In this episode of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast, Shaye chats with Luke Ressler about innovative ranching practices that improve both livestock management and soil health. Luke and his wife Elli operate a diversified ranch in Northeastern North Dakota. They delve into the benefits of using cover crops and bale grazing to extend grazing days and enhance soil quality, especially in challenging Northern climates. Luke shares insights from their fall and winter grazing practices, the integration of no-till farming, and their transition to fall calving. The episode also covers the challenges and learning curves associated with these methods, offering practical advice for ranchers looking to adopt similar strategies.

 

00:17 Meet Luke Ressler: Diversified Ranching in North Dakota

02:40 Grazing Practices and Soil Health

07:29 Cover Crops: Implementation and Benefits

19:27 Challenges and Adaptations in Ranching

25:10 Bale Grazing: Techniques and Benefits

34:30 Reflections and Future Plans