📣 Horns N Hooves are back with another auction - Mother's Day Sale, May 10th. More details to follow!

Ever wondered how online livestock auctions actually work - and whether to trust them? Lori and Taylor sit down with Carol and Becky from Willoughby and W2 Auction Solutions to pull back the curtain on the online auction world. From reserves and racehorse-style bidding to bidder anonymity and fair market value, this episode cuts through the noise and the Facebook drama.

Key Takeaways

Online auctions create a level playing field for buyers and sellers.

Reserves and floors are not the same thing - knowing the difference matters.

Racehorse-style bidding benefits both buyers and sellers.

Bidder anonymity protects everyone and is standard practice across all auction types.

Auction results across different farms cannot be directly compared - genetics, registration, and marketing all affect price.

Episode Highlights

Carol explains how W2 Auction Solutions went from live shows to pioneering online livestock sales in 2006.

The team breaks down racehorse-style vs. staggered-ending auctions and why livestock sellers prefer it.

Lori and Carol tackle the Facebook misconceptions around shill bidding and fake prices.

Becky and the hosts discuss why even smaller breeders benefit from using auction software.

Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome back and guest introductions

01:14 — How W2 Auction Solutions was born

04:00 — Why online auctions cut out the time-wasters

07:44 — Racehorse-style vs. staggered ending auctions

09:03 — Reserves, floors, and fair market value explained

10:25 — The truth about bidder anonymity

17:39 — Misconceptions and the online auction learning curve

25:06 — Can you compare prices across different auctions?

30:00 — Building your brand before you sell

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Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

What does it really take to build a Highland cattle herd from scratch? This week Taylor sits down with Lauren of Grand Marsh Highlands - a small-scale farmer from Northwest Indiana who went from suburban life to mini Highlands in just six years.

Lauren shares the honest realities of cattle ownership: navigating financial hardship, treating sick animals, calving complications, and running a farm solo with young kids. If you're thinking about starting a herd, this one's essential listening.

Key Takeaways

Have a large animal vet lined up before your cattle arrive.

A head gate or chute is essential - not optional.

Registered mini Highlands suit smaller acreages and tighter budgets.

Cattle are a genuine financial asset when life gets tough.

Know your medicines before your animals arrive.

Episode Highlights

Lauren's journey from full-size to mini Highlands.

Why registered cattle make better business sense. Managing calving complications including meconium-covered calves.

Balancing farm work solo with young children.

Farm safety realities and heavy machinery near-misses.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome and introducing Lauren

01:22 Navigating financial hardship with cattle

04:48 What Lauren wishes she'd known from the start

08:06 Head gates and cattle handling setups

13:45 Registered vs unregistered- the switch to minis

19:00 Calving complications and what to watch for

20:17 Farming solo with young kids

23:42 Farm safety moments

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Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com

Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

Lori's back after a scary health battle - a heart ablation that changed everything - and she's not holding back. In this raw, just-us episode, Lori and Taylor catch up on the chaos of calving season: surprise twins, backwards calves, stillbirths, mastitis warnings, and one very mischievous pig named Arnold. Real talk, real farm life.

Key Takeaways

Health comes first - Lori's heart ablation was terrifying, but waiting would have been worse.

Always check for a second calf after a difficult pull, especially a backwards presentation.

Keep new mums and calves in the barn - it's how you catch mastitis before it becomes a crisis.

Shaving around a Highland's udder can help you monitor bag health and reduce bacteria.

C-section cows can breed back successfully - don't automatically cull them.

Episode Highlights

Lori's heart ablation story and recovery. Twin bull calves - one born 17 hours after the other! A backwards calf pulled at 1am. Jojo's back-to-back stillbirths and the tough decisions that follow. Mastitis caught just in time. Arnold the pig causing chaos (as always).

Timestamps

0:00 — Welcome back & Lori's health update

2:30 — Heart ablation recovery

5:00 — Calving season chaos begins

6:30 — The backwards twin at 1am

9:00 — Discovering the second twin 17 hours later

12:30 — Jojo's stillborn calves

14:45 — The Shortlander C-section story

18:00 — Mastitis: catching it before it's too late

22:40 — Highland udder shaving & bull manscaping

25:00 — Arnold the pig strikes again

26:30 — Come on the podcast!

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Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

In this episode of Horns N’ Hooves, host Taylor sits down with Shane Stout, an instructor from the renowned Graham School, to talk about hands-on cattle education and why proper training is so valuable for both beginners and experienced producers.

Shane shares the long history of the school, what students can expect during the week-long course, and why learning anatomy, nutrition, breeding, and calving skills in a practical setting can make a huge difference on the farm.

Key Takeaways

The Graham School focuses on real-world, hands-on learning that covers everything from anatomy and nutrition to breeding and calving. Students work with multiple cows each day, gaining the confidence and practical skills needed to handle real situations at home. The program also emphasises networking, encouraging students to build relationships with veterinarians, nutritionists, bankers, and other industry professionals.

Episode Highlights

Shane explains the school’s history dating back to 1904 and how it evolved from an equine programme into a comprehensive cattle school.The conversation covers the importance of classroom fundamentals before hands-on work, why nutrition is often overlooked by new producers, and how the school prepares students to handle real-life calving situations.

Taylor also shares her personal experience attending the course and why she recommends it to anyone entering the cattle industry, from homesteaders to miniature cattle breeders.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and guest Shane Stout

01:05 History of the Graham School

03:04 Why the school is valuable for new cattle owners

04:06 Classroom learning: anatomy, breeding, and nutrition

05:20 The importance of networking in the cattle industry

06:20 Ongoing support for students during calving season

09:04 New tools and techniques in cattle management

10:32 Hands-on learning with live cattle

14:27 Women in the cattle industry and class experiences

15:27 Calving lectures and real-world scenarios

20:09 Shane’s experience teaching at the school

22:00 Growth of niche breeds like miniature Highlands

23:41 Lifetime tuition and returning to the school

25:04 Why young producers and homesteaders should attend

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Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com

Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

In this episode of Horns and Hooves, professional hoof trimmer Adam Marshall joins the show to discuss the critical importance of hoof health and structural confirmation in miniature cattle and Highland crosses.

Adam shares his expertise on how genetics, environment, and nutrition all play a vital role in keeping your herd sound, famously noting that "it all goes hand in hand" when balancing body confirmation with foot health. Listeners will learn why miniature breeds are prone to specific issues like "corkscrew claw" and how modern feeding habits might be growing hooves faster than nature intended.

Key Takeaways

Hoof health is driven by the trifecta of genetics, environment, and nutrition, with environment often being the most impactful factor for domestic cattle. To promote natural wear, owners should force movement by placing water and feed at opposite ends of the pasture. Additionally, be wary of high-energy treats; "hotter" rations lead to faster, often problematic hoof growth.

Episode Highlights

Adam explains why sand often acts more like mud than sandpaper, failing to provide the natural abrasion needed for Highland hooves.

The discussion also covers serious health warnings regarding contagious hoof warts and the "sugar wrap" method for drawing out infections.

Finally, Adam provides practical advice for those looking to hire a trimmer, emphasizing the need for specialized equipment that can safely handle horned or miniature livestock.

Timestamps

00:20 Introduction of Guest Adam Marshall

01:24 The Link Between Genetics and Foot Confirmation

04:41 Environmental Factors and Promoting Natural Wear

05:27 Why High-Energy Treats Can Harm Hoof Health

09:50 Identifying Genetic Issues Like Corkscrew Claw

12:18 Managing Contagious Warts and Hoof Rot

18:40 Differences Between Maintenance and Show Trims

22:30 Maximize Your Chute Time with Extra Services

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Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

In this episode of Horns and Hooves, Taylor returns from a transformative week at the Graham School in Garnett, Kansas. Stepping far outside her comfort zone, she dives into the technical world of cattle management, covering everything from ultrasounding and pregnancy checking to nutrition and herd health.

Taylor shares her excitement about bringing these new skills back to her mini highland herd, noting that "you're learning everything you need to know from the moment that calf is in the womb... to taking it to the sale barn". The duo also discusses a fascinating product called Bovi-Thera (referenced as "therapies") that mimics a nursing calf to calm livestock during high-stress events like weaning, shipping, and AI.

Key Takeaways

The Graham School offers an intensive five-day cattleman course providing hands-on experience with pregnancy checking, ultrasounding, and fertility management.

Once you pay the initial fee, students can return to future classes for free to refresh their skills.

Calming products that mimic natural maternal pheromones can significantly improve conception rates during AI and reduce weight loss during shipping.

Proper semen handling is critical, as even slight temperature changes in the neck of the tank can damage motility and lower success rates.

Episode Highlights

Taylor describes her experience as a "niche breed" owner among 19 students from across the country, including Hawaii and Florida.

We discuss the challenges of confirming pregnancies in miniature donkeys and horses, hoping that external ultrasound techniques might provide a faster solution than waiting a year for a foal.

We also touch on the emotional side of ranching, acknowledging the mourning process cows go through after losing a calf.

Finally, we look forward to the National Western Stock Show in Denver, discussing the preparations for showing heifers in the new facilities.

Timestamps

00:11 Graham School overview and location

01:04 Skills learned: Ultrasounding and preg checking

05:29 The "Return and Learn" free tuition policy

07:18 Benefits of calming pheromone products

10:40 Testing external ultrasound on mini donkeys

14:07 Technical tips for AI and semen handling

16:43 Coping with calving losses and breech births

19:18 Preparing for the National Western Stock Show

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Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

In this episode of Hooves and Horns, we sit down with Courtney Henson from Little Finger Farms to discuss the reality of starting and scaling a small livestock operation. We dive deep into the lessons learned when transitioning from a hobby to a production farm, emphasizing that "Progress, not perfection" is the key to success in the homesteading world.

Courtney shares her experience moving from Virginia to Northwest Georgia and how she navigated the challenges of regional differences in cattle management and pasture care. From the importance of soil sampling to the brutal honesty required when managing animal numbers, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to optimize their farm forages and livestock safety.

Key Takeaways

Utilize local resources like your county extension office for free soil sampling and expert regional advice.

Implement rotational grazing and stockpile forages to offset the high costs of hay during drought seasons.

Maintain a "brutally honest" assessment of your property’s carrying capacity to avoid overgrazing and financial strain.

Understand livestock safety and behavior, especially when integrating different species like cattle, donkeys, and goats.

Episode Highlights

The transition from hobby farming to intentional livestock production.

Regional differences in forage quality and the impact of Georgia droughts.

How to effectively use temporary fencing and rotational management.

Managing animal temperament and safety tips for handling fluffy but pushy cows.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to Courtney Henson and Little Finger Farms.

05:22 - Moving a farm from Virginia to Georgia.

12:15 - The importance of soil sampling and extension offices.

18:45 - Strategies for rotational grazing and drought management.

25:30 - "The Math": Balancing animal numbers with available acreage.

32:10 - Safety tips for livestock owners and "Cow Math".

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Contact Courtney Henson: Little Finger Farm

Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

In this episode of Horns N Hooves, we are joined by Trevor and Nichole Warren, the founders of North True Feeds. They share the science and passion behind their cold-pressed livestock tubs, explaining how this unique process preserves vital nutrients that are often lost in traditional heat-processed feeds. The Warrens dive into how their products, ranging from fly control with garlic to gut health support, are helping producers across the country achieve a more resilient and healthy herd.

Key Takeaways

Cold-pressing technology ensures that vitamins and minerals remain bioavailable and are not damaged by high temperatures during manufacturing.

Managing livestock health starts with the gut; when the digestive system is balanced, cattle are better equipped to handle stress and environmental challenges.

Natural ingredients like garlic and apple cider vinegar provide effective, chemical-free solutions for pest management and overall immunity.

Episode Highlights

Trevor and Nichole discuss the "incredible process" of creating biodegradable tubs that leave no waste behind in the pasture. They explain the specific benefits of their "Butter" and "Peanut" lick tubs and how these formulations cater to different livestock needs throughout the year. The conversation also covers the importance of empowering the next generation of farmers with hands-on nutritional knowledge.

Timestamps

00:00 Introducing Trevor and Nichole Warren of North True Feeds

08:45 The science of cold-pressed nutrition versus cooked tubs

15:20 Utilizing garlic and apple cider vinegar for natural health

25:10 Environmental impact and the benefits of biodegradable packaging

38:40 Expanding niches in the cattle industry and helping producers succeed

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Contact Trevor and Nichole Warren: True North Feeds LLC

Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/