What can four generations of ranching teach you about selecting cattle that actually work? In this episode, John Haskell talks with Steve Teichert of Mackay, Idaho, about the lessons he has learned over more than 80 years of working with cattle. Steve challenges some common assumptions about EPDs, phenotype, and cattle performance, arguing that genetics can't be evaluated separately from the environment and economics of the operation.

Steve shares examples from his own experience, including why extremely high EPDs don't necessarily translate to better cattle in a rough environment, what he learned from breeding oversized cattle, and why fertility and maternal ability matter more than simply producing a big animal. He also explains how decades of selection pressure helped move his own weaning weights from around 400 pounds to roughly 700 pounds on challenging range with very few inputs, and why ranchers need to pay attention to the actual results their cattle are producing rather than simply following an industry practice.

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In this episode, we cover:

• Why Steve questions the usefulness of comparing EPDs across breeds and production environments
• Why cattle selected for high production in one environment may not perform well in a rougher, lower-input environment
• What Steve learned from breeding extremely large cattle and seeing problems with fertility and maternal ability
• How selecting cattle for performance in their environment helped Steve nearly double his family's historical weaning weights
• Why calving season, forage availability, and reproductive performance need to be evaluated together

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Subscribe on YouTube
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc
• Follow on Facebook
• Check out the website
• Check out all of our past webinars here

Resources & Links:

• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
• Ranching for Profit
• Ranching.FYI
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

At Ranch Right, we help producers build clarity around cash flow, margins, and risk so the decisions we talk about on Ranchonomics actually work in the real world. If you want fewer surprises and more control, that’s where to start. Click below to book a call today.

Book a free discovery call

What does it take to build a ranch that lasts for five generations? In this episode of Ranchonomics Stories, John Haskell sits down with Ryan Noble to trace the history of his family ranch in eastern Colorado, beginning with his great-grandfather William A. Noble driving a stake into the ground in 1910 and filing a homestead claim. Ryan shares the stories of the generations that followed, from his great-grandfather expanding the original homestead to his grandfather and father building the operation through some of the hardest years in agriculture.

Ryan also explains how his own approach to ranching changed as the family operation grew and he began learning to look at the business differently. After a serious accident forced him to slow down, Ranching for Profit and Executive Link became major turning points, helping him rethink cow ownership, grazing, infrastructure, and drought planning. From building a grow yard and investing in cross-fencing to making difficult decisions during drought, Ryan shares how the Noble family has continued adapting while working to build something that can last for the next generation.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• How William A. Noble started the family ranch after homesteading in eastern Colorado in 1910
• What Ryan learned from his father's experiences growing up in the 1950s, when the family milked cows, raised chickens, and farmed dryland corn
• How Ryan used cattle leasing, custom grazing, and other arrangements to grow the operation while managing risk
• Why Ryan's accident became a major turning point in how he approached both the ranch and his own life
• How Ranching for Profit and Executive Link changed the way Ryan evaluated the economics of the business and made decisions
• How the Noble family developed a drought plan and made difficult decisions about their cow herd when drought conditions persisted

Connect with Ryan:

• Follow on Instagram @noble.ranch
• Send an email at nobleranch@gmail.com

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Subscribe on YouTube
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc
• Follow on Facebook
• Check out the website
• Check out all of our past webinars here

Resources & Links:

• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
• Ranching for Profit
• Ranching.FYI
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

At Ranch Right, we help producers build clarity around cash flow, margins, and risk so the decisions we talk about on Ranchonomics actually work in the real world. If you want fewer surprises and more control, that’s where to start. Click below to book a call today.

Book a free discovery call

What happens when you stop thinking of your acres as having just one job? In this episode, John Haskell talks with Greg Christiansen about how he has built a farming system that combines cash crops, cover crops, and livestock grazing across more than 2,000 acres. Greg shares how he got started with cover crops, why he continues to plant them on nearly every acre he can, and how grazing those crops adds another layer of value to the operation.

The conversation gets into the economics and practical management behind Greg's approach, including planting soybeans into standing cereal rye, using triticale for grazing, reducing fertilizer and weed control costs, and improving soil moisture and water infiltration. Greg also explains why managing the livestock to take advantage of the forage can be more challenging than growing it, and how treating the soil well ultimately supports the profitability of the whole operation.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• How Greg integrated cover crops into a farming operation that also includes soybeans, wheat, and corn
• Why he uses cereal rye and triticale, and how grazing adds economic value to cover crops
• How planting soybeans into standing cereal rye can help with moisture retention, weed control, and soil health
• Why Greg has been able to reduce fertilizer and weed control costs as his soil and cropping system have changed
• How soil biology can make existing nutrients more available to growing crops
• The challenge of having enough livestock at the right time to capture the value of forage
• Why treating the soil well and maintaining profitability can go hand in hand

Connect with Greg:

• Follow on Youtube
• Check out his website
• Email him at greglchristiansen@gmail.com

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Subscribe on YouTube
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc
• Follow on Facebook
• Check out the website
• Check out all of our past webinars here

Resources & Links:

• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
• Ranching for Profit
• Ranching.FYI
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

At Ranch Right, we help producers build clarity around cash flow, margins, and risk so the decisions we talk about on Ranchonomics actually work in the real world. If you want fewer surprises and more control, that’s where to start. Click below to book a call today.

Book a free discovery call

How can custom grazing become a year-round business, even in the middle of an Alberta winter? In this episode, John Haskell talks with Steve Kenyon about his experience managing cattle through harsh Canadian winters and using winter grazing to create additional income while improving his land. Steve explains how custom grazing, bale grazing, swath grazing, and crop residue have allowed him to bring cattle onto his land without owning the herd, while also capturing the fertility and water-holding benefits of winter feeding.

The conversation also gets into the practical side of winter grazing, including feeding cattle through deep snow and extreme cold, managing winter water, minimizing feed waste, and choosing the right quality of hay. Steve explains why he prefers bale grazing over simply unrolling hay when conditions allow, and how concentrating nutrients and organic matter on the soil can create benefits that extend well beyond the winter feeding period.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• How Steve turned winter grazing into a way to create year-round work and additional cash flow
• The differences between bale grazing, swath grazing, and grazing crop residue
• How winter feeding imported hay can add nutrients and water-holding capacity to the land
• How cattle handle deep snow and temperatures well below freezing
• Strategies for managing winter water, including when and how cattle can use snow as their water source
• How feed quality, wildlife pressure, and grazing experience affect winter feeding results

Connect with Steve:

• Follow on Facebook
• Follow on YouTube
• Send an email to skenyon@greenerpasturesranching.com

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Subscribe on YouTube
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc
• Follow on Facebook
• Check out the website
• Check out all of our past webinars here

Resources & Links:

• Jim Gerrish books
• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
• Ranching for Profit
• Ranching.FYI
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

At Ranch Right, we help producers build clarity around cash flow, margins, and risk so the decisions we talk about on Ranchonomics actually work in the real world. If you want fewer surprises and more control, that’s where to start. Click below to book a call today.

Book a free discovery call

What separates ranchers who win, those consistently finding opportunities, from those who get stuck when things go wrong? In this episode, John Haskell explores the problem of zero-sum thinking and how it can limit the way we see value, markets, and opportunity. He explains why someone else benefiting doesn't necessarily mean someone else has to lose, and how recognizing win-win opportunities can change the way you approach buying, selling, and making decisions in your ranch business.

John also discusses the importance of contrarian thinking during times of crisis or major change, along with the mindset of looking for opportunities when conditions aren't going according to plan. Using examples from cattle markets, drought, and even jiu-jitsu, he explains why the ability to quickly move past setbacks, learn from experience, and keep looking for the next advantage can have a major impact over the course of a career.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I cover:

• What zero-sum thinking is and why it can limit your ability to see opportunities
• How value creation can create win-win situations for buyers and sellers
• Why liquidity becomes especially valuable during droughts, market crashes, and other difficult situations
• How contrarian thinking can help you recognize opportunities during periods of major change
• Why it's important to keep looking for opportunities instead of dwelling on setbacks or missed opportunities
• Why continuing education and learning from people who are successfully applying new ideas can have an incredibly high ROI

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Subscribe on YouTube
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc
• Follow on Facebook
• Check out the website
• Check out all of our past webinars here

Resources & Links:

• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
• Ranching for Profit
• Ranching.FYI
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

At Ranch Right, we help producers build clarity around cash flow, margins, and risk so the decisions we talk about on Ranchonomics actually work in the real world. If you want fewer surprises and more control, that’s where to start. Click below to book a call today.

Book a free discovery call

What does HR support actually look like for a ranch operation and why do you need it? In this episode of the Ranch Right Experience Series, John Haskell sits down with HR advisor, Emilie Hopson, to break down the foundational people-management systems every ag operation needs as it scales.

The conversation covers what to think through when hiring a first employee, why onboarding sets the long-term tone for a hire's success, and how operational calendars, org charts, and simple SOPs bring clarity to growing teams. Emilie also walks through the practical, non-corporate approach RanchRite takes to HR and emphasizes coaching conversations as a non-negotiable part of employee development.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• The foundations for hiring a first employee, starting with job descriptions and the candidate selection process
• Why onboarding and position agreements set the tone for a new hire's entire tenure
• The role of regular performance evaluations and coaching conversations in setting clear expectations and opportunities for growth
• How employment policies (housing, benefits, non-cash compensation) fill gaps beyond base pay
• Ranch Right’s philosophy of building client self-sufficiency in HR rather than long-term dependency

Find the full Ranch Right Experience Series below:

• Why Ranch Right Exists [The Ranch Right Experience Episode 1]
• What Happens on a Discovery Call [The Ranch Right Experience Episode 2]
• Getting You Set Up: Onboarding [The Ranch Right Experience Episode 3]
• What to Expect From Your Ranch Right Consulting Team [The Ranch Right Experience Episode 4]
• Clean Books, Clear Numbers — How Ranch Right Manages Your Accounting [The Ranch Right Experience Episode 5]
• How Payroll Works [The Ranch Right Experience Episode 6]
• The HR Support Most Ranch Operations Don't Know They Need [The Ranch Right Experience Episode 7]

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc
• Follow on Facebook
• Check out the website
• Check out all of our past webinars here

What does payroll actually look like once you hand it off to Ranch Right? In this episode of the Ranch Right Experience Series, John Haskell sits down with payroll and onboarding specialist Brianna Lopez, to walk through exactly how payroll works and the way it runs month after month.

Brianna explains the onboarding process for new payroll clients, from verifying tax ID numbers and state withholding accounts to gathering employee I-9s and W-4s. The conversation also covers Ranch Right's sliding-scale pricing structure for salaried, hourly, and multi-state payroll, and the monthly discipline of pay period processing, tax filing, and workman's comp documentation that keeps payroll compliant and on time.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, we cover:

• The payroll onboarding process and account set up
• The payroll pricing sliding scale based on salaried vs. hourly employees and single-state vs. multi-state operations
• How the monthly payroll workflow works
• The tax handling and compliance support that is provided

Find the full Ranch Right Experience Series below:

• Why Ranch Right Exists [The Ranch Right Experience Episode 1]
• What Happens on a Discovery Call [The Ranch Right Experience Episode 2]
• Getting You Set Up: Onboarding [The Ranch Right Experience Episode 3]
• What to Expect From Your Ranch Right Consulting Team [The Ranch Right Experience Episode 4]
• Clean Books, Clear Numbers — How Ranch Right Manages Your Accounting [The Ranch Right Experience Episode 5]
• How Payroll Works [The Ranch Right Experience Episode 6]
• The HR Support Most Ranch Operations Don't Know They Need [The Ranch Right Experience Episode 7]

Connect with Ranch Right:

• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc
• Follow on Facebook
• Check out the website
• Check out all of our past webinars here