How to Boost Animal Health and Farm Productivity with Ecological Principles
Guest: Dr. Gustavo Lascano, Associate Professor of Ruminant Nutrition, Clemson UniversityHost: Drs. Gabe Kenne & Buz KlootLength: ~70 minutesIn this conversation with Dr. Gustavo Lascano, Ruminant Nutrition Specialist at Clemson University, we discuss integrating ecological principles like succession and diversity into farm management to improve animal, soil, and human health. Dr. Lascano describes intricate details of ruminant nutrition and reinforces that it should focus not only on calories but also on proper nutrient balance and feeding the microbial ecosystem within the rumen. His expertise in this field comes not only from advanced degrees and field and laboratory research, but also from experiencing indigenous agricultural systems firsthand and seeing how they offer valuable insights into sustainable, low-input food production systems.Episode Highlights:Rethinking Production Systems with Ecological SuccessionDiverse Background with Global RootsFree Choice Feeding & Ruminant EfficiencyRumen Microbiology & Soil ParallelsIndustrial vs. Regenerative Feeding ModelsAgroecological Inspirations from the AmazonThe Role of Animals in Regenerative AgTo learn more about Dr. Lascano and ruminant nutrition, check out the below links:Gustavo Lascano at Clemson UniversityFaculty ProfileSoil Health Lab Podcast ArchivesVisit WebsiteFeatured in the episode: Cotton, Country, Conservation (8-year regenerative agriculture study)
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1:16:17
How Real-World Farmers are Boosting Profits: Cover Crops, Cost Cutting, & Yield Bumps
In this episode, Carl Coleman continues his deep dive into the lessons learned from years of soil health experimentation—and how they changed not only his farm but his entire career. Carl shares how the pushback he received from scientists and extension professionals led him to set up a randomized, replicated study on his farm, proving that regenerative practices could reduce inputs without sacrificing yield.We explore some of the biggest surprises from these trials, including how fields with no applied potassium actually maintained or increased soil test levels over five years—completely contradicting conventional wisdom. Carl also discusses the economic and agronomic benefits of cover crops, including how they have helped farmers reduce subsoiling, cut back on herbicide passes, and save thousands in input costs.Carl’s transition from farming to the seed business was not planned, but as demand for high-quality, affordable seed grew, he saw an opportunity to help other farmers navigate the complexities of cover cropping. Now, as the owner of Choice Ag, Carl provides tailored cover crop blends based on individual farm needs, ensuring that growers avoid common mistakes and maximize their returns.If you’re wondering how real-world farmers are making regenerative agriculture work economically, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-earned wisdom.📌 Check the show notes for links to Carl’s seed business, research studies, and resources mentioned in this episode!Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeHow much fertilizer do we really need? https://experiment.com/projects/how-much-fertilizer-do-we-really-needNo but seriously now, how much fertilizer do we really need? https://experiment.com/projects/no-but-seriously-now-how-much-fertilizer-do-we-really-needCotton, Country Conservation: An 8-Year Case Study in Regenerative Agriculture (Following SC Farmer Sonny Price's path of reducing input costs, increasing organic matter, and saving over $2.5 million): soilhealthlabs.com/projects/cotton-country-conservation
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1:04:55
The Economic Impact of Regenerative Agriculture: Practical Wisdom from a Seasoned Farmer
In this episode, Carl Coleman continues his deep dive into the lessons learned from years of soil health experimentation—and how they changed not only his farm but his entire career. Carl shares how the pushback he received from scientists and extension professionals led him to set up a randomized, replicated study on his farm, proving that regenerative practices could reduce inputs without sacrificing yield.We explore some of the biggest surprises from these trials, including how fields with no applied potassium actually maintained or increased soil test levels over five years—completely contradicting conventional wisdom. Carl also discusses the economic and agronomic benefits of cover crops, including how they have helped farmers reduce subsoiling, cut back on herbicide passes, and save thousands in input costs.Carl’s transition from farming to the seed business was not planned, but as demand for high-quality, affordable seed grew, he saw an opportunity to help other farmers navigate the complexities of cover cropping. Now, as the owner of Choice Ag, Carl provides tailored cover crop blends based on individual farm needs, ensuring that growers avoid common mistakes and maximize their returns.If you’re wondering how real-world farmers are making regenerative agriculture work economically, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-earned wisdom.📌 Check the show notes for links to Carl’s seed business, research studies, and resources mentioned in this episode!Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeHow much fertilizer do we really need? https://experiment.com/projects/how-much-fertilizer-do-we-really-needNo but seriously now, how much fertilizer do we really need? https://experiment.com/projects/no-but-seriously-now-how-much-fertilizer-do-we-really-needCotton, Country Conservation: An 8-Year Case Study in Regenerative Agriculture (Following SC Farmer Sonny Price's path of reducing input costs, increasing organic matter, and saving over $2.5 million): soilhealthlabs.com/projects/cotton-country-conservation
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48:16
South Dakota Rancher Shares Alternative Strategy for Managing Invasive Species & Boosting Land Health
In this episode, Buz and Dickie chat with Clinton Rasmussen about the innovative use of goats for land management, particularly in combating the spread of eastern red cedar in South Dakota. Clinton shares his journey from growing up on a ranch to returning after his military service and discovering the power of goats to clear invasive brush. He discusses how these goats thrive in rough terrain and how their grazing habits can significantly reduce unwanted vegetation, including cedar trees, yucca, and other tough plants.The conversation highlights Clinton’s use of electric fencing and his experiments with no-fence collars to manage his goats across different paddocks. The effectiveness of goats in land restoration is contrasted with the challenges posed by eastern red cedar, which not only competes with grazing lands but also contributes to dangerous wildfires.Clinton explains how goats can fit into traditional cattle operations and how they offer a great opportunity for younger ranchers or anyone looking to diversify their operations. For those who may not have the capital to purchase large tracts of land or invest in a big cattle herd, goats provide a way to get started with smaller investments. Running goats alongside cattle allows you to use the same land without the need for major infrastructure or large upfront costs. It’s an ideal way for younger ranchers to gain experience and build their business over time, especially since goats can thrive in areas where cattle struggle. Clinton’s own experience shows how goats can be a stepping stone to eventually expanding into other livestock, creating a sustainable and profitable operation.One of the great advantages of goats is their relatively low water needs, especially compared to cattle. Clinton points out that once goats are established on a piece of land, they can often go quite a while without a constant water source, relying on moisture from the plants they eat, like yucca and cedar. This can significantly reduce the need for water infrastructure, as goats can be moved across the land without the need to set up multiple water points, which can be a costly part of managing cattle. This flexibility makes it easier to rotate goats through different paddocks and access areas that might be difficult to reach or impractical for cattle. For younger ranchers looking to minimize their infrastructure costs while maximizing their land use, goats offer a smart, cost-effective solution.For further reading, check out the AgUpdate article on "Tackling the Green Glacier" here and the prescribed burn resource here. You can also learn more about Nathan Marker from Plum Creek Ranch and his goat-based land management practices in this 2020 Gathering Talk. Follow Clinton’s journey on his Firewatch Ranch Facebook page.AgUpdate article: “Tacking the Green Glacier” https://agupdate.com/tristateneighbor/news/livestock/tackling-the-green-glacier/article_28fc9f42-ab57-11ef-b3f9-33537e86c82e.htmlhttps://www.growingresiliencesd.com/prescribed-burnNathan Marker ~ Plum Creek Ranch ~ 2020 Gathering Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuBzbTEkSQ8Firewatch ranch: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085769701718
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1:05:24
Rangeland Specialist's Top Grazing Strategies to Drought-Proof Your Pasture
In this episode, we chat with Lealand Schoon from the South Dakota NRCS about drought management, grazing strategies, and the long-term health of pasturelands. Lealand covers how subtle factors like trigger dates and residue levels impact grazing decisions, stressing that if land is left with less than 1,000 pounds of residue per acre, it can be much slower to recover. This makes it crucial for ranchers to manage grazing carefully, especially during drought conditions. He also distinguishes between droughts and dry cycles, explaining that while droughts are more extreme, dry cycles are a natural part of the landscape and require adaptive management to cope with.Lealand also touches on the current beef market, where prices are solid, and the availability and cost of hay are favorable. However, he warns against becoming complacent just because things are looking good right now. The market can shift quickly, and the right grazing and land management decisions today will determine how well ranchers are set up for future years, particularly when it comes to managing land during drought. He also talks about de-stocking strategies, noting that if the land is in poor condition, de-stocking will need to be more aggressive to avoid further damage.Throughout our discussion, Lealand emphasizes the importance of being proactive with land management—especially when conditions are good. He stresses that staying on top of things today can help ensure that ranchers can handle the challenges of tomorrow. The ability to adapt to changing conditions now will make all the difference when the inevitable droughts or market shifts arrive.This episode offers essential advice for ranchers looking to maintain healthy, resilient land, no matter the market conditions.For more on drought management and range conservation, check out the links in the show notes:Growing Resilience – Drought Managementhttps://www.growingresiliencesd.com/drought-managementNatural Resources Conservation Service- Range and Pasturehttps://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-by-state/south-dakota/range-pastureAg-Wxhttps://www.ag-wx.comMesonet SD (Go to tools to see Ag Weather, Degree Days, Livestock Stress, etc.)https://climate.sdstate.edu/Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP)https://rangelands.app/Alexjandro Carillohttps://www.cuencalosojos.org/alejandro-carrillo
The Soil Health Labs are located in the Environmental Health Sciences Department in the School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. That may be surprising to most, especially since the University of South Carolina has no Ag School! Our mission is to promote soil health, not only as something that’s good for the farmer and the environment, but we also want to highlight soil health as a public health tool. Think about it. Healthy soils and healthy crops, mean healthy farmers and consumers, never mind an ever-improving environment. One idea we are embracing is that of Regenerative Farming where we embrace the idea that if farmers change the way they manage the soils, they can actually improve, or regenerate environmental conditions through less disturbance, keeping soils covered with residue or canopies, keeping live roots I the soil year round and be reintroducing animals into the whole system. While we cut our teeth promoting soil health through video and social media (Soil Stories; Under Cover farmers: Science of Soil Health; Merit or Myth; Growing Resilience) we do have several research and outreach projects that we are doing with farmers in South Carolina.
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