A couple weeks ago in my episode with John Haskell and Wally Olson, they reminded me of an expensive learning lesson I had purchasing my first herd of cattle at the high of the market in 2014. I thought I'd embarrass myself a bit here and share some of my early mistakes that turned into valuable lessons in the cattle business.

Chris Kerston is CEO of the Land to Market program which is working to create new markets for farmers who are working to improve and regenerate the lands through holistic management. They are actively building relationships with the large players in the food industry and connect farms with ecological outcome verification to those players. Chris explains in this episode the process of getting Ecological Outcome Verification and the work they are doing.

Bart Morris runs a first generation conception to consumption beef ranch on the edge of Missoula, Montana. We discuss how he built a successful ranch business from scratch in only 9 years. We talk about conservation easements, leasing ranchland, grass efficient cattle genetics, building a brand and marketing business and much more. There is lots to learn from this guest who has been recommended by multiple people!

This is an incredible conversation with Ray Marxer who spent 37 years working for and managing one of America's largest historic ranches the Matador Ranch. He recorded his experience in his book Cowboy in a Corporate world which is a fantastic read. In this conversation we discuss how he got there, his rapid move into management, and the many changes he made in calving window, winter grazing, cow genetics and more on this 7000 cow ranch. Ray has a wealth of wisdom he shared in this podcast and his book.

Resources Mentioned:

Ranching for Profit

Edward Demmings - 10 Points of Continuous Improvement

Current market conditions are looking up for cattle producers. With low inventory and forecasts pointing towards rain ranchers are feeling some optimism. Today, Wally Olson and John Haskell joined me to discuss how we can take advantage of these good times and prepare for what comes next.

Kit and I discuss how we can make our ranches more profitable and more enjoyable to not only make it possible to bring in the next generation, but to actually make them want to come back and be a part of the ranch.

In just a short few years Hobbs built a ranch and marketing brand, sold the brand, moved to a new state and started from scratch building a new ranch and brand. Today we discuss that journey.

Resources mentioned:

Jaimie Elizondo 

Johann Zietsman - Man, Cattle and Veld

Allan Savory - Holistic Management

How to Win Friends and Influence People

As always, check us out at Herd Quitter Podcast on Facebook and Instagram as well as at herdquitterpodcast.com. You can also check out Pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and profit back into your ranching business!

Colton and Ethan Munger are brothers who grew up on their families ranch in Nebraska. To learn more about their family ranch you can listen to my conversation with their dad Brian on episode 35, it's one of my favorites. I love what these two are doing because while many feel their is no opportunity in rural America to start a business and find success, both Colton and Ethan in their early twenties are finding tremendous success working for themselves. In this episode they share their stories of getting started, and the importance of organization, communication and much more!

Resources Mentioned:

Nelson Nash - Becoming Your Own Banker

Mary Jo Irman - Farming Without The Bank

Extreme Ownership

Movers of Men and Mountains

As always, check us out at Herd Quitter Podcast on Facebook and Instagram as well as at herdquitterpodcast.com. You can also check out Pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and profit back into your ranching business!

Shawn has one of those inspiring stories that prove it's still possible to start and grow a ranching business from scratch. He shares his journey building a ranch and then making some serious changes such as improving grazing management, changing cow type, moving calving window, planting cover crops, and quitting haying. We wrap up the conversation talking about his direct marketing enterprise, along with his cover crop maze and pumpkin patch. Lots to learn in this episode.

Resources Mentioned:

Ranching Like a 12 Year Old

Soil Health Coalition

Tony Robbins - Unlimited Power

Bible

Power of Positive Thinking

As always, check us out at Herd Quitter Podcast on Facebook and Instagram as well as at herdquitterpodcast.com. You can also check out Pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and profit back into your ranching business!

Alejandro manages the 30,000 acre Las Damas Ranch in the Chihuahua Desert of Mexico. Through his management in under twenty years he has increased his ranch carrying capacity from 150 cows to over 600 cows and his next goal is 1500. He talks about focusing management on the best areas of your ranch to get the highest return on investment. He also shares how simple trials offer almost no risk and can demonstrate the immense value of these management principles.

Resources Mentioned:

Gabe Brown

Allan Savory

Jim Gerrish

Desert Grasslands

As always, check us out at Herd Quitter Podcast on Facebook and Instagram as well as at herdquitterpodcast.com. You can also check out Pharocattle.com for more information on how to put more fun and profit back into your ranching business!