Grazing Grass Podcast sharing Regenerative Ag Stories

• 198. Adding Wildlife Income Streams to Your Ranch with Doug Jobes

  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

  --------  

  1:15:10

  --------

  1:15:10
• 197. Silvopasture in the Real World with Austin Unruh

  Austin Unruh returns for another deep, practical conversation on silvopasture — this time focusing on “the dip,” livestock pressure, pruning, shade strategy, pigs and poultry in tree systems, and what to do in Year Zero before you ever put a seedling in the ground. If you’ve ever stared at your pastures on a hot day wishing you had more shade… this one will light a fire under you.What we cover in this episode:The “dip” in silvopasture: why years 1–4 feel like a grindShade as the low-hanging fruit — and why it’s only the beginningLivestock pressure: how to protect trees when cattle, horses, and wildlife want to destroy themPruning young vs. established trees (and the dangers of over-pruning)Species selection for different goals: shade, fodder, privacy screens, and livestock feedWhy mulberries and persimmons shine for pigs and poultryRunning pigs IN establishment-phase silvopasture (pros, cons, protection methods)Tree spacing, patterns, and why grids usually beat random placementsManaging compaction, vole pressure, and bark hardeningYear Zero → Year Two: fall tasks, maintenance, ordering trees, and setting up for successWhy early wins matter psychologically (and how to get them)Continuous grazing vs rotational grazing when it comes to tree cropsIf you’re serious about silvopasture, this episode gives you a roadmap from the ground up — from species selection and timing to realistic maintenance and livestock integration. Austin breaks down the parts most graziers underestimate: the grind, the setbacks, and the discipline it takes before shade and feed finally show up. Whether you’re planting five trees or five hundred, you’ll walk away with clearer steps and fewer unknowns.Resources mentioned:Trees for Graziers — treesforgraziers.comCastor oil vole deterrent productsAcres U.S.A. (publisher of Austin’s upcoming second edition)Liberty apple, crabapple, and apple-crab varietiesHybrid willow, hybrid poplar, black locust, honey locustRusted Plowshare Farm (Josh Payne)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

  --------  

  1:09:51

  --------

  1:09:51
• 196. Regenerative Grazing and Direct Marketing Success with Leslie Svacina

  Leslie returns to share what’s changed since her first appearance in Episode 28. She runs Cylon Rolling Acres in northwestern Wisconsin, where she grazes both goats and Texel sheep on pasture and markets meat directly to consumers through a thriving online business. This episode dives deep into her evolution from wholesale to a sustainable, subscription-based direct-to-consumer model — plus her approach to regenerative grazing with multi-species livestock.Topics CoveredManaging a mixed flock of goats and Texel sheep under rotational grazingWool utilization and creative uses for lower-grade fleeceTransitioning from wholesale markets to direct-to-consumer meat salesBuilding a loyal customer base through email marketing and educationDetails of her goat meat subscription model (quarterly boxes, whole-goat option)Processing and shipping logistics, including use of dry iceLessons from receiving USDA Value-Added Producer and Buy Local grantsEducational resources: Goat Meat Primer eBook, Grazing With Leslie blog, and online courses If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a small ruminant enterprise into a profitable, direct-to-consumer brand, Leslie’s model is a must-hear. She shares practical insight on managing inventory, shipping meat, marketing through education, and keeping customers subscribed.Resources MentionedCylonRollingAcres.com – Farm website for direct meat salesGrazingWithLeslie.com – Educational blog for producersGrassWorks Grazing Conference (Wisconsin)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

  --------  

  1:24:29

  --------

  1:24:29
• 195. South Poll Field Day Special: Real Ranchers, Real Results

  In this special in-person episode recorded at the South Poll Field Day, Cal sits down with some of the biggest names connected to the South Poll breed and regenerative grazing movement — Teddy Gentry, Greg Judy, Ralph & Jerry Voss, Steve Freeman, and Nathan Hahn.You’ll hear the story of how the South Poll breed was created, the philosophy behind it, and how it continues to thrive on real-world farms. From developing heat-tolerant genetics and maintaining fertility in tough environments to direct-to-consumer beef and breeding program strategies, this episode captures a living snapshot of regenerative cattle culture in action.Guests include:🧬 Teddy Gentry — Founder of the South Poll breed, sharing its origin, composite makeup, and the importance of fertility, longevity, and line breeding for efficiency.🌱 Greg Judy — Missouri grazier explaining how South Polls transformed his operation, reduced inputs, and made it possible to quit his off-farm job.👩‍🌾 Ralph & Jerry Voss — Longtime breeders whose herd and friendship with Greg Judy led to some of the most influential South Poll genetics today.🐄 Steve Freeman — Missouri cattleman with over 40 years of experience, describing how South Polls helped him achieve 95% conception rates and a truly profitable grass-only system.🥩 Nathan Hahn — Kentucky farmer finishing and selling beef direct-to-consumer, detailing how South Polls fit perfectly into a low-input, grass-finished operation.Why You Should ListenWhether you raise South Polls or not, this episode is packed with wisdom about:Selecting for fertility and longevity over size or EPDs.Building a profitable cow herd that thrives on grass alone.Breeding and marketing strategies for grass-fed genetics.The real-world economics and mindset shifts behind regenerative ranching.How smaller, calmer, efficient cattle can make you money — and peace of mind.It’s part history lesson, part grazing masterclass, and a celebration of the community driving the South Poll breed forward.Resources MentionedSouth Poll Grass Cattle AssociationGreg Judy – Green Pastures FarmVoss South PollsUnity FarmsLooking 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

  --------  

  2:01:58

  --------

  2:01:58
• 194. Grazing Smarter in North Dakota with Fourth Generation Rancher Shane Maddock

  In this episode, Cal visits with Shane Maddock, a fourth-generation rancher from north-central North Dakota, where cattle country meets farm country. Shane shares the story of building a regenerative operation through drought, grazing challenges, and generations of learning. He discusses taking over a neighbor’s ranch after returning from National Guard service, developing cross-fenced paddocks and a positive/negative electric system, managing water in the Prairie Pothole Region, and adjusting his grazing philosophy from “a third, a third, a third” to adaptive management guided by what the grass and cattle tell him.Topics coveredGrowing up on a holistic-management ranch and learning from his fatherLeasing cattle and structuring multi-year cow leasesDesigning high-tensile fencing and pos/neg wiring for sandy soilsTransitioning from mild rotation to intensive adaptive grazingManaging drought risk with insurance pastures and flexible enterprisesUsing Rio Max minerals and observing dramatic feed-efficiency gainsCalving-date adjustments and hybrid-vigor breeding decisionsFounding Maddock Ranch Supply and serving the communityHis father receiving North Dakota’s Leopold Conservation Award If you’ve ever wondered how to keep cows productive through seven drought years out of eleven—or how to balance generational wisdom with modern regenerative ideas—Shane’s story delivers practical lessons on adaptation, family teamwork, and faith in the land’s resilience.Resources mentionedMaddock Ranch maddockranch.comMaddock Ranch Supply  maddockranchsupply.comMan, Cattle and Veld – Johan ZietsmanGrass-Fed Cattle – Julius RuechelHolistic Management – Allan SavoryDirt to Soil – Gabe BrownNorth Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition Mentorship ProgramRio Max Minerals - riomax.netLooking 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

  --------  

  1:11:53

  --------

  1:11:53

More Science podcasts

Trending Science podcasts

About Grazing Grass Podcast sharing Regenerative Ag Stories