Advancing the Legacy

We would love to hear from you!

A Westcliffe CO native with deep roots, Randy Rusk operates a high-altitude cow/calf operation at 8,000 feet. 12 years after leaving home and working in the livestock industry across the country, Randy and his wife Claricy—whose family has been in Westcliffe since 1860—returned home to build their own legacy. From starting a local feed store to taking over the family ranch, Randy has come full circle; today, he works alongside his son, who now raises the next generation in the very house where Randy was born.

Make sure to leave us a review! 

We would love to hear from you!

This is a repeat episode! 

Sit back and enjoy!

Make sure to leave us a review! 

We would love to hear from you!

Sonny Barthold’s life in livestock buying started at just 14 years old. With 45 years of experience buying cattle across the region, he now brings that veteran eye to Farmer’s Commission Company.

Based in Yukon, Oklahoma, the cattle business is a family to Sonny. In addition to his bovine family, Sonny and his wife, Fern, manage a life built on legacy. He talks of his lessons from his 'Papa Rhoder' to raising his daughter and two step-sons, and now enjoying grandchildren. Whether he’s refining his own herd or honoring young Carson Perry’s memory through scholarship work, Sonny represents the heart of the industry. Please welcome, Sonny Barthold.

Make sure to leave us a review! 

We would love to hear from you!

Located six miles west of the High land values of Steamboat Springs, co, Mike Hogue represents the grit required to preserve a family legacy. As the only one of four siblings committed to the bear river ranch, Mike recently navigated a grueling legal battle after a brother took him to court to dissolve their parents’ original partnership agreement.

The dispute was finally resolved just a few months ago when Mike, his wife Maureen, and a niece and nephew successfully bought the ranch back from his siblings. Now, with the land secured, Mike has turned his focus to the survival of the Colorado River. He is a vocal advocate regarding the water crisis and the disappearing resources flowing toward Lake Powell and Lake Mead—viewing the protection of Western water as his next great fight.

Make sure to leave us a review! 

We would love to hear from you!

RJ Jolly: Public Service and Family Legacy

A lifelong resident of Kit Carson, RJ Jolly is a 4th-generation cattleman. Alongside his brother, Tony, RJ manages a cow/calf operation and farms dryland acres in the 1000s. Beyond his leadership as a Cheyenne County Commissioner and representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, RJ’s true masterwork is his family. Together with his wife, Margaret, they have raised ten children. While the kids pursue their own paths, they continue an immense respect for the operation. Whether involved in the day-to-day or returning to lend a hand, the next generation stands ready to carry forward a legacy built on hard work and mutual respect.

Make sure to leave us a review! 

We would love to hear from you!

Joining us from the Durango Colorado area, please welcome Tom Compton. He is a La Plata County rancher whose life has bridged the gap between the classroom and the open range.

After teaching biology in Texas, Tom and his wife Penny were invited to return home to help run the family ranch and teach biology at Fort Lewis College. Today, his daughter Leann carries on that academic legacy as a biology professor. Now in his 90s, Tom’s stewardship has taken a fascinating turn; after his children successfully protested selling the ranch to keep it in the family.

Make sure to leave us a review! 

We would love to hear from you!

It is a privilege to introduce a pillar of Sterling and a genuine friend, Gene Manuello.

A Past President of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Gene leads Manuello’s Inc., where he famously raises 'corn, hay, and T-bones.' Beyond the ranch, he is a man of immense character; when my husband Terry passed, Gene’s guidance was so selfless his significant other joked he was worrying more about my cattle than his own.

At 81, Gene serves as Vice President—a title held out of respect for his 102-year-old mother, the company’s President. The eldest of seven and a father of three daughters, he manages five employees and feeds cattle in the thousands. He joins us today to share the grit and wisdom of a life on the High Plains.

Make sure to leave us a review! 

We would love to hear from you!

I’m honored to introduce Tom Harrington, manager of Sue Anschutz-Rodgers’ Crystal River Ranch in Carbondale. With a career spanning Montana, Wyoming, Arizona, and Colorado, Tom knows exactly what it takes to run a top-tier operation.

As Immediate Past President of the Colorado Cattlemen’s, Tom stepped up right when we needed him most—serving as the leading voice for ranchers on the front lines of the wolf reintroduction. Alongside his wife, Ginny, Tom is a tireless champion of the beef industry who works to protect the rancher’s way of life.

Make sure to leave us a review! 

We would love to hear from you!

Legacy of the Barby Bridge

Bill Barby has spent his life working the rugged country along the Cimarron River on the Kansas/Oklahoma border. When it came time to retire, he didn't just walk away—he spent five years meticulously building a bridge to hand-off his legacy to a family he trusts with his life. It’s a story of creative solutions and deep-seated trust.

Since we recorded this interview, the Barby ranch has faced a devastating wildfire. Every acre burned, forcing a quick evacuation of the herd. As you listen to Bill talk about his love for the land and his unique partnership, please keep him and his community in your prayers as they begin the hard work of rebuilding.

Make sure to leave us a review! 

We would love to hear from you!

Devin Murnin, a longtime supporter of the livestock industry. Devin grew up near Miles City, Montana on a leased ranch with his family. He has built a career in the industry through roles at CCA working with Terry. The Western Livestock Journal. And Today, he serves as a Region Executive Officer for the Livestock Marketing Association, covering 11 states. 

Devin also helps run Livestock Tours with his wife, Samantha. We talk about the tours they have done toward the middle of the episode, it’s something we should all put on our bucket list. 

Finally he is a proud dad to Corbin and Jolie. Devin is a great reminder that legacy isn’t only about land passed down — it can also be carried through our values, work ethic, and the way of life we choose.

https://livestocktours.com/

Make sure to leave us a review!