AoR 170: Dr. Jim Sprinkle on The Perfect Range Cow
Cattle growth goals and livestock use of large, topographically challenging landscapes have been at odds for some decades. Weaning weights went up, cow weights went up, and herd distribution on rangelands went down. Dr. Jim Sprinkle, an Extension beef specialist at the University of Idaho, has been doing research that is providing guidance on developing cows that do both, leading to herds that are more efficient on feed and graze hillsides -- the Perfect Range Cow. This has significant implications for reducing land use conflicts, particularly with riparian grazing concerns on public lands, but also profitability and sustainability of range livestock operations.
The Art of Range Podcast is supported by the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission; Vence, a subsidiary of Merck Animal Health; and the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center.
Visit the episode page at https://artofrange.com/episodes/aor-170-dr-jim-sprinkle-perfect-range-cow for a full transcript of the interview and links to resources mentioned in the episode.
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AoR 169: Peter Ballerstedt on Metabolic Dysfunction - Opportunities for Eaters and Graziers
Malnutrition should be defined as any diet that results in metabolic derangement. Few Americans suffer from lack of access to calories. But we are unhealthy, with metabolic and chronic diseases increasing steadily. These are true statements, but how we should respond to them individually and societally is controversial. Peter Ballerstedt ("Sodfather of the Ruminati”) earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Georgia and his doctorate at the University of Kentucky. He was the forage extension specialist at Oregon State University from 1986 to 1992. He worked in the forage seed industry from 2011 until 2023. He is a member of several national and international scientific societies, participates in related global initiatives, and is a Past-President of the American Forage and Grassland Council.
Peter’s personal experience has led him to re-examine human diet and health. What he has learned doesn’t agree with the advice given for the past several decades. Peter is an advocate for ruminant animal agriculture and the essential role of animal source foods in the human diet. He strives to build bridges between producers, consumers, and researchers across a wide variety of scientific disciplines – increasing awareness of metabolic health and ruminant animal agriculture’s essential role in social, economic, and ecological sustainability. Peter has spoken at many different events in the US and internationally. Many of his presentations are available on YouTube. Peter and Nancy live in western Oregon (northwestern USA) with their three dogs, Conor, Noni, and Iris.
The Art of Range Podcast is supported by the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission; Vence, a subsidiary of Merck Animal Health; and the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center.
Go to the episode page at https://artofrange.com/episodes/aor-169-peter-ballerstedt-metabolic-dysfunction-opportunities-eaters-and-graziers for a transcript of this interview and links to resources mentioned in the episode.
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AoR 168: Chuck Jarecki on Ranching "with Your Face in the Ground" in Montana
Chuck Jarecki ranched in Montana from 1961 to the 1990s, using grazing to heal lands broken by the plow that never grew enough to justify continued crop farming. He had success using the classic management tools: develop stockwater in places cattle don't like to go, graze the most preferred species moderately, and give grasses time to grow back before you graze them again. Chuck won't elaborate much, but what he says is worth listening to and he has lived out his brief advice, starting with instructions from his mentor, Don Ryerson, to learn with "your face in the ground and your butt in the air."
The Art of Range Podcast is supported by the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission; Vence, a subsidiary of Merck Animal Health; and the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center.
A transcript of the conversation and links to resources mentioned in this episode is available at the episode page at ahttps://artofrange.com/episodes/aor-168-chuck-jarecki-ranching-your-face-ground-montana
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AoR 167: Beni Paulson on bucking bull breeding, country music, and good grazing
Beni Paulson is a North Dakota rancher who breeds, trains, and sells bucking bulls. He also raises beef cattle and produces country-western music that is more western than eastern. He sings of what he knows. And he's learned a thing or two about grazing to heal pieces of the northern Great Plains that were degraded through cropping and overgrazing. If you've never heard of the American Bucking Bull breed . . . I hadn't . . . tune in to this interview.
The Art of Range Podcast is supported by the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission; Vence, a subsidiary of Merck Animal Health; and the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center.
Go to the episode page at https://artofrange.com/episodes/aor-167-beni-paulson-bucking-bull-breeding-country-music-and-good-grazing for the transcript of this interview and for links to resources mentioned in the show.
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AoR 166: Gabe Brown on Regenerative Grazing
Gabe Brown was thinking about and practicing regenerative grazing before it had a name. Grazing management that maintains the productive potential of naturally occurring ecosystems is an ecological imperative that is as needful today as it was 10,000 years ago. In this conversation between Gabe and Tip, they land on definitions for regenerative grazing, discuss problems with the term 'sustainable agriculture', and speculate on future directions for ecological agriculturalists. And Gabe answers a question he's never been asked before.
This work is supported by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, project award no. 2022-38640-37487 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
The Art of Range Podcast is supported by the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission; Vence, a subsidiary of Merck Animal Health; and the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center.
Visit the episode page at https://artofrange.com/episodes/aor-166-gabe-brown-regenerative-grazing for the transcript and links to resources mentioned in the episode.
The Art of Range is a podcast about rangelands for people who manage rangelands. Our goal is education and conservation through conversation. Find us online at www.artofrange.com.
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