Grazing Grass Podcast sharing Regenerative Ag Stories

In this Field Notes episode, Cal slows things down to share a simple way to think about soil health principles that actually sticks when you’re in the pasture. Instead of another list to memorize, this episode introduces CRADLE, a practical framework that organizes well-known soil health principles into something easier to remember and apply in real-world conditions.In this episode, we explore:Why soil health principles are easy to understand but hard to recall in real-world decision momentsHow context shapes the way soil health principles are applied on different operationsHow the core soil health ideas fit together through the CRADLE frameworkWhere disturbance, soil cover, diversity, living roots, and livestock fit within that bigger pictureA simple way to step back and diagnose what might be missing when things aren’t working as expectedWhat CRADLE stands for:C — ContextR — Reduce DisturbanceA — Armor on the SoilD — DiversityL — Living RootsE — Embrace LivestockWhy listen to this episode?If you understand soil health principles but struggle to recall or apply them under real-world pressure, this episode gives you a mental model you can actually use. CRADLE helps move soil health from theory into day-to-day decision-making — without adding complexity.Looking aheadNext week’s Field Notes tackles a listener question on low-cost corral options, focusing on what actually matters, what you can skip, and practical ways to work animals safely without overspending on infrastructure.Thanks to our partnersField Notes is made possible by the continued support of Noble Research Institute and Redmond Agriculture. Their commitment to soil health education and stewardship helps make these conversations possible.More grass. Better soil. Happier livestock. Keep on grazing, and we’ll see you next week. 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

In Episode 201 of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal Hardage sits down with Jacob Morin of Target Angus and Le Paysan Gourmand in Quebec. Jacob shares how a college humanities class unexpectedly set him on a path toward regenerative agriculture and how he and his family transitioned a conventional cow-calf operation into a diversified, grass-based farm. Together, they discuss intentional grazing, winter management in cold climates, infrastructure decisions that make daily moves possible, and how direct-to-consumer beef, market gardening, and livestock diversification work together to support the next generation on the farm.Topics covered in this episode include:Intentional grazing and adaptive decision-makingWinter grazing and bale grazing in cold climatesGrazing infrastructure: fencing, water systems, and daily movesDirect-to-consumer beef sales and pricing challengesDiversification with vegetables, hogs, and value-added productsTransitioning family farms and planning for future generationsLessons learned from trial, error, and staying flexibleWhy you should listen: This episode is packed with real-world insight for producers navigating cooler climates, land constraints, and direct marketing. Jacob’s story highlights how thoughtful grazing, diversification, and intentional choices can build resilience—both in the soil and in the family running the operation. If you’re balancing tradition with change or looking for practical ideas to strengthen your grazing system, this conversation will resonate.Resources mentioned in the episode:Target AngusLe Paysan GourmandSalad Bar Beef by Joel SalatinPastured Poultry Profits by Joel SalatinThe Bold Return of Giving a Damn by Will Harris 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

Adam Daugherty joins us from southern Indiana to share the story of how a few cows, some encouragement from family, and a willingness to try rotational grazing transformed his operation. Adam talks through the early days of partnering with his grandfather and great-aunt, the moment rotational grazing finally “clicked,” and how semi-permanent fencing, flexible water systems, and strategic winter feeding have reshaped his pastures. He also walks us through his approach to genetics, cow size, docility, and marketing calves directly to a feedlot rather than selling through a barn—plus what he wishes new graziers would know before they start.Topics CoveredGetting started with cattle through family partnershipsHow one brother-in-law pushed him toward rotational grazingUsing fiberglass posts and high-tensile wire as low-cost subdivision fencingBuilding water hubs, temporary pipelines, and later upgrading to buried linesUsing a movable tank and quick-connect valves for efficient daily movesHow rotational grazing changed pasture health, weed pressure, and animal behaviorManaging winter feeding with concrete pads and strategic hay unrollingBenefits of a sacrifice paddock—and why we shouldn’t be afraid to use oneBuying and developing genetics within the family herdManaging docility and safety while working a W2 jobTheir marketing system: preconditioning and selling directly to a local feedlotFuture plans: warm-season grasses, tire-tank siphon systems, and refining geneticsWhy You Should ListenAdam exemplifies the reality for many graziers: juggling off-farm jobs, limited time, and a desire to do better with what you already have. His story is packed with practical, low-cost ideas—from fencing to water to winter feeding—that can help new and seasoned graziers rethink their systems. If you’ve ever felt too busy to start rotational grazing or unsure where to begin, Adam’s journey will show you exactly how doable it can be.Resources MentionedLocal NRCS & Soil and Water offices (mapping, design, & technical support)Graber Farm Supply (fiberglass posts & materials)Purdue’s Southern Indiana research farm (SIPAC)Daily Manufacturing bale unroller 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

Rachel Bouressa of Bouressa Family Farm joins us from central Wisconsin, where she’s a fifth-generation farmer and second-generation grazier managing 120 acres with a soil-first mindset. After returning home following a barn fire, she rebuilt her operation using perennial forages, diverse annuals, and a willingness to experiment. Today she’s deeply involved with Grassworks, Wisconsin Farmers Union, NRCS conservation planning, women-in-conservation mentoring, and the Upper Fox Wolf Demonstration Farm Network—all while running a thriving direct-to-consumer beef business.Topics Covered in This EpisodeRebuilding the family farm after a barn fire and starting with just 15 acresDeveloping a soil-first grazing philosophy and “earned efficiency”Working closely with NRCS and building strong planner–farmer relationshipsConverting row-crop ground back to pasture using rye, diverse cool-season mixes, and sorghum-SudanChoosing cattle genetics: British White Parks, Devons, and Murray GreysDirect-to-consumer beef sales and transitioning to Barn2DoorExtending the grazing season toward ChristmasAudubon Bird-Friendly certification and creating habitat valueWhy You Should ListenIf you’re looking for a grounded, real-world example of what soil-first grazing looks like in practice, Rachel brings hard-earned wisdom, humility, and a spirit of experimentation. Her story is full of practical insights—from pasture renovation to breed selection to extending the grazing season—and she offers a refreshingly honest look at the challenges and rewards of growing a regenerative, community-connected grazing operation.Resources MentionedGrassworks ConferenceNRCS grazing resourcesAudubon Conservation Ranching ProgramWendell Berry — Unsettling of America, The Gift of Good LandFred Provenza — Nourishment 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

Today’s episode features Doug Jobes, Regenerative Ranching Advisor at the Noble Research Institute, whose background spans rural Georgia agriculture, the 75th Ranger Regiment, wildlife science, and rangeland ecology. Doug brings a wildlife-first lens to grazing—not just how animals eat grass, but how grazing decisions ripple out into birds, deer, turkeys, insects, habitat structure, and even the income potential of your ranch.We dig into how wildlife and grazing fit together, what habitat components matter most, how producers can inventory wildlife on their land, and how regenerative grazing opens doors to additional enterprises like hunting leases, ecotourism, and wildlife photography. Doug also explains nesting cover vs. roost sites for turkeys, how to adapt your grazing plan for wildlife without sacrificing profitability, and why “realistic expectations” matter more than anything when managing both grass and critters.Topics CoveredDoug’s journey from Georgia farm life → military service → wildlife science → Noble Research Institute.What “regenerative grazing + wildlife” really means.Why realistic expectations are key when managing habitat.How to inventory wildlife on your property.Differences in wildlife presence between neighboring properties—and why.Monetizing wildlife:Hunting leasesWaterfowl accessDove fieldsFishingEcotourismWildlife photography (and how competitive photographers are!)Habitat needs for:Bobwhite quailGrassland songbirdsWild turkeys—nesting cover + roost treesHow grazing decisions influence bird populations (Roots So Deep examples).Using rest periods strategically for wildlife habitat.The Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP) as a tool for understanding forage history.Doug’s favorite book → Beef, Brush, and BobwhitesWhy market forces matter in conservation decisions.🎧 Why Listen?If you’ve ever wondered how wildlife fits into regenerative ranching—or how your grazing decisions affect far more than cattle—this episode will open your eyes. Doug connects soil health, plant communities, wildlife needs, grazing pressure, and producer profitability in a way few people can. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of habitat, new options for income streams, and several practical management tweaks you can apply immediately.This episode is especially valuable if you’ve been noticing wildlife differences between your property and the neighbors and wondering “why?”Resources MentionedNoble Research Institute: https://noble.orgBeef, Brush, and Bobwhites — Guthery & Hernández (ebook ~$10)Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP): https://rangelands.appRoots So Deep docuseries (bird habitat comparisons)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 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