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/

He saw a Highland cow lift her head from a hay bale in a field in Scotland and knew right then that he would own one someday. It took Marc Stewart ten years to find Hamish, but what followed was fifteen years of one of the most heartfelt bonds between a man and his cattle the internet has ever seen. This week Lori sits down with Marc, owner of Thistle Do Farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and founder of a 501c3 Highland cattle sanctuary, to hear the story of Hamish, Kyloe, a quarter of a million Facebook followers and losing it all overnight to a hacker.

This one is for anyone who's ever loved an animal more than they can explain.

Key Takeaways

Steers often make better companions than heifers for people who don't want to breed.

Time spent with your cattle — real time, not ten minutes twice a day — is what builds a true bond.

A 501c3 sanctuary status allows supporters to make tax-deductible donations of animals, not just money.

Protect your social media pages — Meta Verified exists now and is worth the cost.

Don't build your entire audience on one platform.

Episode Highlights

Marc shares how the name Thistle Do Farm came to him — and why it's perfect.

The story of Kylo, the runt steer saved from becoming tiny T-bones, who eventually grew to 1,100 pounds.

How a Facebook hack wiped out 250,000 followers and $900–$1,200 a month in donations overnight — and what happened next.

Lori makes the case for Marc taking in owner-surrendered steers, and the conversation opens up a real avenue for listeners who have animals in need of a good home.

Timestamps

00:01 — Welcome & intro to Thistle Do Farm
03:30 — How the farm got its name
05:35 — A trip to Scotland, a Highland cow, and a ten-year wait
07:30 — Finding Hamish and the first four years
09:51 — Rescuing Kylo: the runt saved from the dinner table
12:02 — Why steers make better companions than you think
14:53 — Building a social following and becoming a 501c3 sanctuary
16:26 — The Facebook hack that wiped out everything overnight
20:01 — How YouTube saved the channel
23:15 — Losing Hamish and Kylo after fifteen years
24:20 — What's next for Thistle Do Farm
31:08 — Owner surrenders and what Marc is looking for

Find Marc and Thistle Do Farm on

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HamishandKyloe/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hamish_and_kyloe/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thistle_do_farm

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Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com

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

What happens when a mini Highland cow shows up in a nursing home and a lady sits down at the piano to play for her? That is the kind of moment Shantell Goodenough lives for. Based in Shelley, Idaho, Shantell started Posh Mini Farm less than a year ago after a grief-stricken whim turned into a full-blown business and a lifeline. Fighting lupus and several other autoimmune conditions while mourning the loss of her father, Shantell found in her mini Highlands something no medication could give her.

This episode is warm, honest, and full of real talk about the true cost of getting started - not just financially, but in time, training, and commitment. If you've ever thought about taking your Highland to events, weddings, or care facilities, this one's for you.

Key Takeaways

The purchase price is just the beginning - feed, maintenance and training add up fast.

Halter training takes daily consistency and some animals may never be event-ready.

If you're taking your Highland to events or facilities, get proper insurance and use waivers.

Pink pool noodles on horn tips are a genius hack for working with kids.

These animals are a genuine therapy tool for owners and the people they visit.

Episode Highlights

Shantell shares how her first Highland came to her after its mother was struck by lightning — and how that became a full business in under a year.

She breaks down what it really takes to bring mini Highlands into assisted living facilities, including the potty bag reality check nobody talks about.

The team gets into wedding Highlands, cocktail hour saddle packs, and the very real risk of a cow bucking drinks across a reception.

Plus Lori's black eye story makes another appearance.

Timestamps

00:01 — Welcome & intro to Posh Mini Farm

00:49 — How Shantell got her first Highland after lightning struck

03:35 — Building a business through grief and autoimmune illness

04:50 — How cuddle sessions and assisted living visits began

07:45 — Taking mini Highlands into care facilities and what to expect

10:47 — Animals on the farm: goats, insurance and waivers

17:00 — Cuddle and feed experiences and event pricing reality

20:41 — What new owners don't expect: true cost of ownership

23:29 — Halter training, personality and why it takes daily work

27:42 — Chondro positive and planning for size

27:42 — Weddings, saddle packs and cocktail hour Highlands

35:02 — Charging fairly for your time, travel and training

Follow Shantell at

Instagram: @poshminifarm

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shangoodenough?_r=1&_t=ZP-96hYRGQuAkp

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

What happens when a software engineer from South Africa loses everything, buys a mini Highland cow on a credit card, and builds a miracle from scratch? This week Lori and Taylor sit down with Brent and Daniela Phillips of Milk and Honey Ranch in Burton, Texas — and their story will stop you in your tracks. From the Texas Snowpocalypse that changed Brent's outlook on life, to a $7,000 cow that launched a thriving agritourism business, to Daniela's near-fatal car accident that somehow became the turning point that changed everything.

This episode is less about cattle and more about what these animals do to people - the magic they carry and the lives they transform. Grab a tissue.

Key Takeaways

Mini Highlands can be a genuine business foundation — not just a hobby.

Private agritourism and experience-based stays are a growing opportunity for small farm owners.

Keeping faith and showing up one day at a time can carry you further than any master plan.

Animals change people — including the people who own them.

Episode Highlights

Brent shares how one mini cow grew into a ranch sleeping 164 guests across 41 stays.

The story of Daniela's accident, her miraculous nine-day ICU recovery, and how strangers booking the ranch kept it alive.

The moment Brent told an influencer he'd run naked down the street if it helped his wife — and why he'd do it again.

Plus Matthew McConaughey just bought a mini Highland from them.

Timestamps

00:01 — Welcome & introduction to Milk and Honey Ranch

01:20 — How a tech guy from South Africa ended up with mini Highlands

05:41 — Losing everything and finding a new path

07:17 — Buying the first cow on a credit card

09:42 — How cuddle sessions turned into a sell-out business

17:11 — Expanding from mini cows to a full agritourism resort

21:56 — January 2024: $5,000 in the bank and a phone call no one wants

25:17 — The power of prayer and a community that showed up

31:05 — Nine days in ICU — and a year and a half of bookings

34:50 — Where Milk and Honey Ranch stands today

42:49 — Location, visiting & what to expect

Visit Milk and Honey Ranch at www.milkandhoneyranch.com or find them over on socials @milkandhoneyranch

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Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com

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

If you've ever sent off a hair sample and wondered if you were doing it right — this episode is going to stop you in your tracks. Lori and Taylor sit down with Stefanie Oppenheim, animal scientist and senior analyst at the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, to break down everything Highland and mini Highland owners need to know about genetic testing — from how to pull hair correctly to what those colour results actually mean.

This is one of the most practically useful episodes the show has done. Whether you're testing for chondro, coat colour, polled, or free martin, Stefanie walks you through exactly what the lab needs, why it matters, and what mistakes people make every single day.

Key Takeaways

Always pull hair from the tail switch and never cut it — the DNA is in the root bulb, not the shaft.

Send both the MC1R and dilution tests to get a complete picture of coat colour.

Buying semen? Ask for the bull's VGL case number before you breed anything.

A free martin test coming back positive doesn't automatically mean the heifer is infertile — always work with your vet.

DNA on file at VGL is a permanent fingerprint — it can identify lost animals, verify parentage and protect buyers.

Episode Highlights

Stefanie reveals the most common mistake breeders make when submitting hair samples — and it's an easy fix.

The team digs into chondrodysplasia, brindle genetics, polled versus scurred, and what a free martin result really means.

Taylor raises the question of DNA verification for high-value semen purchases — and Stefanie's answer is something every mini Highland breeder should hear.

Lori admits in real time what she's been doing wrong.

Timestamps

00:01 — Welcome & intro to UC Davis VGL

00:59 — Stefanie's background in animal science and genetics

05:13 — How to pull and submit hair samples correctly

07:28 — Why root bulbs matter and how many hairs to send

09:32 — Labelling, case numbers and avoiding mix-ups

14:45 — Why uploading a photo with your sample helps

16:18 — DNA as a permanent identity fingerprint

20:47 — Semen purchases, AI and DNA verification

34:36 — Coat colour testing: MC1R, dilution and why you need both

37:13 — Chondrodysplasia and the Dexter connection in minis

41:21 — Brindle genetics explained

58:28 — Polled versus horned versus scurred

01:02:48 — Free martin testing: what the result really means

Order cattle genetic tests at vgl.ucdavis.edu

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

Flies are one of the biggest battles livestock owners face every summer - and most of us are fighting them wrong. This week Lori sits down with Jessica Starcevich, entomologist and fly control expert at Spalding Labs, to break down what's actually living on your animals, why your fly bags might be making things worse, and how to build a smarter, more natural approach to fly control.

From horn flies and face flies to house flies and biting stable flies - they're not all the same, they don't all breed in the same place, and they don't all respond to the same treatment. If you've been spraying permethrin all summer and still losing the battle, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways

Not all flies are the same species - identifying where they are on the animal tells you everything.

Fly bags placed near barns can actually attract more flies than they catch.

Rotating your spray active ingredients reduces resistance.

Dung beetles are your best free tool - don't kill them with the wrong wormer.

Fly Predators target house and stable flies in confined areas and can achieve up to 75–90% control.

Episode Highlights

Jessica explains the four main fly species affecting pastured cattle and how to tell them apart.

Lori gets the wake-up call about her fly bags and how she was using them wrong.

The conversation covers IPM — integrated pest management — and how to build a whole-farm fly program without spending more than you need to.

Plus: what fly predators actually are, how they work, and why you should call Spalding Labs before ordering if you have over 50 animals or multiple species.

Timestamps

00:01 — Welcome & intro to fly control

01:35 — Jessica's background & Spalding Labs' 50 years in business

02:39 — What fly predators are and how they work

04:11 — The four fly species affecting cattle & how to identify them

07:28 — IPM: integrated pest management explained

09:18 — Fly control for manure piles and large pastures

16:04 — Why fly bags can backfire

20:22 — How to know what flies you actually have

23:35 — Resistance to sprays and rotating active ingredients

28:22 — How fly predators reproduce and what results to expect

31:09 — When to call Spalding Labs instead of ordering online

Learn more and get a custom fly program at www.spalding-labs.com

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