Soil Health Labs

In this episode, we sit down with Dawn Butzer to discuss her journey from her early life and career to her current work and future aspirations. Dawn shares insights into her deep connection with conservation and land management, emphasizing partnerships with the NRCS, South Dakota Grassland Coalition, and Ducks Unlimited.

Early Life and Career

Dawn Butzer’s roots in agriculture and conservation run deep. Growing up, she developed a strong appreciation for the land, learning firsthand about the challenges and opportunities in sustainable agriculture. Her early career saw her working in various capacities, where she gained valuable experience in land management, conservation programs, and working with producers to improve soil and water health.

Current Work

Dawn is currently involved in conservation efforts that focus on grassland restoration, soil health improvement, and sustainable grazing practices. Through her work with the NRCS, she collaborates with ranchers and landowners to implement conservation plans tailored to their needs. She is also actively engaged with the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, which promotes voluntary conservation efforts among producers. Additionally, her work with Ducks Unlimited aligns with large-scale restoration efforts, ensuring that grasslands remain viable for wildlife and agriculture.

Future Aspirations

Dawn is passionate about continuing to bridge the gap between conservation initiatives and agricultural operations. She aims to expand her outreach, working closely with producers to adopt practices that benefit both the land and their bottom line. With increasing challenges such as climate variability and land-use changes, she hopes to play a crucial role in advocating for policies and programs that support long-term sustainability.

Key Partnerships and Programs

• NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service): Dawn works with the NRCS to provide technical and financial support for landowners looking to implement conservation practices. These efforts include rotational grazing systems, soil health initiatives, and grassland preservation.
• South Dakota Grassland Coalition (SDGC): This producer-led organization promotes grassland management techniques that balance productivity with ecological health. Dawn collaborates with SDGC to support ranchers in adopting regenerative grazing methods.
• Ducks Unlimited: Recognizing the vital role grasslands play in water conservation and wildlife habitat, Dawn works alongside Ducks Unlimited on projects that protect these ecosystems while ensuring economic viability for ranchers.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Dawn and the hosts discussed several books and articles that provide further insight into conservation and sustainable agriculture. Here are a few key recommendations:

• Native Grass Forages by Patrick Keyser – Native Grass Forages for the Eastern U.S." by Patrick Keyser is a comprehensive guide focusing on the establishment, management, and benefits of native warm-season grasses as forage in the eastern United States. Designed for farmers, technical advisors, scientists, and conservationists, the book offers practical, science-based information on this topic.  See: https://nativegrasses.tennessee.edu/native-grass-forages/
• Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture by Ellen F. Davis: Link
• Cotton, Country Conservation: An 8-Year Case Study in Regenerative Agriculture (Following SC Farmer Sonny Price's path of reducing input costs, increasing organic matter, and saving over $2.5 million): soilhealthlabs.com/projects/cotton-country-conservation

Featuring:

• Liz Kierl, Executive Director, Second Century Habitat Fund
• Buz Kloot, Soil Health Lab, University of South Carolina
• Joe Dickie, Videographer and Conservation Storyteller, Soil Health Lab

📝 Episode Summary

In this episode, we sit down with Liz Kierl, Executive Director of the Second Century Habitat Fund (SCHF), to talk about one of South Dakota’s most effective and underappreciated conservation tools: the Working Lands Habitat Program. Liz unpacks how this unique initiative blends private lands stewardship, strategic habitat restoration, and flexible grazing options—all while keeping landowners in the driver’s seat.

With videographer and conservation storyteller Joe Dickie sharing observations from years of working alongside ranchers, and Buz guiding the conversation, we explore how pheasants, pollinators, and producers all benefit when marginal cropland is converted back to native grasses and forbs. Liz also shares how SCHF’s funding model—including the famous Can-Am raffles—is helping build a lasting conservation legacy.

Whether you're a landowner curious about signing up, or someone who just loves South Dakota’s prairies, this is a conversation about habitat that works with producers, not against them.

🔑 Key Topics

• The mission of the Second Century Habitat Fund
• Why marginal cropland is key to grassland restoration
• What makes the Working Lands Habitat Program different (hint: haying, grazing, and seed incentives)
• How Can-Am raffles and habitat decals help fund conservation
• Liz’s personal connection to hunting, habitat, and heritage
• The South Dakota habitat funding model: voluntary, local, effective

🧑‍🌾 Guest Bio: Liz Kierl

Liz Kierl is Executive Director of the Second Century Habitat Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring South Dakota’s grasslands and sustaining wildlife through voluntary private lands partnerships. Originally from Nebraska, Liz grew up in a family of pheasant hunters and conservationists. She brings deep experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and landowner outreach.

Since taking the helm at SCHF, Liz has expanded fundraising programs (like the Can-Am UTV raffles), built partnerships with agencies and NGOs, and helped landowners tap into the powerful incentives of the Working Lands Habitat Program—an effort that aims to restore grassland on over 100,000 acres.

Additional Resources:

✨ BONUS ARTICLE: What Are We Really Arguing About When We Talk About Tillage: growingresiliencesd.com/post/what-we-re-really-arguing-about-when-we-talk-about-tillage

In Part 2 of our series with Dr. Bhupinder Farmaha, we go deeper—literally. 

Dr. Farmaha joins us again to talk about what’s happening below the topsoil and why it matters more than ever in nutrient decision-making. From soil testing at deeper depths to assessing the biological activity of soil microbes, Bhupinder's research is showing that one-size-fits-all recommendations just don’t cut it anymore.

He shares a bold finding: only 50% of cotton production sites in his trials respond to nitrogen application. That insight could shake up fertilizer recommendations in a big way. Bhupinder also dives into chicken litter studies, the promise and risks of micronutrient buildup, and the long-term effects of organic amendments on sandy South Carolina soils.

Highlights include:

• Working with USDA partners to integrate biological indicators into soil tests
• Chicken litter vs. synthetic fertilizer: trade-offs and recommendations
• How climate-smart practices can stabilize yields in unpredictable weather
• Rethinking seed selection in light of resilient management systems

The episode ends with a look at where this work is headed—toward more holistic, systems-based nutrient management. Bhupinder makes a strong case for moving beyond chemistry alone and embracing biology and farmer experience as critical parts of the fertility equation.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Cotton, Country Conservation: An 8-Year Case Study in Regenerative Agriculture (Following SC Farmer Sonny Price's path of reducing input costs, increasing organic matter, and saving over $2.5 million):  soilhealthlabs.com/projects/cotton-country-conservation

In Part 1 of our two-part conversation with Dr. Bhupinder Farmaha, we dig into the reality of shifting farmer mindsets around nutrient management. As Clemson Extension’s Soil Fertility Specialist, Bhupinder walks us through his journey from studying soil science at the University of Illinois to on-farm research in Minnesota and across South Carolina—where he’s working side-by-side with farmers to reevaluate how much (and what kind of) fertilizer is really necessary.

We explore the difficulty of challenging generational practices and the importance of building trust through local, participatory research. Bhupinder shares stories of farmers like Sonny Price, who haven’t applied potash for nearly a decade—without any loss in yield—and how that’s pushing the envelope on conventional wisdom.

Topics covered include:

• Why scaling back fertilizer use is as much cultural as it is agronomic
• The importance of working on real farms, not just research stations
• Building peer-to-peer farmer networks for change
• How soil health practices like cover crops impact profitability, pH, and nutrient cycling
• Learning from farmer-led experiments and shifting extension models

This episode lays the groundwork for a broader conversation about nutrient efficiency, soil health, and what it takes to bring about real-world change in agricultural systems. Whether you're conventional, curious, or fully regenerative, there’s something here for everyone interested in growing smarter.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Cotton, Country Conservation: An 8-Year Case Study in Regenerative Agriculture (Following SC Farmer Sonny Price's path of reducing input costs, increasing organic matter, and saving over $2.5 million): soilhealthlabs.com/projects/cotton-country-conservation

🧲 Quotable Quotes

“You can’t graze a landscape unless you understand what that landscape wants to be.” — Dave Ollila

“We’ve got a chance to tell a story—to show that red meat can come from stewardship, not just consumption.” — Dave Ollila

“The biology in the rumen is the same biology in the soil. That’s no accident. That’s design.” — Dave Ollila

👩‍🌾 About our Guest

Dave Ollila is a seasoned rancher and agricultural educator in Butte County, South Dakota. With a career spanning over 25 years, he has made significant contributions to sustainable livestock management, particularly in multi-species grazing and soil health.​

Dave’s great-grandfather immigrated from Finland and homesteaded in Butte County in 1916. Dave and his wife, Holly, continue this legacy by raising sheep and cattle on the same land, emphasizing practices that align with the region's semi-arid conditions (South Dakota Magazine.)​

Professionally, Ollila served as the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Sheep Field Specialist until his retirement in February 2020. He then joined the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition (SDSHC) as a Soil Health Technician, focusing on assisting producers in western South Dakota with soil health consultations (South Dakota Soil Health Coalition).

🌾 In this Episode

In this deeply engaging conversation, Dave Ollila shares hard-won wisdom from decades of grazing and ranching in western South Dakota. We dive into the ecology of the prairie, how sheep and cattle mimic native herbivores, and how integrating multiple species—and technologies—can regenerate landscapes, boost ranch income, and reconnect producers to the land’s natural rhythms.

🐑 Topics Covered

• Why context matters in livestock integration
  • Eastern SD = tallgrass prairie; Western SD = shortgrass prairie
  • Matching livestock species (e.g., sheep vs. cattle) to land, rainfall, and forage type
• Multi-species grazing as ecological mimicry
  • Cattle as analogs to bison: bulk grazers of coarse grass
  • Sheep and goats as browsers akin to deer and elk
  • Better soil biology and insect/bird diversity through livestock diversity
• Virtual fencing in practice
  • Using “No Fence” GPS collars to control small ruminants
  • How virtual fences help manage weed outbreaks and reduce fencing costs
  • Current limitations: signal strength, battery life, and training
• Training livestock to graze invasive species
  • How sheep learn to consume Dalmatian toadflax through experience
  • Lessons from Dave's cooperative research with BLM and insights from the Targeted Grazing Manual
• Benefits of sheep in dry country
  • Sheep’s ability to thrive on snow as a water source
  • Their lower infrastructure needs and suitability for women and youth
  • Income diversity through meat and wool (up to 200% lambing rates)
• Why we need to educate our "city cousins"
  • Comparing prairie biodiversity to the Amazon
  • Urban lawns, golf courses, and parks can also sequester carbon
  • “We’re not enemies—we’re partners with nature.”

📚 Resources Mentioned

1. Targeted Grazing 101: Starting and Sustaining a Grazing Service Enterprise

• A new handbook from the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) is available for download from SheepUSA.org
• Also supported by the Society for Range Management

2. 2006 "Targeted Grazing" Manual

• Comes included with the new supplement (PDF or USB)
• Research-backed chapters on targeted grazing practices

3. Dave Ollila’s 2024 Soil Health Conference Talk

• Covers virtual fencing with visuals [Watch it on YouTube]

4. WWF’s Case Study on Grazing Innovations

• Features Dave’s work with virtual fencing and multispecies grazing (Read the WWF Vlog here)

Guest: Dr. Gustavo Lascano, Associate Professor of Ruminant Nutrition, Clemson University
Host: Drs. Gabe Kenne & Buz Kloot
Length: ~70 minutes

In this conversation with Dr. Gustavo Lascano, Ruminant Nutrition Specialist at Clemson University, we discuss integrating ecological principles like succession and diversity into farm management to improve animal, soil, and human health. Dr. Lascano describes intricate details of ruminant nutrition and reinforces that it should focus not only on calories but also on proper nutrient balance and feeding the microbial ecosystem within the rumen. His expertise in this field comes not only from advanced degrees and field and laboratory research, but also from experiencing indigenous agricultural systems firsthand and seeing how they offer valuable insights into sustainable, low-input food production systems.

Episode Highlights:

• Rethinking Production Systems with Ecological Succession
• Diverse Background with Global Roots
• Free Choice Feeding & Ruminant Efficiency
• Rumen Microbiology & Soil Parallels
• Industrial vs. Regenerative Feeding Models
• Agroecological Inspirations from the Amazon
• The Role of Animals in Regenerative Ag

To learn more about Dr. Lascano and ruminant nutrition, check out the below links:

• Gustavo Lascano at Clemson University
  Faculty Profile

Soil Health Lab Podcast Archives

• Visit Website

Featured in the episode: Cotton, Country, Conservation (8-year regenerative agriculture study)

In this episode, Carl Coleman continues his deep dive into the lessons learned from years of soil health experimentation—and how they changed not only his farm but his entire career. Carl shares how the pushback he received from scientists and extension professionals led him to set up a randomized, replicated study on his farm, proving that regenerative practices could reduce inputs without sacrificing yield.

We explore some of the biggest surprises from these trials, including how fields with no applied potassium actually maintained or increased soil test levels over five years—completely contradicting conventional wisdom. Carl also discusses the economic and agronomic benefits of cover crops, including how they have helped farmers reduce subsoiling, cut back on herbicide passes, and save thousands in input costs.

Carl’s transition from farming to the seed business was not planned, but as demand for high-quality, affordable seed grew, he saw an opportunity to help other farmers navigate the complexities of cover cropping. Now, as the owner of Choice Ag, Carl provides tailored cover crop blends based on individual farm needs, ensuring that growers avoid common mistakes and maximize their returns.

If you’re wondering how real-world farmers are making regenerative agriculture work economically, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-earned wisdom.

📌 Check the show notes for links to Carl’s seed business, research studies, and resources mentioned in this episode!

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• How much fertilizer do we really need?  https://experiment.com/projects/how-much-fertilizer-do-we-really-need
• No but seriously now, how much fertilizer do we really need?  https://experiment.com/projects/no-but-seriously-now-how-much-fertilizer-do-we-really-need
• Cotton, Country Conservation: An 8-Year Case Study in Regenerative Agriculture (Following SC Farmer Sonny Price's path of reducing input costs, increasing organic matter, and saving over $2.5 million): soilhealthlabs.com/projects/cotton-country-conservation

In this episode, Carl Coleman continues his deep dive into the lessons learned from years of soil health experimentation—and how they changed not only his farm but his entire career. Carl shares how the pushback he received from scientists and extension professionals led him to set up a randomized, replicated study on his farm, proving that regenerative practices could reduce inputs without sacrificing yield.

We explore some of the biggest surprises from these trials, including how fields with no applied potassium actually maintained or increased soil test levels over five years—completely contradicting conventional wisdom. Carl also discusses the economic and agronomic benefits of cover crops, including how they have helped farmers reduce subsoiling, cut back on herbicide passes, and save thousands in input costs.

Carl’s transition from farming to the seed business was not planned, but as demand for high-quality, affordable seed grew, he saw an opportunity to help other farmers navigate the complexities of cover cropping. Now, as the owner of Choice Ag, Carl provides tailored cover crop blends based on individual farm needs, ensuring that growers avoid common mistakes and maximize their returns.

If you’re wondering how real-world farmers are making regenerative agriculture work economically, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-earned wisdom.

📌 Check the show notes for links to Carl’s seed business, research studies, and resources mentioned in this episode!

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• How much fertilizer do we really need?  https://experiment.com/projects/how-much-fertilizer-do-we-really-need
• No but seriously now, how much fertilizer do we really need?  https://experiment.com/projects/no-but-seriously-now-how-much-fertilizer-do-we-really-need
• Cotton, Country Conservation: An 8-Year Case Study in Regenerative Agriculture (Following SC Farmer Sonny Price's path of reducing input costs, increasing organic matter, and saving over $2.5 million): soilhealthlabs.com/projects/cotton-country-conservation

In this episode, Buz and Dickie chat with Clinton Rasmussen about the innovative use of goats for land management, particularly in combating the spread of eastern red cedar in South Dakota. Clinton shares his journey from growing up on a ranch to returning after his military service and discovering the power of goats to clear invasive brush. He discusses how these goats thrive in rough terrain and how their grazing habits can significantly reduce unwanted vegetation, including cedar trees, yucca, and other tough plants.

The conversation highlights Clinton’s use of electric fencing and his experiments with no-fence collars to manage his goats across different paddocks. The effectiveness of goats in land restoration is contrasted with the challenges posed by eastern red cedar, which not only competes with grazing lands but also contributes to dangerous wildfires.

Clinton explains how goats can fit into traditional cattle operations and how they offer a great opportunity for younger ranchers or anyone looking to diversify their operations. For those who may not have the capital to purchase large tracts of land or invest in a big cattle herd, goats provide a way to get started with smaller investments. Running goats alongside cattle allows you to use the same land without the need for major infrastructure or large upfront costs. It’s an ideal way for younger ranchers to gain experience and build their business over time, especially since goats can thrive in areas where cattle struggle. Clinton’s own experience shows how goats can be a stepping stone to eventually expanding into other livestock, creating a sustainable and profitable operation.

One of the great advantages of goats is their relatively low water needs, especially compared to cattle. Clinton points out that once goats are established on a piece of land, they can often go quite a while without a constant water source, relying on moisture from the plants they eat, like yucca and cedar. This can significantly reduce the need for water infrastructure, as goats can be moved across the land without the need to set up multiple water points, which can be a costly part of managing cattle. This flexibility makes it easier to rotate goats through different paddocks and access areas that might be difficult to reach or impractical for cattle. For younger ranchers looking to minimize their infrastructure costs while maximizing their land use, goats offer a smart, cost-effective solution.

For further reading, check out the AgUpdate article on "Tackling the Green Glacier" here and the prescribed burn resource here. You can also learn more about Nathan Marker from Plum Creek Ranch and his goat-based land management practices in this 2020 Gathering Talk. Follow Clinton’s journey on his Firewatch Ranch Facebook page.

AgUpdate article: “Tacking the Green Glacier” https://agupdate.com/tristateneighbor/news/livestock/tackling-the-green-glacier/article_28fc9f42-ab57-11ef-b3f9-33537e86c82e.html

https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/prescribed-burn

Nathan Marker ~ Plum Creek Ranch ~ 2020 Gathering Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuBzbTEkSQ8

Firewatch ranch: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085769701718

In this episode, we chat with Lealand Schoon from the South Dakota NRCS about drought management, grazing strategies, and the long-term health of pasturelands. Lealand covers how subtle factors like trigger dates and residue levels impact grazing decisions, stressing that if land is left with less than 1,000 pounds of residue per acre, it can be much slower to recover. This makes it crucial for ranchers to manage grazing carefully, especially during drought conditions. He also distinguishes between droughts and dry cycles, explaining that while droughts are more extreme, dry cycles are a natural part of the landscape and require adaptive management to cope with.

Lealand also touches on the current beef market, where prices are solid, and the availability and cost of hay are favorable. However, he warns against becoming complacent just because things are looking good right now. The market can shift quickly, and the right grazing and land management decisions today will determine how well ranchers are set up for future years, particularly when it comes to managing land during drought. He also talks about de-stocking strategies, noting that if the land is in poor condition, de-stocking will need to be more aggressive to avoid further damage.

Throughout our discussion, Lealand emphasizes the importance of being proactive with land management—especially when conditions are good. He stresses that staying on top of things today can help ensure that ranchers can handle the challenges of tomorrow. The ability to adapt to changing conditions now will make all the difference when the inevitable droughts or market shifts arrive.

This episode offers essential advice for ranchers looking to maintain healthy, resilient land, no matter the market conditions.

For more on drought management and range conservation, check out the links in the show notes:

Growing Resilience – Drought Management

https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/drought-management

Natural Resources Conservation Service- Range and Pasture

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-by-state/south-dakota/range-pasture

Ag-Wx

https://www.ag-wx.com

Mesonet SD (Go to tools to see Ag Weather, Degree Days, Livestock Stress, etc.)

https://climate.sdstate.edu/

Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP)

https://rangelands.app/

Alexjandro Carillo

https://www.cuencalosojos.org/alejandro-carrillo