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

Glenn McCaig of Perry's Corners Farm returns to the Grazing Grass Podcast to talk through livestock systems that stay practical when you stop trying to perfect everything. Farming with his wife Megan and their three young children just outside Kitchener, Ontario, Glenn shares what is working on their sandy, rocky ground with Lynch Lineback cattle, English Large Black pigs, Clun Forest type sheep, and pastured poultry.In This Episode, We Explore:What Lynch Lineback cattle are and why Glenn values a closed herd approachCalf-sharing milk cows and feeding milk to pigs as part of a whole-farm systemA gilt-only farrowing system that simplifies pig management and tightens farrowing windowsSelecting boars early using practical traits like teat count and mothering abilityFarrowing in pens vs pasture, and what changed with labor, predator pressure, and piglet lossesUsing simple ear notching to make culling decisions faster and more consistent in sheepClosed-flock sheep management, prolific genetics, and handling triplets and quadsThe realities of wool marketing and why some wool is not worth savingWhy Glenn went soy-free (and briefly corn-free) with pigs, and what he learned trying soy-free layersWhat migratory grazing changed for Glenn, and the cattle behavior he notices nowA calendar-based way Glenn thinks about the summer slump, rest periods, and how hay decisions affect grazingWhy This Episode MattersIf you have ever felt like your livestock enterprise got harder the more you tried to fine-tune it, this episode gives a grounded look at simplifying without backing away from good management. Glenn lays out practical systems for pigs, sheep, and cattle that reduce moving parts, tighten decision making, and keep the farm working in real conditions like predator pressure, winter feeding, and limited labor.Resources MentionedAcres U.S.A. PodcastBarefoot Biodynamics by Jeff PoppenSteve Campbell (mentioned in context of clean minerals)Burke Teichert (quote referenced)Find Out MorePerry's Corners Farm | https://perryscornersfarm.caGrazing Grass Community Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Upcoming Grazing EventsNoble Profitability Essentials - Ardmore, OK - February 4-5, 2026Feb 8, 2026 Arrow L Ranch Annual Production SaleVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond AgricultureArrow L Ranch Facebook page | https://www.facebook.com/arrowlranchDV Auction video catalog for the Arrow L Ranch bull sale (opens Feb 6, closes Feb 8 with a soft close) Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey

Mason Lautenschlager and his wife Hannah run Arrow L Ranch near Berthold in northwest North Dakota, where they focus on grass-based enterprises including a cow-calf herd, some direct grass-finished beef, and selling multi-bred composite coming 2-year-old bulls developed on forage.  In This Episode, We Explore:  Building a ranch back after his family sold out of farming and ranching  Buying cows at the top of the market and navigating the crash afterward  Shifting the whole operation toward lower labor and lower equipment intensity  Winter grazing decision-making around snow cover, forage quality, and flexibility  Bale grazing setup, timing, and what it changed on poorer soil areas  Water limitations, fencing lanes, and building a system for easier moves  Stockpiling forage and planning grazing around winter and spring needs  Increasing plant diversity through grazing management rather than seeding  Using forage clippings to estimate available dry matter per acre  Developing bulls on forage and selecting for longevity and fertility over max production  Why This Episode Matters  If winter feed, labor, and equipment costs are squeezing your operation, Mason’s story is a practical look at how constraints can force better systems. This conversation gets into the real tradeoffs of stockpile grazing versus bale grazing, how water and fencing design affect what is possible, and why selection for fertility and longevity can matter more than pushing production.  Resources Mentioned  Agriculture Alberta video series: Managing Risk in Winter Grazing  Principled Land Managers grazing school (Bart Carmichael and Pat Guptill)  North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition  DV Auction  Movie: Moneyball  Book: Lasater Philosophy of Cattle Raising (Tom Lasater)  Find Out More  Arrow L Ranch Facebook page | https://www.facebook.com/arrowlranchDV Auction video catalog for the Arrow L Ranch bull sale (opens Feb 6, closes Feb 8 with a soft close)  | https://www.dvauction.com/video_catalogs/13210 Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Upcoming Grazing EventsNoble Profitability Essentials - Ardmore, OK - February 4-5, 2026Feb 8, 2026 Arrow L Ranch Annual Production SaleVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond AgricultureArrow L Ranch Facebook page | https://www.facebook.com/arrowlranchDV Auction video catalog for the Arrow L Ranch bull sale (opens Feb 6, closes Feb 8 with a soft close) Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey

Hayden and Taylor Sievers of Sievers Blumen Farm in the Brussels, Illinois area share how their farm has evolved from a cut-flower business into a growing grazing-focused cattle operation, alongside grain and hogs, while keeping an eye on family, profitability, and building a system that works on limited acres.In This Episode, We Explore:How Sievers Blumen Farm got its name and the cut-flower beginnings behind the brandFarming in Calhoun County between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, and what that landscape means for grazingConverting a heavily tilled, flood-prone 80 acres into pasture over time while still cash cropping part of itChallenges of establishing pasture on heavy “black stick” clay and lessons learned with broadcast seeding and needing timely rainUsing wheat followed by cover crops and pasture as a transition plan away from cash croppingInfrastructure choices including high-tensile perimeter fence, step-ins, reels, and thoughts on central alley layoutsMoving from Dexters to South Pole-influenced cattle and what they noticed with fly pressure, forage efficiency, and easy-keeping traitsUsing cow-calf as a base herd while considering stockers and sell-buy marketing to capture excess forageTakeaways from stockmanship training, including receiving calves and getting them grazing quickly by focusing on mental and emotional stateRaising meat chickens (including Red Rangers) and layers, plus building and using a chickshaw-style coopTaylor’s path into indie publishing, what she writes, and the discipline of finishing books while raising a familyWhy This Episode MattersIf you are trying to make grazing work on limited acres or on land that is less-than-ideal, this conversation is a practical look at how a young family is building infrastructure, improving soil over time, selecting cattle that fit their system, and staying focused on profitability and quality of life instead of chasing too many enterprises at once.Resources MentionedJoel Salatin (Joe Rogan Podcast)Greg Judy (grazing and fencing approach)Jim Elizondo and total grazing conceptsHand ’n Hand sell-buy marketing class (Tina and Richard)Stockman Grass FarmerWorking Cows podcastRanching Returns podcast (formerly Herd Quitter podcast)Bud Williams stockmanship (referenced through stockmanship training)Dirt to SoilBraiding SweetgrassFor the Love of SoilThe Creative Penn podcast (Joanna Penn)Wish I’d Known Then podcastThe Two Authors podcastJustin Rhodes Chickshaw (mobile coop design)O’Brien step-in postsTaragate reelsMeyer HatcheryMcMurray HatcheryAugust Horstmann's Ranch (Missouri)Find Out MoreWebsite | https://sieversblumenfarm.comInstagram | https://instagram.com/sieversblumenfarmFacebook | https://facebook.com/sieversblumenfarmYouTube | https://youtube.com/@sieversblumenfarmHere is a discount code for our farm shop (https://sieversblumenfarm.com/shop) that listeners can use for 10% off. The code expires in July. GRAZINGGRASS26 Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Upcoming Grazing EventsNoble Profitability Essentials - Ardmore, OK - February 4-5, 2026Feb 8, 2026 Arrow L Ranch Annual Production SaleVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond AgricultureArrow L Ranch Facebook page | https://www.facebook.com/arrowlranchDV Auction video catalog for the Arrow L Ranch bull sale (opens Feb 6, closes Feb 8 with a soft close) Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey

Jonathan Kilpatrick of Red Lantern Ranch and Kilpatrick Land & Livestock joins Cal to share what changed since he first appeared back on episode 2, including moving from Oklahoma to west central Minnesota (Alexandria area) and rebuilding a grazing operation from the ground up with sheep, goats, and pastured poultry.In This Episode, We Explore:What prompted Jonathan and his family to move from Oklahoma to Minnesota and restart their operationLessons Jonathan took from the Ranching for Profit School and how they shaped his decision-makingStarting a grazing operation with a clean slate and building genetics that match the environmentGrazing sheep and goats together and using goats as part of a buckthorn control strategyOutwintering sheep and goats with minimal infrastructure and what that requiresUsing adaptive grazing decisions that fit real life, time constraints, and family prioritiesExpanding from a 45-acre grazing lease by adding tillable acres and converting some to perennialsPartnering with a regenerative crop farmer for strip-till or no-till, cover crops, and added grazing opportunitiesMobile range coop pastured poultry production, daily moves, and labor efficiencyProcessing options, state-inspected processing, and why time is often the limiting resourceMarketing channels including direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and opportunities in ethnic marketsWhy This Episode MattersIf you are building or rebuilding a grazing business, Jonathan lays out a realistic path that balances production, business management, and family life. This conversation is a good reminder that experience matters, time is a real constraint, and matching livestock, grazing, and marketing to your context is what keeps the whole system working.Resources MentionedRanching for Profit SchoolExecutive Link program (Ranching for Profit)Google SheetsExcelChatGPTGeminiP.L. 90-492 (Poultry Products Inspection Act exemption referenced in the discussion)Find Out MoreRed Lantern Ranch website | https://redlanternranch.comKilpatrick Land & Livestock website | https://www.kilpatricklandandlivestock.comSustainable Farming Association (SFA) | https://sfa-mn.org Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Upcoming Grazing EventsNoble Profitability Essentials - Ardmore, OK - February 4-5, 2026Feb 8, 2026 Arrow L Ranch Annual Production SaleVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond AgricultureArrow L Ranch Facebook page | https://www.facebook.com/arrowlranchDV Auction video catalog for the Arrow L Ranch bull sale (opens Feb 6, closes Feb 8 with a soft close) Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey

Zach (first-generation) and Kacie (fifth-generation) Scherler-Abney are ranchers operating Re:Farm and Re:Supply in Cotton and Tillman Counties in southwest Oklahoma, running a cow-calf herd with some stockers while also managing land for others and operating retail stores in Norman, Oklahoma and Wichita Falls, Texas.  In This Episode, We Explore:  - How a personal health scare led them back to the family place and into raising their own food  - Using an autoimmune protocol diet as a catalyst to question food labels and sourcing  - Learning regenerative grazing through books, YouTube, and early hands-on trial and error  - Grazing in a more brittle, variable rainfall environment in southwest Oklahoma and north Texas  - Ultra high-density, non-selective grazing and why recovery time is the key variable for them  - What polywire taught them, and why quality of life and labor forced a change  - Building water systems with HDPE poly pipe, quick couplers, and central lanes for flexibility  - Leasing strategies including Oklahoma state school land (CLO) and BIA tribal land leases  - Transitioning to Halter virtual fencing and what changed in daily management and stress  - How their cattle buying philosophy shifted to phenotype, productivity, and pounds per acre  - Marketing reality checks: balancing direct-to-consumer beef with current sale barn economics  - Why they built brick-and-mortar stores and how non-perishables help stabilize cash flow  - Community-building through retail and sourcing other local products beyond their own beef  Why This Episode Matters  This conversation is a practical look at matching grazing goals to real life, especially when labor, family time, leases, and cash flow are all limiting factors. Zach and Kacie share what worked, what wore them out, what they changed, and how they think about staying flexible without abandoning the core principles that keep land and livestock improving.  Resources Mentioned  - Halter virtual fencing system  - Passon quick couplers  - Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO) grazing leases  - Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) grazing leases  Find Out More  - Instagram | re:farm  - Website | Re:Farm Market  - Facebook | Re:Farm  Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Upcoming Grazing EventsNoble Profitability Essentials - Ardmore, OK - February 4-5, 2026Feb 8, 2026 Arrow L Ranch Annual Production SaleVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond AgricultureArrow L Ranch Facebook page | https://www.facebook.com/arrowlranchDV Auction video catalog for the Arrow L Ranch bull sale (opens Feb 6, closes Feb 8 with a soft close) Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey

Matt Goble joins the Grazing Grass Podcast to share how he’s built a profitable, resilient wool sheep operation in a high-elevation mountain valley using entirely private and marginal land. While working a full-time W-2 job, Matt manages 450 ewes with a strong focus on grazing efficiency, soil health, and thoughtful breeding decisions. His system blends management-intensive grazing, cover crops, and perennial pastures, all adapted to a short growing season and limited irrigation.In this episode, we cover:Grazing irrigated pasture and marginal land in a mountain valleyUsing cover crops to build soil before establishing perennial pastureManaging sheep with daily and multi-day grazing movesLambing systems, jug management, and efficiency at scaleBreeding strategies for maternal traits and terminal lambsUsing ear notching and simple visual systems to reduce decision fatiguePredator pressure and why net fencing matters for sheepBalancing stocking rates during drought yearsAdding chickens and turkeys to improve soil and diversify incomeMatching enterprise scale to land capacity and lifestyle goalsWhy This Episode Matters: This conversation is a clear example of how management, not acres, often determines success. Matt shows how intentional grazing, simple systems, and observation can double productivity without doubling land or inputs. His practical insights into lambing efficiency, breeding decisions, and drought planning offer valuable lessons for anyone managing livestock on limited or challenging ground.Resources Mentioned:The Soil Owner’s Manual by John StikaThe Art and Science of Shepherding (Premier 1 Supplies)Field Area Measure (mobile app)Find Out More:Facebook: Dry Bottom FarmsSnow College Agriculture Department (Utah) Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Upcoming Grazing EventsNoble Profitability Essentials - Ardmore, OK - February 4-5, 2026Feb 8, 2026 Arrow L Ranch Annual Production SaleVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond AgricultureArrow L Ranch Facebook page | https://www.facebook.com/arrowlranchDV Auction video catalog for the Arrow L Ranch bull sale (opens Feb 6, closes Feb 8 with a soft close) Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey

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 momentsHow context shapes the way soil health principles are applied on different operationsHow the core soil health ideas fit together through the CRADLE frameworkWhere disturbance, soil cover, diversity, living roots, and livestock fit within that bigger pictureA simple way to step back and diagnose what might be missing when things aren’t working as expectedWhat CRADLE stands for:C — ContextR — Reduce DisturbanceA — Armor on the SoilD — DiversityL — Living RootsE — Embrace LivestockWhy 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 aheadNext 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 partnersField 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 grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Upcoming Grazing EventsNoble Profitability Essentials - Ardmore, OK - February 4-5, 2026Feb 8, 2026 Arrow L Ranch Annual Production SaleVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond AgricultureArrow L Ranch Facebook page | https://www.facebook.com/arrowlranchDV Auction video catalog for the Arrow L Ranch bull sale (opens Feb 6, closes Feb 8 with a soft close) Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey

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-makingWinter grazing and bale grazing in cold climatesGrazing infrastructure: fencing, water systems, and daily movesDirect-to-consumer beef sales and pricing challengesDiversification with vegetables, hogs, and value-added productsTransitioning family farms and planning for future generationsLessons learned from trial, error, and staying flexibleWhy 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 AngusLe Paysan GourmandSalad Bar Beef by Joel SalatinPastured Poultry Profits by Joel SalatinThe Bold Return of Giving a Damn by Will Harris Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Upcoming Grazing EventsNoble Profitability Essentials - Ardmore, OK - February 4-5, 2026Feb 8, 2026 Arrow L Ranch Annual Production SaleVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond AgricultureArrow L Ranch Facebook page | https://www.facebook.com/arrowlranchDV Auction video catalog for the Arrow L Ranch bull sale (opens Feb 6, closes Feb 8 with a soft close) Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey

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 CoveredGetting started with cattle through family partnershipsHow one brother-in-law pushed him toward rotational grazingUsing fiberglass posts and high-tensile wire as low-cost subdivision fencingBuilding water hubs, temporary pipelines, and later upgrading to buried linesUsing a movable tank and quick-connect valves for efficient daily movesHow rotational grazing changed pasture health, weed pressure, and animal behaviorManaging winter feeding with concrete pads and strategic hay unrollingBenefits of a sacrifice paddock—and why we shouldn’t be afraid to use oneBuying and developing genetics within the family herdManaging docility and safety while working a W2 jobTheir marketing system: preconditioning and selling directly to a local feedlotFuture plans: warm-season grasses, tire-tank siphon systems, and refining geneticsWhy You Should ListenAdam 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 MentionedLocal 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 grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Upcoming Grazing EventsNoble Profitability Essentials - Ardmore, OK - February 4-5, 2026Feb 8, 2026 Arrow L Ranch Annual Production SaleVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond AgricultureArrow L Ranch Facebook page | https://www.facebook.com/arrowlranchDV Auction video catalog for the Arrow L Ranch bull sale (opens Feb 6, closes Feb 8 with a soft close) Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey

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 EpisodeRebuilding the family farm after a barn fire and starting with just 15 acresDeveloping a soil-first grazing philosophy and “earned efficiency”Working closely with NRCS and building strong planner–farmer relationshipsConverting row-crop ground back to pasture using rye, diverse cool-season mixes, and sorghum-SudanChoosing cattle genetics: British White Parks, Devons, and Murray GreysDirect-to-consumer beef sales and transitioning to Barn2DoorExtending the grazing season toward ChristmasAudubon Bird-Friendly certification and creating habitat valueWhy You Should ListenIf 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 MentionedGrassworks ConferenceNRCS grazing resourcesAudubon Conservation Ranching ProgramWendell Berry — Unsettling of America, The Gift of Good LandFred Provenza — Nourishment Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Upcoming Grazing EventsNoble Profitability Essentials - Ardmore, OK - February 4-5, 2026Feb 8, 2026 Arrow L Ranch Annual Production SaleVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond AgricultureArrow L Ranch Facebook page | https://www.facebook.com/arrowlranchDV Auction video catalog for the Arrow L Ranch bull sale (opens Feb 6, closes Feb 8 with a soft close) Grazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey