Stories from California Cattle Country

By California Cattlemen's Foundation

What's Stories from California Cattle Country about?

Stories from California Cattle Country takes listeners to some of the most beautiful parts of this diverse state to learn more about the people and practices of ranches and dairies. Follow our host, Ryan as he darts around the state meeting cattle ranchers and dairy farmers learning about the animals and land they care for everyday.This podcast is produced by the California Cattlemen’s Foundation with support from the California Cattle Council.

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Stories from California Cattle Country episodes:

05.08.2024
S3 E9 Ranching and Bird Conservation with Matt Allshouse of the Audubon Society and Bobcat Ranch
In this episode we speak with Matt Allshouse, Conservation Ranching Program Manager at National Audubon Society about Bobcat Ranch and how responsible grazing is critical to native bird species. Survival by DegreesBird Migration ExplorerAudubon California Chapter Map
04.22.2024
S3 E8 PREDATORS: Speaking with rancher Wes Moore in Humboldt County about Nuisance Dogs
In this episode we speak to Wes Moore about how packs of once domesticated dogs, primarily let loose by area marijuana farmers seasonally, are affecting his herd and his families livelihood.
04.08.2024
S3 E7: PREDATORS - Mountain Lions with Vince Fontana in Half Moon Bay
In this episode we speak with Vince Fontana of Flashlight Ranch in Half Moon Bay which is in San Mateo County... a region dealing with increasing Mountain Lion activity.Brooks Brother Support Fund
03.23.2024
S3E6 Predators: Wolves in Modoc County with Myles Flournoy
In this episode we speak with rancher Myles Flournoy of the Likely Land and Livestock Company in Modoc county about the prevalence of wolves in the area, the effects that they can have on ranching operations and what can be...
03.11.2024
S3 E5: ON FIRE & PREDATORS with California Cattlemen's Vice President of Public Affairs on how policy plays a role in California Ranching
In this episode we speak with Kirk Wilbur, Vice President of Public Affairs for the California Cattlemen's Association, about legislation he shepherded in to allow California ranchers access to their animals during wildfire events and what can be done to...
02.26.2024
S3 E4: ON FIRE with Stephanie Larson County Director and Livestock Range Management Advisor for the UC Cooperative Extension
In this Episode we speak with Dr Stephanie Larson, County Director and Livestock Range Management Advisor and Director of University of California Cooperative Extension, Sonoma County about fires in Sonoma county, rangeland management and how cattle can help.Match Graze
02.12.2024
S3 E3 ON FIRE: With Mike Furlong in Bodega Bay
In this episode we talk to Mike Furlong about his ranching operation in Bodega Bay, his family's experience with fires in the area and what can be done, if anything, to mitigate them.More about the Redwood Empire Food Bank
01.29.2024
S3 E2 On Fire: with Anthony Stornetta, Firefighter and Rancher in Santa Barbara County
In this episode we speak with California Rancher and Deputy Fire Chief for the Santa Barbara Fire Dept. Anthony Stornetta about increasing, in fact historical, fire behavior and what can be done to mitigate it. Anthony was instrumental in developing...
01.15.2024
S3 E1 On fire: with Dave Daley in Oroville
In this episode we speak with Dave about his experience with the fire, how wildland management is holding up and his feelings on the outlook for the future. I Cry for the Mountains and the Legacy Lost
01.01.2024
S2 E38: Direct-to-Consumer Sales with Justin Lofton of AH Beef
In this episode we speak with Justin Lofton of AH Beef about the direct-to-consumer marketplace... its benefits and its difficulties. This episode is the 3rd to come out of imperial valley and frankly wasn't planned. We also talk about some...
12.04.2023
S2E37 Discussing feedlots in Imperial Valley with Mike Sulpizio of Superior Cattle Feeders
In this episode we speak with Mike Sulpizio of Superior Cattle Feeders about the feeding sector of the cattle business, water, quiet cows and the unique history of the Imperial Valley.Cattle BreedsRalph's California Beef Program (now defunct)
11.20.2023
S2E36 Visiting Our First Ever Feedlot and Joe Dan Cameron in Imperial Valley
In this episode we speak with Joe Dan Cameron of Mesquite Cattle Feeders about the feeding sector of the cattle business, quiet cows and the unique history of the Imperial Valley.
11.05.2023
S2 E35 Ranching in Lincoln CA, what happens when cattle get out and wolves with Rich Ross
In this episode we speak with rancher Rich Ross about his unique location, why a 77 year old attorney would choose ranching as a way of life and his partnership with another rancher, 77 year old Wally Roney. We also...
10.23.2023
S2 E34 Cattlemen's Livestock Market w/ Jake Parnell in Galt, CA
In this episode we speak with Jake Parnell, owner of the Cattlemens Livestock Market in Galt California… 20 miles south of Sacramento about the livestock market, common misconceptions and why communication is critical between the ag and non ag community.
10.10.2023
S2 E33 Stories of El Dorado with Tim Neilsen
In this episode we speak with rancher Tim Neilsen about El Dorado ranch and his commitment to ranching almost 8000 acres of the Sierra foothills in collaboration with the American River Conservancy in an effort to preserve area biodiversity of...
09.25.2023
S2 E32 Reconciliation Ecology with Elena Delacy of the American River Conservancy
In this episode we speak with Elena Delacy, executive director of the American River Conservacy about working with California ranchers in an effort to preserve critical ecosystems through land trusts in the American and Consumnes water basins.
09.11.2023
S2 E31 Avdis Ranch in Sacramento CA
In this episode we discuss the intricacies of direct-to-consumer sales, the appeal of the ranching lifestyle and the shaky future of a small city ranch under the looming shadow of suburban sprawl with lawyer/rancher Nick Avdis.
08.28.2023
S2 E30 Modern Day Cattle Drive with Bull Hauler Tim Lewis and 290 Holsteins
In this episode we join Tim Lewis in his truck Whoa Black Betty to ferry some calves from a dairy in Escalon to a feedlot in Nevada returning with some cows to the same lot stopping only for fuel and...
08.14.2023
S2 E29 Agritourism, Long Horned Cattle and Inspirational Quotes in Nicasio w/ Melissa Daniels of Cow Track Ranch
In this episode we speak with Melissa about ranching in Nicasio, about her Angus and Long Horned Cattle, and the ancillary businesses she runs through agritourism to ensure the success of her operation through hosting and educating non-ranchers about the...
07.28.2023
S2 E28 Interviewing school-aged and future agricultural professionals, Ulises Garcia and Chiara Stornetta
My purpose for the visit was to highlight the importance of this county fair to the next generation of agricultural professionals. Specifically, those still in elementary, middle or high school. In this episode we speak with Ulises Garcia, a 17...
07.17.2023
S2 E27 Belling Cows & Bullet Holes w/ the Brennan's in La Grange
In this episode we visit Sherri and Bob Brennan just north of La Grange, Calif. to bell some cows prior to the herd's annual pilgrimage into the Stanislaus National Forest at Eagle Meadows which sits at just about 7,400' elevation.
07.07.2023
S2 E26 Ranching Out of Left Field with the Cremers in Sloughhouse
On this sweltering day I speak with Rancher Bart Cremers at his ranch in Sloughhouse. I first spoke with his wife Noelle via telephone, a former cca employee, about their operation. The Cremers a bit of a unicorn in this...
06.17.2023
S2 E25 Learning about Red Hided Angus and Cattle Brands with Rita McPhee of McPhee Red Angus Ranch
In this episode we visit Rita McPhee from the McPhee Red Angus ranch in Lodi California. McPhee Red Angus differs a bit from our typical cattle ranch in that it only has red hided angus cattle (commonly Angus have black...
06.05.2023
S2 E24 Moving Cattle with Tim Curran in Sierra County
In this episode we meet up with Tim Curran in Sattley, California which is a few miles north of Sierraville... which is about 40 miles due west as the crow flies from Reno, Nevada. Note that the crow would have...
05.23.2023
S2 E23 Ranching, Tree Farming & BBQ with Pete Bussman in Humboldt County
This week we return to Humboldt County and speak with rancher Peter Bussman.In our last episode we spoke with Jason & Dean Hunt along with Justin Mora about ranching in Humboldt county with an emphasis on managing the areas Roosevelt...
05.08.2023
S2 E22 Learning about the interface between Roosevelt Elk and ranches with ranchers Jason Hunt, Dean Hunt, Justin Mora and CDFW Biologist Carrington Hilson
In this episode we venture to Arcata, just north of Eureka California and home to Cal Poly Humboldt to discuss ranching a few miles from the Pacific. Every environment presents a unique set of problems whether it be weather, invasive...
04.24.2023
S2 E21 Bay Area Ranching in Livermore with Darrel Sweet
Darrel Sweet's ranch is nestled in the hills on the south side of the Altamont Pass surrounded by these wind turbines. For this podcast, ranch visits are typically a hike. Ranches often exist in places where most people wouldn't want...
04.11.2023
S2 E20 Fresno Livestock Commission with Phil and Cindy Tews
Listen to Phil and Cindy describe a livestock auction and community in Fresno County and what to look for in a cow at a livestock auction.
03.27.2023
S2 E19 Keegan Ranch in Williams, Calif.
In this episode we speak with Jim Keegan of Keegan Ranch about the impending wildflower superbloom and his family history ranching in Bear Valley.
03.13.2023
S2 E18 Ranching on the Pt. Reyes National Seashore with Kevin Lunny
Lunny ranch, also known as G Ranch, is part of the Pt Reyes National Seashore, which is located on the Pt Reyes Peninsula and maintained by the National Park Service. In 1962 a congressman from Marin County, Clem Miller proposed...
02.27.2023
S2 E17 Santa Maria Style BBQ & the Importance of Community with Wayne Stahl and Sue Benech
In this episode we speak with Wayne Stahl, an authority on Santa Maria BBQ and member of the Santa Maria Elks for over 50 years. We then speak with Sue Benech, a Santa Barbara rancher and biologist, who also attended...
02.13.2023
S2 E16 The Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Sale with Cheryl LaFranchi
In our previous episode we spoke with Cheryl LaFranchi about her ranch Oak Ridge Angus and its history... among other things. In this episode we meet up with her at the Red Bluff Bull & Gelding sale where she's selling...
01.30.2023
S2 E15 Cheryl LaFranchi at Oak Ridge Angus in Calistoga
We initially decided to visit Oak Ridge Angus to pursue an angle in regard to Bull Sales... it's a fascinating process and not something we'd covered before on this podcast. After some research and my interview with 3rd generation rancher...
01.16.2023
S2 E14 Waterworld with Justin Oldfield at Daehling Ranch in Elk Grove
This episode addresses the almost unprecedented precipitation in California and its effect on a Northern Californian rancher. The effects are in no way localized with extensive flooding, road closures, power outages, mudslides, property damage and loss of lives extending the...
01.02.2023
S2 E13 San Miguel and Parkfield with Kevin Kester
Join us for a conversation with lifelong Parkfield resident and rancher, Kevin Kester where we discuss the towns of San Miguel and Parkfield, the second oldest bar in California and the ranching benefits of commercial drones.
12.19.2022
S2 E12 The lovely, tiny town of Pozo with Steve Arnold
Pozo is set in a bowl shaped valley. In fact, the word Pozo translates to well or hole in Spanish. The town originated as a stop on the Butterfield Overland Main stagecoach. Pozo is currently home to a Fire station,...
12.06.2022
S2 E11: Te Amo Livestock with Will Ingram and Kathi Carlson
Our recent visit to Te Amo Livestock in Gaviota gave us insight into rigors of ranch management. With one added complicating factor... not only is the ranch a fully functional cattle ranch... one of the largest producers in Santa Barbara...
11.21.2022
S2 E10: Stories from... Stories from California Cattle Country
Stories from California Cattle Country is taking a week off for Thanksgiving. We thought it would be fun to explore some of the stories that ended up on the cutting room floor for one reason or another. My co-conspirator, Katie...
11.07.2022
S2 E9: R.A. Atmore & Sons Ranch in Ventura
Running a biweekly podcast which includes travel to remote areas throughout the state meeting subjects with dynamic schedules can sometimes present occasional logistical issues. For our ninth episode of our second season we had lined up a few potential ranches...
10.24.2022
S2 E8: Bert Lamb & Camarillo Farm
When I first reached out to Bert Lamb about the podcast his response was..."Well. I can, but I would think you might find someone a hell of a lot more interesting than me!"Turns out he was being modest. The city...
10.10.2022
S2 E7: Mike Byrne in Tulelake
In this episode we tour the Klamath Basin with Mike Byrne and discuss the storied history of one of California’s most wild places in Tulelake on the Northern border of the state.
09.26.2022
S2 E6: The Swickards at Five Dot Ranch in Susanville, Calif.
I sat with the Swickards in their beautiful farm house in Willow Creek Valley and chatted about their ranch history, the future of Susanville, restaurant ownership and how to breed the perfect cow.
09.12.2022
S2 E5: Mark Lacey & Centennial Ranch in Bridgeport, CA
In this episode we speak with Mark Lacey about his families ranching history in one of the most unique landscapes on Earth, how the valley adapted to the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power’s takeover in the beginning of...
08.29.2022
S2 E4: Talbot Cattle Company in Bishop, Calif. with Tom Talbot
In this episode we travel down the U.S. Route 395 to Bishop CA, learn a bit about the E Clampus Vitus Fraternity, visit Talbot Cattle Company Ranch with rancher and veterinarian Tom Talbot and then follow him north to a...
08.15.2022
S2 E3: Tom's Place & Long Valley w/ Cashbaugh Ranch
In this string of four or five episodes we're exploring ranches located in the Eastern part of the state off of U.S. Route 395. In the past 2 episodes we moved North from Kern County into the Owen's Valley which...
08.01.2022
S2 E2: Stories from U.S. Route 395 with the Fogartys and Spainhower Anchor Ranch
Join us on our travels up 395... especially the dusty parts.In this episode we’ll talk to 3rd generation rancher Jean Crispin about the history of the ranch, her son Gabe about the logistics of moving cattle over a mountain pass...
07.18.2022
S2 E1: Laver's Ranch with Jack Lavers in Glennville
This is the 1st installment of our second season. We here at stories are big fans of continual improvement. Moving forward we’re emphasizing the importance of rural communities as well as providing more detailed portraits of people from Cattle Country....
07.04.2022
Episode 20: Steak au poivre with Natalie Koopmann
This summer is the first anniversary of the project known as "Stories from California Cattle Country". Though our first episode was released in August of '21 the conceptualization started around the beginning of Summer last year. My first ranch visit,...
06.20.2022
Episode 19: Feedlots Explained with Marissa Fisher of UC Davis
The beef cattle facilities which is a part of the animal sciences department are located just west of the campus and have the capacity for 650 head. It's there where we linked up with Marissa Fisher, the beef cattle facilities...
06.06.2022
Episode 18: Hospitality Tour at Circle Ranch Recap with Molly Dennis
On May 16th, the California Cattle Council bused a group of chefs, butchers, and other hospitality professionals to Circle Ranch in Ione. Circle Ranch was ideal because of its proximity to Sacramento, relative beauty and its wonderful owners in Tim...

What's Stories from California Cattle Country about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Stories from California Cattle Country episodes:

S3 E9 Ranching and Bird Conservation with Matt Allshouse of the Audubon Society and Bobcat Ranch

S3 E8 PREDATORS: Speaking with rancher Wes Moore in Humboldt County about Nuisance Dogs

S3 E7: PREDATORS - Mountain Lions with Vince Fontana in Half Moon Bay

S3E6 Predators: Wolves in Modoc County with Myles Flournoy

S3 E5: ON FIRE & PREDATORS with California Cattlemen's Vice President of Public Affairs on how policy plays a role in California Ranching

S3 E4: ON FIRE with Stephanie Larson County Director and Livestock Range Management Advisor for the UC Cooperative Extension

S3 E3 ON FIRE: With Mike Furlong in Bodega Bay

S3 E2 On Fire: with Anthony Stornetta, Firefighter and Rancher in Santa Barbara County

S3 E1 On fire: with Dave Daley in Oroville

S2 E38: Direct-to-Consumer Sales with Justin Lofton of AH Beef

S2E37 Discussing feedlots in Imperial Valley with Mike Sulpizio of Superior Cattle Feeders

S2E36 Visiting Our First Ever Feedlot and Joe Dan Cameron in Imperial Valley

S2 E35 Ranching in Lincoln CA, what happens when cattle get out and wolves with Rich Ross

S2 E34 Cattlemen's Livestock Market w/ Jake Parnell in Galt, CA

S2 E33 Stories of El Dorado with Tim Neilsen

S2 E32 Reconciliation Ecology with Elena Delacy of the American River Conservancy

S2 E31 Avdis Ranch in Sacramento CA

S2 E30 Modern Day Cattle Drive with Bull Hauler Tim Lewis and 290 Holsteins

S2 E29 Agritourism, Long Horned Cattle and Inspirational Quotes in Nicasio w/ Melissa Daniels of Cow Track Ranch

S2 E28 Interviewing school-aged and future agricultural professionals, Ulises Garcia and Chiara Stornetta

S2 E27 Belling Cows & Bullet Holes w/ the Brennan's in La Grange

S2 E26 Ranching Out of Left Field with the Cremers in Sloughhouse

S2 E25 Learning about Red Hided Angus and Cattle Brands with Rita McPhee of McPhee Red Angus Ranch

S2 E24 Moving Cattle with Tim Curran in Sierra County

S2 E23 Ranching, Tree Farming & BBQ with Pete Bussman in Humboldt County

S2 E22 Learning about the interface between Roosevelt Elk and ranches with ranchers Jason Hunt, Dean Hunt, Justin Mora and CDFW Biologist Carrington Hilson

S2 E21 Bay Area Ranching in Livermore with Darrel Sweet

S2 E20 Fresno Livestock Commission with Phil and Cindy Tews

S2 E19 Keegan Ranch in Williams, Calif.

S2 E18 Ranching on the Pt. Reyes National Seashore with Kevin Lunny

S2 E17 Santa Maria Style BBQ & the Importance of Community with Wayne Stahl and Sue Benech

S2 E16 The Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Sale with Cheryl LaFranchi

S2 E15 Cheryl LaFranchi at Oak Ridge Angus in Calistoga

S2 E14 Waterworld with Justin Oldfield at Daehling Ranch in Elk Grove

S2 E13 San Miguel and Parkfield with Kevin Kester

S2 E12 The lovely, tiny town of Pozo with Steve Arnold

S2 E11: Te Amo Livestock with Will Ingram and Kathi Carlson

S2 E10: Stories from... Stories from California Cattle Country

S2 E9: R.A. Atmore & Sons Ranch in Ventura

S2 E8: Bert Lamb & Camarillo Farm

S2 E7: Mike Byrne in Tulelake

S2 E6: The Swickards at Five Dot Ranch in Susanville, Calif.

S2 E5: Mark Lacey & Centennial Ranch in Bridgeport, CA

S2 E4: Talbot Cattle Company in Bishop, Calif. with Tom Talbot

S2 E3: Tom's Place & Long Valley w/ Cashbaugh Ranch

S2 E2: Stories from U.S. Route 395 with the Fogartys and Spainhower Anchor Ranch

S2 E1: Laver's Ranch with Jack Lavers in Glennville

Episode 20: Steak au poivre with Natalie Koopmann

Episode 19: Feedlots Explained with Marissa Fisher of UC Davis

Episode 18: Hospitality Tour at Circle Ranch Recap with Molly Dennis

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