Cattle and crops. That’s what a lot of us make our living on and know best. But what if adding one more species to your operation could not only improve your soil health and forages but also offer another revenue source throughout the year? Kevin Lynch shares the pros and cons of multispecies grazing as well as what beginners need to consider in Season 7, Episode 16 of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast.

When you hear the word crop, it’s easy to start thinking about farming and disassociate how it could pertain to ranching if you aren’t a diversified operation. Yet, cover crops are a valuable practice for both farmers and ranchers. Steve Swaffar said, “Soil health is what drives the discussion around cover crops and just as the word says it's a tool to keep the soil covered. It's a tool to add diversity to your soil. But for the livestock producer, it's also an appealing forage source. So, we see a pretty good opportunity for marriage between the pure farmer and the pure rancher in that overlap.” Steve Swaffar shared how cover crops can be beneficial to both farmers and ranchers along with how to get started in Season 7, Episode 15 of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast.

Regenerative. It’s a word that seems to be everywhere. It’s talked about on podcasts, scattered throughout articles and of course, all over social media. However, what does it really mean and why has there been so much hype about it? Caitlin Word with the Noble Research Institute shared her thoughts on what regenerative means, why there is a modern wave of livestock producers focusing on natural resources and how cattle producers can start slow to avoid crashing during the early stages of implementing these principles in Season 7, Episode 14 of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast.

Picture this. You wake up in the morning feeling energized. You have your coffee because you want to and not because you need it to function. And, you can go about your day on the ranch without relying on Ibuprofen to make your aches and pains manageable. A day like this might seem far-fetched for many people working blue collar jobs in rural America, but Kennedy Youngren is changing the narrative and making this a reality for farmers, ranchers, truck drivers, veterinarians and so many others in the agriculture industry. 

When we are asked about the technology used on cattle operations, it’s easy to start thinking about software, apps, computers, GPS and other equipment features. We live in an age of computers and forget that even the vaccines we use in our herd health protocols are examples of technology. While we get caught up in the advancements being made with computers, the advancements in the animal health space are equally as impressive. Gary Bosch, DVM, Executive Vice President with MedGene Labs, shared how platform vaccines are impacting livestock and livestock producers.

With all the variables cow-calf producers face, making confident decisions can sometimes feel challenging. However, ranchers in 2024 have more tools to increase their confidence about management decisions than generations before them. One of these tools is genomic testing, like Igenity® Beef. Nick Hammett, Key Accounts Manager for Neogen®, shared how genomic testing is allowing commercial cow-calf producers to make more confident decisions when they select bulls and pick replacement heifers in Season 7, Episode 11 of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast. 

Cattle producers can now measure forage intake on a per-head basis in their pastures with the implementation of Ceres Tag devices. David Smith, Dr. Troy Rowan and Barbara Jackson share valuable insights about how Ceres Tag devices measure pasture feed intake and how it can be applied in real-world settings during Season 7, Episode 10 of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast.

Chelsey Erdmann has an undeniable passion for agriculture and continuing the legacy of her family’s diversified operation. She approaches agriculture with a powerful balance of an open mind, burning passion and empathy for the consumer that we all can learn from. The approach she took when finding ways to return to the family farm teach us all the importance of communicating with others, being flexible and learning to enjoy the process.

You never know which hat you’ll see Andrew Uden wearing. He is always switching between them and has been known to wear them around the world. He might be ranching, working in the family feedlot, consulting with ranchers or serving as the CEO for HerdDogg – a data analytics company that has developed what is essentially a Fitbit for cattle. Despite wearing many hats they all have one thing in common – they allow him to solve problems for others. “You’ve got to be in the business of solving problems for people,” said Uden and you can guarantee that no matter which hat he has on, that is what he’s doing.

Creating cash flow and mitigating risk are two things that frequently cross the minds of cattle producers. For that matter, maybe they never leave our thoughts. Luke and Natalie Kovarik set an example of how young and first-generation producers can make things work and get started in production agriculture if they are willing to take on opportunities, work hard, try new technology and keep a business mindset.

“Our marketing program starts with our health program. We get our calves off to a good start with their vaccinations. We also feel that if we work toward a good yield grade and growth but still emphasize trying to grade Choice, we will be able to adjust as needed depending on where the industry goes. Maintaining a focus on producing Choice or Prime beef has proven to work for us and the demand for United States beef continues to be high even during trying economic times,”

Tired of working all day for little pay and being told you are supposed to be proud of it? That’s the narrative many of us in agriculture grew up with, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Compensation is not only possible on family farms and ranches but also necessary. Elaine Froese, Farm Family Coach, and Lyndsay Seafoot, agriculture HR specialist, shared tips and strategies for creating fair compensation plans on family farms in ranches on Season 7, Episode 5 of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast.

Kiernan Brandt joins me for a conversation about bull selection criteria. This episode is designed to help producers prepare for sorting through the mountain of bull sale catalogs, ads and videos before sale season picks up even more!

If you're feeling frustrated by the seasonal nature of your income as a cattle producer, farmer, or landowner, struggling to make ends meet during the off-season, then you are not alone! Perhaps you've been relying on traditional methods such as selling livestock or crops, only to find that your income fluctuates drastically throughout the year, leaving you financially strained. Instead of achieving a consistent and stable year-round income, you may find yourself constantly worrying about how to cover expenses during lean months. It's time to explore new opportunities to generate year-round income through Land Trust.

Land isn’t an annuity that always pays out. There are things you have to manage to make sure it stays in shape or improves

Chelsea Woodcock, DVM and Wes Chism discuss what cattle producers need to keep in mind to ensure optimum herd health during their spring calving season. This episode of Casual Cattle Conversations covers the topics of when to vaccinate calves, the Sandhills calving method, what supplies to have on hand and what records are critical to track during calving season.

Stay ahead of the herd with my top industry resources, as I navigate the flood of information to help you make informed decisions in the ever-changing agricultural landscape.

As a cattle producer, staying committed to your goals is crucial for effective leadership. In this episode, I share different strategies for setting goals as well as practical strategies like phone reminders and sharing goals with others to increase your level of commitment.

Join ranchers Kyler Beard and Liam Shaw as they share their expertise on temporary wire fencing solutions for cattle owners. With insights on high-tensile wire, fiberglass posts, and proper grounding, they provide valuable advice for improving fencing efficiency and containment. But as they delve deeper into the discussion, conversations also arise about using horses and dogs in intensive grazing scenarios as well as using grazing to prevent wildfires.

Join host Shaye Koester and guest Mark Sand as they dive into the crucial topic of communication with your agriculture lender. Discover the secrets to building a strong banking relationship, managing finances effectively, and planning for the unpredictable challenges of farming and ranching.