Episodios

  • 202. Soil Is the CRADLE of Life: A Better Way to Remember Soil Health Principles

    202. Soil Is the CRADLE of Life: A Better Way to Remember Soil Health Principles
    Dec 19 2025

    In this Field Notes episode, Cal slows things down to share a simple way to think about soil health principles that actually sticks when you’re in the pasture. Instead of another list to memorize, this episode introduces CRADLE, a practical framework that organizes well-known soil health principles into something easier to remember and apply in real-world conditions.


    In this episode, we explore:

    • Why soil health principles are easy to understand but hard to recall in real-world decision moments
    • How context shapes the way soil health principles are applied on different operations
    • How the core soil health ideas fit together through the CRADLE framework
    • Where disturbance, soil cover, diversity, living roots, and livestock fit within that bigger picture
    • A simple way to step back and diagnose what might be missing when things aren’t working as expected

    What CRADLE stands for:

    • C — Context
    • R — Reduce Disturbance
    • A — Armor on the Soil
    • D — Diversity
    • L — Living Roots
    • E — Embrace Livestock

    Why listen to this episode?

    If you understand soil health principles but struggle to recall or apply them under real-world pressure, this episode gives you a mental model you can actually use. CRADLE helps move soil health from theory into day-to-day decision-making — without adding complexity.


    Looking ahead

    Next week’s Field Notes tackles a listener question on low-cost corral options, focusing on what actually matters, what you can skip, and practical ways to work animals safely without overspending on infrastructure.


    Thanks to our partners

    Field Notes is made possible by the continued support of Noble Research Institute and Redmond Agriculture. Their commitment to soil health education and stewardship helps make these conversations possible.


    More grass. Better soil. Happier livestock.
    Keep on grazing, and we’ll see you next week.



    Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based Genetics

    Visit our Sponsors:
    Noble Research Institute

    Redmond Agriculture.

    Grazing Grass Links
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    Original Music by Louis Palfrey
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    9 m
  • 201. Intentional Grazing in a Cold Climate with Jacob Morin

    201. Intentional Grazing in a Cold Climate with Jacob Morin
    Dec 17 2025

    In Episode 201 of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal Hardage sits down with Jacob Morin of Target Angus and Le Paysan Gourmand in Quebec. Jacob shares how a college humanities class unexpectedly set him on a path toward regenerative agriculture and how he and his family transitioned a conventional cow-calf operation into a diversified, grass-based farm. Together, they discuss intentional grazing, winter management in cold climates, infrastructure decisions that make daily moves possible, and how direct-to-consumer beef, market gardening, and livestock diversification work together to support the next generation on the farm.


    Topics covered in this episode include:

    • Intentional grazing and adaptive decision-making
    • Winter grazing and bale grazing in cold climates
    • Grazing infrastructure: fencing, water systems, and daily moves
    • Direct-to-consumer beef sales and pricing challenges
    • Diversification with vegetables, hogs, and value-added products
    • Transitioning family farms and planning for future generations
    • Lessons learned from trial, error, and staying flexible

    Why you should listen:
    This episode is packed with real-world insight for producers navigating cooler climates, land constraints, and direct marketing. Jacob’s story highlights how thoughtful grazing, diversification, and intentional choices can build resilience—both in the soil and in the family running the operation. If you’re balancing tradition with change or looking for practical ideas to strengthen your grazing system, this conversation will resonate.


    Resources mentioned in the episode:

    • Target Angus
    • Le Paysan Gourmand
    • Salad Bar Beef by Joel Salatin
    • Pastured Poultry Profits by Joel Salatin
    • The Bold Return of Giving a Damn by Will Harris




    Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based Genetics

    Visit our Sponsors:
    Noble Research Institute

    Redmond Agriculture.

    Grazing Grass Links
    New Listener Resource Guide

    Provide feedback for the podcast
    Website
    Insiders
    Resources
    Community (on Facebook)
    Check out the Apiary Chronicles Podcast

    Original Music by Louis Palfrey
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    1 h y 20 m
  • 200. Starting a Grazing System with Limited Time and Budget with Adam Daugherty

    200. Starting a Grazing System with Limited Time and Budget with Adam Daugherty
    Dec 10 2025

    Adam Daugherty joins us from southern Indiana to share the story of how a few cows, some encouragement from family, and a willingness to try rotational grazing transformed his operation. Adam talks through the early days of partnering with his grandfather and great-aunt, the moment rotational grazing finally “clicked,” and how semi-permanent fencing, flexible water systems, and strategic winter feeding have reshaped his pastures. He also walks us through his approach to genetics, cow size, docility, and marketing calves directly to a feedlot rather than selling through a barn—plus what he wishes new graziers would know before they start.


    Topics Covered

    • Getting started with cattle through family partnerships
    • How one brother-in-law pushed him toward rotational grazing
    • Using fiberglass posts and high-tensile wire as low-cost subdivision fencing
    • Building water hubs, temporary pipelines, and later upgrading to buried lines
    • Using a movable tank and quick-connect valves for efficient daily moves
    • How rotational grazing changed pasture health, weed pressure, and animal behavior
    • Managing winter feeding with concrete pads and strategic hay unrolling
    • Benefits of a sacrifice paddock—and why we shouldn’t be afraid to use one
    • Buying and developing genetics within the family herd
    • Managing docility and safety while working a W2 job
    • Their marketing system: preconditioning and selling directly to a local feedlot
    • Future plans: warm-season grasses, tire-tank siphon systems, and refining genetics

    Why You Should Listen

    Adam exemplifies the reality for many graziers: juggling off-farm jobs, limited time, and a desire to do better with what you already have. His story is packed with practical, low-cost ideas—from fencing to water to winter feeding—that can help new and seasoned graziers rethink their systems. If you’ve ever felt too busy to start rotational grazing or unsure where to begin, Adam’s journey will show you exactly how doable it can be.


    Resources Mentioned

    • Local NRCS & Soil and Water offices (mapping, design, & technical support)
    • Graber Farm Supply (fiberglass posts & materials)
    • Purdue’s Southern Indiana research farm (SIPAC)
    • Daily Manufacturing bale unroller


    Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based Genetics

    Visit our Sponsors:
    Noble Research Institute

    Redmond Agriculture.

    Grazing Grass Links
    New Listener Resource Guide

    Provide feedback for the podcast
    Website
    Insiders
    Resources
    Community (on Facebook)
    Check out the Apiary Chronicles Podcast

    Original Music by Louis Palfrey
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    1 h y 10 m
  • 199. Soil-First Grazing and Earned Efficiency with Rachel Bouressa

    199. Soil-First Grazing and Earned Efficiency with Rachel Bouressa
    Dec 3 2025

    Rachel Bouressa of Bouressa Family Farm joins us from central Wisconsin, where she’s a fifth-generation farmer and second-generation grazier managing 120 acres with a soil-first mindset. After returning home following a barn fire, she rebuilt her operation using perennial forages, diverse annuals, and a willingness to experiment. Today she’s deeply involved with Grassworks, Wisconsin Farmers Union, NRCS conservation planning, women-in-conservation mentoring, and the Upper Fox Wolf Demonstration Farm Network—all while running a thriving direct-to-consumer beef business.

    Topics Covered in This Episode

    • Rebuilding the family farm after a barn fire and starting with just 15 acres
    • Developing a soil-first grazing philosophy and “earned efficiency”
    • Working closely with NRCS and building strong planner–farmer relationships
    • Converting row-crop ground back to pasture using rye, diverse cool-season mixes, and sorghum-Sudan
    • Choosing cattle genetics: British White Parks, Devons, and Murray Greys
    • Direct-to-consumer beef sales and transitioning to Barn2Door
    • Extending the grazing season toward Christmas
    • Audubon Bird-Friendly certification and creating habitat value

    Why You Should Listen

    If you’re looking for a grounded, real-world example of what soil-first grazing looks like in practice, Rachel brings hard-earned wisdom, humility, and a spirit of experimentation. Her story is full of practical insights—from pasture renovation to breed selection to extending the grazing season—and she offers a refreshingly honest look at the challenges and rewards of growing a regenerative, community-connected grazing operation.

    Resources Mentioned

    • Grassworks Conference
    • NRCS grazing resources
    • Audubon Conservation Ranching Program
    • Wendell Berry — Unsettling of America, The Gift of Good Land
    • Fred Provenza — Nourishment




    Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based Genetics

    Visit our Sponsors:
    Noble Research Institute

    Redmond Agriculture.

    Grazing Grass Links
    New Listener Resource Guide

    Provide feedback for the podcast
    Website
    Insiders
    Resources
    Community (on Facebook)
    Check out the Apiary Chronicles Podcast

    Original Music by Louis Palfrey
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    1 h y 17 m
  • 198. Adding Wildlife Income Streams to Your Ranch with Doug Jobes

    198. Adding Wildlife Income Streams to Your Ranch with Doug Jobes
    Nov 26 2025
    Today’s episode features Doug Jobes, Regenerative Ranching Advisor at the Noble Research Institute, whose background spans rural Georgia agriculture, the 75th Ranger Regiment, wildlife science, and rangeland ecology. Doug brings a wildlife-first lens to grazing—not just how animals eat grass, but how grazing decisions ripple out into birds, deer, turkeys, insects, habitat structure, and even the income potential of your ranch.We dig into how wildlife and grazing fit together, what habitat components matter most, how producers can inventory wildlife on their land, and how regenerative grazing opens doors to additional enterprises like hunting leases, ecotourism, and wildlife photography. Doug also explains nesting cover vs. roost sites for turkeys, how to adapt your grazing plan for wildlife without sacrificing profitability, and why “realistic expectations” matter more than anything when managing both grass and critters.Topics CoveredDoug’s journey from Georgia farm life → military service → wildlife science → Noble Research Institute.What “regenerative grazing + wildlife” really means.Why realistic expectations are key when managing habitat.How to inventory wildlife on your property.Differences in wildlife presence between neighboring properties—and why.Monetizing wildlife:Hunting leasesWaterfowl accessDove fieldsFishingEcotourismWildlife photography (and how competitive photographers are!)Habitat needs for:Bobwhite quailGrassland songbirdsWild turkeys—nesting cover + roost treesHow grazing decisions influence bird populations (Roots So Deep examples).Using rest periods strategically for wildlife habitat.The Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP) as a tool for understanding forage history.Doug’s favorite book → Beef, Brush, and BobwhitesWhy market forces matter in conservation decisions.🎧 Why Listen?If you’ve ever wondered how wildlife fits into regenerative ranching—or how your grazing decisions affect far more than cattle—this episode will open your eyes. Doug connects soil health, plant communities, wildlife needs, grazing pressure, and producer profitability in a way few people can. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of habitat, new options for income streams, and several practical management tweaks you can apply immediately.This episode is especially valuable if you’ve been noticing wildlife differences between your property and the neighbors and wondering “why?”Resources MentionedNoble Research Institute: https://noble.orgBeef, Brush, and Bobwhites — Guthery & Hernández (ebook ~$10)Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP): https://rangelands.appRoots So Deep docuseries (bird habitat comparisons)Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based GeneticsVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond Agriculture.Grazing Grass LinksNew Listener Resource GuideProvide feedback for the podcastWebsiteInsidersResourcesCommunity (on Facebook)Check out the Apiary Chronicles PodcastOriginal Music by Louis Palfrey Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based GeneticsVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond Agriculture.Grazing Grass LinksNew Listener Resource GuideProvide feedback for the podcastWebsiteInsidersResourcesCommunity (on Facebook)Check out the Apiary Chronicles PodcastOriginal Music by Louis Palfrey
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    1 h y 15 m
  • 197. Silvopasture in the Real World with Austin Unruh

    197. Silvopasture in the Real World with Austin Unruh
    Nov 19 2025

    Austin Unruh returns for another deep, practical conversation on silvopasture — this time focusing on “the dip,” livestock pressure, pruning, shade strategy, pigs and poultry in tree systems, and what to do in Year Zero before you ever put a seedling in the ground. If you’ve ever stared at your pastures on a hot day wishing you had more shade… this one will light a fire under you.


    What we cover in this episode:

    • The “dip” in silvopasture: why years 1–4 feel like a grind
    • Shade as the low-hanging fruit — and why it’s only the beginning
    • Livestock pressure: how to protect trees when cattle, horses, and wildlife want to destroy them
    • Pruning young vs. established trees (and the dangers of over-pruning)
    • Species selection for different goals: shade, fodder, privacy screens, and livestock feed
    • Why mulberries and persimmons shine for pigs and poultry
    • Running pigs IN establishment-phase silvopasture (pros, cons, protection methods)
    • Tree spacing, patterns, and why grids usually beat random placements
    • Managing compaction, vole pressure, and bark hardening
    • Year Zero → Year Two: fall tasks, maintenance, ordering trees, and setting up for success
    • Why early wins matter psychologically (and how to get them)
    • Continuous grazing vs rotational grazing when it comes to tree crops

    If you’re serious about silvopasture, this episode gives you a roadmap from the ground up — from species selection and timing to realistic maintenance and livestock integration. Austin breaks down the parts most graziers underestimate: the grind, the setbacks, and the discipline it takes before shade and feed finally show up. Whether you’re planting five trees or five hundred, you’ll walk away with clearer steps and fewer unknowns.


    Resources mentioned:

    • Trees for Graziers — treesforgraziers.com
    • Castor oil vole deterrent products
    • Acres U.S.A. (publisher of Austin’s upcoming second edition)
    • Liberty apple, crabapple, and apple-crab varieties
    • Hybrid willow, hybrid poplar, black locust, honey locust
    • Rusted Plowshare Farm (Josh Payne)

    Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based Genetics

    Visit our Sponsors:
    Noble Research Institute

    Redmond Agriculture.

    Grazing Grass Links
    New Listener Resource Guide

    Provide feedback for the podcast
    Website
    Insiders
    Resources
    Community (on Facebook)
    Check out the Apiary Chronicles Podcast

    Original Music by Louis Palfrey



    Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based Genetics

    Visit our Sponsors:
    Noble Research Institute

    Redmond Agriculture.

    Grazing Grass Links
    New Listener Resource Guide

    Provide feedback for the podcast
    Website
    Insiders
    Resources
    Community (on Facebook)
    Check out the Apiary Chronicles Podcast

    Original Music by Louis Palfrey
    Más Menos
    1 h y 10 m
  • 196. Regenerative Grazing and Direct Marketing Success with Leslie Svacina

    196. Regenerative Grazing and Direct Marketing Success with Leslie Svacina
    Nov 12 2025

    Leslie returns to share what’s changed since her first appearance in Episode 28. She runs Cylon Rolling Acres in northwestern Wisconsin, where she grazes both goats and Texel sheep on pasture and markets meat directly to consumers through a thriving online business. This episode dives deep into her evolution from wholesale to a sustainable, subscription-based direct-to-consumer model — plus her approach to regenerative grazing with multi-species livestock.


    Topics Covered

    • Managing a mixed flock of goats and Texel sheep under rotational grazing
    • Wool utilization and creative uses for lower-grade fleece
    • Transitioning from wholesale markets to direct-to-consumer meat sales
    • Building a loyal customer base through email marketing and education
    • Details of her goat meat subscription model (quarterly boxes, whole-goat option)
    • Processing and shipping logistics, including use of dry ice
    • Lessons from receiving USDA Value-Added Producer and Buy Local grants
    • Educational resources: Goat Meat Primer eBook, Grazing With Leslie blog, and online courses

    If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a small ruminant enterprise into a profitable, direct-to-consumer brand, Leslie’s model is a must-hear. She shares practical insight on managing inventory, shipping meat, marketing through education, and keeping customers subscribed.


    Resources Mentioned

    • CylonRollingAcres.com
      – Farm website for direct meat sales
    • GrazingWithLeslie.com
      – Educational blog for producers
    • GrassWorks Grazing Conference (Wisconsin)

    Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based Genetics

    Visit our Sponsors:
    Noble Research Institute

    Redmond Agriculture.

    Grazing Grass Links
    New Listener Resource Guide

    Provide feedback for the podcast
    Website
    Insiders
    Resources
    Community (on Facebook)
    Check out the Apiary Chronicles Podcast

    Original Music by Louis Palfrey


    Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based Genetics

    Visit our Sponsors:
    Noble Research Institute

    Redmond Agriculture.

    Grazing Grass Links
    New Listener Resource Guide

    Provide feedback for the podcast
    Website
    Insiders
    Resources
    Community (on Facebook)
    Check out the Apiary Chronicles Podcast

    Original Music by Louis Palfrey
    Más Menos
    1 h y 24 m
  • 195. South Poll Field Day Special: Real Ranchers, Real Results

    195. South Poll Field Day Special: Real Ranchers, Real Results
    Nov 5 2025
    In this special in-person episode recorded at the South Poll Field Day, Cal sits down with some of the biggest names connected to the South Poll breed and regenerative grazing movement — Teddy Gentry, Greg Judy, Ralph & Jerry Voss, Steve Freeman, and Nathan Hahn.You’ll hear the story of how the South Poll breed was created, the philosophy behind it, and how it continues to thrive on real-world farms. From developing heat-tolerant genetics and maintaining fertility in tough environments to direct-to-consumer beef and breeding program strategies, this episode captures a living snapshot of regenerative cattle culture in action.Guests include:🧬 Teddy Gentry — Founder of the South Poll breed, sharing its origin, composite makeup, and the importance of fertility, longevity, and line breeding for efficiency.🌱 Greg Judy — Missouri grazier explaining how South Polls transformed his operation, reduced inputs, and made it possible to quit his off-farm job.👩‍🌾 Ralph & Jerry Voss — Longtime breeders whose herd and friendship with Greg Judy led to some of the most influential South Poll genetics today.🐄 Steve Freeman — Missouri cattleman with over 40 years of experience, describing how South Polls helped him achieve 95% conception rates and a truly profitable grass-only system.🥩 Nathan Hahn — Kentucky farmer finishing and selling beef direct-to-consumer, detailing how South Polls fit perfectly into a low-input, grass-finished operation.Why You Should ListenWhether you raise South Polls or not, this episode is packed with wisdom about:Selecting for fertility and longevity over size or EPDs.Building a profitable cow herd that thrives on grass alone.Breeding and marketing strategies for grass-fed genetics.The real-world economics and mindset shifts behind regenerative ranching.How smaller, calmer, efficient cattle can make you money — and peace of mind.It’s part history lesson, part grazing masterclass, and a celebration of the community driving the South Poll breed forward.Resources MentionedSouth Poll Grass Cattle AssociationGreg Judy – Green Pastures FarmVoss South PollsUnity FarmsLooking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based GeneticsVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond Agriculture.Grazing Grass LinksNew Listener Resource GuideProvide feedback for the podcastWebsiteInsidersResourcesCommunity (on Facebook)Check out the Apiary Chronicles PodcastOriginal Music by Louis Palfrey Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass? Check out Grass Based GeneticsVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond Agriculture.Grazing Grass LinksNew Listener Resource GuideProvide feedback for the podcastWebsiteInsidersResourcesCommunity (on Facebook)Check out the Apiary Chronicles PodcastOriginal Music by Louis Palfrey
    Más Menos
    2 h y 2 m