Some farms breed cattle, this one breeds connection. This week Lori sits down with Lou Ann and Mike Kramer of Remark-Able Ranch in Greenfield, Indiana, a 501c3 nonprofit using Highland cattle to bring joy, healing, and confidence to people of all abilities. What started with a trip to Scotland and a love for "the pretty ones" became a mission built around the Kramers' daughter Brianna, whose bond with their first bottle-fed steer changed everything.

This episode covers agritourism insurance realities, why petting zoos require more than one of each species, and the kind of moments that happen when a so-called "murder cow" finally finds the right person.

Key Takeaways

Agritourism insurance is highly specific by state and activity — read every line before assuming you're covered.

Highland cattle bond with individual humans, not just with people in general. Steers make exceptional companions and babysitters for calves and herd mates.

A 501c3 nonprofit status takes real groundwork, including signage, accessibility, and insurance compliance.

Highland cattle have a uniquely calming, therapeutic effect that translates well to special needs and mental health programs.

Episode Highlights

Lou Ann shares how a trip to Scotland and a backwards spelling of their last name led to Remark-Able Ranch.

The story of Augie, the bottle-fed steer who became the herd's unofficial babysitter and Brianna's best friend.

A wild, "feral" bull named Emilio Estevez who only ever bonded with one woman, completely unprompted.

The realities of insurance, accessibility, and what actually goes wrong when you open a farm to the public for the first time.

Timestamps

00:01 — Welcome & introduction to Remark-Able Ranch
01:46 — How Lou Ann, Mike and Brianna got started
04:33 — Brianna's story and why this mission matters
06:40 — A trip to Scotland and "can we get the pretty ones?"
14:08 — Cowgirl Confidence and the Highland community
21:45 — Becoming a 501c3 nonprofit
26:15 — Agritourism insurance: what people don't expect
29:25 — Petting zoos, transferability and including everyone
40:55 — Augie the steer and the bond between bulls and babysitters
41:17 — Emilio Estevez: the feral bull who picked his person
47:57 — Calving schedules and managing fly strike

Learn more or book a visit at remarkableranch.net

Connect with Remarkableranch on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088917934871

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

Going from boat days on the river to calving checks at 3am is not a small leap — and Annie from FW Cattle Company is here to tell you exactly what that transition really looks like. This week Lori sits down with Annie to talk fencing failures, BVD testing nobody warns you about, and the uncomfortable truth about chondropositive calves that social media will never show you. If you're new to Highlands or thinking about getting started, this episode is packed with the kind of hard-earned lessons most people only learn the expensive way.

Annie and her husband traded city life for a farm in Stillman Valley, Illinois, and built FW Cattle Company from the ground up — fencing, infrastructure, education and all.

Key Takeaways

Build your fencing and infrastructure before the animals arrive, not after.

Always BVD test incoming cattle, even from reputable sellers — a negative mom doesn't guarantee a negative calf.

Confirmation matters more than size or color when choosing breeding stock.

Quarantine new arrivals for 10-14 days, even if they look healthy.

Chondropositive does not always mean small — thick, structurally sound calves can carry the gene and still be substantial.

Episode Highlights

Annie shares the real story of trading river life for farm life and what nobody warns you about with fencing.

The conversation gets into MooCall calving sensors, why a health certificate doesn't always mean what people think it means, and the heartbreaking realities of breeding chondro to chondro.

Lori and Annie talk honestly about the financial side of this hobby — including embryo losses, bull calf pricing, and why "this'll pay for itself" rarely holds true.

Plus the social media myth of the apartment-sized mini Highland gets fully busted.

Timestamps

00:01 — Welcome & Annie's transition from city to farm life
03:35 — Building proper fencing and infrastructure from day one
08:07 — Designing pastures and dry lots that actually work
12:53 — Why a headgate is non-negotiable
13:55 — The truth about social media and "teacup" Highlands
16:22 — Confirmation versus color and size
20:01 — The real cost of embryo work and low success rates
22:13 — Bull calves, collecting semen, and realistic returns
24:29 — BVD testing and why it matters even with reputable sellers
28:08 — Health certificates: what they actually guarantee
33:04 — Chondro to chondro: a hard lesson learned
35:39 — MooCall sensors and why they're worth it
44:20 — Supporting customers long after the sale

Learn more about FW Cattle Company at fwcattlecompany.com

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

Mineral supplementation is one of the most confusing and most expensive parts of raising cattle, and most of us are doing it wrong without even knowing it. This week Taylor sits down with Karson Rippstein, soil and grazing specialist at Redmond Agriculture and a fourth-generation rancher himself, to break down why "more minerals" doesn't mean "healthier cow," how to read a feed tag without getting played by marketing, and why salt might be the single most important thing in your mineral program.

If you've ever stood in the feed store staring at a wall of mineral bags wondering which one is actually worth the money, this episode will change how you think about it completely.

Key Takeaways

More mineral isn't better — animals need to hit a requirement, not exceed it.

Most mineral tags lead with calcium and grain byproducts to look impressive and entice cows to overeat.

Salt-based minerals regulate naturally because cows have a built-in salt thermostat.

A cow's coat, manure, and calving ease tell you more than a grass sample ever will.

Mini Highlands need far less mineral than standard-sized cattle — overfeeding can cause real problems.

Episode Highlights

Karson breaks down the NRC mineral requirements and explains the "moron effect" — the common belief that more mineral always means healthier cattle.

Taylor gets the real story on garlic salt for fly control, including why it stinks, why it works, and how to actually get cows to eat it.

The conversation covers cobalt salt myths, why chelated minerals come with a big price tag and not always a big benefit, and the Montana State University study showing a 22-pound calf weight gain difference.

Plus the story behind Redmond, Utah and the ancient sea bed the company's salt comes from.

Timestamps

00:01 — Welcome & introduction to Karson and Redmond Agriculture
01:15 — Why 80% of rancher calls are about mineral supplementation
02:11 — Understanding NRC mineral requirements
05:09 — How to test your forage and why it matters
06:04 — Why mineral tags are designed to be over-consumed
10:00 — Garlic salt for natural fly control
13:35 — Why cows overconsume mineral but not salt
15:41 — What to do when mineral gets wet or hard
18:33 — Reading your cow instead of a lab report
21:09 — The Montana State University 22-pound calf study
27:23 — Mineral needs for mini Highlands and smaller cattle
34:10 — Why expensive minerals aren't always the best minerals
39:07 — Cobalt salt versus Redmond salt explained
45:00 — Where to find Redmond Agriculture products

Find your local Redmond dealer at www.redmondagriculture.com

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