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 more
Circle P Farm on Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@circlepfarm3776

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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 Arkansas
Find Out More
Herd Advisor

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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 Gentry
Greg Judy
Burk Teichert
South Poll Grass Cattle Association
Listen, learn, and keep on grazing. 

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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 Takeaways

Cian’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 More
Website | https://www.obicodorio.com/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/obicodorio/
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@obicodorio
Email | hola [at] obicodorio.com

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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.com
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and leave a review.
Until next episode, keep on grazing.

Looking for grass-based breeders?
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Visit our Sponsors:
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Grazing Grass Links
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Original Music by Louis Palfrey