Grazing Grass Podcast sharing Regenerative Ag Stories

• 197. Silvopasture in the Real World with Austin Unruh

  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 grindShade as the low-hanging fruit — and why it’s only the beginningLivestock pressure: how to protect trees when cattle, horses, and wildlife want to destroy themPruning young vs. established trees (and the dangers of over-pruning)Species selection for different goals: shade, fodder, privacy screens, and livestock feedWhy mulberries and persimmons shine for pigs and poultryRunning pigs IN establishment-phase silvopasture (pros, cons, protection methods)Tree spacing, patterns, and why grids usually beat random placementsManaging compaction, vole pressure, and bark hardeningYear Zero → Year Two: fall tasks, maintenance, ordering trees, and setting up for successWhy early wins matter psychologically (and how to get them)Continuous grazing vs rotational grazing when it comes to tree cropsIf 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.comCastor oil vole deterrent productsAcres U.S.A. (publisher of Austin’s upcoming second edition)Liberty apple, crabapple, and apple-crab varietiesHybrid willow, hybrid poplar, black locust, honey locustRusted Plowshare Farm (Josh Payne)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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• 196. Regenerative Grazing and Direct Marketing Success with Leslie Svacina

  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 CoveredManaging a mixed flock of goats and Texel sheep under rotational grazingWool utilization and creative uses for lower-grade fleeceTransitioning from wholesale markets to direct-to-consumer meat salesBuilding a loyal customer base through email marketing and educationDetails of her goat meat subscription model (quarterly boxes, whole-goat option)Processing and shipping logistics, including use of dry iceLessons from receiving USDA Value-Added Producer and Buy Local grantsEducational 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 MentionedCylonRollingAcres.com – Farm website for direct meat salesGrazingWithLeslie.com – Educational blog for producersGrassWorks Grazing Conference (Wisconsin)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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• 195. South Poll Field Day Special: Real Ranchers, Real Results

  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

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• 194. Grazing Smarter in North Dakota with Fourth Generation Rancher Shane Maddock

  In this episode, Cal visits with Shane Maddock, a fourth-generation rancher from north-central North Dakota, where cattle country meets farm country. Shane shares the story of building a regenerative operation through drought, grazing challenges, and generations of learning. He discusses taking over a neighbor’s ranch after returning from National Guard service, developing cross-fenced paddocks and a positive/negative electric system, managing water in the Prairie Pothole Region, and adjusting his grazing philosophy from “a third, a third, a third” to adaptive management guided by what the grass and cattle tell him.Topics coveredGrowing up on a holistic-management ranch and learning from his fatherLeasing cattle and structuring multi-year cow leasesDesigning high-tensile fencing and pos/neg wiring for sandy soilsTransitioning from mild rotation to intensive adaptive grazingManaging drought risk with insurance pastures and flexible enterprisesUsing Rio Max minerals and observing dramatic feed-efficiency gainsCalving-date adjustments and hybrid-vigor breeding decisionsFounding Maddock Ranch Supply and serving the communityHis father receiving North Dakota’s Leopold Conservation Award If you’ve ever wondered how to keep cows productive through seven drought years out of eleven—or how to balance generational wisdom with modern regenerative ideas—Shane’s story delivers practical lessons on adaptation, family teamwork, and faith in the land’s resilience.Resources mentionedMaddock Ranch maddockranch.comMaddock Ranch Supply  maddockranchsupply.comMan, Cattle and Veld – Johan ZietsmanGrass-Fed Cattle – Julius RuechelHolistic Management – Allan SavoryDirt to Soil – Gabe BrownNorth Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition Mentorship ProgramRio Max Minerals - riomax.netLooking 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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• 193. Building Intentional Farms from Neglected Land with Stan Oller

  Stan and his wife began farming in 2021 after adopting four children and realizing they wanted to raise them with meaningful work and stewardship. Starting with neglected, junk-filled land, they’ve built a regenerative, multi-species farm from scratch—learning through Greg Judy, Joel Salatin, and hands-on mistakes.Topics CoveredMoving from western Kansas to Arkansas and starting a farm from nothingAdopting four children and using the farm as a teaching toolRestoring neglected land and hauling off 340 tiresEarly livestock: 11 heifers → sheep → pigs → broilersGrant funding from Illinois River Watershed for water lines and fencingPivoting from South Poll beef to a sheep-focused enterpriseLeader-follower grazing with cattle and hair sheepUsing C-90 salt, garlic, and apple cider vinegar for mineral programsDirect-marketing lamb, pork, and chicken through GrazeCartAdding pigs to utilize 30 acres of woods and reduce ticksLaunching on-farm poultry processing (non-GMO, soy-free feed)Stewardship mindset and educational outreach via Harvest Hosts & farm visitsFuture plans: farrow-to-finish Hereford pigs, possible Dexter cows for raw milk, on-farm events, and intentional growthStan’s story is a realistic look at starting late, learning fast, and doing it intentionally. From adoption to regenerative restoration, he shows how faith, family, and stewardship intersect on a small Arkansas farm. Whether you’re reclaiming abused land or diversifying your livestock, his experience offers encouragement and practical takeaways.Resources MentionedIntentional FarmsGreg Judy Grazing SchoolJoel Salatin videosThe Stockman Grass FarmerGrazeCart e-commerce platformIllinois River Watershed Alliance grantsLooking 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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