Stories from California Cattle Country

Stories from California Cattle Country takes listeners to some of the most beautiful parts of this diverse state to learn more about the people and practices of ranches and dairies. Follow our host, Ryan as he darts around the state meeting cattle ranchers and dairy farmers learning about the animals and land they care for everyday.This podcast is produced by the California Cattlemen’s Foundation with support from the California Cattle Council.

S3 E7: PREDATORS - Mountain Lions with Vince Fontana in Half Moon Bay

In this episode we speak with Vince Fontana of Flashlight Ranch in Half Moon Bay which is in San Mateo County... a region dealing with increasing Mountain Lion activity.Brooks Brother Support Fund

04-08
20:16

S3 E4: ON FIRE with Stephanie Larson County Director and Livestock Range Management Advisor for the UC Cooperative Extension

In this Episode we speak with Dr Stephanie Larson, County Director and Livestock Range Management Advisor and Director of University of California Cooperative Extension, Sonoma County about fires in Sonoma county, rangeland management and how cattle can help.Match Graze

02-26
20:48

S3 E3 ON FIRE: With Mike Furlong in Bodega Bay

In this episode we talk to Mike Furlong about his ranching operation in Bodega Bay, his family's experience with fires in the area and what can be done, if anything, to mitigate them.More about the Redwood Empire Food Bank

02-12
17:31

S3 E2 On Fire: with Anthony Stornetta, Firefighter and Rancher in Santa Barbara County

In this episode we speak with California Rancher and Deputy Fire Chief for the Santa Barbara Fire Dept. Anthony Stornetta about increasing, in fact historical, fire behavior and what can be done to mitigate it. Anthony was instrumental in developing this series by linking me with ranchers in California affected by fire.

01-29
18:20

S3 E1 On fire: with Dave Daley in Oroville

In this episode we speak with Dave about his experience with the fire, how wildland management is holding up and his feelings on the outlook for the future. I Cry for the Mountains and the Legacy Lost

01-15
24:27

S2 E38: Direct-to-Consumer Sales with Justin Lofton of AH Beef

In this episode we speak with Justin Lofton of AH Beef about the direct-to-consumer marketplace... its benefits and its difficulties. This episode is the 3rd to come out of imperial valley and frankly wasn't planned. We also talk about some delicious yet lesser known cuts.Calbeef.org Direct-To-Consumer DirectoryCostco Freezer

01-01
20:50

S2E37 Discussing feedlots in Imperial Valley with Mike Sulpizio of Superior Cattle Feeders

In this episode we speak with Mike Sulpizio of Superior Cattle Feeders about the feeding sector of the cattle business, water, quiet cows and the unique history of the Imperial Valley.Cattle BreedsRalph's California Beef Program (now defunct)

12-04
22:12

S2E36 Visiting Our First Ever Feedlot and Joe Dan Cameron in Imperial Valley

In this episode we speak with Joe Dan Cameron of Mesquite Cattle Feeders about the feeding sector of the cattle business, quiet cows and the unique history of the Imperial Valley.

11-20
22:11

S2 E35 Ranching in Lincoln CA, what happens when cattle get out and wolves with Rich Ross

In this episode we speak with rancher Rich Ross about his unique location, why a 77 year old attorney would choose ranching as a way of life and his partnership with another rancher, 77 year old Wally Roney. We also talk a bit about wolves (which is a first for this podcast). https://cei.org/studies/the-roney-land-and-cattle-company-inc/

11-05
22:30

S2 E34 Cattlemen's Livestock Market w/ Jake Parnell in Galt, CA

In this episode we speak with Jake Parnell, owner of the Cattlemens Livestock Market in Galt California… 20 miles south of Sacramento about the livestock market, common misconceptions and why communication is critical between the ag and non ag community.

10-23
23:41

S2 E33 Stories of El Dorado with Tim Neilsen

In this episode we speak with rancher Tim Neilsen about El Dorado ranch and his commitment to ranching almost 8000 acres of the Sierra foothills in collaboration with the American River Conservancy in an effort to preserve area biodiversity of Sierra Nevada oak woodland… with cows. This is a follow up to our last episode where we spoke with Elena Delacy from the aforementioned American River Conservancy where Tim’s ranching operation is mentioned, in fact, celebrated.

10-10
26:02

S2 E32 Reconciliation Ecology with Elena Delacy of the American River Conservancy

In this episode we speak with Elena Delacy, executive director of the American River Conservacy about working with California ranchers in an effort to preserve critical ecosystems through land trusts in the American and Consumnes water basins.

09-25
24:18

S2 E31 Avdis Ranch in Sacramento CA

In this episode we discuss the intricacies of direct-to-consumer sales, the appeal of the ranching lifestyle and the shaky future of a small city ranch under the looming shadow of suburban sprawl with lawyer/rancher Nick Avdis. 

09-11
20:31

S2 E30 Modern Day Cattle Drive with Bull Hauler Tim Lewis and 290 Holsteins

In this episode we join Tim Lewis in his truck Whoa Black Betty to ferry some calves from a dairy in Escalon to a feedlot in Nevada returning with some cows to the same lot stopping only for fuel and truck stop burritos. We'll learn about the ins and outs of Bull Hauling and how Tim managed to get in this unique line of work.

08-28
24:30

S2 E29 Agritourism, Long Horned Cattle and Inspirational Quotes in Nicasio w/ Melissa Daniels of Cow Track Ranch

In this episode we speak with Melissa about ranching in Nicasio, about her Angus and Long Horned Cattle, and the ancillary businesses she runs through agritourism to ensure the success of her operation through hosting and educating non-ranchers about the ins and outs of agricultural living.

08-14
22:34

S2 E28 Interviewing school-aged and future agricultural professionals, Ulises Garcia and Chiara Stornetta

My purpose for the visit was to highlight the importance of this county fair to the next generation of agricultural professionals. Specifically, those still in elementary, middle or high school. In this episode we speak with Ulises Garcia, a 17 year old who spent the last 10 months restoring a circa 1949 Farmall Tractor to original condition. We also speak with Chiara Stornetta, an 11 year old at the fair to auction a steer and a heifer she raised. 

07-28
23:28

S2 E27 Belling Cows & Bullet Holes w/ the Brennan's in La Grange

In this episode we visit Sherri and Bob Brennan just north of La Grange, Calif. to bell some cows prior to the herd's annual pilgrimage into the Stanislaus National Forest at Eagle Meadows which sits at just about 7,400' elevation.

07-17
16:25

S2 E26 Ranching Out of Left Field with the Cremers in Sloughhouse

On this sweltering day I speak with Rancher Bart Cremers at his ranch in Sloughhouse. I first spoke with his wife Noelle via telephone, a former cca employee, about their operation. The Cremers a bit of a unicorn in this industry as they are first generation ranchers who only lease land throughout the west for their operation. Such an operation can allow for some operators to be nimble but also puts the operator at the whims of the landowner. On this visit the bulk of the herd was enjoying more temperate weather in Oregon with some bulls and replacement heifers on the property in Sloughhouse. We'll first hear a bit from Noelle and follow that with a visit with Bart. 

07-07
23:50

S2 E25 Learning about Red Hided Angus and Cattle Brands with Rita McPhee of McPhee Red Angus Ranch

In this episode we visit Rita McPhee from the McPhee Red Angus ranch in Lodi California. McPhee Red Angus differs a bit from our typical cattle ranch in that it only has red hided angus cattle (commonly Angus have black hides) and that their businesses is principally selling bulls opposed to selling cattle for beef. The ranch is about an hour South of Sacramento, and though the address is in Lodi it exists in a spot bordered by Lockeford, Linden and Lodi. We toured McPhee Ranch, their sale barn, pet some horses and then sat with Rita and her son Royce where we discussed ranch history, why they prefer Red Angus Cattle and a bit about branding.

06-17
22:01

S2 E23 Ranching, Tree Farming & BBQ with Pete Bussman in Humboldt County

This week we return to Humboldt County and speak with rancher Peter Bussman.In our last episode we spoke with Jason & Dean Hunt along with Justin Mora about ranching in Humboldt county with an emphasis on managing the areas Roosevelt Elk population.On that trip I had the pleasure of meeting peter Bussman, a rancher that was on hand to give biologist Carrington Hilson and I access to ranch property in an effort to find elk, which we did. In talking with Pete, I found that he comes from a long line of ranchers in the area, created a redwood tree farm in blue lake and volunteers his time to cook for large events over wood fire. We toured his cattle operation in the Arcata, drove to Blue lake to see his tree farm, and then cooked enough new york strips (he did ALL the cooking) for nearly 200 people and enjoyed them for dinner at the historic Carson Mansion in Eureka as guests of the Ignomar Club.

05-23
20:06

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