e24. Austin Troyer - Low input Ranching

Austin Troyer of Crossroads Land and Livestock shares his journey as a first-generation farmer in eastern Ohio, building a large-scale grazing operation entirely on leased land. Austin explains how working for established ranches shaped his low-input mindset, how he spent years searching for the right lease, and why he has chosen to prioritize sheep alongside cattle on reclaimed strip-mine ground. Throughout the conversation, Austin breaks down the realities of fencing, water limitations, winter grazing without hay, and the business decisions that allow his family operation to grow without heavy capital investment.In this episode, we cover:Starting from zero with no livestock backgroundFinding and securing long-term leased grazing landBuilding miles of low-cost electric fencingGrazing reclaimed strip-mine ground in OhioManaging cattle and sheep togetherWhy sheep fit steep and invasive-heavy landLivestock guardian dogs and predator controlWinter grazing without hay or equipmentAdjusting stocking rates instead of buying machineryDirect-to-consumer sales vs wholesale marketsWhy marketing can be harder than productionThe philosophy of low-input grazing operationsWhy This Episode Matters This episode offers a realistic look at what it takes to start and scale a grazing operation without land ownership, expensive equipment, or high inputs. Austin’s experience highlights practical decision-making, patience, and mindset shifts that are especially valuable for beginning farmers, leased-land operators, and anyone questioning conventional approaches to infrastructure, winter feeding, or expansion.Resources MentionedThe Turnaround by Dave PrattRanching for Profit SchoolOnX MapsNo-Risk Ranching by Greg JudyFind Out MoreWebsite: https://www.crossroadslandandlivestock.comInstagram: @crossroadslandlivestock Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond Agriculture Grassroots CarbonGrazing Grass LinksWebsiteCommunity (on Facebook)Original Music by Louis Palfrey