Would you get into goat grazing if it meant that you could quit your job and run your own business? Can your animals eat so called "toxic" plants like Kochia and Cheatgrass? Do you know the power of getting your brand out there on social media?

In this episode of The Goat Grazing Podcast, Zakary Copeland with Idaho Goat Grazers, talks about his journey of becoming a full time goat grazer, how he has learned the truth about toxicity in plants, and how his dedication towards making content about goat grazing has led to him landing far more jobs than he otherwise would have.

Where to find him:

Instagram: Idahogoatgrazers

TikTok: Idahogoatgrazers

Facebook: Idaho Goat Grazers

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Goat Grazing and Zachary Copeland

01:13 The Journey into Goat Grazing

04:52 Family Dynamics in Goat Grazing Business

06:36 Growth and Expansion of the Herd

08:10 The Role of Social Media in Business

09:32 Herd Composition and Breeding Strategies

11:14 Kidding and Grazing Season Management

14:31 Job Logistics and Customer Interaction

20:17 Safety Measures and Predator Management

23:49 Pricing Strategies in Goat Grazing

24:10 Understanding Pricing in Goat Grazing

27:17 Navigating Off-Season Challenges

28:41 Working with Canal Systems

31:38 Insurance Challenges in Goat Grazing

32:59 Growing Pains and Business Expansion

35:29 The Importance of Employee Management

38:01 Vegetation Management and Toxicity Concerns

43:28 Future Prospects for Goat Grazing

46:35 Building Relationships in the Grazing Community

51:53 Advice for New Grazers

Would you take in unwanted goats to build your grazing herd? What issues would you run into if your grazing business was in Australia? Is there a way you can have others raise your baby goats? 

In this episode of The Goat Grazing Podcast, Denny Woods with Central Coast Goats explains how he continues to build his grazing herd with feral goats, how snakes cause multiple goat losses per year, and how he runs an animal education service where schools raise his bottle babies and return them to him when they are of age to join the grazing crew. 

Where to find him: 

Instagram: central_coast_goats

TikTok: coasttocoastgoats

Facebook: Central Coast Goats Fire Hazard Reduction Services

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

01:16 What is Central Coast Goats?

02:47 The Inspiration Behind the Business

04:15 Managing a Herd in Suburban Areas

05:49 The Wild Goat Population in Australia

08:02 Challenges of Training Goats

14:19 Pricing and Customer Expectations

17:59 Future Plans and Government Contracts

30:00 Collaborating with Influencers

32:36 Goat Escapes and Fencing Solutions

40:10 Livestock for Learning Program

45:34 Bevy Burrows: Miniature Donkeys for Events

49:48 Memorable Goat Grazing Experiences

53:08 Advice for Aspiring Goat Farmers

57:17 Dealing with Snakes and Livestock Guardian Dogs

What is the main difference between a good guardian dog and a bad one? How can you get your livestock guardian dog to stay closer to your animals? Are genetics or training more important?

In this episode of The Goat Grazing Podcast, Rebecca Miller uses her wealth of knowledge and experience to answers these questions and many others about livestock guardian dogs.

Where to find her:

Instagram: @truenorthguardians

TikTok: @truenorthguardians

Facebook: @True North Guardians

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Livestock Guardian Dogs

01:14 Rebecca's Journey with True North Guardians

05:27 Building a Strong Dog Program

10:23 Understanding Predator Challenges

14:24 The Roles of Different Livestock Guardian Dogs

20:44 Training and Genetics in Livestock Guardians

26:08 The Importance of Early Socialization

28:54 Understanding the Psyche of Guardian Dogs

36:26 Challenges in Public Spaces with Guardian Dogs

44:17 Evaluating Different Breeds of Livestock Guardian Dogs

49:50 Considering Environmental Factors in Dog Selection

51:50 The Unique Traits of Livestock Guardian Dogs

01:04:18 Rebecca's Journey Back to the Farm

01:05:44 The Shepherd Magazine: A Legacy in Print

01:11:55 Challenges of Managing Livestock Guardian Dogs

01:14:17 Advice for Prospective Dog Owners

What value added avenues are there for those who own goats and sheep? Are there ways to transport goats without a truck and trailer?

In this episode of The Goat Grazing Podcast, learn about the unique and exciting strategies Scout implements to make the most of her livestock as well as what inspired her to transport her goats and sheep using a bus instead of a truck and trailer.

Find her @

Instagram: partygoatsla

TikTok: partygoatsla

Facekbook: Party Goats Los Angeles

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Goat Grazing Podcast

02:13 Meet Scout Raskin: The Goat Entrepreneur

03:08 The Birth of Party Goats Grazing

05:55 Sourcing and Raising Goats

07:28 Grazing Operations: Goats vs. Sheep

09:43 Fire Mitigation and Grazing Regulations

11:13 The Unique Goat Bus

12:21 Finding Clients and Growing Demand

13:36 Team Dynamics and Grazing Logistics

15:44 Challenges of Fencing and Terrain

16:22 Client Interaction and Safety

19:33 Trusting Clients with Goats

20:43 The Future of Party Goats Grazing

21:16 Pricing Strategies for Grazing Services

22:12 Grazing Duration and Client Expectations

22:54 Navigating Local Regulations

23:56 Insurance and Permits for Grazing

24:10 Building a Grazing Team

25:16 The Role of Social Media in Business

26:52 Identifying Toxic Plants for Goats

29:30 Site Visits and Plant Surveys

30:09 The Cost of Feeding Goats

31:06 Transitioning from Entertainment to Grazing

33:44 Community Awareness and Fire Management

36:24 Permits and Regulations in Los Angeles

38:20 The Journey of Goat Ownership

40:01 Diverse Services Offered by Party Goats LA

42:40 Popular Events and Client Engagement

43:05 Celebrity Encounters with Goats

45:13 Balancing Grazing and Party Goats LA

50:49 Future Plans and Sustainability

52:28 Advice for Aspiring Goat Entrepreneurs

57:27 Final Thoughts and Reflections

What should you do if your pet goats are costing you too much money? What goat breed can withstand Arizona heat? Are there even grazing opportunities in a place where temperatures climb well over 100 degrees on a regular basis?

In this episode of The Goat Grazing Podcast, listen and learn about how Reece, with Rocking AR Goats, got into goat grazing after his wife said the goats were going to eat them out of house and home, and how he navigates the diverse landscapes of Arizona through his deliberate choice of goat breeds and the equipment that he uses.

Where can you find him?

Instagram: rockingargoats

Facebook: Rocking AR Goats

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Goat Grazing Podcast

02:33 Understanding Rockin' AR Goats

04:42 Journey into Goat Farming

09:46 Starting a Goat Grazing Business

11:29 Scaling the Business

15:23 Navigating Challenges in Goat Grazing

18:38 Working with Utility Companies

22:38 Research and Development in Recharge Basins

26:39 Public Perception and Environmental Impact

30:28 Future of Goat Grazing in Arizona

34:21 Innovative Grazing Solutions

36:46 Challenges in Kidding and Herd Management

40:20 Job Setup and Logistics in Goat Grazing

42:15 The Role of Shepherds and Guardian Dogs

47:43 Managing Predators and Risks

50:18 Pricing Strategies for Goat Grazing Services

57:19 Educational Outreach and Community Engagement

01:01:06 Memorable Experiences in Goat Grazing

01:04:38 Advice for Aspiring Goat Grazers

Would you travel across the world to pursue your dreams? How would you pick the ideal state for goat grazing? What about Nofence adds so much versatility to a goat grazing operation?

In this episode of The Goat Grazing Podcast, Stephen Paul with Raleigh Goats answers all these questions. From how he made the leap to leave Australia for the US to start his goat grazing business, to the tools and support systems that have helped him get into the business, Stephen is a brilliant example of what can be accomplished when you put your mind to it.

Find him @:

Instagram: raleighgoats

TikTok: raleighgoats

Website: https://www.goatsonthego.com/raleighdurham

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Goats on the Go

00:48 Stephen's Unconventional Journey to Goat Grazing

04:00 Choosing the Right Location for Goat Grazing

05:36 Becoming an Affiliate with Goats on the Go

07:18 The Learning Curve: First Experiences with Goats

10:26 Challenges of Virtual Fencing and Goat Management

12:16 First Job: Lessons Learned

15:04 Understanding Goat Health: Liver Flukes and Their Impact

20:26 Business Growth and Customer Base

22:45 Navigating Government Contracts and Challenges

27:09 Logistics of Goat Grazing Operations

30:29 The Benefits of Dual Grazing Systems

32:31 Understanding Virtual Fencing Technology

35:05 Expanding Service Areas with Virtual Fencing

38:20 Innovative Land Use Without Ownership

41:24 Building Relationships with Landowners

43:41 Managing Predation Risks

50:27 Pricing Strategies for Goat Grazing Services

59:25 Future Growth and Sustainability in Goat Grazing

01:03:47 Invasive Vegetation Management Strategies

01:06:24 Common and Toxic Plants for Goats

01:09:46 Understanding Plant Toxicity and Goat Health

01:14:30 Customer Expectations and Business Challenges

01:15:28 Memorable Experiences in Goat Grazing

01:22:14 Insurance and Business Advice for Goat Grazing

01:23:57 Advice for International Entrepreneurs

01:26:21 Starting in Goat Grazing: Key Insights

Have you ever dreamed of being your own boss or of spending most of your time with animals? What if there was a business that would allow you to do just that?

Meet Dusty Hess, co-owner and operator of The G.O.A.T Grazers, a prescribed grazing company focused on vegetation control in East Tennessee. In this episode of The Goat Grazing Podcast, learn how he decided that goat grazing fit his dream of being his own boss and working with animals. Listen as he explains his journey from door-to-door salesman to a goat grazer focused on helping people reclaim their land from the invasive weeds like Kudzu.

Where can you find him?

Instagram: the_goat_grazers

Facebook: The Goat Grazers

TikTok: thegoatgrazers

Show notes:

0:00 - Introduction to Dusty Hess of The G.O.A.T Grazers

4:20 - Understanding kudzu and its impact

7:00 - Real-world scenarios of goat grazing

12:42 – Scaling the business and managing herds

28.06 – Securing jobs and leveraging social media

36.03 – Pricing strategies and customer interactions.

46.36 – Work-life balance and future interactions

57:28 – Advice for newcomers and connecting with Dusty?

What lengths would you go to learn the knowledge needed to teach the next generation of shepherds? How could sheep hides allow your grazing business to stay afloat? Are there any benefits to having a mixed herd of goats and sheep?

In this episode of The Goat Grazing Podcast, Cole Bush from Shepherdess Land and Livestock details her travels overseas to learn from shepherds so that she can be the very best teacher for the next generation of shepherds. She also discusses the role sheep hides played in enabling her to establish her grazing business during the COVID-19 pandemic and explains why having a mixed herd of goats and sheep is so important.

Find her @

Instagram: @bcbshepherdess, @Shepherdess.land.and.livestock

Facebook: Shepherdess Land & Livestock Co

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Goat Grazing and Cole Bush

01:55 The Journey of Shepherdess Land and Livestock

01:57 Factors Influencing Job Pricing

50:31 Evaluating Job Complexity and Costs

53:00 Seasonal Pricing Strategies

55:27 Understanding Operational Costs

57:59 The H2A Program Explained

59:39 Logistics of Herders and Their Work Environment

01:03:22 The Grazing School of the West

01:07:08 Shepherdess Holistic Hides and Diversifying Income

01:22:16 Future Aspirations and Advice for Newcomers

How would you herd goats on a remote job where you can't take your trailers? Is there a way that goat grazing can help mitigate allergies? What goat and sheep breeds are the best suited for the job?

Listen to this episode of the Goat Grazing Podcast to learn how Amanita Berto, with Horned Locust Goat Scaping, and New Mexico Film Animals, operates an off-grid grazing operation using horses, dogs, and pure ingenuity to make New Mexico a better place.

Find her on Facebook @Horned Locust Remediation

and on Instagram @horned_locust_goatscaping

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Goat Grazing and Guest Introduction

02:44 Amanita's Journey in Goatscaping

05:07 The Business of Goat Grazing

07:24 Innovative Grazing Techniques

09:04 Managing Allergies and Environmental Impact

10:59 The Intersection of Goats and Film

13:29 The Benefits of Multi-Species Grazing

13:58 Diverse Grazing: Goats and Sheep Dynamics

16:35 Revenue Streams: From Grazing to Value-Added Products

19:20 Solar Grazing: Sustainable Practices in Renewable Energy

19:25 Insurance and Year-Round Grazing Management

20:46 Navigating Plant Toxicity: Grazing Safety

21:50 Future of Goatscaping: Education and Environmental Impact

23:17 Advice for Newcomers: The Realities of Animal Husbandry

In this episode of windshield time, Max shares some unfortunate news about one of the foundational government jobs that allows his goat grazing business to survive, and explains the importance of having backup jobs lined up to mitigate the risk of instances like this.