Herd Yard

Herd Yard

The Herd Yard Podcast brings you real conversations with cattle producers and industry leaders about ranching, marketing, genetics, and the future of the cattle business. Straight talk, practical insight, and stories from the people shaping the industry.

Episodes

  1. Sep 8

    Ranching at 8,000 Feet: How Circle C Is Building for the Future

    Paul Rogers speaks with TJ Carlisle of Circle C Ranches, a four-ranch cattle operation spanning Colorado’s high country and eastern plains. TJ oversees the ranches with his team, managing Angus cattle in the high-altitude regions and Wagyu and F1 cattle on the plains. TJ shares how he grew up ranching in Wyoming, initially pursued diesel mechanics, and ultimately returned to agriculture because of his passion for caring for livestock and stewarding the land. His education in agribusiness and experience working on ranches from Florida to Hawaii taught him the importance of learning from others, building a strong network, and remaining open to new ideas. The conversation covers Circle C’s approach to cattle marketing. The ranch uses auction barns, video sales, and private-treaty transactions, but its long-term goal is to develop trusted relationships with repeat buyers. TJ sees Herd Yard’s commission-free marketplace and nationwide network as a potentially valuable way to make those connections. After comparing the $432 annual membership with traditional sales commissions, he considers the price reasonable. TJ explains that Circle C measures success by more than cattle prices. The operation prioritizes: Investing in employees and their familiesSupporting rural communitiesPracticing responsible land and animal stewardshipImproving soil, grass, water, and wildlife resourcesProducing safe, high-quality beefRemaining profitable through careful planning and risk managementThey also discuss the challenges of wolves in Colorado, grazing cattle on Forest Service and BLM allotments, and using virtual-fencing technology to manage cattle more efficiently across open mountain ranges. TJ closes by emphasizing mentorship, hard work, curiosity, and adaptability. His advice to younger producers is to remain open-minded, ask questions, research decisions carefully, and avoid the limiting mindset of “we’ve always done it that way.”

About

The Herd Yard Podcast brings you real conversations with cattle producers and industry leaders about ranching, marketing, genetics, and the future of the cattle business. Straight talk, practical insight, and stories from the people shaping the industry.