In this episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, we explore how one program is shaping the next generation of ranch managers and land stewards. The Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at Montana State University blends academic instruction with hands-on, on-the-ground internships—providing students with a well-rounded, real-world education in ranching systems.

You’ll hear from Dr. Rachel Frost, who leads the program; Montana rancher and mentor Billy Whitehurst; and student intern Major Harms. Together, they share how the program equips both seasoned ag kids and newcomers to the industry with the tools, experiences, and connections they need to succeed.

At Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, we believe education is essential to keeping working lands working. Tune in to hear how this innovative program is building a stronger, more resilient future for ranching.

🔗 Learn more about the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at www.animalrange.montana.edu/danscott
🔗 Find more RSA stories, events, and resources at www.RanchStewards.org

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email [email protected]. Want to support our mission? Visit https://ranchstewards.charityproud.org/Donate.

In this episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, host Haylie Shipp sits down with longtime ag journalist, rancher, and now multi-time author Rachel Gabel. You may know Rachel from her work with The Fence Post Magazine or Western Ag Network—but today, we’re exploring a different side of her story: her journey into the world of book writing.

It all started with a moment close to home—her daughter’s hesitance to head off to kindergarten. That spark led to Rachel’s first children’s book, and she hasn’t slowed down since. With eight books under her belt and a ninth on the way, Rachel shares how writing became an added enterprise to her family’s ranching life.

We talk about the team it takes to publish a book (from illustrators to copy editors), what the process really looks like, the income potential of writing, and how to pursue creative work that fits into the rhythm of ranch life.

Connect with Rachel Gabel:
📚 Website: www.rachelgabel.com
📰 Writing: The Fence Post Magazine
🎙 Podcast: Pro Ag Podcast – available on all major platforms
📻 Contributor: Western Ag Network
📱 Facebook: RachelWrites

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email [email protected]. Want to support our mission? Visit https://ranchstewards.charityproud.org/Donate.

In this third and final bonus episode from National Ag Week on KLTZ Glasgow’s Live Under the Big Sky, we sit down with Jillien Streit, the new director of the Montana Department of Agriculture, to discuss her background, priorities for the department, and thoughts on agricultural trade. She also introduces the Beyond the Weather mental health campaign, a crucial initiative aimed at supporting the well-being of those in agriculture.

The conversation continues with Shayna Chupein, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Frontier Psychiatry, who shares valuable insight into mental health resources available for farmers and ranchers.

If you or someone you know is struggling, remember—there is no shame in asking for help. Resources can be found at Beyond the Weather, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7.

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email [email protected]. Want to support our mission? Visit https://ranchstewards.charityproud.org/Donate.

In this second bonus episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, recorded during National Ag Week on KLTZ Glasgow’s Live Under the Big Sky, we’re talking ranching, resilience, and diversification with Phillips County, Montana, rancher Carmen Salveson.

As part of a multi-generational ranching family, Carmen has incorporated goats into their operation as a way to diversify income, make use of underutilized spaces, and bring the next generation into the business. She shares how adding goats has been a practical and rewarding decision for both land management and family involvement.

Carmen was also a presenter for the 2024 Rural Resilience webinar series from the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance. You can find her presentation here: Watch Now.

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email [email protected]. Want to support our mission? Visit https://ranchstewards.charityproud.org/Donate.

In this special bonus episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, we’re bringing you a conversation straight from the airwaves of Live Under the Big Sky on KLTZ Glasgow as heard during National Ag Week.

Join guest co-host Haylie Shipp, RSA Communications Director, alongside show host Stan Ozark, as they dive into an insightful discussion about the Matador Grassbank—a unique collaboration between The Nature Conservancy and local ranchers.

Their guests include Caitlyn (Cat) Kelly, Matador Ranch & Grassbank Program Manager, along with local ranchers and grassbank members Greg and Jenny Oxarart. Together, they explore how the grassbank model supports both conservation and ranching, providing grazing opportunities while preserving ecologically significant lands in the region.

Whether you're passionate about land stewardship, conservation partnerships, or innovative grazing strategies, this episode offers a fascinating look at how working lands can benefit both people and the landscape.

#agriculture #localradio #ranch #Montana #stewardship #rancher #drought #grassbank #ranchsustainability #wildlife #habitat #grazing #ranchmanagement #MontanaRanch #nonprofit #ranching #KLTZGlasgow #GlasgowMT

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email [email protected]. Want to support our mission? Visit https://ranchstewards.charityproud.org/Donate.

Fencing is a fundamental part of ranching, but not all fences are created equal. In this episode of the Ranch Stewards Podcast, host Haylie Shipp dives into the benefits of wildlife-friendly fencing—also known as modified farm fencing—with RSA Conservation Coordinator Martin Townsend, Phillips County rancher Mark French, and Brett Dorak from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

From a rancher’s perspective, these fences aren’t just about wildlife—they make sense for the operation, too. A higher bottom wire allows Pronghorn and other wildlife to pass underneath, maintaining critical migration corridors. At the same time, this design helps protect fences from snow rot, extending their lifespan and reducing maintenance. Across the region, aging fences are being replaced, and ranchers are working alongside wildlife professionals to ensure that new fencing works for both livestock and migrating species.

The conversation also explores how Pronghorn are monitored and collared to track their movements, providing valuable data on migration patterns. Plus, the group discusses available resources to help with fencing projects, making it easier for ranchers to implement these practical, long-lasting solutions.

For details on this method of fencing, check out this infographic: https://tinyurl.com/2va5y8ka 

To listen to the virtual fencing podcast discussed within the show, check out our episode from Nov 21, 2024, titled "An Unfiltered Rancher Response to Virtual Fencing."

Tune in to hear how collaboration between ranchers and conservationists is creating a win-win for working lands and wildlife!

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email [email protected]. Want to support our mission? Visit https://ranchstewards.charityproud.org/Donate.

Welcome to the Ranch Stewards Podcast! Excited to have you with us for another episode as today we share rancher knowledge on a topic both of our guests are passionate about: What is it, you ask? cow size.  

We talk a lot within the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance about “finding your community,” and let me tell you what – if you can sit down for an hour with two individuals still want to keep talking more about what cows weigh at the end of it, you know you’ve found yours. 

Ranchers. As Dale Veseth, one of today’s guests has joked, sometimes people think we’re from outer space. But the company is good.

An honest look at cow size! 

In today’s podcast, we’re going to tackle that conversation from a couple of angles:

• How could we be doing a disservice by calculating cow size incorrectly
• What changes have happened in the industry through the years
• Pros and cons of big or small cows
• And how to best line up cow size to your needs.

Today Dale is joining us as well as Dr. Rachel Endecott, a Montana rancher and new board member to our nonprofit. 

A few links that could help as you listen along:

• More about Body Condition Scoring from Montana State University
• Latest USDA Cattle Inventory Report
• Percent Calf Crop Data from Dr. Derrell Peel, OSU (please note, this is a 2023 article)
• Ranchers Stewardship Alliance YouTube Channel - Please Subscribe!

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email [email protected]. Want to support our mission? Visit https://ranchstewards.charityproud.org/Donate.

Have an agricultural conference in your future? In today's podcast, we chat with two women who have been actively involved in Montana's Next Generation Conference. Started in 2010, this one-day gathering is packed with 36 distinct educational opportunities!

Join Host Haylie Shipp, Lacy Roberts of the Farm Service Agency, and Montana Roots Accounting's Britney Temple as they discuss:

• attracting farmers and ranchers to educational opportunities
• creating a layout that works for presenters and participants
• making sure the bills get paid
• topics that continue to be big hitters year after year
• thinking outside the box for venues
• strategizing new educational topics
• what's coming up during this year's Montana's Next Generation Conference on Saturday, February 1 in Shelby, MT

Links from this podcast:

• Montana's Next Generation Conference Information
• Ranchers Stewardship Alliance 2025 Rural Resilience Series
• Haylie's email: [email protected]

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email [email protected]. Want to support our mission? Visit https://ranchstewards.charityproud.org/Donate.

Have you ever sat down to tackle something and thought, “Well, I don’t know what this is gonna be all about, but we’re going to send it just the same”?

That was Haylie walking into this week’s podcast recording. Until 6:59 a.m. Tuesday morning, she and Bart Morris had only exchanged a few texts. Then it was, “Admit to Zoom, hit record, and let’s see what magic we can make in the next hour.”

Spoiler alert: It went great.

We had the incredible Conni French, a Phillips County rancher, to round out the conversation. If you know Conni or Bart, you know the hour was packed with heartfelt stories, thought-provoking insights, and just the right dash of inspiration to leave you wanting more.

Speaking of “more,” here’s a heads-up: if this conversation lights a fire in you (and trust me, it will), you’ll want to mark your calendar for Friday, January 17. Bart Morris will take the stage as the keynote speaker at the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Annual Banquet in Malta, Montana. Complimentary tickets are available now for RSA members, and general public sales kick off December 16. Head to RanchStewards.org/events for the details.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Agricultural Buzz Words (i.e. resiliency, regenerative, sustainable, conservation, stewardship)
• Powerful Ranch Couples
• Ranching on the Urban Line
• Direct-to-Consumer Beef Marketing
• Beginning Ranchers
• Soil Health
• Conservation Easement

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email [email protected]. Want to support our mission? Visit https://ranchstewards.charityproud.org/Donate.

Moving cattle from your desktop? While it’s not exactly that advanced, virtual fencing is being trialed by two northern Montana ranchers. Hear from Ranchers Stewardship Alliance President Leo Barthelmess and Secretary Tyrel Obrecht as they discuss the technology.

In this episode, we discuss virtual fencing:

·      Costs

·      Relationship to Grazing Strategies

·      Opportunities and Challenges

·      Technical Components

·      Physical Setups

·      Animal Reaction

·      Management Changes in Response to Technology

Want to learn more about what RSA is up to? Sign up for our e-newsletter at https://ranchstewards.org/contact-us/

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email [email protected]. Want to support our mission? Visit https://ranchstewards.charityproud.org/Donate.