Ranchonomics

Virginia Tech academic Dr. David Kohl joins host John Haskell on the podcast today to discuss key factors and commonalities for successful farmers and ranchers. He emphasizes the importance of developing a monthly or quarterly cash flow plan, which he refers to as the REM factor (respond, execute, monitor), as well as regenerative practices for both resources and personal well-being. He highlights the significance of setting goals, introduces the 60-30-10 principle in finance, and the necessity of a risk management plan and community investment.

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In this episode, we cover:

• Dr. Kohl's extensive experience both in academia and running a 25-year-old cow-calf hay operation and dairy creamery
• Taking ownership of numbers, developing a cash flow plan, and understanding the operational plan
• The dangers of lifestyle creep and the importance of allocating time and resources effectively
• The need for age-friendly livestock systems and prioritizing mental, physical, and spiritual health
• The importance of having a risk management plan, including crop and livestock insurance, and investing back into the community

Connect with Dr. David Kohl:

• Follow on LinkedIn

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Subscribe on YouTube 
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc 
• Follow on Facebook 
• Check out the website

Resources & Links:

• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More 
• Ranching for Profit 
• Ranching.FYI 
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

We work with producers on cash flow, risk management, and long-term financial strategy so the business stays resilient—no matter the market.

Book a free discovery call

Dallas Mount returns to the podcast to discuss the trend of over-specialization in ranching, highlighting the challenges and pitfalls of diversifying too much, too quickly. Dallas and host John Haskell emphasize the importance of focusing on a few core businesses that operate at scale and are profitable when talking about management experience and competence. Dallas notes that businesses with one, two, or three profitable enterprises are more likely to be successful.

They also discuss the tendency to overestimate revenue and underestimate the costs of new enterprises, as well as the value of community cooperation and interdependence over self-reliance, advocating for strategic partnerships over independent expansion.

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In this episode, we cover:

• The current trend of diversification vs. specialization
• How many enterprises are too many, and the challenges of managing a diverse business
• The concept of "profit envy"
• Considerations for starting a new enterprise, including the scale and experience of the business

Connect with Dallas:

• Follow on Instagram @ranching4profit
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Connect on LinkedIn
• Check out his website
• Send him an email at [email protected]

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Subscribe on YouTube 
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc 
• Follow on Facebook 
• Check out the website

Resources & Links:

• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More 
• Ranching for Profit 
• Ranching.FYI 
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

We work with producers on cash flow, risk management, and long-term financial strategy so the business stays resilient—no matter the market.

Book a free discovery call

John Haskell welcomes Dallas Mount back to the podcast to discuss how to think about the future while ignoring the past. Sometimes we find ourselves in a situation we don't want to be in, and we want to reset and start over. Dallas walks us through an exercise he covered in a recent presentation to help us reconsider all of our assets on paper.

He shares how to reevaluate and optimize assets on family ranches, emphasizing the importance of listing and valuing significant assets, such as livestock and machinery, and then considering their market value. The exercise involves imagining the business with this capital as cash and deciding how to reinvest it for better business outcomes. They also highlight the importance of striking a balance between profitability and employee satisfaction, as well as the potential pitfalls of holding onto unnecessary assets.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• A walkthrough of Dallas's exercise to reevaluate assets and deploy capital
• Breaking out of the legacy trap and starting from scratch on paper
• Economic considerations of equipment ownership
• Potential pitfalls of this exercise and applying it in different situations

Connect with Dallas:

• Follow on Instagram @ranching4profit
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Connect on LinkedIn
• Check out his website
• Send him an email at [email protected]

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Subscribe on YouTube 
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc 
• Follow on Facebook 
• Check out the website

Resources & Links:

• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More 
• Ranching for Profit 
• Ranching.FYI 
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

We work with producers on cash flow, risk management, and long-term financial strategy so the business stays resilient—no matter the market.

Book a free discovery call

Host John Haskell welcomes back Stan and Eileen from Ramstead Ranch in part 2 of their conversation, discussing business processes and the operational improvements that have doubled their team's efficiency. They share the simple yet effective changes they implemented that led to a significant increase in package volume while maintaining error-free operations. The Ramsteads also emphasize the importance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), continuous improvement, and the positive impact the increased efficiency has had on their personal lives.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• Examples of specific changes their team implemented to double the work in half the time
• The impact getting their fulfillment team back on a reasonable schedule had on Stan and Eileen as business owners
• SOPs and continuously looking at the system for areas of improvement
• The importance of letting go of control and returning to basics when you get off track

Connect with Ramstead Ranch:

• Follow on Instagram @ramsteadranch
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Check out the website

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Subscribe on YouTube 
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc 
• Follow on Facebook 
• Check out the website

Resources & Links:

• Episode 52. Business Processes with the Ramsteads, Part 1
• The Toyota Way
• Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time
• NUMMI - This American Life
• Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World
• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More 
• Ranching for Profit 
• Ranching.FYI 
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

We work with producers on cash flow, risk management, and long-term financial strategy so the business stays resilient—no matter the market.

Book a free discovery call

Stan and Eileen from Ramstead Ranch in Washington State sit down with host John Haskell to discuss the challenges of scaling a direct-to-consumer business, particularly in fulfillment.

In part 1 of this conversation, they share how, after doubling their budget for paid advertising, they increased sales from $600,000 to $1.2 million within a year, leading to a fulfillment bottleneck. Faced with team members struggling to keep up with orders, they implemented Scrum, an agile operating system, to streamline their processes. This led to a significant reduction in work hours while maintaining an increased order volume, demonstrating the effectiveness of Scrum in improving efficiency and team collaboration.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• The impact of paid advertising and the significant fulfillment challenge it created
• Shifting and improving their fulfillment process to keep up with increased sales
• Introducing the Scrum system to their C-Suite and fulfillment center
• How Scrum has affected their efficiency and ensures continuous improvement

Connect with Ramstead Ranch:

• Follow on Instagram @ramsteadranch
• Follow on Facebook
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Check out the website

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Subscribe on YouTube 
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc 
• Follow on Facebook 
• Check out the website

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about Scrum
• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More 
• Ranching for Profit 
• Ranching.FYI 
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

His Cavvy Foundation was established as a way to help families and individuals in the ranching community with serious medical issues. Click below to learn more, apply for assistance, or nominate a family in need.

His Cavvy Foundation

In this episode, host John Haskell and guest Travis Krause discuss the relationship between gross product and grazing management. Travis is a new member of the Ranch Right team helping out on the consulting side, and he's here to talk about how whole ranch profitability ultimately ties back to some of those first decisions you make about running your cows.

John and Travis define gross product as the total economic value of livestock produced and explain how it impacts gross profit and net income. Travis emphasizes the importance of grazing management in balancing carrying capacity and stocking rate to optimize forage utilization and profitability. They also stress the importance of incremental steps in grazing management to avoid operational challenges and optimize where you can before considering buying new properties.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• The importance of carrying capacity and stocking rate in grazing management
• An example of forage utilization rate and its impact on stocking rate and gross product
• The constraints and direct costs associated with increasing the stocking rate
• A reminder to optimize current land before expanding and the benefits of incremental steps in increasing stocking rate

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Subscribe on YouTube 
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc 
• Follow on Facebook 
• Check out the website

Resources & Links:

• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More 
• Ranching for Profit 
• Ranching.FYI 
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

We work with producers on cash flow, risk management, and long-term financial strategy so the business stays resilient—no matter the market.

Book a free discovery call

In today’s episode, host John Haskell welcomes Micayla Giffin, a new member of the Ranch Right team, to the Ranchonomics podcast to discuss the importance of financial literacy in agriculture. Her unique skill set combining finance and farming knowledge and her experience in communicating financial concepts to farmers make her the perfect addition to our team and this conversation. Micayla shares her experience with data visualization, using metrics like term debt coverage and working capital to make informed decisions instead of emotional ones. They also discuss the challenges of buying land and the importance of understanding debt and compound growth for long-term success. 

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• Making financial decisions based on facts and numbers, not just emotions
• Visualizing your data and the foundation of financial literacy
• Understanding the risk of taking on debt
• Short-term versus long-term financial planning

Connect with Micayla:

• Send an email at [email protected]
• Follow on Instagram @micaylagiffin
• Follow on Facebook @micayla.giffin and @GiffinFarms
• Subscribe to YouTube @GiffinFarms

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Subscribe on YouTube 
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc 
• Follow on Facebook 
• Check out the website

Related Episodes:

• Episode 46. Cow Marketing Strategies with Logan Pribbeno
• Episode 47. Impacts of Drought on the Cattle Cycle and the Time We Got It Wrong with Logan Pribbeno

Resources & Links:

• Visualizing Data | Introducing Ranch Right Client Dashboard Webinar
• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More 
• Ranching for Profit 
• Ranching.FYI 
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

We work with producers on cash flow, risk management, and long-term financial strategy so the business stays resilient—no matter the market.

Book a free discovery call

In today’s episode, host John Haskell welcomes back Charlotte Smith for conversation about the powerful connections between mindset and marketing for farm businesses. They discuss how thoughts like “I should be further along” can sabotage personal and business success, as well as practical tools for shifting to more supportive mindsets that drive action and growth. They also dive into the importance of giving ourselves grace, learning through mistakes, and letting go of socialized beliefs about the “right” way to do things. Additionally, Charlotte shares how intentional mindset work not only impacts marketing and finances, but also transforms relationships, personal well-being, and the entire farm ecosystem.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• Mindset’s impact on business and personal growth
• Overcoming negative thinking and self-judgment
• The importance of giving yourself grace 
• The link between positive mindset and practical results

Connect with Charlotte:

• Check out her website
• Follow her on Instagram
• Like her page on Facebook
• Listen to The Profitable Mindset Podcast

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Subscribe on YouTube 
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc 
• Follow on Facebook 
• Check out the website

Resources & Links:

• Episode 48. Mindset with Charlotte Smith, Part 1
• Charlotte’s FREE training: Price for Profit
• Charlotte’s FREE training: How to Build a Loyal Customer Base
• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More 
• Ranching for Profit 
• Ranching.FYI 
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

We work with producers on cash flow, risk management, and long-term financial strategy so the business stays resilient—no matter the market.

Book a free discovery call

In this episode, host John Haskell reconnects with marketing and mindset coach Charlotte Smith to explore how our thoughts and beliefs shape business outcomes, especially in marketing. They discuss how our default thoughts and beliefs shape business outcomes and the importance of being intentional with our mindset and how it can impact our actions. John and Charlotte also discuss how the words we use both internally and externally can either support or sabotage our business efforts as well as practical advice to reframe negative self-talk, overcoming the fear of failure, and how embracing a growth mindset can transform not just our businesses, but our lives as a whole.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• What mindset is and its impact on business
• The connection between mindset and marketing effectiveness
• Strategies to intentionally shift and manage mindset
• The role of language in shaping mindset

Connect with Charlotte:

• Check out her website
• Follow her on Instagram
• Like her page on Facebook
• Listen to The Profitable Mindset Podcast

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Subscribe on YouTube 
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc 
• Follow on Facebook 
• Check out the website

Related Episodes:

• Episode 32. Marketing & Mindset for Farmers with Charlotte Smith

Resources & Links:

• Charlotte’s FREE training: Price for Profit
• Charlotte’s FREE training: How to Build a Loyal Customer Base
• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More 
• Ranching for Profit 
• Ranching.FYI 
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

We work with producers on cash flow, risk management, and long-term financial strategy so the business stays resilient—no matter the market.

Book a free discovery call

Host John Haskell welcomes back Logan Pribbeno to the Ranchonomics podcast to dive into the complexities of market timing strategies for cow herd management and the significant impact drought has on stocking decisions. They also discuss the challenges and lessons learned from missed market cycles, as well as practical approaches to surviving multi-year droughts, including the use of irrigated corn stalks for drought resilience. Additionally, they explore the logistics and economics of heifer development programs, strategic use of bull-to-cow ratios, and the essential benefits of adjusting stocking rates as needed based on varying factors.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• Risks of long-term cattle market timing
• Impact of drought on herd management and profitability
• Heifer development strategies and breed-up practices
• Capital and cost challenges in herd management

Connect with Logan:

• Check out his website
• Follow on Instagram @nebraskero

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Subscribe on YouTube 
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc 
• Follow on Facebook 
• Check out the website

Resources & Links:

• Episode 46. Cow Marketing Strategies with Logan Pribbeno
• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More 
• Ranching for Profit 
• Ranching.FYI 
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

We work with producers on cash flow, risk management, and long-term financial strategy so the business stays resilient—no matter the market.

Book a free discovery call