Co-trainer Mel Kiel (Yeoval, NSW) and co-founder Grahame Rees unpack what KLR Marketing is really all about — beyond the myths, beyond "systems," and well beyond simply trading cattle. Mel shares how she went from turning up at a KLR school with a two-year-old on her hip to running a 100% trading operation and now training producers across Australia and the US. Grahame traces the origins of KLR back to working with Bud Williams, the partnership with Rod Knight and Jim Lindsay, and how the KLR principles have evolved over more than 20 years. Together, they walk through the five KLR principles, why grass is the real driver of profit, how to think about cost of carry that incorporates overheads, and how KLR helps you create cash flow and profit in any market — rising, falling, or sideways. If you've ever wondered, "What actually IS KLR?" or "Is it only for traders?" this conversation gives you a clear, practical overview. What We Cover Mel's story: from a small farm and young family to Full-time Trading and KLR trainer Grahame's background at Ivanhoe, stockmanship with Bud Williams, and the birth of KLR How Knight, Lindsay & Rees (KLR) came together — and the legacy of the Late Rod Knight Where KLR is being used: Australia, NZ, US, Canada, South Africa, and beyond Why KLR is not just about trading – and why breeders often have more opportunity The five KLR principles and how they guide day-to-day decisions Grass as the foundation: matching stocking rate to carrying capacity The concept of cost of carry vs "cost of gain" and why overheads matter Using the Business Analyzer, spreadsheets, and the cloud app to make decisions Real examples: When to Sell, When not to Replace, and when the numbers say "walk away" The role of agents, bankers and advisors in your KLR "team" The structure of the KLR Marketing School and the ongoing Mastermind & 6-week sprint Why KLR doesn't try to predict the market — and focuses on margin, not prices. Key Takeaways KLR is a decision-making framework, not a rigid system. It gives you tools and principles to make your own choices around grass, money, and livestock. Breeders AND Traders can use KLR. KLR applies whether you're trading, backgrounding, or running a breeding enterprise — you simply use the tools in different places in the business. Grass comes first. You're a grass producer before you're a livestock producer. Matching stocking rate to carrying capacity is central to both profit and peace of mind. Cash flow is as important as profit. KLR helps you design trades and strategies that keep money moving through the business, not just paper profits. Cost of Carry includes overheads. It's not just freight and animal health — overheads, interest, and time all need to be accounted for in your trades. You can profit in any market direction. Rising, falling, or sideways, there are always price relationships and margins to work with — if you have a way to measure them. Know and understand yourself. Your risk profile, habits, skills with numbers, grass management and people all affect how you use the KLR tools. You're not alone. The KLR Mastermind, agents who understand the approach, and other graduates create a support network to help implement, not just "learn and leave." The Five KLR Principles Balance the trading between the inventories of grass, money and livestock Every day we sell and replace (can be sell and replace with grass or upcoming progeny) Know the price relationship between what you have to sell and what you can replace it with today Sell the overpriced, buy/keep the underpriced (for you, after cost of carry) Know and understand yourself About the Presenters Mel Kiel – Co-Trainer, KLR Marketing School Mel lives at Yeoval, NSW, where she and her husband Dave run a 100% trading operation complemented by a mobile diesel mechanic business. She first attended a KLR school over 20 years ago and has been using the principles ever since. Today, Mel co-trains KLR schools in Australia and the US, supports producers through the KLR Mastermind, and is known for her practical focus on grass, cash flow, and unemotional decision-making. Grahame Rees – Co-Founder & Trainer, KLR Marketing School Grahame spent his early life at Ivanhoe, NSW, managing sheep and wool operation and trading cattle, He has a long background in grazing management and low-stress stock handling. After working closely with Bud Williams and partnering with Jim Lindsay and the late Rod Knight, he helped develop what is now the KLR Marketing School. Grahame continues to teach, manage livestock on a smaller scale, travel to ranches worldwide, and refine the KLR tools and principles. Standout Quotes "We're not teaching a system. We're teaching principles you can apply anywhere." "We're really grass producers. The way we sell that grass through animals determines profit." "The formula is simple: sell – buy – cost of carry = profit or loss. The human mind is what complicates it." "It's not about whether the market is high or low. It's about the relationship between what you're selling and what you're replacing it with today." "Knowing and understanding yourself is often the biggest block when making decisions."
