This is an episode with a good friend of mine Greg Gillis. Greg and his family operate 7th Valley Ranch raising purebred Angus and commercial cattle. His wife also has a farm to fork beef business called Rose Valley Beef. Plus along with raising their family, increasing their grain farming acres the Gillis’ are going to partner up with good friends to host their first annual bull sale March 21st, 2026 in Swift Current SK. 

Greg and I met a while back just via the cattle world. We hit it off and have remained good friends. We always joke that we don’t raise the same breed but we had similar roadblocks along the way to navigate in developing our herds and reputations. Greg used to work off the farm, traveling in the pick up going to see customers. We would visit between stops about family and cattle. Continually bouncing ideas back and forth, knowing that we didn't have the same breed specific knowledge but we each wanted to find success on our own terms. 

This is very unscripted and a little peek into what a conversation or two between Greg and I are like when we find ourselves with a little wind shield time or looking to a friend to spitball a few ideas. I hope you as listeners might think it would be good to bounce a few ideas with a friend more often. It's a great way to vocalize an idea, check yourself a bit and build lasting friendships. 

Thank you to Season 5 sponsors:

• Klassen Industries 

• Bovigen Reproductive Services

• RK Animal Supply

• Angus World

• F’d Up Farming Podcast

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a 5 star rating and review on your favorite app. 

Kurtis Reid

Contact us:

[email protected]

Facebook @LifestockPod

Instagram @LifestockPod

Twitter @LifestockPod

YouTube: Lifestock Podcast

It is amazing how networking and visiting with people about cows works. It led me down a path of learning more about the product FerAppease. At the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in 2024 I was approached by some people wearing green shirts with a yellow cattle head outline, nothing like I had seen before. They asked if I would be interested in trying the product and giving them some feedback and maybe posting on my social media accounts. They struck my inner Ukrainian chord with a demo product. As I researched FerAppease I was very intrigued, after using it, I am a big time supporter. 

Having Rodrigo Bicalho, Founder/CEO of FERA Diagnostics and Biologicals, the man that initiated the research, trial data and growth of his business on the podcast talking about his product FerAppease was special. An inside look, and yall know me. I asked a few questions and made a couple statements. Highly versed in the science but understanding that it is word of mouth and results that market products, Rodrigo and his team have partnered with Kane Vet Supplies to distribute the product in Canada. 

There is a spot where even I make myself a little speechless as we talked about the usage and practical application throughout the calendar year with FerAppease, not just at weaning. Lots of info, easy to talk science and confidence in a new management tool available to Canadian producers 24hr/365 days. 

Thank you to Season 5 sponsors:

• Klassen Industries 

• Bovigen Reproductive Services

• RK Animal Supply

• Angus World

• F’d Up Farming Podcast

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a 5 star rating and review on your favorite app. 

Kurtis Reid

Contact us:

[email protected]

Facebook @LifestockPod

Instagram @LifestockPod

Twitter @LifestockPod

YouTube: Lifestock Podcast

Aaron and Joe! Joe and Aaron! A highly requested interview from the Lifestock Podcast listeners and my first Registered Gelbveih Breeders on the pod. 

Aaron Birch and Joe Barnett were terrific guests. 

Fun ✅

Passionate ✅

Driven ✅

PLUS 

Never settling in reaching goals, a deep admiration and respect for their breed, always wanting to make a difference and to leave it better than it was before. 

When you visit with people that communicate well and have self evaluated about continual improvement and mindfulness of what is happening outside of their breed/bubble it is just on auto pilot for me, I just tried not interrupting them too much! 

Thank you to Season 5 sponsors:

• Klassen Industries 

• Bovigen 

• Angus World

• F’d Up Farming Podcast

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a 5 star rating and review on your favorite app. 

Kurtis Reid

Contact us:

[email protected]

Facebook @LifestockPod

Instagram @LifestockPod

Twitter @LifestockPod

YouTube: Lifestock Podcast

A topic I feel we must continue to discuss with one and other is mental health. I had read Cynthia’s latest article in the January edition of the SSGA’s Beef business magazine and thought it was just spot on. Then a listener and friend reached out and told me very personally that my discussions on metal health on past episodes he had enjoyed and helped him in a way. 

This episode recaps portions of the article and is a conversation with an expert and friend that understand what we live day to day and the pressures of living the lifestyle we do. 

You’re never alone. When you want to talk people will listen. 

If you feel like now is a good time for a chat with someone, here are some

Resources we discussed in the episode:

Free Mental Heath Services in Saskatchewan

SaskAgMatters Mental Health Network Inc

www.saskagmatters.ca

Online Therapy Unit

www.onlinetherapyuser.ca

306-337-3331

Counciling Connect Saskatchewan

councelingconnectsask.ca/crisis-services 

Suicide Crisis Helpline

Telephone: 988

Thank you to the Saskatchewan Stock Growers for access to the publication and permission to share:

https://issuu.com/skstockgrowers/docs/beef_business_january_2025/32?ff

Thank you to Season 5 sponsors:

• Klassen Industries 

• Bovigen Reproductive Services

• Angus World

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a 5 star rating and review on your favorite pod catcher. 

Kurtis Reid

Contact us:

[email protected]

Facebook @LifestockPod

Instagram @LifestockPod

Twitter @LifestockPod

https://thecliffsfarm.com/

Our first discussion and venture into the Purebred Dairy sector. I asked Garry nearly a year ago to join me for an episode. We have been bouncing back and forth on some recording dates and were able to make it work. 

I’ve always been intrigued by Garry's story shared from mutual friends, then when I set into making some notes there was so much to talk about I feel like we only hit on two thirds of it. From a young man that has the passion of purebred dairy cattle grown within as he shared the experience with his father, to owning an auction mart. If you've been in the business for any length of time, I think we all can attest that owning a mart is not for just anyone, it is a whole new world. From the interview I also hope you can tell that milking cows for a living is not for the faint of heart either! That's 24/365 no question. 

Where Garry and I first hit it off and why I had the original idea of having him on was when we get talking about breeding stock and marketing females, semen, embryos and more. This is something we are both very passionate about, I did my best to stay on notes and keep it moving or we could have talked for another hour on just this alone. 

Thank you to Season 5 sponsors:

• Klassen Industries 

• Bovigen 

• Angus World

• F’d Up Farming Podcast

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a 5 star rating and review on your favorite app. 

Kurtis Reid

Contact us:

[email protected]

Facebook @LifestockPod

Instagram @LifestockPod

Twitter @LifestockPod

YouTube: Lifestock Podcast

https://thecliffsfarm.com/

It was great to sit down with Dr Tyson this past summer to pre-record a topic that is always a great talking point. We have all asked friends what they do and what works best for them, we have read the online posts with opinions and results, then I bet you have done a little extra research. Flushing cows is not just automatic, there is a reason I don't gamble at a casino or hit the VLTs, I need to save my luck for other things in life such as setting up and flushing a cow to maximize results. Now, I make it sound like a crap shoot, but it is a detailed process that must be followed diligently for best results. I remember setting up my first cow, the nerves, the personal pressure and handing the unknown of the result. 

I hope you enjoy Dr Tyon’s thoughts as he outlines the topic. If you have questions, reach out to your preferred service provider, they are all more than happy to answer your questions and help maximize your efforts of genetic advancement. 

Thank you to Season 5 sponsors:

• Klassen Industries 

• Angus World

• F’d Up Farming Podcast

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a 5 star rating and review on your favorite app. 

Kurtis Reid

Contact us:

[email protected]

Facebook @LifestockPod

Instagram @LifestockPod

Twitter @LifestockPod

https://thecliffsfarm.com/

D&N Livestock 4th Annual Bulls sale on Feb 26, 2025

Carlin joins me to discuss the upcoming D&N Livestock 4th Annual Bulls sale on Feb 26, 2025. We did this same type of episode last year with great feedback from the D&N customers. 

We recap a bit about D&N, how the bull program works, how they are selected and fed plus some of the sire groups. 

Spoiler alert** we highlight the three largest groups of the 90 head offering. 

Growth Fund,  19 lots

American Made, 20 lots

Alcatraz, 21 lots 

Check out the book:

https://issuu.com/t-bar-c/docs/string_e9d4e82b98654a?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1mcdOrlrmM7kKJg1fWpnGbNTnDWBMRv3rIBcVSeQy-_RkxgqNrVKuRVX8_aem_J-uAp6ii1MisTAiuU2EAyA

For more details contact the Rajotte’s:

Dave (306) 736-8698

Ben (306) 495-7727

Carlin (306) 495-7292

Check out their Facebook and Instagram pages for more updates and on farm videos.

I did a thing, I signed the Cliffs Farm up to be VBP+! Yes it was easy, yes the process was very smooth, it was painless and very productive. 

After going through the process and having a pre-audit checklist call with Erika I mentioned about doing a short Podcast episode and thankfully she agreed! A program that is beneficial to improve on farm practices and opens up access to additional funding when thinking about upgrading your ranching operation. 

In the entire process I never felt like they were telling me I needed to be better or what to do. I approached it as a process that will help my family get better. Become more efficient in record keeping. Open the opportunity to some government grant funding, a vast portfolio of industry expert knowledge and an achievement in certification. 

The on farm Audit itself was actually enjoyable. We talked about cows the entire time! We are proud of our operation so I took it as an opportunity to do an in depth tour. Our auditor was so professional and personable. She pointed out what she would like to highlight, the picture she would like to take for verification and was an overall wealth of knowledge about on farm practices and record keeping. 

I hope you enjoy this episode and maybe consider signing up to begin the VBP+ process too. If you would like more information feel free to reach out to me or visit https://verifiedbeef.ca/. 

Thank you to Season 5 sponsors:

Klassen Industries 

Angus World

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a 5 star rating and review on your favorite pod catcher. 

Kurtis Reid

Contact us:

[email protected]

Facebook @LifestockPod

Instagram @LifestockPod

Twitter @LifestockPod

https://thecliffsfarm.com/

Dennis Ericson. I'm not sure I need much more to describe this episode. If you have visited with Dennis previously you know his passion for quality stock and marketing. I feel like he was always ring side, ready for a bid, ready to win you that animal! If you haven't had the chance, you will feel it listening to his stories and descriptions. 

A lifetime of experience, I wish I could fit it all in one episode! A lifetime of mentoring young people in the cattle business and sales management. He has seen a few things over the years and enjoyed every step along the way. 

A fellow that many in the business put into the category of life long friend and Legend. 

Thank you to Season 4 sponsors:

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a rating and review on your favorite pod catcher. 

Please help to get us on the Sullivan’s Best of the Barns list this year! 

Kurtis Reid

Contact us:

[email protected]

Facebook @LifestockPod

Instagram @LifestockPod

Twitter @LifestockPod

https://thecliffsfarm.com/

Happy Canadian Western Agribition travel day everyone! I hope the wind is still and the roads are dry making it a fast trip with the trusty truck and trailer headed into Regina. 

Hereford content inbound! It was a treat to visit with Duncan Lees. A man of great standing in his community, his beloved Hereford Breed and for that matter across the Canadian Beef business. Duncan has been dedicated to his family, their generational legacy within ranching, improving the Hereford breed and volunteering in the Hereford Breed and local community. 

Duncan and Val Lees raised their 4 children outside of Arcola SK. Blair Athol Farms have been in the Hereford breed for over 100 years. The 6 generations of their family have been dedicated to always improving their breeding stock and the land they utilized. Herefords are in Duncan’s blood, his kids blood and now his grandkids blood! The Cattle industry afforded the Lee’s family numerous opportunities with travel, trade missions, quality stock and most importantly life long friendships. 

Duncan’s dedication to building up youth and leading 4H or Junior Hereford projects has left a lasting impression on a generation of cattle men and women. When you ask others about Duncan you will hear it over and over that he is revered as one of the good ones, honest to the core and hard working. 

Thank you to Season 4 sponsors:

Thank y'all for listening. Please leave us a rating and review on your favorite pod catcher. 

Please help to get us on the Sullivan’s Best of the Barns list this year! 

Kurtis Reid

Contact us:

[email protected]

Facebook @LifestockPod

Instagram @LifestockPod

Twitter @LifestockPod

https://thecliffsfarm.com/