If you've ever sent off a hair sample and wondered if you were doing it right — this episode is going to stop you in your tracks. Lori and Taylor sit down with Stefanie Oppenheim, animal scientist and senior analyst at the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, to break down everything Highland and mini Highland owners need to know about genetic testing — from how to pull hair correctly to what those colour results actually mean.

This is one of the most practically useful episodes the show has done. Whether you're testing for chondro, coat colour, polled, or free martin, Stefanie walks you through exactly what the lab needs, why it matters, and what mistakes people make every single day.

Key Takeaways

Always pull hair from the tail switch and never cut it — the DNA is in the root bulb, not the shaft.

Send both the MC1R and dilution tests to get a complete picture of coat colour. 

Buying semen? Ask for the bull's VGL case number before you breed anything. 

A free martin test coming back positive doesn't automatically mean the heifer is infertile — always work with your vet. 

DNA on file at VGL is a permanent fingerprint — it can identify lost animals, verify parentage and protect buyers.

Episode Highlights

Stefanie reveals the most common mistake breeders make when submitting hair samples — and it's an easy fix. 

The team digs into chondrodysplasia, brindle genetics, polled versus scurred, and what a free martin result really means. 

Taylor raises the question of DNA verification for high-value semen purchases — and Stefanie's answer is something every mini Highland breeder should hear. 

Lori admits in real time what she's been doing wrong.

Timestamps

00:01 — Welcome & intro to UC Davis VGL 

00:59 — Stefanie's background in animal science and genetics 

05:13 — How to pull and submit hair samples correctly 

07:28 — Why root bulbs matter and how many hairs to send 

09:32 — Labelling, case numbers and avoiding mix-ups 

14:45 — Why uploading a photo with your sample helps 

16:18 — DNA as a permanent identity fingerprint 

20:47 — Semen purchases, AI and DNA verification 

34:36 — Coat colour testing: MC1R, dilution and why you need both 

37:13 — Chondrodysplasia and the Dexter connection in minis 

41:21 — Brindle genetics explained 

58:28 — Polled versus horned versus scurred 

01:02:48 — Free martin testing: what the result really means

Order cattle genetic tests at vgl.ucdavis.edu

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Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

Flies are one of the biggest battles livestock owners face every summer - and most of us are fighting them wrong. This week Lori sits down with Jessica Starcevich, entomologist and fly control expert at Spalding Labs, to break down what's actually living on your animals, why your fly bags might be making things worse, and how to build a smarter, more natural approach to fly control.

From horn flies and face flies to house flies and biting stable flies - they're not all the same, they don't all breed in the same place, and they don't all respond to the same treatment. If you've been spraying permethrin all summer and still losing the battle, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways

Not all flies are the same species - identifying where they are on the animal tells you everything. 

Fly bags placed near barns can actually attract more flies than they catch. 

Rotating your spray active ingredients reduces resistance. 

Dung beetles are your best free tool - don't kill them with the wrong wormer. 

Fly Predators target house and stable flies in confined areas and can achieve up to 75–90% control.

Episode Highlights

Jessica explains the four main fly species affecting pastured cattle and how to tell them apart. 

Lori gets the wake-up call about her fly bags and how she was using them wrong. 

The conversation covers IPM — integrated pest management — and how to build a whole-farm fly program without spending more than you need to. 

Plus: what fly predators actually are, how they work, and why you should call Spalding Labs before ordering if you have over 50 animals or multiple species.

Timestamps

00:01 — Welcome & intro to fly control 

01:35 — Jessica's background & Spalding Labs' 50 years in business 

02:39 — What fly predators are and how they work 

04:11 — The four fly species affecting cattle & how to identify them 

07:28 — IPM: integrated pest management explained 

09:18 — Fly control for manure piles and large pastures 

16:04 — Why fly bags can backfire 

20:22 — How to know what flies you actually have 

23:35 — Resistance to sprays and rotating active ingredients 

28:22 — How fly predators reproduce and what results to expect 

31:09 — When to call Spalding Labs instead of ordering online

Learn more and get a custom fly program at www.spalding-labs.com

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Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

Lori and Taylor are back solo and they've got a lot going on - from weaning 60 calves single-handed in a storm to setting up 77 head for AI in ice pellets and sleet. This episode is a real peek behind the barn door at what it actually takes to run a Highland operation, and it comes with a teaser for something exciting: their Mother's Day auction on May 10th at hornsnhoovesauction.com.

They also get into the nitty gritty of weaning age, calf nutrition after early weaning, why keeping calves on mom longer pays off, and embryo work - including a research study with Vitali and some surprise results from Taylor's first embryo calf crop.

Key Takeaways

Pulling calves at four months isn't always enough - nutrition and socialisation are critical if you do. Chondro testing matters for every calf, not just the ones you're keeping. 

Private auctions protect buyer anonymity and let you announce your own purchases.

 Pasture management and drought conditions are hitting Nebraska hard - fires have burned over a million acres.

Episode Highlights

Taylor weans 60 head solo with two boys underfoot - and catches a surprise live birth at the finish line. 

Lori and Taylor break down their Mother's Day auction lineup: Chondropositive heifers, High 

Park calves, Pickle genetics, and Tornado Cutie - Jackson's miniature panda calf with a story. 

Plus embryo results, AI planning, and why private auctions are the move.

Timestamps

00:01 — Welcome & Mother's Day auction announcement 

01:08 — UC Davis & Spalding Labs podcast updates 

01:43 — Taylor's solo weaning story & surprise calving 

06:06 — Pasture management, drought & Nebraska fires 

12:21 — Auction format: why private bidding matters 

14:00 — Weaning age, calf nutrition & rumen development 

19:03 — AI, embryo work & calf crop results 

25:02 — Full auction lineup breakdown 

41:10 — Sale details: 9am Central, May 10th

Find your next herd addition at www.hornsnhoovesauction.com

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Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

📣 Horns N Hooves are back with another auction - Mother's Day Sale, May 10th. More details to follow!

Ever wondered how online livestock auctions actually work - and whether to trust them? Lori and Taylor sit down with Carol and Becky from Willoughby and W2 Auction Solutions to pull back the curtain on the online auction world. From reserves and racehorse-style bidding to bidder anonymity and fair market value, this episode cuts through the noise and the Facebook drama.

Key Takeaways

Online auctions create a level playing field for buyers and sellers. 

Reserves and floors are not the same thing - knowing the difference matters. 

Racehorse-style bidding benefits both buyers and sellers. 

Bidder anonymity protects everyone and is standard practice across all auction types. 

Auction results across different farms cannot be directly compared - genetics, registration, and marketing all affect price.

Episode Highlights

Carol explains how W2 Auction Solutions went from live shows to pioneering online livestock sales in 2006. 

The team breaks down racehorse-style vs. staggered-ending auctions and why livestock sellers prefer it. 

Lori and Carol tackle the Facebook misconceptions around shill bidding and fake prices. 

Becky and the hosts discuss why even smaller breeders benefit from using auction software.

Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome back and guest introductions 

01:14 — How W2 Auction Solutions was born 

04:00 — Why online auctions cut out the time-wasters 

07:44 — Racehorse-style vs. staggered ending auctions 

09:03 — Reserves, floors, and fair market value explained 

10:25 — The truth about bidder anonymity 

17:39 — Misconceptions and the online auction learning curve 

25:06 — Can you compare prices across different auctions? 

30:00 — Building your brand before you sell

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Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

What does it really take to build a Highland cattle herd from scratch? This week Taylor sits down with Lauren of Grand Marsh Highlands - a small-scale farmer from Northwest Indiana who went from suburban life to mini Highlands in just six years.

Lauren shares the honest realities of cattle ownership: navigating financial hardship, treating sick animals, calving complications, and running a farm solo with young kids. If you're thinking about starting a herd, this one's essential listening.

Key Takeaways

Have a large animal vet lined up before your cattle arrive. 

A head gate or chute is essential - not optional. 

Registered mini Highlands suit smaller acreages and tighter budgets. 

Cattle are a genuine financial asset when life gets tough. 

Know your medicines before your animals arrive.

Episode Highlights

Lauren's journey from full-size to mini Highlands. 

Why registered cattle make better business sense. Managing calving complications including meconium-covered calves. 

Balancing farm work solo with young children. 

Farm safety realities and heavy machinery near-misses.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome and introducing Lauren 

01:22 Navigating financial hardship with cattle 

04:48 What Lauren wishes she'd known from the start 

08:06 Head gates and cattle handling setups 

13:45 Registered vs unregistered-  the switch to minis 

19:00 Calving complications and what to watch for 

20:17 Farming solo with young kids 

23:42 Farm safety moments

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Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

Lori's back after a scary health battle - a heart ablation that changed everything - and she's not holding back. In this raw, just-us episode, Lori and Taylor catch up on the chaos of calving season: surprise twins, backwards calves, stillbirths, mastitis warnings, and one very mischievous pig named Arnold. Real talk, real farm life.

Key Takeaways

Health comes first - Lori's heart ablation was terrifying, but waiting would have been worse. 

Always check for a second calf after a difficult pull, especially a backwards presentation. 

Keep new mums and calves in the barn - it's how you catch mastitis before it becomes a crisis. 

Shaving around a Highland's udder can help you monitor bag health and reduce bacteria. 

C-section cows can breed back successfully - don't automatically cull them.

Episode Highlights

Lori's heart ablation story and recovery. Twin bull calves - one born 17 hours after the other! A backwards calf pulled at 1am. Jojo's back-to-back stillbirths and the tough decisions that follow. Mastitis caught just in time. Arnold the pig causing chaos (as always).

Timestamps

0:00 — Welcome back & Lori's health update 

2:30 — Heart ablation recovery 

5:00 — Calving season chaos begins 

6:30 — The backwards twin at 1am 

9:00 — Discovering the second twin 17 hours later 

12:30 — Jojo's stillborn calves 

14:45 — The Shortlander C-section story 

18:00 — Mastitis: catching it before it's too late 

22:40 — Highland udder shaving & bull manscaping

25:00 — Arnold the pig strikes again 

26:30 — Come on the podcast!

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Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

In this episode of Horns N’ Hooves, host Taylor sits down with Shane Stout, an instructor from the renowned Graham School, to talk about hands-on cattle education and why proper training is so valuable for both beginners and experienced producers.

Shane shares the long history of the school, what students can expect during the week-long course, and why learning anatomy, nutrition, breeding, and calving skills in a practical setting can make a huge difference on the farm.

Key Takeaways

The Graham School focuses on real-world, hands-on learning that covers everything from anatomy and nutrition to breeding and calving. Students work with multiple cows each day, gaining the confidence and practical skills needed to handle real situations at home. The program also emphasises networking, encouraging students to build relationships with veterinarians, nutritionists, bankers, and other industry professionals.

Episode Highlights

Shane explains the school’s history dating back to 1904 and how it evolved from an equine programme into a comprehensive cattle school.The conversation covers the importance of classroom fundamentals before hands-on work, why nutrition is often overlooked by new producers, and how the school prepares students to handle real-life calving situations.

Taylor also shares her personal experience attending the course and why she recommends it to anyone entering the cattle industry, from homesteaders to miniature cattle breeders.

Timestamps

 00:00 Introduction and guest Shane Stout

 01:05 History of the Graham School

 03:04 Why the school is valuable for new cattle owners

 04:06 Classroom learning: anatomy, breeding, and nutrition

 05:20 The importance of networking in the cattle industry

 06:20 Ongoing support for students during calving season

 09:04 New tools and techniques in cattle management

 10:32 Hands-on learning with live cattle

 14:27 Women in the cattle industry and class experiences

 15:27 Calving lectures and real-world scenarios

 20:09 Shane’s experience teaching at the school

 22:00 Growth of niche breeds like miniature Highlands

 23:41 Lifetime tuition and returning to the school

 25:04 Why young producers and homesteaders should attend

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Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

In this episode of Horns and Hooves, professional hoof trimmer Adam Marshall joins the show to discuss the critical importance of hoof health and structural confirmation in miniature cattle and Highland crosses. 

Adam shares his expertise on how genetics, environment, and nutrition all play a vital role in keeping your herd sound, famously noting that "it all goes hand in hand" when balancing body confirmation with foot health. Listeners will learn why miniature breeds are prone to specific issues like "corkscrew claw" and how modern feeding habits might be growing hooves faster than nature intended.

Key Takeaways

Hoof health is driven by the trifecta of genetics, environment, and nutrition, with environment often being the most impactful factor for domestic cattle. To promote natural wear, owners should force movement by placing water and feed at opposite ends of the pasture. Additionally, be wary of high-energy treats; "hotter" rations lead to faster, often problematic hoof growth.

Episode Highlights

Adam explains why sand often acts more like mud than sandpaper, failing to provide the natural abrasion needed for Highland hooves. 

The discussion also covers serious health warnings regarding contagious hoof warts and the "sugar wrap" method for drawing out infections. 

Finally, Adam provides practical advice for those looking to hire a trimmer, emphasizing the need for specialized equipment that can safely handle horned or miniature livestock.

Timestamps

00:20 Introduction of Guest Adam Marshall 

01:24 The Link Between Genetics and Foot Confirmation 

04:41 Environmental Factors and Promoting Natural Wear 

05:27 Why High-Energy Treats Can Harm Hoof Health

09:50 Identifying Genetic Issues Like Corkscrew Claw 

12:18 Managing Contagious Warts and Hoof Rot 

18:40 Differences Between Maintenance and Show Trims 

22:30 Maximize Your Chute Time with Extra Services 

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Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

In this episode of Horns and Hooves, Taylor returns from a transformative week at the Graham School in Garnett, Kansas. Stepping far outside her comfort zone, she dives into the technical world of cattle management, covering everything from ultrasounding and pregnancy checking to nutrition and herd health. 

Taylor shares her excitement about bringing these new skills back to her mini highland herd, noting that "you're learning everything you need to know from the moment that calf is in the womb... to taking it to the sale barn". The duo also discusses a fascinating product called Bovi-Thera (referenced as "therapies") that mimics a nursing calf to calm livestock during high-stress events like weaning, shipping, and AI.

Key Takeaways

The Graham School offers an intensive five-day cattleman course providing hands-on experience with pregnancy checking, ultrasounding, and fertility management. 

Once you pay the initial fee, students can return to future classes for free to refresh their skills. 

Calming products that mimic natural maternal pheromones can significantly improve conception rates during AI and reduce weight loss during shipping. 

Proper semen handling is critical, as even slight temperature changes in the neck of the tank can damage motility and lower success rates.

Episode Highlights

Taylor describes her experience as a "niche breed" owner among 19 students from across the country, including Hawaii and Florida. 

We discuss the challenges of confirming pregnancies in miniature donkeys and horses, hoping that external ultrasound techniques might provide a faster solution than waiting a year for a foal. 

We also touch on the emotional side of ranching, acknowledging the mourning process cows go through after losing a calf. 

Finally, we look forward to the National Western Stock Show in Denver, discussing the preparations for showing heifers in the new facilities.

Timestamps

00:11 Graham School overview and location 

01:04 Skills learned: Ultrasounding and preg checking 

05:29 The "Return and Learn" free tuition policy 

07:18 Benefits of calming pheromone products 

10:40 Testing external ultrasound on mini donkeys 

14:07 Technical tips for AI and semen handling 

16:43 Coping with calving losses and breech births 

19:18 Preparing for the National Western Stock Show

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Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

In this episode of Hooves and Horns, we sit down with Courtney Henson from Little Finger Farms to discuss the reality of starting and scaling a small livestock operation. We dive deep into the lessons learned when transitioning from a hobby to a production farm, emphasizing that "Progress, not perfection" is the key to success in the homesteading world.

Courtney shares her experience moving from Virginia to Northwest Georgia and how she navigated the challenges of regional differences in cattle management and pasture care. From the importance of soil sampling to the brutal honesty required when managing animal numbers, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to optimize their farm forages and livestock safety.

Key Takeaways

Utilize local resources like your county extension office for free soil sampling and expert regional advice.

Implement rotational grazing and stockpile forages to offset the high costs of hay during drought seasons.

Maintain a "brutally honest" assessment of your property’s carrying capacity to avoid overgrazing and financial strain.

Understand livestock safety and behavior, especially when integrating different species like cattle, donkeys, and goats.

Episode Highlights

The transition from hobby farming to intentional livestock production.

Regional differences in forage quality and the impact of Georgia droughts.

How to effectively use temporary fencing and rotational management.

Managing animal temperament and safety tips for handling fluffy but pushy cows.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to Courtney Henson and Little Finger Farms.

05:22 - Moving a farm from Virginia to Georgia.

12:15 - The importance of soil sampling and extension offices.

18:45 - Strategies for rotational grazing and drought management.

25:30 - "The Math": Balancing animal numbers with available acreage.

32:10 - Safety tips for livestock owners and "Cow Math".

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Contact Courtney Henson: Little Finger Farm 

Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/