The Goat Grazing Podcast

If you started a goat grazing company with your romantic partner, would it help or hurt your relationship? Where would you go for information if you were just getting started? How would you ensure that you didn’t overextend yourselves by getting too big too soon?

Justin Simarro and Amanda Budde, with The Goat Grazing Company in California, join Max Wade to talk about how starting a goat-grazing business has challenged their relationship in many good ways and taught them how they operate far better as a team than they do on their own. They also shared how The Goat Grazing Podcast has been a big help in their goat-grazing journey, informing their decision to grow only as fast as they could manage and following the podcast's advice to “fail small”.

Where to contact them:

Instagram: @thegoatgrazingco

Number: 916-502-2196

00:00 Introduction

05:47 The Journey Begins: Starting Goat Grazing

08:48 First Job Experience: Challenges and Learning

12:18 Mental Load of Livestock Management

14:20 Navigating Relationships in Business

16:23 Daily Operations and Job Acquisition

24:38 Customer Expectations and Education

28:18 Growth and Expansion of the Business

34:48 Diversifying with Sheep: The Future Ahead

37:03 Building Partnerships in Agriculture

43:19 The Importance of Networking

46:22 Scheduling and Job Management

56:58 Managing Ecosystems and Livestock

01:01:04 Bidding and Pricing Strategies

01:05:13 Understanding Pricing in Goat Grazing

01:05:49 Assessing Job Complexity and Adjusting Fees

01:08:11 Establishing Baselines for Pricing

01:09:39 The Importance of Charging for Estimates

01:11:21 Navigating Insurance for Goat Grazing Businesses

01:14:29 Memorable Experiences in Goat Grazing

01:19:01 Future Goals and Growth in Goat Grazing

01:29:51 Advice for Aspiring Goat Grazers

What would you do if your farm was losing money year after year? Would you have the courage to bet your entire farm as collateral as you put well over a million dollars into building a solar farm? How would you utilize that solar farm to teach the public about the potential of agrivoltaics?

Byron Kominek, of the Colorado Agrivoltaic Learning Center and Jack's Solar Garden, joined Max Wade on The Goat Grazing Podcast, where he explained how he saved his family farm by using it as collateral to finance a solar array that now supplies power to more than 300 homes. With vegetation planted beneath the panels, the site has since become an agrivoltaic learning center open to the public.

Find him @:

Instagram: jackssolargarden

Facebook: Jack's Solar Garden + Colorado Agrivoltaic Learning Center

Website: https://www.jackssolargarden.com/ and https://www.coagrivoltaic.org/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Agrivoltaics and Jack's Solar Garden

09:28 The Journey to Solar Farming: A Personal Story

13:27 Understanding Microclimates and Their Benefits

18:09 Overcoming Resistance: The Challenges of Solar Adoption

24:05 The Role of Community and Education in Agrivoltaics

26:43 Diverse Agricultural Practices Under Solar Panels

30:18 Engaging the Community: Tours and Education

30:59 Best Practices for Solar Developers in Agriculture

34:10 Sustainable Solar Infrastructure

35:07 Challenges in Solar Development

37:52 The Solar Industry Landscape

38:42 Leasing vs. Building Solar Facilities

43:13 Misconceptions About Solar

46:48 Personal Insights and Benefits of Agrivoltaics

50:03 Future of Agrivoltaics

53:36 Urban Solar Opportunities

Would your relationship survive the trials of starting a goat grazing operation? Could you run a grazing business without purchasing a single goat? How would you find government jobs over 100 miles away from your base of operations? 

The power couple behind Restoration Grazing, Rex Rutledge, and Susan Elder, came on the podcast and talked about how they created a grazing company together despite not being married, revealed how they have a unique agreement with a goat producer that supplies them free of charge with over 400 goats that they use for grazing, and shared how they are able to locate potential government jobs using a bid aggregator.

Where to find them?

Instagram: Restorationgrazing

Facebook: Restoration Grazing

Website: RestorationgrazingLLC.com

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Goat Grazing Podcast and Nofence ad

04:54 Meet the Rutledges: A Journey into Grazing

08:55 Starting Restoration Grazing: The Early Days

13:30 Transitioning to Full-Time Grazing

17:27 Growing the Herd: From 40 to 400 Goats

21:52 15 Innovative Grazing Models and Partnerships

26:40 Challenges in Goat Management

40:02 Navigating Government Contracts

48:44 Building Relationships in the Grazing Industry

59:12 Pricing Strategies for Grazing Services

01:13:42 Future Aspirations for Restoration Grazing

Have you heard of Angora Goats? How would you build a business around colored mohair? Is social media a good way to promote your business?

Rachel Abraham, from Red Falcon Ranch and Shop Caprine, joined Max Wade to discuss how her and her family got into raising colored Angora goats to harvest their mohair, how they decided on making socks and throws, and how soical media has been pivotal in promoting their business.

Find her @

Facebook - Red Falcon Ranch

Substack - Red Falcon Ranch

Instagram - Redfalconranch

Instagram - Shopcaprine

Email - [email protected]

Show notes:

05:16 Exploring the Angora Goat

09:04 The Unique Qualities of Mohair

14:54 The History of Angora Goats

18:36 Challenges in the Colored Mohair Market

22:00 Building Shop Caprine

28:32 Care and Management of Angora Goats

36:54 Targeted Grazing with Angora Goats

43:22 Authenticity Over Perfection

51:29 Understanding the Science of Soft Socks

55:05 Scaling Up: Challenges and Opportunities

1:02:46 Building a Sustainable Future for Angora Goats

1:08:21 Essential Tips for Aspiring Angora Goats

1:11:41 Connecting with Red Falcon Ranch

What would you do if sheepherding a flock of sheep for a Diné family ignited a lifelong passion in you? Do you wish more people were in tune with where their food comes from and had the knowledge to process an animal themselves?

In this episode, Nic Moss, with Bunchgrass Grazing, shares his journey from nomadic shepherd to general contractor, and back again to being a shepherd, but this time as a prescribed sheep and goat grazer with a passion for teaching others about the death and harvesting process. Listen in and learn how this G.O.A.T spends his days educating others and restoring the soil in Central California as a modern-day shepherd.

Find him @

Website: https://www.bunchgrassgrazing.com/

Instagram: bunchgrass.grazing

Facebook: Nicholas Moss

Use Code MaxGraze10 at Nofence.com

Show notes:

Chapters

00:00 Nofence ad

04:56 Introduction to Targeted Grazing in California

08:24 The Journey of Bunch Grass Grazing

09:56The Growth of the Herd and Business Model

14:10 Understanding Grazing Dynamics and Soil Health

17:07 The Role of Weeds in Soil Health

23:21 Grazing contract

26:52 Contracting with livestock transportation

27:05 Future of Targeted Grazing

37:50 The transition from Contracting to Grazing

42:50 Core Tenants of a Grazing Business

44:04 Discovering a Passion for Soil and Nature

46:19 Innovative Uses for Wool and Fiber

51:48 Reconnecting with Meat Processing

57:17 Challenges of Livestock Management

57:41 The Emotional Toll of Ranching

01:00:41 Wild Encounters and Challenges in Grazing

01:03:30 Managing Toxic Plants in Grazing

01:06:13 Grazing in Vineyards: Strategies and Practices

01:10:02 Pricing and Negotiating Grazing Contracts

01:15:31 Advice for Aspiring Shepherds

01:19:16 The End

If the fate of your family farm was in your hands, what would you do to save it from bankruptcy? Where would you go to learn more about the opportunities within the solar grazing industry?

Chad Raines, owner and operator of Key Farms, joined Max Wade on The Goat Grazing Podcast and talked about his journey into becoming a solar sheep grazer. He detailed how sheep were the tool that allowed him to save his family farm and shared the resources that new solar grazers can use to jumpstart their growth and become a member of the American Solar Grazing Association.

Where can you find him:

Facebook: Chad Raines

If you want to become a member sign up at ASGA:

https://solargrazing.org/

Have you thought about becoming a goat grazer but are too afraid to take the leap and quit your job? Do you get tired of always setting up electric net fencing?

Stephanie Bowers with The Glorious Goat Ranch, joined Max Wade to discuss how Nofence gave her the power to manage her herds of goats virtually, eliminating much of the need for electric net fencing, all while working full time for UW Madison.

Where you can find her: @

Facebook: Glorious Goat Ranch and Goats On the Go - Green Bay

Website: gloriousgoatranch.com

Show Notes:

Chapters

Introduction : 0:00

01:36: introducing Stephanie Bowers

04:45: Exploring Goats on The Go

12:16: Managing a large scale operation

19:40: Marketing through goat grazing

27:41: Cost justification for virtual collars

34:33: The great goat escape

40:05: Understanding Nofence Collar saftey

47:07: Understanding your value

55:21: Value added products and goat leasing.

1:04:00: The End

Do you dream of hiking deep into the back country with your family, but can't convince them to carry the packs it would take to make it a comfortable trip? Have you wondered what it would be like to survive entirely off of goat milk on a multi-day hike deep into the mountains? Are goats as lovable as dogs?

Marc Warnke, owner and operator of Pack Goats , joins Max Wade on The Goat Grazing Podcast to discuss how pack carrying goats were the key to getting his whole family deep into the back country, how he survived on a trip drinking over two gallons of goat milk per day, and how the goats have changed his life and gained a true place in his heart.

Find him at:

Instagram:

@packgoats and @Marcwarnke

Facebook:

@packgoats.com and @Marcwarnke

Youtube:

@packgoatscom and

Show Notes:

• (00:00) Introduction to Marc Warnke and the multifaceted power of goats
• (02:24) How goats became Idaho’s best backcountry livestock
• (07:01) The influence of origin stories and goats' capabilities in the wild
• (12:10) The pioneering work of John Mayansinski in goat pack history
• (14:30) Innovative gear, load balancing, and travel logistics for goats
• (18:04) Managing predators and camp safety in predator-rich environments
• (20:20) Goats' nutrition, forage, and wild feeding behaviors

• (25:50) Ripple Ranch
• (28:50 How goats foster connection and therapeutic interactions
• (36:36) Breeding for performance, desire, and herd dynamics
• (42:00) Conditioning goats for endurance and agility
• (55:30) Hunting with goats: stealth, scent cover, and game calling
• (1:05:31) Getting into pack goats
• (1:08:21) Purpose-driven animal use: respect, reverence, and stewardship
• (1:09:38) A trip to live off goat milk—long-distance, high-altitude adventure
• (1:12:27) Biochemical changes in goat milk during demanding backcountry work
• (1:21:20) The importance of social media
• (1:28:38) Advice to people looking to get into pack goats
• (1:34:53) The end

Do you struggle to keep grazing jobs out ahead of you? What would you do if a solar farm was put up near your house? Have you wished there was a better way to manage your herd?

Beau Stafford with Wiscovery Farms joins Max to discuss his journey into solar grazing and what led him to get Nofence electric net collars, which have transformed the way he operates his business and allow him to sleep at night with peace of mind.

Find him @

Instagram: Wiscoveryfarm

Facebook: Wiscovery Farm

Website: Wiscoveryfarm.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Solar Grazing and Sheep Farming

06:11 The Journey into Solar Grazing

09:27 Scaling Up: From 15 to 300 Sheep

12:53 Innovative Composting Practices

16:15 Contract Grazing: Working with Utility Companies

20:03 Navigating Challenges in Solar Grazing

23:24 The Benefits of Grazing Under Solar Panels

26:41 Virtual Fencing: A Game Changer for Grazing

30:12 Financial Considerations and Grant Opportunities

33:35 Mental Health and Peace of Mind in Farming

45:40 The 24/7 Responsibility of Livestock Management

46:28 Remote Monitoring: A Game Changer for Farmers

47:22 Understanding Animal Behavior Through Technology

49:08 Mental Health in Farming: The Importance of Peace of Mind

50:51 Innovative Grazing Techniques: Silvopasture Management

52:41 Breeding Management: The Role of Technology

54:43 The Future of Solar Grazing: Opportunities and Challenges

57:30 Training Livestock for Virtual Fencing

01:00:22 Innovations in Solar Grazing: Enhancing Livestock Welfare

01:04:31 Navigating the Solar Grazing Industry

01:17:57 Advice for New Grazers: Building Relationships and Knowledge

Are you tired of setting up polywire and portable electric net fencing? Do you have dreams of managing your herd from anywhere on the planet?

Lindsey Weber, US Marketing Manager at Nofence, joins Max on The Goat Grazing Podcast to answer all the most commonly asked questions and explain how this cutting-edge technology can allow grazers to avoid portable electric net fencing and give them freedom to manage their herds from anywhere on the planet!

Find Nofence @

Instagram: nofence

Facebook: Nofence USA

Website: Nofence.com

00:00 - Introduction to the podcast and episode overview02:16 - Meet Lindsey Weber, US marketing manager for Nofence05:33 - The Evolution of Nofence Technology09:07 - How the collars work15:23 - Technology behind Nofence20:09 - Addressing connectivity issues22:06 - Nofence customer service24:25 - Collar and subscription costs34:05 - The benefit of Nofence in challenging enviroments 40:05 - GPS Drift

49:48 - Nofence App59:51 - Real time tracking01:15:00 - Nofence on livestock guardian dogs01:08:46 - Unlimited pastures01:12:21 - Future innovations