The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast

📝 Featured Speaker: Darren Doherty, an expert in regenerative agriculture and farm planning.

In this episode, Darren Doherty dives deep into the tools and techniques for effective farm planning and management. The discussion highlights a range of topics, from mapping resources in the US to the history of Keyline design, developed by P.A. Yeomans, and its role in managing water and soil.

Darren explores the Regrarians platform, the use of Google Earth Pro for farm design, and the importance of maintaining 100% ground cover to increase soil organic carbon and water retention. This episode also touches on advanced techniques such as landscape function analysis, agroforestry software, and the design of roads for water catchment.

1. Mapping Resources in the US:

2. Regrarians Platform & Google Earth Pro:

3. History of Keyline Design:

4. Landscape Function Analysis:

5. Water Management & Infrastructure:

6. Agroforestry & Farm Planning Software:

7. Road Design for Water Catchment:

1. Generate a farm map using resources like LiDAR data and historical topographic maps from the USGS TopoView.
2. Utilize the Regrarians platform template in Google Earth Pro to organize and design your farm, capturing key details about your farm's objectives and infrastructure.
3. Implement landscape function analysis to evaluate the soil surface’s stability, water infiltration, and nutrient cycling on your farm.
4. Focus on maintaining 100% ground cover to promote soil health and improve water retention across your landscape.
5. Explore the use of gravity-fed water systems and portable infrastructure, such as electric fencing and water troughs, to enhance your farm's efficiency.
6. Look into using Overyield software for agroforestry projects to integrate trees and assess their economic and environmental impacts.
7. Consider the benefits of gradient catchment roads to effectively capture runoff water and replenish water sources for your farm.

For more insights and resources, be sure to check out our monthly magazine, live events, and the latest specials here.

🎙️ Episode Title: Designing Your Landscape (Part 1 of 4)
📝 Featured Speaker: Darren Doherty

In this episode of the Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast, Darren Doherty, a renowned farm planner, takes us through the fundamentals of designing landscapes with a regenerative agriculture focus. This episode is the first of a four-part series where Doherty shares his extensive knowledge on farm planning and landscape management.

🔑 Key Points Covered:

Understanding Purpose & Context: Doherty emphasizes the importance of defining a clear purpose and thoroughly understanding your farm’s unique context before transitioning to regenerative agriculture.

Holistic Approach to Farm Design: He outlines the importance of considering various factors such as climate, geography, water, access, ecosystems, buildings, fencing, soils, economy, and energy in farm planning.

Learning from Aboriginal Australians: Doherty reflects on the profound influence of Aboriginal Australians in nurturing and managing the landscape, drawing lessons for modern regenerative practices.

Challenges of Adoption: The speaker acknowledges the difficulties farmers face in adopting new systems and breaking away from conventional models.

Introduction to the Regrarians Platform: He introduces listeners to the Regrarians platform, a planning framework built upon P.A. Yeomans' Keyline Scale of Permanence, designed to support farmers in creating a sustainable and resilient landscape.

Tailored Strategies Over Replication: Doherty advises against simply copying successful models like Polyface Farm, encouraging a more strategic, pragmatic, and incremental approach, tailored to each farm’s specific needs and circumstances.

🌱 Actionable Insights:

Before making any major changes to your farm, define your goals and align them with the broader context of your land and resources.

Adopt a holistic approach in farm planning that integrates natural systems with your farm’s infrastructure and management practices.

Consider taking inspiration from indigenous land management practices, which have sustained ecosystems for millennia.

Start small and be strategic—incremental changes lead to lasting success.

Use the Regrarians platform as a comprehensive tool for planning and implementing regenerative agriculture practices.

For more insights on regenerative agriculture and to dive deeper into designing a farm landscape that works in harmony with nature, tune in to the next episode in this series.

Be sure to check out our monthly magazine, live events, and the latest specials here.

🎙️ Episode Title: Why “Take Half, Leave Half” Is Not a Universal Rule
📝 Featured Speaker: Jim Gerrish

In this episode, Jim Gerrish, a renowned grazing management expert, challenges the traditional “take half, leave half” rule and explores why it may not be the best approach for every grazing situation. Drawing from his vast experience as both a researcher and practitioner, Jim explains how this guideline can vary greatly depending on environmental factors and management goals.

🔑 Key Points Covered:

🌱 Actionable Insights:

To learn more about Jim Gerrish’s work and his approach to adaptive grazing management, check out the show notes for links to his books and resources on Management-intensive Grazing. Be sure to explore our monthly magazine, live events, and latest specials. 

For more insights and resources, be sure to check out our monthly magazine, live events, and the latest specials here.

🎙️ Episode Title: Keys to Success
📝 Featured Article: Keys to Success by Joel Salatin (from Meadow Talk)

In this episode of the Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast, we highlight Joel Salatin's insights on what separates thriving farmers from those who struggle, drawn from his reflections in the "Meadow Talk" column. Inspired by a conversation with a $2 billion New Zealand agriculture cooperative, Salatin dives into four key principles for achieving long-term success in farming. Drawing on the wisdom of Allan Nation, founder of Stockman Grass Farmer, Salatin offers invaluable guidance on mindset, peer influence, patience, and financial management.

🔑 Key Points Covered:

Pretties vs. Practicality:
Salatin shares Allan Nation’s belief that profitable farms often have a "threadbare" appearance. Instead of focusing on aesthetics like white fences, the key to success is putting time and resources into what truly matters: forage, animals, and operational efficiency.

Peers and Unorthodox Thinking:
Successful farmers often go against the grain, adopting unconventional methods that neighbors might consider crazy. Salatin emphasizes the importance of learning from the top 10% rather than following what the average farmer does. From installing water lines to managing without vet bills, it’s about doing what works, not what’s typical.

Patience in Biological Systems:
Salatin reminds listeners that farming operates on nature’s timetable, not ours. From regenerating overgrazed land to managing weeds, real transformation can take years. Success comes with patient management, strategic grazing, and thoughtful interventions like pastured poultry.

Penny-Watching:
Borrowing from Allan Nation’s wisdom, Salatin underscores the importance of watching every penny. Whether it’s eliminating unnecessary costs or considering value-adding opportunities, successful farmers know their numbers. They don’t just compete—they innovate and differentiate, wearing the "middleman hat" to capture retail dollars.

🌱 Actionable Insights:

Focus on Practical Investments:
Don’t get caught up in making your farm look perfect. Invest in things that directly improve your bottom line, like healthy forage and efficient animal management.

Seek Out Unorthodox Solutions:
Don’t follow the crowd. If your methods seem odd to your neighbors, you’re probably on the right track. Be willing to try new ideas and learn from the most successful in the field.

Give Nature Time:
Farming success takes patience. Don’t expect overnight changes, but trust that careful management will yield long-term results.

Be Meticulous with Your Finances:
Watch every penny and look for opportunities to increase income, whether through diversification, custom grazing, or direct marketing.

For more insights and resources, be sure to check out our monthly magazine, live events, and the latest specials here.

🎙️ Episode Title: Permanent Fencing Options
📝 Featured Article: Permanent Fencing Options by Brandon Mitchell

In this episode of the Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast, we explore essential choices for permanent fencing, a cornerstone of effective farm management. Whether managing cattle, goats, or hogs, selecting the appropriate fencing can significantly impact your livestock's well-being and land management. We cover the three primary types of fencing—barbed wire, high-tensile electric, and field fence—each with its unique benefits and challenges tailored to different livestock, property sizes, and terrains.

🔑 Key Points Covered:

Types of Fencing:
A comprehensive overview of barbed wire, high-tensile electric, and field fence. Each type is examined for its suitability depending on the specific needs of your livestock and property.

Cost and Maintenance:
A comparison of costs and maintenance requirements for each fencing type. This includes initial investment, long-term upkeep, and durability.

Best Fencing Options by Species:
Recommendations on the most effective fencing choices for different types of livestock, such as cattle, goats, and hogs.

Pros and Cons:
Analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of each fence type in relation to property size, local weather conditions, and potential wildlife interactions.

Decision-Making Tips:
Guidance on upgrading existing fencing or installing new systems, offering valuable insights for making informed decisions to enhance farm success.

🌱 Tune in now to make the best fencing choice for your livestock and land management needs! For more detailed information, check out our monthly magazine, live events, and the latest specials here.

🎙️ Episode Title: Smart & Special: The Big Picture with Joel Salatin (Part 2)
📝 Featured Speaker: Joel Salatin

In Part 2 of Joel Salatin's Smart & Special series, Joel dives into advanced strategies for sustainable farming, focusing on financial management, diversifying income streams, and maximizing farm profitability. He emphasizes capital preservation, creative revenue generation through agritourism, and the benefits of stacking multiple enterprises on a single property. Joel provides actionable advice on niche markets and strategic planning to help farmers thrive in a competitive landscape.

🔑 Key Points Covered:

Financial Management and Capital Preservation:
Joel stresses the importance of preserving capital and managing cash flow. He advises against depleting resources and suggests renting or sharing equipment to maintain financial flexibility. He also introduces a payback period framework for investments: green light for three years, yellow light for three to seven years, and red light for over seven years.

Diversifying Income Streams and Agritourism:
Joel highlights the potential for additional revenue through agritourism. He provides examples such as farm tours, events, classes, and workshops, including creative ideas like farm Olympics and pizza nights. He encourages farmers to leverage their unique assets to attract visitors and create differentiated experiences.

Stacking Enterprises on a 10-Acre Farm:
Joel illustrates how to maximize profitability by stacking multiple agricultural enterprises on a 10-acre farm. He covers raising various livestock, growing crops, beekeeping, and offering value-added products. The idea is to create a complementary mix of activities that can generate substantial revenue and support multiple full-time workers.

Niche Markets and Differentiation:
Joel advocates for exploring niche markets and differentiating farm offerings. He provides examples like customized rose cultivation and artisanal food production. He emphasizes the importance of branding, storytelling, and offering unique products to attract customers and command premium prices.

Mission Statement and Strategic Planning:
Joel underscores the value of a clear mission statement for guiding business decisions and attracting collaborators. He also stresses the need for measurable objectives, a written roadmap, and strategic planning to effectively allocate resources and avoid costly mistakes.

🌱 Actionable Insights:

For more insights and updates, check out our monthly magazine, live events, and the latest specials here.

🎙️ Episode Title: Smart & Special: The Big Picture with Joel Salatin (Part 1)
📝 Featured Speaker: Joel Salatin

In this first part of Joel Salatin's Smart & Special series, he dives into critical aspects of small-scale farming, including time management, ecological timelines, and weed management. Joel offers practical advice on optimizing farm operations, managing repetitive tasks, and understanding the broader ecological and economic implications of farm management. This episode provides valuable insights for farmers looking to enhance efficiency and sustainability in their operations.

🔑 Key Points Covered:

Time Management and Self-Auditing:
Joel emphasizes the need for farmers to conduct a self-audit to understand how their time is spent. He uses his father’s practice of logging time in five-minute increments as an example and discusses the concept of opportunity costs, encouraging farmers to evaluate the profitability of activities such as farmer's markets.

Ecological Timelines and Weed Management:
Joel highlights the importance of recognizing ecological timelines, such as the gradual healing of eroded land and the development of balanced ecosystems in new ponds. He advocates for a holistic approach to weed management, viewing weeds as indicators of past practices and potential sources of carbon and biodiversity, and encourages recognizing their nutritional and medicinal value for livestock.

Chores and Routine for Livestock:
The episode discusses the concept of 'chores'—repetitive daily tasks—and recommends limiting them to four hours per day to prevent burnout. Joel stresses the importance of maintaining consistent routines for livestock, such as regular moving of egg mobiles and paddock shifts. He also suggests using technology, like automatic chicken doors and fence grazers, to streamline chores.

Succession Planning and Generational Farming:
Joel touches on the importance of succession planning, emphasizing the need for involving multiple generations in the farm to ensure long-term sustainability. He acknowledges the complexities of transferring wealth and ownership and highlights the importance of managing relationships throughout the process.

🌱 Actionable Insights:

For more insights and to stay updated, check out our monthly magazine, live events, and the latest specials here.

This is part 3 from Abram Bowerman’s talk – Sheep: Corner the Profit at SGF’s 2022 Gathering at Polyface.

Forge availability and labor are the biggest challenges limiting full-time shepherds. Abram shares how he overcame these obstacles to become a self-financed grazier by the age of 25. He grazes multi-species with sheep as the centerpiece. 

 For more detailed information, check out our monthly magazine, live events, and the latest specials here.

This is part 2 from Abram Bowerman’s talk – Sheep: Corner the Profit at SGF’s 2022 Gathering at Polyface.

In this episode, Abram delves into the challenges faced by full-time shepherds, especially in terms of forage availability and labor. Discover how he conquered these hurdles and achieved self-financed grazier status by the impressive age of 25. 

Key Highlights:

For more detailed information, check out our monthly magazine, live events, and the latest specials here.

This is part 2 from the beginning session Take This Farm and Love It From The Grazier's Business School With Joel Salatin and Steve Kenyon. 

Prepare to embark on an educational journey with Steven Kenyon that will transform your approach to farm management, business, and success. The Grazier's Business School is dedicated to equipping you with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in the world of sustainable agriculture. 

It's time to level up your farm business and create a brighter future for your agricultural endeavors.   You became a grassfarmer because: *It allows you to be a steward for the land… *You wanted to be part of a system that supports health.. *it’s just common sense…   Regardless of your reason, you know:   YOU NEED PROFIT TO PERPETUATE YOUR MISSION.