Episode 13: Sell Truth, Not Hype with John Atkinson
Episode 13: Sell Truth, Not Hype with John AtkinsonA candid conversation with Australian cattleman John Atkinson reveals profound insights about the cattle industry's struggle with honesty, fertility, and sustainable breeding practices. Since our last conversation, John's operation has secured a milestone export deal to Africa, not through slick marketing, but through straightforward communication about which genetics would actually work for the buyer's environment.The episode confronts uncomfortable truths about how newcomers are frequently exploited in the cattle business. "I feel really sorry for new people into the industry," John remarks, "because they naively trust people, they get so taken advantage of." This exploitation often leads to costly failures when producers invest in cattle with impressive appearances but poor functional traits. John and Patrick discuss how the pursuit of show ring aesthetics and extreme growth has undermined the fundamental fertility that determines ranch profitability.One standout moment comes when John describes a respected Australian veterinarian who recently spoke out about the crisis of infertility in northern Australian herds, where many producers have simply accepted that their expensive cattle will only produce a calf every two years. Meanwhile, John's own operation achieved 80%+ pregnancy rates in just two months of breeding, proving that fertility-focused genetics deliver results even in challenging environments.The conversation takes fascinating turns into innovations emerging from Australia's high labor costs, including automated weighing systems that allow producers to monitor weight gain in real-time and make smarter decisions about pasture rotation. John also makes a compelling case for crossbreeding, explaining how strategic breed combinations can correct functional problems in just one generation.Perhaps most powerful is John's reflection on the moral obligations of cattlemen: "We are the biggest animal rights advocates there are. We just don't voice it. We live it every day." His message for listeners considering bull purchases this season? Research the maternal lines, look beyond the sale catalog photos, and understand what you're really bringing into your herd for generations to come.Connect with John Atkinson:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cashmeredroughtmastersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashmeredroughtmasters/Bos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/john-atkinsonCheck out Bos Sires:Website: https://www.bossires.com/Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)Support the PodcastIf these conversations are helping you think differently about cattle breeding and land stewardship, be sure to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.To go deeper, join us on Patreon-where we host Shooting the Bull, our unfiltered podcast focused on honest conversations with producers from across the cattle industry.Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bossirestalk
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Shooting The Bull: Episode 2 Preview
Shooting The Bull: Episode 2 PreviewNot everything worth knowing comes with a data sheet.In this episode, Patrick Powers is joined once again by John Atkinson of Australia, and Kansas cattleman Darris Meitler, for a conversation about the kind of cattle that last. They don’t chase trends, they watch cows. They visit herds. They ask the right questions before ever looking at an EPD.From moderate frames to maternal consistency, they unpack what separates functional cattle from the ones propped up by feed buckets and photo shoots. And they don’t hold back when it comes to calling out the bulls that fall apart after one breeding season.To finish the episode, follow us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/bossirestalkQuestion the noise. Trust the land. Don’t breed nonsense.
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Episode 12: It's About the How, Not the Cow with Bogs Peralta
Episode 12: It's About the How, Not the Cow with Bogs PeraltaWhat if everything we've been taught about cattle breeding is wrong? In this eye-opening conversation with Filipino cattleman Bogs Peralta, we explore how conventional wisdom about "bigger is better" has led ranchers astray across the globe.From the lush tropical landscapes of the Philippines emerges a story that will resonate with ranchers worldwide. Peralta, a third-generation cattle producer, shares his journey from fighting against nature to working with it through regenerative grazing and adapted genetics. After years of struggling with show-type Brahman cattle that looked impressive but performed poorly, Peralta made a radical shift toward moderate-framed, fertile cattle that thrive on forage alone.The challenges he describes are strikingly familiar - reproductive inefficiency, high input costs, and genetics ill-suited to local conditions. Peralta reveals that 90% of Philippine cattle calve at painfully inefficient intervals, with many not producing their first calf until three or four years old. This isn't just an economic problem; it's contributing to food insecurity in a nation of 110 million people.Through resources like "Man, Cattle & Veld" and connections with like-minded ranchers, Peralta discovered that the solution wasn't more inputs - it was better-adapted cattle. His shift toward native Philippine cattle genetics blended with adaptable imported breeds has yielded remarkable results: earlier maturity, consistent calving, fewer difficult births, and better performance on grass.Peralta's powerful insight that "it's the how, not the cow" challenges us to rethink our priorities. Rather than selecting for trending traits, he advocates focusing on what truly matters: fertility, efficiency, and adaptability. This approach not only improves profitability but also addresses critical food security challenges.Ready to challenge conventional wisdom in your own operation? Join us as we explore how returning to nature-aligned principles might be the most revolutionary path forward for cattle producers everywhere.Connect with Bogs Peralta:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balungaointegratedfarmInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/balungaointegratedfarm/Check out Bos Sires:Website: https://www.bossires.com/Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)Support the PodcastIf you enjoy the show and want to support our mission of restoring sustainable, long-lasting genetics to the cattle industry, consider joining our Patreon community. Your support helps us continue producing valuable content for ranchers and cattle enthusiasts worldwide.Join us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/bossirestalk]
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Shooting The Bull: Episode 1 Preview
Shooting The Bull: Episode 1 PreviewSomething feels off, and veteran cattlemen can see it a mile away.In this preview of our debut episode of Shooting The Bull, host Patrick Powers sits down with Grant Vassberg and Australian breeder John Atkinson to expose the red flags that reveal a breeding program built on marketing, not function.From donor cows that never calve to surrogates doing the real work, this is the kind of straight talk you won’t hear in the show ring.To finish the episode, follow us on Patreon: patreon.com/bossirestalkQuestion the noise. Trust the land. Don’t breed nonsense.
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Episode 11: Wrong Background, Right Results with Jesse Colón
Episode 11: Wrong Background, Right Results with Jesse ColónWhat happens when a California city boy inherits his father's struggling cattle ranch in Mexico? For Jesse Colón, it became the unlikely beginning of a regenerative ranching revolution in the semi-desert of Zacatecas.Jesse's story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the most innovative paths forward begin with honoring what came before. When faced with his father's deteriorating health and a ranch that had become a financial "money pit," Jesse made a pivotal decision to learn everything he could about making the operation viable—not just as a business, but as a living tribute to his father's dream.The journey took him deep into the world of regenerative agriculture, where he discovered that the conventional, large-framed cattle genetics that dominated the region were fundamentally mismatched to the harsh local environment. Through trial and error, Jesse transformed the ranch using high-density grazing with electric fencing and by transitioning to smaller-framed, regionally-adapted cattle. The results speak for themselves: improved soil health, greater plant diversity, extended grazing periods, and most impressively, cows that can consistently produce a calf every year—something local conventional ranchers consider impossible.What makes Jesse's perspective particularly valuable is his willingness to challenge established practices while maintaining deep respect for traditional wisdom. He's become a bridge between worlds—documenting his journey on YouTube to 20,000 Spanish-speaking subscribers and now serving as a Bos Sires distributor for Mexico. His mission is clear: highlight "legacy breeders" who have consistently selected for practical traits like fertility over fashionable traits, and make those genetics available to ranchers searching for sustainable solutions.Explore more of Jesse’s work and see how he's proving the power of practical genetics in one of Mexico’s toughest ranching environments—through the links in our show notes. And don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with ranchers who are rewriting the rules of sustainable cattle production.Connect with Jesse Colón and Rancho Cinco Talentos:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCADO6875jXhcloWZxYoM4EQFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RanchoCincoTalentosBos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/jesse-colonCheck out Bos Sires:Website: https://www.bossires.com/Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)Support the PodcastIf you enjoy the show and want to support our mission of restoring sustainable, long-lasting genetics to the cattle industry, consider joining our Patreon community. Your support helps us continue producing valuable content for ranchers and cattle enthusiasts worldwide.Join us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/bossirestalk]
Sustainable Stock: Reviving Legacy Genetics is a podcast dedicated to exploring the power and potential of traditional cattle genetics while celebrating the ranchers who are bringing these practices back to life. Hosted by Patrick Powers, this podcast connects the past with the present, showcasing the resilience, efficiency, and fertility of the cattle breeds that helped build strong herds in the 1960s and '70s.Each episode features in-depth conversations with ranchers and breeders who are rediscovering and preserving the cattlemen practices that have stood the test of time. These ranchers are committed to using common-sense methods that focus on what truly works, blending the wisdom of the past with modern solutions for sustainable ranching in today’s world.At its core, Sustainable Stock is about returning to the fundamentals—embracing practical, time-tested approaches that prioritize what’s best for the land, livestock, and the rancher. We honor the heritage of ranching and are passionate about creating a future that’s rooted in both tradition and sustainability. Whether you’re passionate about heritage genetics, the future of ranching, or simply interested in the story behind the herd, this podcast is for you.
South Africa