolTurning an over-timbered 80 acres into productive grazing and wildlife habitatUsing rotational grazing to improve land function, manure distribution, and plant recoveryTree and timber management decisions focused on getting sunlight to the groundPrescribed fire vs mechanical clearing for controlling woody encroachment, especially cedarHow burn associations, burn plans, and local support make prescribed fire safer and more practicalManaging land for wildlife needs alongside grazing goals, including turkey and quail habitatFinding and using grants for infrastructure, water, timber work, and prescribed fireBuilding a mixed-species orchard and using chickens to manage pests and understoryA lease model that trades professional habitat management for grazing access across multiple propertiesTracking grazing and land work with mapping tools and documentation Why This Episode Matters This conversation is a practical look at connecting grazing, habitat, and land access in a way that works in the real world. If you are trying to improve a neglected property, reduce cedar pressure, learn why prescribed fire matters, or find a creative path to more grazing acres without buying land, Jacob’s approach offers clear ideas you can adapt to your own place. Resources Mentioned Natural Resource University (podcast network)OnX Hunt Maps (phone app)NRCS (local office support for conservation programs and grants)National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)Quail ForeverTy Ty Nursery (trees for the orchard)Find Out More Shepherd Farms | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087351095567 Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory. Upcoming Grazing Events Noble Profitability Essentials - Jefferson City, Mo, March 24-25, 2026Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research Institute Redmond Agriculture Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook) Original Music by Louis Palfrey

    1h 25m
  3. 208 | Glenn McCaig,  Perry's Corner's Farm

    JAN 28

    208 | Glenn McCaig,  Perry's Corner's Farm

    Glenn McCaig of Perry's Corners Farm returns to the Grazing Grass Podcast to talk through livestock systems that stay practical when you stop trying to perfect everything. Farming with his wife Megan and their three young children just outside Kitchener, Ontario, Glenn shares what is working on their sandy, rocky ground with Lynch Lineback cattle, English Large Black pigs, Clun Forest type sheep, and pastured poultry. In This Episode, We Explore: What Lynch Lineback cattle are and why Glenn values a closed herd approachCalf-sharing milk cows and feeding milk to pigs as part of a whole-farm systemA gilt-only farrowing system that simplifies pig management and tightens farrowing windowsSelecting boars early using practical traits like teat count and mothering abilityFarrowing in pens vs pasture, and what changed with labor, predator pressure, and piglet lossesUsing simple ear notching to make culling decisions faster and more consistent in sheepClosed-flock sheep management, prolific genetics, and handling triplets and quadsThe realities of wool marketing and why some wool is not worth savingWhy Glenn went soy-free (and briefly corn-free) with pigs, and what he learned trying soy-free layersWhat migratory grazing changed for Glenn, and the cattle behavior he notices nowA calendar-based way Glenn thinks about the summer slump, rest periods, and how hay decisions affect grazingWhy This Episode MattersIf you have ever felt like your livestock enterprise got harder the more you tried to fine-tune it, this episode gives a grounded look at simplifying without backing away from good management. Glenn lays out practical systems for pigs, sheep, and cattle that reduce moving parts, tighten decision making, and keep the farm working in real conditions like predator pressure, winter feeding, and limited labor. Resources Mentioned Acres U.S.A. PodcastBarefoot Biodynamics by Jeff PoppenSteve Campbell (mentioned in context of clean minerals)Burke Teichert (quote referenced)Find Out More Perry's Corners Farm | https://perryscornersfarm.caGrazing Grass Community Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory. Upcoming Grazing Events Noble Profitability Essentials - Jefferson City, Mo, March 24-25, 2026Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research Institute Redmond Agriculture Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook) Original Music by Louis Palfrey

    1h 36m
  4. 207 | Mason Lautenschlager, Arrow L Ranch

    JAN 21

    207 | Mason Lautenschlager, Arrow L Ranch

    Mason Lautenschlager and his wife Hannah run Arrow L Ranch near Berthold in northwest North Dakota, where they focus on grass-based enterprises including a cow-calf herd, some direct grass-finished beef, and selling multi-bred composite coming 2-year-old bulls developed on forage.  In This Episode, We Explore:   Building a ranch back after his family sold out of farming and ranching  Buying cows at the top of the market and navigating the crash afterward  Shifting the whole operation toward lower labor and lower equipment intensity  Winter grazing decision-making around snow cover, forage quality, and flexibility  Bale grazing setup, timing, and what it changed on poorer soil areas  Water limitations, fencing lanes, and building a system for easier moves  Stockpiling forage and planning grazing around winter and spring needs  Increasing plant diversity through grazing management rather than seeding  Using forage clippings to estimate available dry matter per acre  Developing bulls on forage and selecting for longevity and fertility over max production  Why This Episode Matters  If winter feed, labor, and equipment costs are squeezing your operation, Mason’s story is a practical look at how constraints can force better systems. This conversation gets into the real tradeoffs of stockpile grazing versus bale grazing, how water and fencing design affect what is possible, and why selection for fertility and longevity can matter more than pushing production.   Resources Mentioned   Agriculture Alberta video series: Managing Risk in Winter Grazing  Principled Land Managers grazing school (Bart Carmichael and Pat Guptill)  North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition  DV Auction  Movie: Moneyball  Book: Lasater Philosophy of Cattle Raising (Tom Lasater)  Find Out More   Arrow L Ranch Facebook page | https://www.facebook.com/arrowlranchDV Auction video catalog for the Arrow L Ranch bull sale (opens Feb 6, closes Feb 8 with a soft close)  | https://www.dvauction.com/video_catalogs/13210 Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory. Upcoming Grazing Events Noble Profitability Essentials - Jefferson City, Mo, March 24-25, 2026Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research Institute Redmond Agriculture Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook) Original Music by Louis Palfrey

    1h 19m
  5. 206 | Hayden & Taylor Sievers, Sievers Blumen Farm

    JAN 14

    206 | Hayden & Taylor Sievers, Sievers Blumen Farm

    Hayden and Taylor Sievers of Sievers Blumen Farm in the Brussels, Illinois area share how their farm has evolved from a cut-flower business into a growing grazing-focused cattle operation, alongside grain and hogs, while keeping an eye on family, profitability, and building a system that works on limited acres. In This Episode, We Explore: How Sievers Blumen Farm got its name and the cut-flower beginnings behind the brandFarming in Calhoun County between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, and what that landscape means for grazingConverting a heavily tilled, flood-prone 80 acres into pasture over time while still cash cropping part of itChallenges of establishing pasture on heavy “black stick” clay and lessons learned with broadcast seeding and needing timely rainUsing wheat followed by cover crops and pasture as a transition plan away from cash croppingInfrastructure choices including high-tensile perimeter fence, step-ins, reels, and thoughts on central alley layoutsMoving from Dexters to South Pole-influenced cattle and what they noticed with fly pressure, forage efficiency, and easy-keeping traitsUsing cow-calf as a base herd while considering stockers and sell-buy marketing to capture excess forageTakeaways from stockmanship training, including receiving calves and getting them grazing quickly by focusing on mental and emotional stateRaising meat chickens (including Red Rangers) and layers, plus building and using a chickshaw-style coopTaylor’s path into indie publishing, what she writes, and the discipline of finishing books while raising a familyWhy This Episode MattersIf you are trying to make grazing work on limited acres or on land that is less-than-ideal, this conversation is a practical look at how a young family is building infrastructure, improving soil over time, selecting cattle that fit their system, and staying focused on profitability and quality of life instead of chasing too many enterprises at once. Resources Mentioned Joel Salatin (Joe Rogan Podcast)Greg Judy (grazing and fencing approach)Jim Elizondo and total grazing conceptsHand ’n Hand sell-buy marketing class (Tina and Richard)Stockman Grass FarmerWorking Cows podcastRanching Returns podcast (formerly Herd Quitter podcast)Bud Williams stockmanship (referenced through stockmanship training)Dirt to SoilBraiding SweetgrassFor the Love of SoilThe Creative Penn podcast (Joanna Penn)Wish I’d Known Then podcastThe Two Authors podcastJustin Rhodes Chickshaw (mobile coop design)O’Brien step-in postsTaragate reelsMeyer HatcheryMcMurray HatcheryAugust Horstmann's Ranch (Missouri)Find Out More Website | https://sieversblumenfarm.comInstagram | https://instagram.com/sieversblumenfarmFacebook | https://facebook.com/sieversblumenfarmYouTube | https://youtube.com/@sieversblumenfarmHere is a discount code for our farm shop (https://sieversblumenfarm.com/shop) that listeners can use for 10% off. The code expires in July. GRAZINGGRASS26 Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory. Upcoming Grazing Events Noble Profitability Essentials - Jefferson City, Mo, March 24-25, 2026Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research Institute Redmond Agriculture Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook) Original Music by Louis Palfrey

    1h 20m
  6. 205 | Jonathan Kilpatrick, Red Lantern Ranch, Kilpatrick Land & Livestock

    JAN 7

    205 | Jonathan Kilpatrick, Red Lantern Ranch, Kilpatrick Land & Livestock

    Jonathan Kilpatrick of Red Lantern Ranch and Kilpatrick Land & Livestock joins Cal to share what changed since he first appeared back on episode 2, including moving from Oklahoma to west central Minnesota (Alexandria area) and rebuilding a grazing operation from the ground up with sheep, goats, and pastured poultry. In This Episode, We Explore: What prompted Jonathan and his family to move from Oklahoma to Minnesota and restart their operationLessons Jonathan took from the Ranching for Profit School and how they shaped his decision-makingStarting a grazing operation with a clean slate and building genetics that match the environmentGrazing sheep and goats together and using goats as part of a buckthorn control strategyOutwintering sheep and goats with minimal infrastructure and what that requiresUsing adaptive grazing decisions that fit real life, time constraints, and family prioritiesExpanding from a 45-acre grazing lease by adding tillable acres and converting some to perennialsPartnering with a regenerative crop farmer for strip-till or no-till, cover crops, and added grazing opportunitiesMobile range coop pastured poultry production, daily moves, and labor efficiencyProcessing options, state-inspected processing, and why time is often the limiting resourceMarketing channels including direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and opportunities in ethnic markets Why This Episode Matters If you are building or rebuilding a grazing business, Jonathan lays out a realistic path that balances production, business management, and family life. This conversation is a good reminder that experience matters, time is a real constraint, and matching livestock, grazing, and marketing to your context is what keeps the whole system working. Resources Mentioned Ranching for Profit SchoolExecutive Link program (Ranching for Profit)Google SheetsExcelChatGPTGeminiP.L. 90-492 (Poultry Products Inspection Act exemption referenced in the discussion)Find Out More Red Lantern Ranch website | https://redlanternranch.comKilpatrick Land & Livestock website | https://www.kilpatricklandandlivestock.comSustainable Farming Association (SFA) | https://sfa-mn.org Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory. Upcoming Grazing Events Noble Profitability Essentials - Jefferson City, Mo, March 24-25, 2026Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research Institute Redmond Agriculture Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook) Original Music by Louis Palfrey

    1h 9m
  7. 204 | Zach & Kacie Scherler-Abney, Re:Farm & Re:Supply

    12/31/2025

    204 | Zach & Kacie Scherler-Abney, Re:Farm & Re:Supply

    Zach (first-generation) and Kacie (fifth-generation) Scherler-Abney are ranchers operating Re:Farm and Re:Supply in Cotton and Tillman Counties in southwest Oklahoma, running a cow-calf herd with some stockers while also managing land for others and operating retail stores in Norman, Oklahoma and Wichita Falls, Texas.   In This Episode, We Explore:   - How a personal health scare led them back to the family place and into raising their own food   - Using an autoimmune protocol diet as a catalyst to question food labels and sourcing   - Learning regenerative grazing through books, YouTube, and early hands-on trial and error   - Grazing in a more brittle, variable rainfall environment in southwest Oklahoma and north Texas   - Ultra high-density, non-selective grazing and why recovery time is the key variable for them   - What polywire taught them, and why quality of life and labor forced a change   - Building water systems with HDPE poly pipe, quick couplers, and central lanes for flexibility   - Leasing strategies including Oklahoma state school land (CLO) and BIA tribal land leases   - Transitioning to Halter virtual fencing and what changed in daily management and stress   - How their cattle buying philosophy shifted to phenotype, productivity, and pounds per acre   - Marketing reality checks: balancing direct-to-consumer beef with current sale barn economics   - Why they built brick-and-mortar stores and how non-perishables help stabilize cash flow   - Community-building through retail and sourcing other local products beyond their own beef   Why This Episode Matters   This conversation is a practical look at matching grazing goals to real life, especially when labor, family time, leases, and cash flow are all limiting factors. Zach and Kacie share what worked, what wore them out, what they changed, and how they think about staying flexible without abandoning the core principles that keep land and livestock improving.   Resources Mentioned   - Halter virtual fencing system   - Passon quick couplers   - Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO) grazing leases   - Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) grazing leases   Find Out More   - Instagram | re:farm   - Website | Re:Farm Market   - Facebook | Re:Farm  Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory. Upcoming Grazing Events Noble Profitability Essentials - Jefferson City, Mo, March 24-25, 2026Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research Institute Redmond Agriculture Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook) Original Music by Louis Palfrey

    1h 19m
  8. 203 | Matt Goble, Dry Bottom Farms

    12/24/2025

    203 | Matt Goble, Dry Bottom Farms

    Matt Goble joins the Grazing Grass Podcast to share how he’s built a profitable, resilient wool sheep operation in a high-elevation mountain valley using entirely private and marginal land. While working a full-time W-2 job, Matt manages 450 ewes with a strong focus on grazing efficiency, soil health, and thoughtful breeding decisions. His system blends management-intensive grazing, cover crops, and perennial pastures, all adapted to a short growing season and limited irrigation. In this episode, we cover: Grazing irrigated pasture and marginal land in a mountain valleyUsing cover crops to build soil before establishing perennial pastureManaging sheep with daily and multi-day grazing movesLambing systems, jug management, and efficiency at scaleBreeding strategies for maternal traits and terminal lambsUsing ear notching and simple visual systems to reduce decision fatiguePredator pressure and why net fencing matters for sheepBalancing stocking rates during drought yearsAdding chickens and turkeys to improve soil and diversify incomeMatching enterprise scale to land capacity and lifestyle goalsWhy This Episode Matters: This conversation is a clear example of how management, not acres, often determines success. Matt shows how intentional grazing, simple systems, and observation can double productivity without doubling land or inputs. His practical insights into lambing efficiency, breeding decisions, and drought planning offer valuable lessons for anyone managing livestock on limited or challenging ground. Resources Mentioned: The Soil Owner’s Manual by John StikaThe Art and Science of Shepherding (Premier 1 Supplies)Field Area Measure (mobile app)Find Out More: Facebook: Dry Bottom FarmsSnow College Agriculture Department (Utah) Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory. Upcoming Grazing Events Noble Profitability Essentials - Jefferson City, Mo, March 24-25, 2026Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research Institute Redmond Agriculture Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook) Original Music by Louis Palfrey

    1h 23m
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4.9
out of 5
110 Ratings

About

The Grazing Grass Podcast features insights and stories of regenerative farming, specifically emphasizing grass-based livestock management. Our mission is to foster a community where grass farmers can share knowledge and experiences with one another. We delve into their transition to these practices, explore the ins and outs of their operations, and then move into the "Over Grazing" segment, which addresses specific challenges and learning opportunities. The episode rounds off with the "Famous Four" questions, designed to extract valuable wisdom and advice. Join us to gain practical tips and inspiration from the pioneers of regenerative grass farming. This is the podcast for you if you are trying to answer: What are regenerative farm practices? How to be grassfed? How do I graze other species of livestock? What's are ways to improve pasture and lower costs? What to sell direct to the consumer?

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