Roots + Ruminants

In this episode, Jared and Justin chat with Reed Feller about the ins and outs of native seed and small grain production. Reed partners with growers through production contracts to bring seed from the field to the final product. Listen as the three talk and share a few stories (some involving rattlesnakes) throughout the episode. Give it a listen!

We’re throwing it way back this week to our very first guest on Roots + Ruminants, James Holz! Justin, Jared, and James dive into the Big Beautiful Bill and the potential ripple effects it could have across the ag world. They break down what it means for agriculture today and how it might shake things up for farmers in the future. Tune in for an interesting conversation and get the scoop on what's happening in the world of agriculture, with a few laughs along the way.

We’re digging into diverse forage systems with agronomy expert John Holman from Kansas State University. Jared, Justin, and John talk through the real challenges farmers are facing and some of the creative solutions out there. John brings decades of research to the table and shares how these practices can pay off, both for the land and the bottom line. Tune in to hear how diverse forage systems are changing the game in agriculture and paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Justin and Jared catch up with Justin Pettit from Santa Carota Beef, a unique ranch that actually feeds roots to ruminants (ironic, right?). The ranch finishes cattle on carrots, and in this episode, they dive into the operation’s roots, how they’ve navigated ups and downs, and what makes carrot-finished beef stand out nutritionally. Pettit shares the creative marketing strategies that helped grow their brand, the importance of staying connected to their community, and how this approach could shape the future of cattle nutrition. Tune in to hear all about it!

This week on the show, Jared and Justin sit down with Rich Blair, a longtime pro in the cattle and commodities world. They chat about where the cattle market’s been, where it’s headed, and everything in between. Hear about everything from price swings to industry trends and what it takes to stay steady in a changing game. Go give it a listen!

Alexandre Family Farm is an entirely grass-based dairy farm in Crescent City, California. Their mission is to farm in harmony with nature, and in doing so they produce A2/A2 organic milk that is rich in nutrients and easier for human digestion than your typical milk found in the grocery store. Blake Alexandre, along with Jared and Justin, dives deep into the dairy industry, grass-based dairying, their milk production, and the practices that make their farm, and products, unique. This one’s interesting!

Jared and Justin are back with this year’s spring catch-up conversation! They dive into current planting conditions, cattle prices, and the ever-changing value of land. They also chat about the importance of community support for farms and ranches, and how they’re handling new challenges in the industry. Tune in to hear all this, plus some fun as they answer questions from their new card game!

Jared and Justin are reunited for a classic podcast episode this week! Joining them is Doug Crowell, a retired police officer turned Fort Worth Stockyards tour guide. Doug shares his rich family history, personal experiences, and deep knowledge of the famous stockyards. Hear the three of them chat about historical cowboy culture, the influence it’s had on today's entertainment industry, and much more. Don't miss it!

Jay Algiere, a first-generation rancher based near De Soto, Missouri, has worked to build his operation from the ground up. Along the way he has documented his passion and progress on his YouTube channel @AlgiereRanch. In this episode, Jay joins Justin to talk through how he got started in ranching and where he hopes his operation might go in the future. Listen in to this live consult as Justin and Jay work together to build a forage plan for his ranch. They talk through all the nitty gritty details like what to plant, when to plant it, what equipment to use, what prep needs to be done first, and more. Go listen!

Jared and Justin were part of a learning session at Commodity Classic a few weeks ago! Listen to their session, Diverse Crop Rotations: Not Such a Steep Mountain to Climb, as an episode of the podcast now! 

Recorded at 2025 Commodity Classic