In this episode of Horns N’ Hooves, host Taylor sits down with Shane Stout, an instructor from the renowned Graham School, to talk about hands-on cattle education and why proper training is so valuable for both beginners and experienced producers.

Shane shares the long history of the school, what students can expect during the week-long course, and why learning anatomy, nutrition, breeding, and calving skills in a practical setting can make a huge difference on the farm.

Key Takeaways

The Graham School focuses on real-world, hands-on learning that covers everything from anatomy and nutrition to breeding and calving. Students work with multiple cows each day, gaining the confidence and practical skills needed to handle real situations at home. The program also emphasises networking, encouraging students to build relationships with veterinarians, nutritionists, bankers, and other industry professionals.

Episode Highlights

Shane explains the school’s history dating back to 1904 and how it evolved from an equine programme into a comprehensive cattle school.The conversation covers the importance of classroom fundamentals before hands-on work, why nutrition is often overlooked by new producers, and how the school prepares students to handle real-life calving situations.

Taylor also shares her personal experience attending the course and why she recommends it to anyone entering the cattle industry, from homesteaders to miniature cattle breeders.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and guest Shane Stout

01:05 History of the Graham School

03:04 Why the school is valuable for new cattle owners

04:06 Classroom learning: anatomy, breeding, and nutrition

05:20 The importance of networking in the cattle industry

06:20 Ongoing support for students during calving season

09:04 New tools and techniques in cattle management

10:32 Hands-on learning with live cattle

14:27 Women in the cattle industry and class experiences

15:27 Calving lectures and real-world scenarios

20:09 Shane’s experience teaching at the school

22:00 Growth of niche breeds like miniature Highlands

23:41 Lifetime tuition and returning to the school

25:04 Why young producers and homesteaders should attend

Follow us on social media so you don't miss out on any advice, auction updates, or crazy farm stories!

Find us on Facebook: Horns N Hooves
Instagram: @hornsnhoovesauctionpodcast
TikTok: @Hornsnhoovespodcast
Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com

Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/