Welcome to Barn Talk! In today's episode we have a special guest joining us, Cole Sonne, a renowned cattle farmer from South Dakota. We get into discussions about the extensive fence upgrades Cole and his father Brian have undertaken. With stories about cattle escapes, fencing technologies, and the tremendous effort required in farm operations, there’s a lot to uncover.

We’ll also explore the nuances of farming content creation, the economics of livestock, and the challenges of pig farming from feed costs to disease pressures. Cole and Sawyer share insights on the importance of niche farming opportunities, the realities of the generational shift in agriculture, and the sheer dedication required to keep the operations running smoothly.

We touch on the significance of good fencing in reducing stress and preventing costly incidents, delve into the financial aspects of livestock raising, and discuss the role of technology. Plus, we hear amusing anecdotes about farm life and strategies to educate the public on what really happens on farms. And stay tuned as we highlight the efforts to keep Storla Station open for local farming needs, legacy decisions, and future plans for expansion.

So, get ready to dig into the heart of farming with us, as we balance humor, hard work, and heartfelt stories in today's insightful episode.

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00:00 Support our Farmer Grade: buy beef, gift boxes.

08:23 Great grandpa immigrated from Denmark, served in WWI.

14:12 Fill feedlots with calves for the backgrounding phase.

20:36 Dad had better luck with green equipment.

22:57 John Deere succeeded by maintaining local dealers.

27:19 Rarely sell hay; sold in 2020.

33:24 Regular fence maintenance simplifies and saves time.

38:07 Finding new farming niches is increasingly challenging.

47:00 Feed efficiency key for pig growth, care.

52:44 Rented land led to high corn yield.

55:32 Creative marketers capped by fluctuating corn prices.

59:27 Life gets easier with time and experience.

01:03:37 Buying local shop for farm supplies initiative.

01:08:48 Owning a store leads to worse deals, profits none.

01:14:17 Successful farmers often own and expand land.

01:20:19 Farmers fear unknown future regulations and incentives.

01:24:43 Dad rents pastures, but I won't continue.

01:32:16 Evaluating market strategies for livestock sales profitability.

01:39:45 Disease pressure significantly impacted sow breeding success.

01:40:47 Pig farming challenged by disease and prices.

01:45:40 Get beef, support, review, and return next week.