Our mission is to help create a healthy planet and people through profitable grass-based livestock production.
In this episode of the Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast, we travel to Kauai, Hawaii, to meet Sharleen Andrade Balmores, a sixth-generation rancher carrying forward her family's 138-year cattle ranching legacy. Although she once imagined her brothers or cousins would take over, Sharleen found her true calling in ranching — building The Rancher's Daughter's Reserve, creating Minnie's Mercantile, and running the island's oldest USDA-inspected slaughterhouse. Sharleen opens up about: Why she chose to return to her roots and raise gourmet, grassfed beef in Hawaii The unique challenges of ranching on Kauai, from high land values to invasive grasses How rotational grazing and smart pasture management keep her herd thriving The importance of learning from multigenerational ranchers and trusting your instincts Why community support and giving back fuel her passion for the work Her journey is a powerful reminder that ranching is about more than cattle — it's about family, heritage, and feeding a community with integrity.
In this episode of The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast, Brandon Mitchell of Waynesboro, Tennessee, unpacks one of the most overlooked issues in pasture management: nutrient relocation. Unlike hay fields where nutrients are physically removed, pastures often face an internal imbalance—nutrients shift to the edges while the middle is left depleted. Brandon explains how practices like set stocking (continuous grazing) cause cattle to graze the whole field but deposit most of their manure and urine near shade, water, or fencelines. The result? Strong growth around the edges and declining fertility in the center. Through vivid examples and practical insights, Brandon introduces graziers to the “80/20 rule” of pasture fertility and shares strategies to rebalance nutrient distribution across the landscape.
In this episode of The Stockman Grass Farmer Podcast, longtime SGF contributor and Texas sheep rancher Sally Thomson takes us behind the scenes of life with one of ranching's most indispensable partners—the Border Collie. From everyday gathers to competitive sheepdog trials, Sally shares 40 years of experience raising and training these extraordinary dogs alongside her husband, Chris, on their Central Texas ranch. Listeners will hear vivid stories of instinct, intelligence, and sheer determination—from a dog named Amos who refused to leave stragglers behind, to the way a well-trained collie can replace two ranch hands and cut chore time in half. Sally explores not just the skills that make Border Collies unmatched in stock work, but also the deep working partnership and trust between dog and handler.
In this episode, Steve Kenyon shares how he built a profitable custom grazing business without owning land or livestock. Drawing from decades of experience with Greener Pastures Ranching in Alberta, Steve offers an honest and practical look at how regenerative graziers can succeed by keeping costs low, building strong relationships, and managing risk. The episode explores the mindset and strategies that allow producers to thrive in a low-overhead system—and emphasizes that biology, ecology, and economics must all work in sync. Steve explains how he grazes over 1,000 animals annually on leased land, approaches grazing management with simplicity, and uses custom grazing contracts to minimize capital outlay.
In this episode, grazing expert Jim Gerrish explores how digital mapping tools are revolutionizing grazing management for producers of all sizes. Drawing from his decades of experience—and looking ahead to his Advanced School on Grazing Economics and Mapping Tools—Jim explains how modern software and mobile apps are helping producers better plan, monitor, and optimize grazing systems. The episode covers the role of GIS technology, the benefits of real-time paddock measurement with smartphones, and how to use mapping tools to forecast feed needs, track animal performance, and make more informed management decisions. Jim also discusses the key differences between tools like Google Earth, AgriWebb, and Maya Grazing, and shares tips for integrating these tools into any operation—regardless of size or location.
In this episode, grazing expert and longtime SGF contributor Jim Gerrish tackles a frequently overlooked threat to pasture health—soil compaction. While it's easy to spot visible issues like weeds or bare patches, compaction is stealthy. It reduces infiltration, chokes out biology, and quietly erodes pasture productivity—even when everything above ground looks fine. The episode explores how compaction develops in both dry and wet conditions, why certain grazing practices (like overstocking or ignoring soil moisture) make it worse, and how to manage your land in a way that protects the invisible ecosystem beneath your animals' hooves. Jim also dives into his personal experience observing compaction on both his Missouri and Idaho properties, highlighting how the signs and solutions vary by climate and soil type.
In this episode, grazing expert and longtime SGF columnist Jim Gerrish shares decades of experience transforming worn-out cropland into productive pasture using adaptive grazing—not chemicals. The episode explores Jim's approach to pasture renovation, weed control, and animal performance, emphasizing observation, timing, and biological principles over conventional inputs. Jim discusses practical strategies for improving pasture health, including managing pH, building soil biology, and introducing species diversity. He also reflects on the importance of listening—to your animals, your forage, and your own common sense.
In this episode, Louisiana farmer and entrepreneur Grant Estrade shares a grounded, no-nonsense approach to running a regenerative farm business without sacrificing personal well-being or profitability. As the co-owner of Local Cooling Farms and Laughing Buddha Nursery, Grant has spent over two decades balancing the tension between growth and sustainability. He explores the internal tug-of-war many graziers feel between "saving the world" and simply maintaining a farm that works — financially, personally, and relationally. Rather than chasing every opportunity for expansion, Grant challenges farmers to step into the mindset of an economist, making clear-eyed decisions based on realistic assessments of production capacity, sales channels, and return on investment.
In this eye-opening episode, Steve Kenyon challenges the mainstream agricultural mindset around pest control—particularly flies—and invites us to step back and consider the whole ecosystem. Instead of waging war on flies with sprays, pour-ons, and chemicals, Steve asks: What if flies are part of the solution? By treating flies not as enemies, but as employees of the land, Steve explores how proper environmental balance—with the help of natural predators—can transform so-called pests into partners in nutrient cycling and soil health.
In this episode, Carolyn Nation interviews regenerative grazing expert Tom Krawiec, who brings decades of experience in custom grazing, ranch management, and holistic livestock care. Now managing the grazing operations for the Pine Haven Hutterite Colony's farm-to-plate beef program, Tom shares practical insights that blend data-driven planning with deep ecological awareness. Tom discusses his unconventional journey into agriculture, emphasizing how a passion for grass—not cows—led him to discover the power of regenerative systems. The conversation dives into actionable strategies for winter feeding, achieving optimal grazing density, and avoiding common pitfalls in cattle management, especially during sensitive periods like calving.
In this episode, Tom Krawiec explores the art and science of maximizing forage production by grazing pastures at just the right time—the “sweet spot”—before forages enter the reproductive stage. Speaking from over 20 years of careful record-keeping and hands-on experience, Tom challenges some widely held assumptions in the grazing community and offers a compelling case for a more nuanced approach to pasture recovery and soil health. Drawing on insights from soil biologist Dr. Kris Nichols and grazing expert Jim Gerrish, Tom argues that long rest periods may actually reduce soil biological activity and forage yields—despite common belief. Instead, he urges graziers to focus on maintaining swards in a vegetative state, even if it means starting the grazing season before every paddock is “ready.”
This episode is the 2nd part of the first lesson in the Stockman GrassFarmer school Small, Smart & Special. In today's episode, Joel Salatin dives into invaluable insights gleaned from two intensive days with Grant Estrade. Grassfarming is a 24/7 endeavor, and we understand that it's not always easy to find time to learn. That's why we've created this podcast—to provide you with valuable insights that you can listen to at your convenience, whether you're working on the farm or going about your daily routine.
This episode is the first lesson in the Stockman GrassFarmer school Small, Smart & Special. Discover a wealth of knowledge and insights in our exclusive online event, happening March 29th to April 5th! With over 13 hours of intensive learning, you'll gain invaluable strategies for success. Plus, enjoy our Money Back Guarantee and receive 2 bonuses worth $197. Don't miss out – learn more and reserve your spot at https://www.stockmangrassfarmer.digital/SSS-early today! ***************************************************************************************************************** Welcome to the SGF podcast, where we're dedicated to fostering profitable grass-based livestock production and creating a healthier planet and people. In today's episode, Joel Salatin dives into invaluable insights gleaned from two intensive days with Grant Estrade. Welcome to Small, Smart & Special: The Big Picture with Joel Salatin (Part 1)! Together, they unveil strategies refined through years of experience to elevate productivity and success in small-scale farming. Grassfarming is a 24/7 endeavor, and we understand that it's not always easy to find time to learn. That's why we've created this podcast—to provide you with valuable insights that you can listen to at your convenience, whether you're working on the farm or going about your daily routine. Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to freebies and special offers. Join our email family to stay updated on our latest developments, and don't forget to follow us on social media. Thanks for tuning in!
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.
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: Insights on overcoming challenges as a full-time shepherd The journey to becoming a self-financed grazier The central role of sheep in his multi-species grazing approach
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.
Welcome to the SGF podcast! Our mission is to help create a healthy planet and people through profitable grass-based livestock production. Today we have an oldie but goodie. This is Take a Look at Sheep by Hudson Glimp Hudson Glimp shows you how to make some serious money from a relatively small family farm We've digitized several of our schools so that you can learn from the experts on your schedule whenever and wherever you want. https://www.stockmangrassfarmer.digital/sgf-freebie Thank you for being here and enjoy the presentation. Our mission is to help create a healthy planet and people through profitable grass-based livestock production.
This is part 1 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.
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
