Episode Summary

In this episode of Pneu-Adventures (aka New Adventures), Josh talks with Karen Herman, co-founder and director of Sky Mountain Wild Horse Sanctuary in northern New Mexico. Karen shares how her team rescues “least-adoptable” mustangs, manages free-roaming herds on rugged public lands, and uses science + technology—including PZP immunocontraception and Pneu-Dart’s Excalibur remote delivery systems—to reduce foaling, improve herd health, and protect habitat. She explains why PZP is a humane, reversible, non-hormonal approach that can stabilize populations over time, and tells a moving sanctuary story about a starving mare with navicular disease who recovered after low-stress treatment delivered via remote darting. It’s a masterclass in pairing compassion with practical fieldwork.

Show Notes

Guest:

• Karen Herman — Co-Founder & Director, Sky Mountain Wild Horse Sanctuary (New Mexico)

What We Cover

• The Big Picture: Why Sky Mountain’s vision is “a world in which all wildlife live free and thrive,” and how land balance matters for all species—not just horses.
• How Many Horses? At least 100,000 wild horses roam across 10 Western states (likely more), with complex, often controversial management challenges.
• Rescue & Sanctuary Care: Intake ranges from healthy to near-starvation; each horse gets individualized, low-stress care (sometimes months in special care facilities).
• Tech that Helps (Quietly): Why the air-powered Pneu-Dart Excalibur is ideal—lightweight, durable, and quiet(reducing panic in family bands).
• Immunocontraception (PZP):
• A vaccine against conception (non-hormonal, non-steroidal, reversible).
• Safe for pregnant mares, nursing foals, and food chains.
• Field-proven efficacy: Programs see dramatic foal reductions (e.g., urban-interface herd nearly zeroed reproduction; rugged-terrain herd ~6% foaling in treated mares vs. 20–40% untreated).
• Durations: 1-year doses (annual booster). A multi-year version (pending EPA approval) historically provided 2–6 years of effect with an initial series + one booster.
• Why Not Just Roundups? Roundups can trigger compensatory reproduction, are costly, stressful, and create placement bottlenecks. On-range PZP is lower-stress and cost-effective long-term.
• Success Story: A starving mare with severe hoof disease was safely sedated via Excal, x-rayed, trimmed, and rehabilitated—now roaming free with her foal on sanctuary land.
• Long Game Mindset: Stabilizing herds with PZP is a decade-scale project—but it enables horses to remain healthy, free, and home on their range.

Memorable Quotes

• “We center the animal and create the lowest-stress environment—on the range or at sanctuary.”
• “Science and technology offer a better path: healthier mares, healthier herds, healthier range.”
• “Two darts, four to six years of reduced foaling—that’s transformative for field management.”
• “Our hope is to make sanctuary obsolete by keeping horses healthy and free on their home ranges.”

Resources & Mentions

• Sky Mountain Wild Horse Sanctuary — mission, rescue work, and on-range management
• PZP Immunocontraception — vaccine-based, non-hormonal, reversible population control
• Pneu-Dart Excalibur — air-powered, quiet remote delivery for low-stress fieldwork

How to Support / Connect

• Sky Mountain Wild Horse Sanctuary — learn, volunteer, donate
• https://www.skymountainwildhorse.org

Episode Summary

In this inspiring episode of New Adventures, host Amy sits down with Callie Williams, a first-generation millennial rancher from South Dakota, to discuss her family’s journey building T.W. Angus from the ground up. Callie shares how she and her husband Tate balance full-time careers with raising cattle, their experiences growing their herd, and their expanding business ventures — from an online bull sale to a direct-to-consumer beef program. She opens up about using a Pneu-Dart Model 178 projector during challenging flood conditions, her role on the NCBA Trailblazer Team, and even her recent CNN interview discussing beef prices. Packed with stories of grit, family values, and agricultural advocacy, this episode offers both practical insights and heartfelt inspiration for ranchers and consumers alike.

Show Notes

- Guest: Callie Williams – First-Generation Millennial Rancher, T.W. Angus, South Dakota

- Episode Focus: Building a ranching business from scratch, balancing family & careers, and expanding into new markets.

Key Topics Covered:

- Family Ranch Beginnings

- Tate’s start in ranching without growing up on a farm

- How the couple met at the South Dakota State Fair

- Purchasing their acreage and uniting their herd

Balancing Ranching & Careers

- Tate’s work in the family masonry business

- Callie’s role with the Wyoming Livestock Roundup

- Raising two young sons and involving them in ranch life

Marketing & Community Engagement

- Growing a social media presence during COVID

- Sharing authentic ranch life to connect with urban and rural audiences

Business Ventures

- Transitioning from private treaty sales to an online bull sale with DV Auction

- Hosting an annual open house event for customers

- Launching a direct-to-consumer beef business with a la carte and bundle options

Overcoming Challenges

- Using a Pneu-Dart Model 178 during severe flooding to safely treat cattle

Industry Leadership & Advocacy

- Selection to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trailblazer Team

- Media training, outreach projects, and promoting beef at a national level

- Appearing on CNN to discuss beef prices and the cattle industry

Callie’s Advice & Insights:

- You don’t have to grow up in agriculture to succeed — passion, grit, and mentorship matter.

- Social media can be a powerful tool for marketing and education in agriculture.

- Direct-to-consumer sales can provide better value for both ranchers and customers.

Connect with Callie:

???? Website: www.twangus.com

???? Instagram: @callie_williams

Episode Summary

In this episode of Pneu-Adventures, host Josh dives into the critical differences between subcutaneous (SubQ) and intramuscular (IM) injections in the remote delivery system space. Drawing from years of experience with white-tailed deer, Josh explains how to choose the right cannula (needle) length for various species, weights, and seasonal conditions. He shares real-world examples from deer farming and livestock management, emphasizing that needle size is not a one-size-fits-all decision. Whether you’re administering antibiotics to cattle or sedation to deer, this episode breaks down when to use ½-inch, ¾-inch, or 1-inch gel collar cannulas to ensure the most effective and humane delivery.

Show Notes

Topic: SubQ vs. IM – Choosing the Right Cannula Length in Remote Delivery

Host: Josh – White-tailed deer farmer & remote delivery expert

Key Points Covered:

Defining SubQ vs. IM:

- SubQ (subcutaneous): Injection beneath the skin into the fatty layer.

- IM (intramuscular): Injection deep into the muscle.

Species & Weight Considerations:

- Smaller animals (e.g., young deer, fawns): Shorter cannulas like ½-inch or ¾-inch.

- Larger animals (e.g., 250–300 lb bucks, cattle): Longer cannulas, often 1-inch, for IM work.

Seasonal Adjustments:

- Winter coats & added fat may require longer cannulas for effective IM delivery.

- Summer: Thinner hides and reduced fat make shorter cannulas sufficient.

Application Examples:

- Deer sedation: 1-inch for deep muscle injection in larger bucks.

- Cattle antibiotics: ½-inch for consistent SubQ delivery in the neck region.

Best Practices:

- Match RDD volume and cannula length to species, size, and intended injection type.

- Consider anatomy and seasonal changes before selecting equipment.

Pro Tip:

- The “ozone” spot (neck forward of the front shoulder) is ideal for SubQ in most livestock.

In this inspiring episode of Pneu-Adventures, host Josh sits down with ninth-generation farmer, animal science graduate, and professional photographer Ashlyn Clemmer Kerns. From her deep Shenandoah Valley roots to founding a thriving photography business, Ashlyn shares her journey of balancing legacy and passion. Tune in as they discuss her early love for agriculture, her time at Virginia Tech, working in the university's meat lab, and how Pneu-Dart remote delivery systems have been an essential tool for her family’s cow-calf operation. Ashlyn also opens up about her shift from aspiring veterinarian to full-time creative—and how she captures rural life through her lens.

In this episode, host Josh Newton welcomes Ken Yancey, Executive Director of the Exotic Wildlife Association (EWA) to discuss the mission, growth, and impact of the Exotic Wildlife Association (EWA). EWA, founded in 1967, has over 2,000 members and is expanding into new chapters. The association supports projects like anti-poaching in Zimbabwe and educational initiatives. Yancey highlighted the economic impact of the exotic wildlife industry, estimated at nearly $2 billion, and the importance of remote delivery systems for veterinary treatments. He also addressed the New World Screw Worm threat and EWA's efforts to combat it. Upcoming events include the EWA 2025 convention in San Antonio, Texas, featuring educational sessions and auctions. 

In the first full episode of Pneu-Adventures, host Josh Newton welcomes the legendary Dr. Cliff Shipley—a veterinarian with over 40 years of experience and a storied career that includes wildlife care, exotic animals, academic instruction, and pioneering work in remote delivery systems.

Dr. Shipley shares candid stories from his early days in veterinary practice, what drew him to animal science, and how he became a key figure in the deer farming and exotic animal industries. From darting giraffes to rescuing bucks in suburban neighborhoods, this episode highlights the depth and breadth of his impact on animal health and the critical role of remote delivery systems in modern veterinary medicine.