Podcasts about Livestock

What does it take to protect Africa's natural heritage across highly fragmented landscapes? In this episode of The Think Wildlife Podcast, Anish Banerjee is joined by Yolan Friedmann, CEO of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, for an in-depth conversation about the conservation of lions, cheetahs, and African wild dogs. Yolan explores the ecological importance of large carnivores, which influence ecological processes and habitat structure by affecting prey populations. Conserving these endangered species therefore helps preserve these trophic cascades and supports broader biodiversity conservation. For Yolan, these species are part of Africa's natural heritage because they belong to its living ecosystems and hold enduring meaning for the people who share those landscapes. Protecting them therefore involves more than preventing extinction within individual reserves. Large carnivore conservation also depends on maintaining the ecological processes that allow populations to persist: dispersal, the establishment of new territories, breeding and genetic exchange.Yolan explains how habitat fragmentation, fences and expanding human land use restrict those processes. A population may increase inside a protected area while remaining dependent on intervention if its offspring cannot disperse. In South Africa, the Endangered Wildlife Trust responds by carefully selecting and moving cheetahs and African wild dogs between suitable reserves. We discuss how this approach relates to metapopulation conservation, and why Yolan describes it more precisely as managing populations across disconnected reserves.Human–carnivore conflict is another central theme of this discussion. Livestock losses can have severe consequences for households, while game farmers may also view predators as a threat to wildlife-based livelihoods. Yolan discusses using animal tracking and targeted alerts to anticipate conflict, alongside the relationships EWT staff build with farmers and local communities. We consider the distinct needs of cheetahs, the social organization and extensive range requirements of African wild dogs, and the opportunities and setbacks in expanding wild dog ranges.We also examine the particular challenges facing cheetahs and African wild dogs: habitat requirements, genetic management, the social structure of wild canids and the extensive space needed for wild dog packs to disperse. Yolan reflects on the achievements and setbacks of range expansion in South Africa before returning to the episode's central question: how can endangered wildlife conservation keep Africa's natural heritage ecologically functional and meaningful for future generations?Time Stamps00:00 Introduction02:14 Evolving Approaches to Endangered Species Conservation 03:23 Threats to Africa's Natural Heritage05:19 The Role of Large Carnivores and Trophic Cascade07:32 Growing Challenges of Human-Carnivore Conflict09:22 Using Technology to Prevent Conflict 10:54 Building Trust with farmers and communities12:53 The Challenges of Cheetah Conservation: Habitat and Genetic Diversity14:11 Managed Population Approach to Cheetah Conservation15:48 African Wild Dog Ecology and Perceptions18:29 Restoring Wild Dog Populations in South Africa20:42 Why Wildlife Is Part of Africa's Natural Heritage22:08 Supporting the Endangered Wildlife Trust23:30 Reflections #NaturalHeritage #LargeCarnivoreConservation #BiodiversityConservation #TrophicCascades #MetapopulationConservation #LionConservation #Cheetahs #AfricanWildDog #WildCanids #EndangeredSpecies #EndangeredWildlife #EndangeredWildlifeConservation #EndangeredSpeciesConservation #CheetahConservation Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe

On this bonus episode of the Beyond the Barn podcast, host Katy Starr chats with Dusty Standlee, CEO of Standlee/Managing Director of Standlee-Anderson, Scott Plew, President of Standlee/President of Standlee-Anderson, and Mark Anderson, CEO of Anderson/Managing Director of Standlee-Anderson about the future of forage and why horse and livestock owners are at the forefront, including: Two forage legacies, one future, but what does that mean for horse and livestock owners?What the next generation of forage solutions could look like and the commitment to making animal care and nutrition a little easierHow quality, consistency, and availability of forage and animal wellness products are prioritized at Standlee-Anderson From growing up in family hay businesses to navigating the challenges of agriculture and anticipating what today's horse and livestock owners need from the forage industry, Dusty, Scott, and Mark take us behind-the-scenes of the Standlee-Anderson partnership. This is a conversation about family legacy, quality forage, and the future of feeding the animals we care for.

In the latest edition of the No-Till Farmer podcast, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, former Conservation Ag Fellow and NNTC Outstanding Speaker Award winner Michael Thompson shares how he uses livestock, biologicals compost extract and hog manure to strengthen root systems, boost soil health and turn weaker acreage into beef on his Almena, Kan., farm.

The team at Vision Flight has helped many people hone their vision through their various consulting and educational roles. The problem was this wasn't scalable. They could only help one family at a time. Today we talk to Melinda Sims, John Locke, Shanon Sims, and Emilie Hopson about how they put their years of experience together and develop a tool to help people develop a great vision for the future of their business and life.Sponsors:Austin Hart at Redd Summit AdvisorsRanching.FYIBig Country GeneticsSeven Weeks CoffeeRelevant Links:Vision Flight (Code: WORKINGCOWS20 for 20% off)Guests Previous Episodes:Ep. 003 Melinda Sims – Windrow GrazingEp. 084 John Coleman Locke – Mob Grazing to Improve Land, Livestock, and LifeEp. 147 Stuart Austin and John Coleman Locke – Discussing DensityEp. 199 Shanon Sims – Raising Your Own BullsEp. 276 Shanon Sims – Having Hobbies Away from the RanchEp. 387 Shanon Sims – Being a Grass NerdEp. 518 Emilie Hopson - How to Grow Employees that Help your Business Thrive

Livestock farming has always depended heavily on a farmer's eye and instinct. New technology is changing that. Nofence, a Norweigean agtech company has pioneered virtual fencing and Eamonn Walsh, a farmer from Foxford Co. Mayo is using this technology.

In this episode, Brownfield's Meghan Grebner and ag economist Charley Martinez the director of the the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management discuss the latest livestock market data, including cattle and hog markets, and beef and pork production. The also touch on some of the external factors that are impacting the industry. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listeners might come for the ag, but they stay for the stories. The Dirt Road Discussions podcast.

Parker Ranch is the oldest and biggest ranch on the island of Hawai'i and one of the top cow-calf operations in the country. Keoki Wood traces the ranch's history from John Palmer Parker's founding in 1847 and the arrival of the Mexican vaqueros who gave rise to the paniolo tradition to its current role as a national industry leader and local community supporter. The ranch team culture, which Keoki has been instrumental in shaping for 22 years, values low-stress animal handling and strong people relationships. This tradition led to Parker Ranch receiving the 2025 National Beef Quality Assurance Award from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. Keoki describes lessons learned from a 40,000-acre wildfire, and tells why using grazing to reduce fuel loads needs to be treated as a public good. Listen to hear more about the challenges of managing lands from sea level to 8000 feet elevation, cycles of drought and abundant grass, and keeping calves healthy shipping halfway across the Pacific Ocean. The Art of Range is supported by RanchBot Monitoring Solutions. Host: Tip Hudson, Washington State University Extension Producer: Matt Ziegler, WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Communications Keoki photo credit: Dustin Acdal Photography Music by Lewis Roise Visit the episode page at artofrange.com for the transcript of this interview and links to other resources mentioned in this episode.

In today's episode of The Quiz, we're testing your knowledge on everything from world geography to the history of presidential pets. Can you answer these? Asian Peaks: The Asian continent is home to some of the most impressive geography in the world. Do you know which giant stands tall above all the rest? Modern Best-Sellers: A captivating 2018 mystery novel set in the marshes of North Carolina became a global literary phenomenon. Do you know the title of this massive hit? Political Science: Understanding how voters cast their ballots is a field of study all its own. Do you know the technical term for the academic study of elections and voting trends? Play. Share. Listen, with FOX News Senior Correspondent & Host of the Searching for Heroes podcast, Benjamin Hall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner says Chatham Island farmers are celebrating the first load of stock sent to the yards at Strotford Lodge, with a temporary larger barge filling the gap while they wait for the new boat to be built in China.

FCS Financial Vice President of Ag and Rural Lending Scott Schaumburg says cattle producers should take a closer look at input costs and feed resources as they head into a potentially riskier period for the cattle market. Schaumburg says lines of credit can help producers take advantage of purchasing opportunities, and FCS Financial offers different loan products designed for different classes of cattle. Learn more about FCS Financial at MyFCSFinancial.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

World Beef Expo is coming back to Milwaukee! Jill Welke learns that the folks in charge have everything lined up for a great expo! Stu Muck says the rain won't be away very long. Pam Jahnke catches up with the folks at the Wisconsin Beef Council. Kaitlyn Kesler and Andy Gussert join her. Paid for by Equity Cooperative Livestock on behalf of the WI Beef Council. Door County organic livestock farmer Josh Mechaelsen discusses why he’s traveling to Washington, D.C., with a group of Wisconsin farmers to meet directly with lawmakers. He also talks about the need for a new Farm Bill, changing farm policy to better support diverse and beginning farmers, and why having farmers personally share their stories with lawmakers can make a difference.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Brownfield's Meghan Grebner and Mississippi State University Extension ag economist Josh Maples discuss recent cattle and hog market data and how rising input costs like feed and diesel impact producer profitability. They also dig into the latest Cattle on Feed report and preview the upcoming Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brockport First Baptist sermon audio from Sunday, September 13, 2026: “Houses, Wives, Slaves, and Livestock,” by Rev. Dr. Dan Brockway. Scripture reading: Exodus 20.Our mission is to embody God's love outside the walls of the church, in Brockport and beyond. SUPPORT OUR MINISTRIES: www.brockportfirstbaptist.org/giveLEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CHURCH: www.brockportfirstbaptist.org

In today's episode, I'm joined by Professor Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General of the International Livestock Research Institute and CGIAR Senior Director for Livestock-Based Systems. Recorded at ILRI's headquarters in Kenya, Appolinaire talks about growing up in a village in western Cameroon where the family's pigs, goats and chickens paid for his schooling, and the work he now leads for a sector more than 1.7 billion people still depend on.You'll hear why Appolinaire says he would probably never have received an education without livestock, why a dairy farmer in Kenya may need ten animals to produce what one animal produces in the Netherlands or Australia, and why he argues livestock is the top climate solution the Global South has to offer rather than the problem it's usually cast as.Resources and links:Professor Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General, ILRIAppolinaire on LinkedInInternational Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) ILRI on LinkedInCGIAR Connect:Future Fork podcast websitePaul Newnham on InstagramPaul Newnham on XPaul Newnham on LinkedInDisruptive Consulting Solutions websiteSDG2 Advocacy Hub websiteSDG2 Advocacy Hub on XSDG2 Advocacy Hub on FacebookSDG2 Advocacy Hub on LinkedIn

Amy MacIver speaks to Nathan Geffen, investigative journalist at GroundUp, about the collapse of South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease control system, the failures that allowed the epidemic to spread, and the government’s response to the crisis. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rusty Halvorson and Sarah Heinrich share some of the week's top stories in agriculture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Calvary Bible Chapel

This week, Adam and the panel are focusing their debates on generational renewal, Autumn health issues, livestock trade and grassland management. Daire also speaks to Jack Kingston from Grassland AGRO about the Importance of planning lime and k applications. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rain has returned, but after two incredibly challenging summers, can farming afford to simply move on? In our latest episode of The Big Debate, Ally and Sophie discuss what the drought could mean for the decisions they make on their own farms - from forage and future cropping choices to water security, land availability and reducing their reliance on the weather. And there's plenty more in the episode. They revisit your responses to the £1 million question, discuss the potential feed and forage crunch across Europe, look ahead to UK Dairy Day and reflect on this week's #BackBritishFarmingDay.  Hosted as always by farmers Sophie Gregory and Ally Hunter Blair. Link to newsletter sign up - https://www.ruralpodmedia.co.uk/newsletter/

In this episode, Brownfield's Meghan Grebner and University of Kentucky ag economist Kenny Burdine talk current livestock market trends, dig into the USDA's supply and demand report, and talk about the impact of fuel prices on agriculture. The also talk long-term herd expansion prospects and preview the upcoming Cattle on Feed report. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Agricultural Law and Rule Developments Understanding More About Veterinary Biologics, Part 1 Understanding More About Veterinary Biologics, Part 2   00:01:05 – Agricultural Law and Rule Developments: K-State and Washburn law professor Roger McEowen begins today's show as he explains developments in the waters of the United States and other changes in agriculture. WOTUS Returns Recent Agricultural Law Developments Every Farmer, Rancher and Agricultural Professional Should Know Roger on AgManager.info   00:12:05 – Understanding More About Veterinary Biologics, Part 1: Continuing the show is A.J. Tarpoff, K-State Extension beef veterinarian, and Cassandra Olds, K-State livestock entomologist, discussing veterinary biologics. They talk about the various types of biologics, and the process products go through to go from being a concept to being available to customers.    00:23:05 – Understanding More About Veterinary Biologics, Part 2: A.J. and Cassandra end the show and their conversations with reminders of what to read on labels.      Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.   Agriculture Today is a daily program featuring Kansas State University agricultural specialists and other experts examining ag issues facing Kansas and the nation. It is hosted by Shelby Varner and distributed to radio stations throughout Kansas and as a daily podcast.   K‑State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit Extension.ksu.edu. K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

On this episode, we're chatting through some good news and updates for cattle producers with WSR Insurance CEO Jim Vann and agent Matt Griffith. WSR Insurance is the exclusive insurance provider of the California Cattlemen's Association. We discuss the latest updates and opportunities in Livestock Risk Protection (LRP), including USDA's newly announced Beef Retention and National Development tool, as well as recent changes to Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) insurance and why now is the time to get your policies in place. If PRF hasn't been a great option for some of your acres in the past, now is the time to have a new conversation about whether these updates make it a better fit. Matt and Jim also share about weather forecasts, California's fire insurance market, and what else producers should have on their radar.Episode resouces:Get a quote from WSR: https://www.wsrins.com/ag-quoteContact Matt: https://www.wsrins.com/insurance-agents/matt-griffithContact Jim: https://www.wsrins.com/insurance-agents/jim-vannSubscribe to WSR's Weekly Weather Updates: https://www.wsrins.com/weatherText us your comments, feedback and episode ideas!

In order for meat to go from the farm to your dinner plate, there's several steps that need to happen, and they're all important. One of those critical steps the Mid-West Farm Report is talking about is the processing step. While there are many factors that play into getting an appointment at your processor, one that can't be overlooked is the distance and accessibility of that facility to a farm. According to a new study from the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, 36% of the state (26 of Wisconsin's 72 counties) have no inspected red meat slaughter facility in their county at all. They site that other producers in the state have to travel up to 80 miles to reach a facility. While this disconnect isn't a new issue, it seems as though it was amplified after the COVID-19 pandemic. Although producers have been looking for solutions long before that, Kelly Maynard joins me. She's a Cooperative Development Specialist for the UW Center for Cooperatives. She tells Kiley Allan about a unique experience she's had with two groups in different parts of the state who are looking to solve these problems for themselves. These groups, mostly consisting of livestock producers, are looking to open meat processing facilities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**Statistics provided by Dr. Kaufman during this episode were as of the end of July 2026** On this episode of the Beyond the Barn podcast, host Katy Starr has a conversation with two experts who bring different, and equally important, perspectives to this growing concern. Dr. Phillip Kaufman, Professor and Head of the Texas A&M University Department of Entomology and Chair of the Texas A&M AgriLife New World Screwworm Task Force, explains the biology behind this destructive fly, how it spreads, what really puts animals at risk, and where hay and forage fit into the conversation. Then, Equine Veterinarian Dr. Neil Gray shares firsthand experience treating New World Screwworm in horses throughout Central and South America, including what these infestations can actually look like, and the signs owners may easily overlook. In this episode you'll learn: Why this fly is so different from the maggots you may have encountered before and what makes it so destructiveWhat should happen if discover suspicious larvae in a wound, and why what you do next mattersDoes hay, standing forage, or transported forage create any risk in New World Screwworm transmission? Whether you own horses, cattle, sheep, goats, or other livestock (even dogs!), this episode will help you better understand New World Screwworm, separate fact from misinformation, and know what you can do to protect your animals.

Rusty Halvorson and Sarah Heinrich share some of the week's top stories in agriculture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to this week’s edition of RealAg on the Weekend with Shaun Haney! On today’s show, Haney talks about data from the Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index showing how crop producers face tight margins and iffy financial sentiment, while livestock operations are riding a wave of strong margins. Also on today’s show, Haney talks about the... Read More

The world is running short on beef and dairy cows. The new development in places like Indonesia is unbelievable. What are we doing here at home to build and produce what mankinds needs? We are being paid to produce nothing and paying the price.

This Farm Talk segment is brought to you by North Dakota Corn. Amber Wood with the North Dakota Livestock Alliance highlights upcoming events to visit with producers about livestock development in the state of North Dakota. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA's July index for crop and livestock production prices received by ag producers indicate declines in some categories from the prior month. Rod Bain has the story. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FSA Programs Available During Dry Times Preventing Runovers in Agriculture, Part 1 Preventing Runovers in Agriculture, Part 2   00:01:05 – FSA Programs Available During Dry Times: Today's show begins with David Schemm, state executive director of the Kansas Farm Service Agency, as he reminds producers about deadlines and programs that could benefit them during these dry times. Farmers.gov   00:12:05 – Preventing Runovers in Agriculture, Part 1: Mitch Ricketts, K-State professor of agricultural safety and health, continues the show as he explains what scenarios usually take place when runovers happen in agriculture. He discusses what safety precautions he encourages for operators, parents and children.   00:23:05 – Preventing Runovers in Agriculture, Part 2: The farm safety conversation with Mitch ends the show where he notes a few resources for those wanting more information.  Marshfield - Children Agricultural Health and Safety     Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.   Agriculture Today is a daily program featuring Kansas State University agricultural specialists and other experts examining ag issues facing Kansas and the nation. It is hosted by Shelby Varner and distributed to radio stations throughout Kansas and as a daily podcast.   K‑State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit Extension.ksu.edu. K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

We've all been there: the wee hours of a morning where your breath fogs the air, watching over a cow struggling to calve or a calf that isn't sure it wants to remain in the land of the living. Those moments can feel pretty isolating, but if you've got a rural large animal veterinarian a phone call away they are masters at putting fears to rest and offering a knowledgeable hand in often less-than-ideal situations. Our November print edition of the Angus Beef Bulletin focuses on relationships and we would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge the relationships cattlemen maintain with their large animal veterinarians. On this episode, we're joined by longtime rural veterinarian and Dean of the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine Richard Prather to discuss how cattlemen can build a relationship grounded in trust with their veterinarian, the challenges associated with increasing the number of large animal practitioners and more. Additional Resources:Managing the Effects of Wildlife on Livestock with Rosslyn BiggsRancher's Thursday Lunchtime SeriesOklahoma State University Names New Dean of the College of Veterinary MedicineOSU Receives Historic $250 Million Investment to Build World Class Veterinary Teaching HospitalSubscribe to the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRAHave questions or comments? We'd love to hear from you!Find more information to make Angus work for you in the Angus Beef Bulletin and ABB EXTRA. Make sure you're subscribed! Sign up here to the print Angus Beef Bulletin and the digital Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA. Have questions or comments? We'd love to hear from you! Contact our team at abbeditorial@angus.org. 

What is Solar Grazing? The deployment of utility scale solar has often required clearing vegetation and then using fossil-fuel-powered mowers or toxic herbicides to prevent overgrowth. To reduce these harms, solar grazing is a dual land use approach where livestock is taken to solar farms to manage the vegetation that can grow and interfere with the panels. Solar grazing reduces maintenance emissions, provides a revenue stream for local ranchers, and promotes soil health. Why it Works: Sheep Solar grazing is a type of targeted grazing, which is, “the controlled application of specific livestock at a designated season, duration, and intensity to achieve specific landscape and vegetation management goals”. Those goals often include weed control, fire risk reduction, and wildlife habitat enhancement. Solar grazing specifically refers to livestock grazing on solar farms, or, under and around solar arrays. According to the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA), other terms associated with solar grazing include agrivoltaics (the co-location of agriculture and solar), agrisolar, agri-pv, or rangevoltaics. One grazier compares solar grazing to silvopasture - or, grazing under trees - “Just with metal trees”. Sheep have been found to be an excellent match for the needs of solar grazing. Sheep are nimble and can work around solar installments, eliminating work that, without re-designing or raising solar panels, can be difficult for humans. The benefits of solar grazing extend beyond vegetation management: sheep have been measured to have lower body temperatures, both in their wool and skin, when they're shaded by solar panels. Additionally, forage quality and moisture content are higher in the shade where water in the soil evaporates more slowly. Sheep have been shown to drink less water during solar grazing, which reduces water needs for graziers. Solar grazing also eliminates competition for land use between solar developers and graziers. What's Left to Learn Solar grazing has been expanding across the country for the last decade; however, long-term studies on the effects of grazing on biotic and abiotic factors - as well as changes in cost over time - have not been widely conducted. One of the highest costs in solar grazing is transportation and logistics, so in places like the US's Northeast where most solar farms are around 11 acres, moving sheep makes grazing less affordable. In regions with large or interconnected farms, that cost is reduced; Stacie reports that many sheep are born and live out their lives on one farm. Solar grazing is often viewed as just “mowing with sheep” - not as an active agricultural practice. The American Farmland Trust emphasizes that, on the contrary, “It's a way to grow food, build soil, create habitat, and generate renewable energy at once.” Stacie's Points Stacie emphasizes that grazing - even in areas where animals have to be rotated between sites - contributes less fossil fuel emissions than mowers that run on diesel. Mowers and weed-whackers have other side effects: blades have a tendency to “throw” rocks, or pick up and eject rocks, which can damage panels and add costs to operation. Also, using any machine powered by combustion increases fire risk. There's a demographic shift supported by solar grazing. Often, the greatest financial hurdle to a grazing operation is buying or leasing pasture; for young people who won't inherit pastureland, solar grazing lowers the barrier to entering the industry. Stacie says that polling done by ASGA shows a lower average age of participants compared to the national average, which sits around 65. Also, a greater proportion of women are involved. Another upside: solar graziers are contracted by solar farms - meaning, instead of paying to lease or buy land, they're being paid for their service - which adds economic opportunity. On the climate side, Stacie underscores improvement in overall soil health, but especially carbon sequestration. The use of agrivoltaics tends to improve public acceptance of large-scale solar, a key strategy for reducing the country's dependence on fossil fuels. About our Guest Stacie Peterson is the Executive Director of the American Solar Grazing Association. She was a developer of the AgriSolar Clearinghouse for the Department of Energy and the Director of Energy Programs at the National Center for Appropriate Technology. Her environmental research includes the development of a protocol for domestic dogs to serve as bioindicators of metal contamination and cleanup efficacy. Resources Society for Rangeland Management, Targeted Grazing Fonseca et al, Solar Shade on Sheep American Farmland Trust, Grazing Between the Panels Andrew et al, Sheep grazing as sustainable vegetation management for solar energy For a transcript of this episode, visit https://climatebreak.org/grazing-livestock-on-solar-farms-with-stacie-peterson/

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Livestock producers and industry groups will have regular opportunities to weigh in as APHIS updates its response playbook.

It's the Ranch It Up Radio Show Herd It Here Weekly Report!  A 3-minute look at cattle markets, reports, news info, or anything that has to do with those of us who live at the end of dirt roads.  Join Jeff 'Tigger' Erhardt, the Boss Lady Rebecca Wanner aka 'BEC' by subscribing on your favorite podcasting app or on the Ranch It Up Radio Show YouTube Channel. Mexican Cattle Once Again Enter The United States The U.S.-Mexico border is officially back open for livestock imports, marking the first reopening in more than a year. On Monday, Mexican cattle were allowed into the United States through the Douglas, Arizona, port of entry. Two additional ports in New Mexico are expected to reopen over the next two months, assuming the New World screwworm situation does not worsen. But for now, reopening livestock ports along the Texas-Mexico border is not on the table. USDA closed the border in November of 2024 after screwworm reappeared in southern Mexico. A limited reopening was attempted in February of 2025, but imports were halted again in May as the pest moved rapidly north. The closure has been a major blow to Mexico's cattle industry. Before the screwworm crisis, the U.S. imported roughly 1.1 million head of cattle from Mexico each year, accounting for about five percent of total U.S. slaughter. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says the phased reopening is moving forward based on science and data, with measures in place to protect the U.S. cattle herd. The Douglas port opened Monday. Columbus and Santa Teresa, New Mexico, are expected to follow, with one opening in about 30 days and the other 30 days after that. Rollins says Texas ports will remain closed for now because that's where the most screwworm activity is being seen. Only two active cases remained in Texas as of Monday, although additional cases have been reported since the pest was first confirmed in South Texas in June. Early cattle volumes are expected to be limited. However, reopening the New Mexico ports could bring more significant numbers of Mexican cattle into the U.S. by this fall. And don't expect many of those cattle to head directly to U.S. packing plants. Historically, fed cattle have made up four percent or less of Mexican imports, meaning the impact on fed cattle supplies may not be felt until sometime in 2027. REFERENCE: https://meatingplace.com/arizona-reopens-but-no-cattle-through-texas-border-anytime-soon/ Upcoming Feeder Cattle, Bull & Cow Sales On RanchChannel.Com Lots of feeder cattle, steers & heifers, bulls, and cow sales coming up on the RanchChannel.Com sale calendar.  Check out the full line up HERE. SPONSORS Jorgensen Land & Cattle https://jorgensenfarms.com/ @JorLandCat Ranch Channel https://ranchchannel.com/ @RanchChannel Questions & Concerns From The Field? Call or Text your questions, or comments to 707-RANCH20 or 707-726-2420 Or email RanchItUpShow@gmail.com FOLLOW Facebook/Instagram: @RanchItUpShow SUBSCRIBE to the Ranch It Up YouTube Channel: @ranchitup Website: RanchItUpShow.com https://ranchitupshow.com/ The Ranch It Up Podcast is available on ALL podcasting apps. https://ranchitup.podbean.com/ Rural America is center-stage on this outfit. AND how is that? Because of Tigger & BEC... Live This Western Lifestyle. Tigger & BEC represent the Working Ranch world by providing the cowboys, cowgirls, beef cattle producers & successful farmers the knowledge and education needed to bring high-quality beef & meat to your table for dinner. Learn more about Jeff 'Tigger' Erhardt & Rebecca Wanner aka BEC here: TiggerandBEC.com https://tiggerandbec.com/

Welcome back to the Western Ag Life Podcast!

Bhutan is a Himalayan kingdom sandwiched between China and India. Forty percent of its 800,000 citizens work in the agriculture sector. The mountainous country is famous for its breathtaking landscapes and its unique policy of "Gross National Happiness," instituted in 1972 by Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth king of Bhutan. My guests on the Newscast this week say this philosophy is the backbone of the nation's food system, and its plan for full food self-sufficiency by 2029. "Our food system isn't just about producing food. It's about sustaining our landscapes, our communities, and our culture," says renowned chef and restaurateur Bleu Tshering Dorji. She owns two restaurants in the nation's capital, Thimpu. She explains the unique challenges farmers she works with face due to climate change and steep mountain terrain. "We are a mountainous landlocked country, and only a small percentage of our land is, I think, actually suitable for agriculture. We don't have the luxury of just expanding farmland. We have to make better use of the land that we sort of already have," she says. "Labor is becoming extremely scarce as young people sort of move away from agriculture, and farmers still have to deal with issues like wildlife conflict, unpredictable weather, and also getting their produce to the market," Bleu says. Sonam Wangchuk is an executive specialist at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock for the government of Bhutan. He also joins the conversation to explain how the government plans to address these challenges through the 13th five-year plan, "Transforming the Agrifood Sector for Economic Growth and Sustainable Development." The plan calls for spending the equivalent of about $180 million through 2029. Much of these funds appear to be directly supporting smallholder farmers, the majority of whom in Bhutan are women. "We have been working to strengthen the capacity of the smallholder farmers, especially through training on climate-smart agriculture, improve production technologies, farm mechanization, post-harvest management, value addition and agribusiness and business development for women and youth," Wangchuk says. "The skills are imparted to improve access to finance, technology and markets and creating an environment of entrepreneurship and to support the farmer groups and cooperatives." Some government measures have received criticism, such as the implementation of a 3,400-kilometer (2,100-mile) fence to deter human-wildlife conflict. A previous study from 2023 on agricultural practices in the nation suggested that, "Bhutan should emphasise women-centred initiatives by enhancing access to assets, raising awareness of climate change mitigation strategies, and developing training programs to promote CSA," or climate-smart agriculture. This appears to be what the plan aims to do. However, not all challenges are easily solved with funding. Previous Mongabay fellow Choki Wangmo highlighted some of these challenges through the story of Pen Zam, a medicinal mushroom gatherer who struggles with a shrinking habitat at extremely high altitudes to attain a fraction of what her family used to gather decades ago, before the current climate impacts of today. Later this month, the inaugural Global Conscious Food Systems Summit will take place in Bhutan. Please take a minute to let us know what you think of our podcast here. Mike DiGirolamo is the host & producer for the Mongabay Newscast based in Sydney. Find him on LinkedIn and Bluesky. Cover Image: A chorten, or Buddhist stupa, at a rice field in Bhutan. Image by thaths via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0). —- Time codes (00:00) Bhutan is transforming its food system (06:45) A challenge ahead (12:53) How 'Gross National Happiness' guides the way (19:04) Supporting farmers amidst climate change (29:36) Moving the global conversation forward

Today I had Tim on the R2Kast