In this episode, John Haskell talks with Greg Christiansen of Grandview Livestock about the 26 years he has spent raising meat goats and sheep alongside row crops and cattle. Greg shares how he got started, what he learned along the way, and how adjustments to kidding dates, grazing strategies, fencing, and marketing have shaped the enterprise over time.

The conversation gets into the practical details of managing goats, from using brush and weeds as forage to grazing cover crops, managing parasite pressure, and finishing kids for the right market. Whether you're considering adding small ruminants to your operation or looking for ways to make better use of the resources you already have, Greg's 26 years of experience offer plenty of practical lessons.

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In this episode, we cover:

• How Greg got started raising goats and sheep and what he learned from his early years in the business
• Why timing the kidding season around weather, forage, parasite pressure, and the market matters
• How Greg uses brush, weeds, and cover crops as valuable forage for goats
• The simple, low-cost fencing system Greg uses to contain goats on perimeter fences and manage interior paddocks
• What Greg's production costs and returns look like from the nanny through weaning and finishing
• Why paying attention to market demand and the value of adding weight helps determine when to sell small ruminants

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.

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Cattle prices are high, but how long can the good times last? In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Canadian rancher and longtime custom grazer Steve Kenyon to talk about the cattle cycle, what history can teach us about today's market, and why trying to predict the exact top or bottom may be a losing game. Steve shares lessons from more than 30 years in the cattle business, including how gross margin analysis led him to sell his own herd and build a custom grazing operation.

The conversation explores the market disruptions Steve has experienced firsthand, from drought and BSE to today's record cattle prices, and why outside forces can make the traditional 10-year cattle cycle harder to predict. John and Steve also discuss the danger of expanding simply because prices are good, why producers should be planning for the next downturn while times are profitable, and how strategies like Sell/Buy Marketing can help ranchers make decisions based on margins rather than trying to time the market.

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

In this episode, we cover:

• Why today's high cattle prices have Steve thinking about the next market downturn
• Whether the traditional 10-year cattle cycle still applies in today's market
• How drought, BSE, world events, and other outside forces can disrupt cattle markets
• Why Steve sold his cow herd even though cattle prices were strong
• How gross margin analysis changed the direction of Steve's ranching business
• Why high cattle prices aren't necessarily a signal to expand your herd
• The risks of trying to predict the exact top or bottom of the cattle market
• Why producers should make a plan for changing markets before prices turn

Connect with Steve:

• Follow on Facebook
• Follow on YouTube

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:

• Episode 13: Market Timing with Bob Metzger - Part 1
• Episode 14: Market Timing with Bob Metzger - Part 2
• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
• Ranching for Profit
• Ranching.FYI
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

Join us online, ask questions, and get practical tools you can put to work tomorrow. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to receive updates on our next session. Click the link below to catch up on all of our past webinars on YouTube.

Webinars

In this episode of Ranchonomics Stories, John Haskell sits down with Kevin and Mandy Wiltse to explore how their farm has evolved over the years as they learned what worked, what didn't, and what the land needed next. What began as a conventional cropping system gradually shifted toward cover crops, livestock integration, and perennial forage as Kevin recognized the limitations of their previous system. Rather than trying to find one perfect formula, they have continued experimenting, observing, and adapting their approach to embrace a farm that keeps changing.

Kevin and Mandy also share how Ranching for Profit helped them rethink their goals and make changes that have created less stress, healthier soil, and greater profitability. They discuss transitioning acres gradually, building flexibility into the farm business, learning from mentors outside their local community, and using rest and grazing management to make the most of their land. Their story is a reminder that successful management is not about sticking with a plan forever, but continuing to learn and make better decisions as circumstances change.

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

In this episode, we cover:

• How Kevin and Mandy moved from conventional cropping to a system centered on cover crops, livestock, and perennial forage
• Why they learned that no-till alone wasn't solving their soil and weed challenges
• How livestock integration and forage production have increased net profit per acre while reducing costs
• Why they transition acres gradually instead of converting the entire farm at once
• How building a flexible system allows them to shift between forage and cash crops as conditions and markets change
• What Kevin has learned by experimenting with grazing management, including the value of resting pastures for a full season
• Why having clear goals, supportive partnerships, and a willingness to keep learning has helped them navigate difficult years and build a business they feel good about

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:

• Green Cover Seed Podcast: Building a Drought Resilient Grazing Operation Using Perennials and Cover Crops with Kevin Wiltse
• Green Cover Seed Podcast: Kevin Wiltse - Integrating Livestock Producer Stories Webinar Series
• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
• Ranching for Profit
• Ranching.FYI
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

We work with producers on cash flow, risk management, and long-term financial strategy so the business stays resilient—no matter the market. If you want to see whether that’s the right fit for your operation, click below to book a free call.

Book a free discovery call

In Part 2 of the Sims family's story, John Haskell continues the conversation, focusing on how their approach to ranching has continued to evolve across generations. They discuss changes to grazing management, calving dates, genetics, and drought planning, along with the lessons they've learned from testing new ideas and paying attention to what the land and cattle are telling them.

The conversation also dives into what it takes to build a family business that gets better with every generation. The Sims family shares how they approach succession, involve the next generation, create space for different perspectives, and use regular strategy meetings to make sure everyone has an opportunity to be heard. At the heart of their story is a commitment to continued learning, experimentation, and listening, both to the people around the table and to the land itself.

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

In this episode, we cover:

• How the Sims family has continued evolving its grazing and drought management strategies
• Why they changed their calving date and how that decision affected weaning weights and economics
• How adaptive genetics and experimentation have shaped their cattle operation
• What the Sims family has learned about bringing the next generation into the ranch at the right time
• How regular strategy meetings give every family member a chance to contribute
• Why listening, observation, and monitoring are essential skills for both ranch management and family business
• How a commitment to continued learning and trying new ideas keeps the ranch moving forward

Connect with the Sims:

• Check out their website

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:

• Ranchonomics Stories Episode 8. The Sims Family (Part 1) — From $2 an Acre to a Four-Generation Ranch
• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
• Ranching for Profit
• Ranching.FYI
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

We work with producers on cash flow, risk management, and long-term financial strategy so the business stays resilient—no matter the market. If you want to see whether that’s the right fit for your operation, click below to book a free call.

Book a free discovery call

In this Ranchonomics Stories episode, John Haskell sits down with the Sims family to trace the roots of a ranching operation that began with leased ground at $2 an acre and has grown into a thriving four-generation business. Scott and April Sims, along with their son Shannon and daughter-in-law Melinda, reflect on the pivotal decisions, financial challenges, and mindset shifts that shaped their four-generation ranch over the years. From surviving periods of heavy debt to embracing new management ideas, they share how a willingness to learn and adapt laid the foundation for future generations.

The conversation also explores the power of a shared family vision and the role it has played in guiding major business decisions. The Sims family discusses developing a holistic vision, creating space for every family member's voice, and using that vision to evaluate opportunities, genetics, grazing management, and long-term succession. More than anything, this episode is about building a ranch that reflects shared values while preparing the next generation for success. Stay tuned for part 2 of this conversation.

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

In this episode, we cover:

• How the Sims family grew a ranching business from leased ground into a four-generation operation
• The financial decisions that helped them overcome debt and improve profitability
• Why creating a shared family vision became a turning point for the business
• How their vision guided decisions around adaptive genetics, grazing, and business growth
• Why embracing new ideas and calculated risks has shaped each generation of the ranch
• The importance of building a business that creates opportunities for future generations

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:

We work with producers on cash flow, risk management, and long-term financial strategy so the business stays resilient—no matter the market. If you want to see whether that’s the right fit for your operation, click below to book a free call.

Book a free discovery call

Can cover crops actually make your operation more profitable? In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Kansas farmer and rancher Kevin Wiltse to discuss how integrating livestock into a dryland cropping system has transformed the economics of his operation. Kevin shares how his family's fifth-generation farm shifted from viewing cover crops as an expense to treating them as a profitable forage enterprise, creating additional income while reducing herbicide and fertilizer costs.

The conversation explores the practical realities of making cover crops work in a semi-arid environment, including grazing management, species selection, seed costs, and measuring profitability. Kevin explains why success comes from evaluating the entire system instead of individual enterprises, and how stacking multiple sources of revenue on the same acres has helped his operation remain profitable, even during challenging years for traditional row crop farming. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this conversation.

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

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Kevin transitioned from viewing cover crops as a cost to treating them as a forage enterprise
• How integrating livestock can offset lower crop yields through additional revenue and reduced input costs
• Practical guidelines for selecting cover crop species and managing grazing in a dryland system
• How cover crops have reduced herbicide and fertilizer costs on Kevin's operation
• How stacking livestock, forage, seed production, and cash crops can significantly increase profit per acre
• Why adapting farming systems to local rainfall and growing conditions is essential for long-term success

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:

We work with producers on cash flow, risk management, and long-term financial strategy so the business stays resilient—no matter the market. If you want to see whether that’s the right fit for your operation, click below to book a free call.

Book a free discovery call