Planning with livestock isn’t about filling a calendar—it’s about working with seasons, weather, animals, and real life. In this episode, I’m sharing what’s happening on our ranch right now, how we plan a full livestock year, and why I’ve stopped trying to force rigid schedules that don’t fit the reality of ranch life.

I walk through our annual rhythm with goats, cattle, fencing, meat sales, and family life, breaking down what each season typically holds and how those rhythms shape our planning decisions. From winter breeding and paperwork to spring kidding prep, summer grazing and county fair, and fall weaning and breeding plans, this episode gives you a realistic look at how a working ranch year actually unfolds.

We also talk about what’s changing for us in 2026—adjustments in breeding decisions, pasture and seeding experiments, a major perimeter fence project, and shifts in meat sales and time commitments. I share why flexibility has become a priority, how over-scheduling creates frustration, and what it looks like to plan with wider margins instead of tighter timelines.

If you’ve ever felt behind because your plans didn’t survive weather, animals, kids, or life in general, this episode is here to give you permission to plan differently. Seasonal planning isn’t less disciplined—it’s more honest. And for many of us, it’s the only way to stay steady long-term.

All the Best,

Disclaimer:

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for animal health guidance.

There are a lot of misconceptions about goats that set new owners up for frustration before they ever bring animals home. In this episode, I’m walking through five things I really wish I had understood before I got goats—lessons that would have saved me time, money, stress, and a lot of hard-earned mistakes.

We start by resetting expectations around goat behavior and management, including why goats are not sheep and why treating them like they are leads to fence failures, nutrition problems, and constant headaches. I break down the common myth that goats will eat anything, why that idea causes disappointment and even safety issues, and how understanding goat selectivity can actually make them a powerful management tool when used intentionally.

We also talk through the difference between poor management that forces goats to eat through hunger and strategic pressure that can be used carefully to influence forage selection. I explain why hunger-driven eating is often a sign that stocking rate, rotation, supplementation, or minerals are off—and when it can make sense to intentionally encourage goats to consume less-preferred plants without compromising health or welfare.

Finally, we cover why fence isn’t just one piece of goat ownership but the entire system, why minerals are not optional for goats, and why bottle babies—despite being cute—are not the best place for beginners to start. If you’re planning to get goats, or if you already have them and things feel harder than you expected, this episode will help you step back, reset expectations, and build systems that actually work.

All the Best,

Disclaimer:

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for animal health guidance.

Breeding season success doesn’t start when the buck goes in—it starts weeks earlier with intentional management decisions around feed, body condition, mineral, and water. In this episode, I’m walking through how we prepare our goat herd for breeding season on our ranch, and why flushing is less about grain and more about timing and rising energy intake.

I explain how our does typically come off pasture somewhat thin due to declining forage quality and demands of lactation, how we use a gradual hay-based recovery phase after weaning, and why we don’t rush into flushing too early. You’ll hear how we intentionally set the stage so that a modest energy increase 2–3 weeks before breeding actually produces a favorable reproductive response.

We also dig into forage-based flushing using high-quality hay, why mineral intake is often the hidden limiting factor in breeding success, and how winter water access quietly controls feed intake, mineral consumption, and overall herd health. If breeding hasn’t gone the way you expected in the past, this episode will help you evaluate the foundational pieces before blaming genetics or the buck.

All the Best,

Disclaimer:

Regenerative agriculture can feel like a buzzword, a badge, or a list of practices you’re supposed to follow. But in real life, and especially in a challenging climate, regeneration is a process of learning, comparing ideas against your own environment, testing small changes, observing what your land and animals are telling you, and adjusting as you go.

In this episode, I’m sharing the decision-making loop we use on our ranch with both goats and cattle, and why I see multi-species grazing as a long-term benefit—even though it adds complexity in the beginning. I also walk through our big-picture goal of reducing supplemental hay by extending the grazing season, and the real constraints we have to work within, like limited moisture, fragile pasture, frozen ground, predators, and wildlife pressure.

You’ll hear how we’re approaching water infiltration and soil building in a dry climate, why we’re testing straw bales to slow runoff first, and what we’ve already observed from years of intensive rotational grazing, chicken tractors, and summer bale grazing. I also explain why certain popular practices don’t translate well to goat management in our conditions—and how we adapt without abandoning the principles.

All the Best,

Disclaimer:

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Coccidiosis is one of the most common kid-health problems goat owners face, and it’s one of the most misunderstood. Some herds battle it every year. Others hardly see it. In this episode, I’m breaking down what coccidia actually is, how it functions inside the gut, which strains are the most dangerous, and why stress and environment play such a big role in outbreaks.

I’m also sharing the major shifts we made in genetics, kidding season, and management that completely changed our coccidia situation. After years of losing show goats to coccidiosis, we haven’t had a single case in our main herd in three years—and I’ll walk you through exactly why.

And I’ll touch on some natural, tannin-based supplements that some producers use to support gut health in herds that battle chronic coccidiosis pressure. We’re incorporating one into our mineral mix right now, mainly for our show-goat breeders, and I’ll share updates as we see results.

Finally, if you think a kid might be dealing with coccidiosis, I explain why getting your vet involved quickly makes all the difference.

All the Best,

Disclaimer:

This week on the ranch, we’ve got our young hens working half the barn, scratching through the bedding and cleaning up after the goats. They’re doing what chickens do best—turning packed areas into loose, manageable bedding. Watching them work reminded me how often I get asked whether goats and chickens can safely live together, so that’s what we’re diving into today.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the real benefits of keeping goats and chickens together, the legitimate risks you need to manage, and the simple guidelines that make mixed housing safe. I’m also sharing what the newest research says about coccidia—specifically whether chickens can give it to goats—and how to decide if this setup is right for your farm or homestead.

At the end of the episode, I’ll give you a quick preview of next week’s topic where we’re going deep into coccidia: what it is, how it works, why some strains are more dangerous, and the management shifts that helped us break the cycle of coccidiosis in our own herd.

In This Episode, I Cover:

Key Takeaways:

Related Episodes:

All the Best,

Resources & Links:

Disclaimer:

In today’s episode, we talk about the mindset that actually makes farming, homesteading and livestock work sustainable. Not ease, not perfection — but gratitude, grit, and learning to find the good even when the hard days hit. I’m sharing two real-life stories from our ranch that shaped how I approach challenges, and practical ways you can apply this mindset on your own homestead.

All the Best,

Resources & Links:

Disclaimer:

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about the transition from conventional agriculture and livestock production to a regenerative or restorative system.  I spent two days in the truck, listening to Will Harris’ book, A Bold Return to Giving a Damn, and it gave me some great insights into the decades-long journey of White Oak Pastures, as well as a look into the future of our ranch.  If you’re considering a production system that is closer to nature’s design or if you’re in the messy middle like we are, this episode will help you see the possibilities, problems, and the beautiful potential.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episodes:

53 | Livestock and Land Management that Works WITH Your Environment and Resources, Not Against Them

45 | Health Benefits of Ruminant Red Meat, Grass-Fed vs Grain-Fed, and Special Characteristics of Goat Meat

21 | Seeking Sustainability?  How to Evaluate Options and Make Decisions with a Sustainability Mindset

08 | When Animals Aren’t Working Out on the Homestead: How to Evaluate Your Livestock Projects and Decide to Keep or Sell

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, then grab your FREE Kidding Due Date Chart here:

https://www.getgoatwise.com/kidding-chart

Get your farm fresh meat here:

https://drycreekheritagemeats.com

Join our email list and be first to get updates and special offers:  https://www.getgoatwise.com/insider

Join the FB Community: https://www.getgoatwise.com/community

Connect with me:

Email: [email protected]

See what’s happening on the ranch: https://www.instagram.com/drycreekpastures/

Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for animal health guidance.

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about goat fence, specifically, a night trap which is one part of a big fence project we’re working on.  A night trap is a pen that is used to keep goats in at night and when they can’t be out grazing during the winter.  It’s designed to easily contain the goats as well as protect them from outside predators.  We’ve built a few of these over the years, and I’m going to give you the overview of how to do it with very little tools like we did in the beginning to now, using some helpful equipment, but not required.  Having a secure place to contain your goats will ease your mind and make raising goats so much easier.

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episodes:

55 | Fencing for Goats: Two Things You Must Have to Keep Your Goats Contained and Safe

56 | True or False? Goats are Escape Artists (Hint/ The Answer Is in Your Management Strategy)

13 | Using Electric Fence with Goats? What You Need to Know to Keep Your Goats Contained and Alive with Electric Netting

Get your farm fresh meat here:

https://drycreekheritagemeats.com

Join our email list and be first to get updates and special offers:  https://www.getgoatwise.com/insider

Join the FB Community: https://www.getgoatwise.com/community

Connect with me:

Email: [email protected]

See what’s happening on the ranch: https://www.instagram.com/drycreekpastures/

Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for animal health guidance.

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about internal parasites, or worms, different species, the problems they cause, and how you can help your goats resist parasites, how to monitor your herd, and how to treat them when you need to.  Internal parasites are one of the biggest problems that goat owners face, and being armed with some strategies to monitor, support, and treat your goats is the best defense against these little invaders.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

https://kinderground.org

https://lakelandfarmandranch.com/usa/

Related Episodes:

08 | When Animals Aren’t Working Out on the Homestead: How to Evaluate Your Livestock Projects and Decide to Keep or Sell

17 | Do My Goats Need Mineral?  How to Meet Their Micronutrient Needs and Keep the Herd Healthy

22 | What Is the Perfect Meat Goat? How to Choose the Right Breed for Your Farm or Homestead PART 1

23 | Boer vs Kiko, What Meat Goat Breed is the Best Fit for Your Farm or Homestead? PART 2

Get your farm fresh meat here:

https://drycreekheritagemeats.com

Join our email list and be first to get updates and special offers:  https://www.getgoatwise.com/insider

Join the FB Community: https://www.getgoatwise.com/community

Connect with me:

Email: [email protected]

See what’s happening on the ranch: https://www.instagram.com/drycreekpastures/

Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for animal health guidance.