Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming

In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal visits with Richard Popham about raising registered Katahdin sheep in Kentucky using practical grazing systems and portable electric fencing. Richard explains how he successfully manages sheep with two strands of polywire, why fence training matters, and how good grazing management helps keep sheep content and productive. The conversation explores: Using two and three strand polywire systems for sheep  Why sheep must be trained to electric fence  Managing sheep with portable fencing and reels  Selecting productive and efficient ewes  Why buying better sheep matters more than buying more sheep  Building low-stress handling systems  Using records to improve flock genetics  Parasite resistance and culling decisions  Weaning strategies and lamb management  Grazing sheep on small acreage near neighborhoods  Managing sheep without livestock guardian dogs  Portable fencing tools and equipment recommendations  Rotational grazing timing and parasite management  Why Richard prefers moderate-sized ewes  The role of NSIP and flock performance records  Selecting rams and improving flock genetics over time Richard also shares practical advice for new sheep producers, including starting small, focusing on quality animals, and building systems that fit your lifestyle and available time.Find out moreCircle P Farm on Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@circlepfarm3776 Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond Agriculture Grassroots CarbonGrazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey

In this episode, Cal visits with Gabe Wight from Northwest Arkansas about building a profitable grazing operation while simplifying life and focusing on long-term stewardship. Gabe shares how he reduced his herd size from several hundred cows to around forty cows and how that shift dramatically changed his grazing management, stress level, and profitability. Gabe discusses lessons learned from overgrazing, why stock density matters, and how smaller herds allowed him to improve pasture recovery, calf performance, and equipment longevity. The conversation also covers rotational grazing design, water placement, erosion challenges, fertilizer decisions, chicken litter, stockpiling forage, and managing grazing through seasonal changes. The discussion shifts into cattle genetics, breeding strategies, marketing calves through value-added programs, direct-to-consumer beef sales, and the importance of focusing on profitability instead of comparison with neighboring operations. Gabe also shares how his curiosity, podcasts, feed store conversations, and modern AI tools help him continue learning and improving his operation. Topics Covered Downsizing a cow herd for profitability  Flashlight farming and balancing off-farm work  Rotational grazing management  Recovering from overgrazing  Designing paddocks and water systems  Stockpiling forage for winter grazing  Fertility management and fertilizer decisions  Using chicken litter on pastures  Cattle genetics and replacement strategies  Selling calves through value-added programs  Direct-to-consumer beef experiences  Learning from podcasts, books, and AI tools  Managing grazing in Northwest ArkansasFind Out MoreHerd Advisor Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond Agriculture Grassroots CarbonGrazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey

What happens when a cattle breed is designed specifically for grass-based farming instead of the feedlot?In this special narrative-style episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal Hardage tells the story of the South Poll breed and the people behind it. Starting with Teddy Gentry’s journey in the late 1980s, this episode explores how one goal shaped an entirely new kind of cow: heat tolerant, fertile, efficient on forage, and built to thrive in regenerative grazing systems.You’ll hear from Teddy Gentry, Greg Judy, Ralph and Jerry Voss, Steve Freeman, and Nathan Hahn as they share how South Poll cattle changed their operations and why they believe smaller, forage-efficient cattle are the future of profitable grass farming.This episode covers: Why Teddy Gentry created the South Poll breed  The four breeds that formed South Poll cattle  Heat tolerance, slick hair genetics, and grass efficiency  Why fertility and longevity matter more than size  Greg Judy’s transition away from conventional cattle  Leasing land to grow a grazing operation  Why South Poll breeders avoid the show ring  Building profitable cows instead of high-input cows  Grass finishing cattle on pasture  Selling direct-to-consumer grass-fed beef  The economics of regenerative cattle production  Longevity and maternal performance in grazing herds  Using smaller cows to improve profit per acre If you’ve ever wondered whether modern cattle genetics truly fit regenerative grazing systems, this episode will give you a lot to think about.Resources Mentioned:Teddy GentryGreg JudyBurk TeichertSouth Poll Grass Cattle AssociationListen, learn, and keep on grazing.  Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond Agriculture Grassroots CarbonGrazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey

Cian didn’t grow up farming. He didn’t inherit land. And he didn’t follow a traditional path.Instead, he moved from Australia to Spain during COVID, started from scratch, and built a profitable small-acreage farm in under a year.In this episode, Cian shares how he and his wife took a leap of faith, navigated government grants, and built a direct-to-consumer farm business using chickens, pigs, and sheep. All on just 15 acres.This conversation goes beyond the romantic vision of farming and dives into the real numbers, mistakes, and lessons learned along the way.If you’ve ever wondered whether small acreage can truly support a full-time income, this episode gives you a clear, honest look at what it takes.In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How Cian went from city life to farming in Spain  Why small acreage can be more profitable than large operations  The role of direct-to-consumer sales in farm success  How egg production created fast cash flow  What went wrong (and right) with pigs and sheep  How government grants helped launch the farm  The importance of knowing your numbers before starting  Why mindset matters more than tradition in agriculture Key TakeawaysCian’s farm became cash-flow positive in just three months, driven largely by egg sales.By focusing on efficiency, direct marketing, and profitability, he’s proving that you don’t need hundreds of acres to build a sustainable farm business.But it hasn’t been easy. From infrastructure challenges to livestock losses, Cian shares the hard realities behind the success.Find Out MoreWebsite | https://www.obicodorio.com/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/obicodorio/TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@obicodorioEmail | hola [at] obicodorio.com Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond Agriculture Grassroots CarbonGrazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey

What happens when a producer in the heart of dairy country decides to build a grass-based beef herd? In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal visits with John Smith from northern Vermont.John shares how his family farm moved out of dairying decades ago, how his career in dairy co-ops shaped his perspective, and how a desire to raise his own food led him back to livestock ownership. After trying multiple breeds, John found the fit he was looking for in South Poll cattle.They discuss restoring worn-out pastures through grazing management, adapting southern cattle genetics to Vermont winters, raising pigs in wooded systems, and building a future seedstock herd for the Northeast.This episode is full of practical lessons on persistence, genetics, pasture recovery, and finding livestock that match your goals and environment.Topics Covered: Growing up connected to a former dairy farm  Working in the dairy industry and helping producers  Returning home to raise food for the family  Leasing family ground and restoring poor pasture  Why South Poll cattle stood out  Adapting cattle to harsh Vermont winters  Multi-move grazing and tighter paddock management  Using cattle to rebuild soil fertility  Raising feeder pigs in woodland systems  Building a seedstock future for New England producers Resources Mentioned:Greg Judy South Poll cattle breeders and community Grazing conferences and producer networks Find Out More:Wandering Brook Farms | https://www.wanderingbrookfarm.comIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and leave a review.Until next episode, keep on grazing. Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond Agriculture Grassroots CarbonGrazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey