Roots + Ruminants

The guys are back this week with plenty to cover! Justin shares highlights from his recent trip to Mexico to judge a sheep show. They also dive into all things sheep, livestock disease concerns, and the latest market updates. Give it a listen!

This week, Jared and Justin are in the spring state of mind. With the weather (hopefully) warming up, they dive into cattle talk, plans for this spring, and how they’re gearing up for the season. They also touch on some hot topics in ag right now and share updates on the different AgSpire programs they’re enrolled in. Tune in for a laid-back spring catch-up!

Our guest this week, Ryan Gravenhof, is a Minnesota farmer who shares how he is using cattle collars to transform grazing management and reduce labor on his operation. These GPS collars allow him to create virtual fences and quickly locate animals without relying on traditional fencing. Jared and Justin talk with him about everything from grazing cover crops in low traffic fields to managing escaped livestock with precision. Give the episode a listen!

On this week's episode, hear Jared and Justin discuss what’s happening around the world and how current events could impact input prices moving forward. They also share a quick spring catch up before shifting gears to something a little more fun, talking meat and getting the grill fired up as warmer weather rolls in. Tune in for the latest market talk and a laid back conversation as we head into spring!

The guys are back with their first guest of the year, Garrett Masat! He breaks down how he built his herd into a successful cattle operation and shares insights on increasing herd value, controlling costs, and navigating changing markets. Whether you're just getting started or an experienced rancher, you won’t want to miss this episode.

 Back by popular demand, Jared and Justin return to their regularly scheduled (most of the time) recordings. In this episode, they break down winter livestock feeding, including how grazing still plays a role, which feed types they use, and practical strategies to maintain performance during the cold months. Sit back and listen in! 

Join hosts Justin Fruechte and Jared Knock as they return from a hiatus with the annual New Year’s Predictions podcast. The duo revisits their predictions from this time last year and shares new predictions for the year ahead. Tune in as they reflect on their analysis and share what’s next for the podcast. We know you’ve missed Roots + Ruminants, so be sure to give this episode a listen!

You’re stuck with just Jared and Justin this week, and they’re giving you both a fall forecast and a summer recap. They break down the wet summer much of the Upper Midwest has experienced and what it could mean as we head into fall. The guys also share a few state fair highlights, and even toss in some unsolicited parenting advice for good measure. Tune in to this week’s episode for a mix of insights and laughs!

In this episode, Jared and Justin chat with Reed Feller about the ins and outs of native seed and small grain production. Reed partners with growers through production contracts to bring seed from the field to the final product. Listen as the three talk and share a few stories (some involving rattlesnakes) throughout the episode. Give it a listen!

We’re throwing it way back this week to our very first guest on Roots + Ruminants, James Holz! Justin, Jared, and James dive into the Big Beautiful Bill and the potential ripple effects it could have across the ag world. They break down what it means for agriculture today and how it might shake things up for farmers in the future. Tune in for an interesting conversation and get the scoop on what's happening in the world of agriculture, with a few laughs along the way.

We’re digging into diverse forage systems with agronomy expert John Holman from Kansas State University. Jared, Justin, and John talk through the real challenges farmers are facing and some of the creative solutions out there. John brings decades of research to the table and shares how these practices can pay off, both for the land and the bottom line. Tune in to hear how diverse forage systems are changing the game in agriculture and paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Justin and Jared catch up with Justin Pettit from Santa Carota Beef, a unique ranch that actually feeds roots to ruminants (ironic, right?). The ranch finishes cattle on carrots, and in this episode, they dive into the operation’s roots, how they’ve navigated ups and downs, and what makes carrot-finished beef stand out nutritionally. Pettit shares the creative marketing strategies that helped grow their brand, the importance of staying connected to their community, and how this approach could shape the future of cattle nutrition. Tune in to hear all about it!

This week on the show, Jared and Justin sit down with Rich Blair, a longtime pro in the cattle and commodities world. They chat about where the cattle market’s been, where it’s headed, and everything in between. Hear about everything from price swings to industry trends and what it takes to stay steady in a changing game. Go give it a listen!

Alexandre Family Farm is an entirely grass-based dairy farm in Crescent City, California. Their mission is to farm in harmony with nature, and in doing so they produce A2/A2 organic milk that is rich in nutrients and easier for human digestion than your typical milk found in the grocery store. Blake Alexandre, along with Jared and Justin, dives deep into the dairy industry, grass-based dairying, their milk production, and the practices that make their farm, and products, unique. This one’s interesting!

Jared and Justin are back with this year’s spring catch-up conversation! They dive into current planting conditions, cattle prices, and the ever-changing value of land. They also chat about the importance of community support for farms and ranches, and how they’re handling new challenges in the industry. Tune in to hear all this, plus some fun as they answer questions from their new card game!

Jared and Justin are reunited for a classic podcast episode this week! Joining them is Doug Crowell, a retired police officer turned Fort Worth Stockyards tour guide. Doug shares his rich family history, personal experiences, and deep knowledge of the famous stockyards. Hear the three of them chat about historical cowboy culture, the influence it’s had on today's entertainment industry, and much more. Don't miss it! 

Jay Algiere, a first-generation rancher based near De Soto, Missouri, has worked to build his operation from the ground up. Along the way he has documented his passion and progress on his YouTube channel @AlgiereRanch. In this episode, Jay joins Justin to talk through how he got started in ranching and where he hopes his operation might go in the future. Listen in to this live consult as Justin and Jay work together to build a forage plan for his ranch. They talk through all the nitty gritty details like what to plant, when to plant it, what equipment to use, what prep needs to be done first, and more. Go listen!

Jared and Justin were part of a learning session at Commodity Classic a few weeks ago! Listen to their session, Diverse Crop Rotations: Not Such a Steep Mountain to Climb, as an episode of the podcast now! Recorded at 2025 Commodity Classic

We're live at Commodity Classic 2025! Jared and Justin are chatting with a few guests from around the country. These guests include a newlywed couple from Kansas, a representative from U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action, a father and son duo from Montana, the Nebraska Corn Growers Association Secretary, and a few students from South Dakota State University. This exciting episode is one you don't want to miss!

“The Wakeboarding Farmer” Quentin Connealy joins Jared and Justin this week to share insights from his operation in Tekamah, Nebraska. Connealy enjoys sharing agricultural content across different social platforms, all while running an operation where he’s always looking for new opportunities and keeping an open mind – something that isn’t always common in our industry. Tune in to hear about some of his agricultural practices and what he’s learned along the way! Find Quentin on X at @Qconnealy19.

Justin and honorary host Alex Guttormsson talk to special guest Cole Sonne from Sonne Farms on this week’s episode. Cole and his dad run a cattle and crop operation in Mount Vernon, South Dakota, and Cole shares their experiences online through his YouTube channel. Content creation has given Cole awesome industry opportunities, both on and off the farm. Tune in this week to hear Cole share a little bit about this and how he got started with content creation in college. Subscribe to Sonne Farms on YouTube at @SonneFarms.

For our first official guest of the new year, Justin chats with rancher Matt Feldhaus about his cow-calf operation and different feeding practices. Feldhaus runs a ranching operation in the Coteau Hills of South Dakota where he brings his YouTube followers along with him on his channel, Ranching Sodak. Hear the pair chat about how Feldhaus got into Wagyu beef and his approach to YouTube. Tune in!

It’s what you’ve all been waiting for! Buckle up to review the predictions that Jared and Justin made for 2024, as well as what they think might happen in the coming year. Will mustaches or mullets be more popular? Will we get to the bottom of the drone mysteries? Hear all this (and some actual agriculture predictions) to start off your year!

Jared and Justin are back again chatting about more things related to the U.S. food industry. This week they focus more on the meat industry as a whole, covering both a little bit of the history and future outlook. Hear how certain health and political trends can affect production and consumption across the country. Also hear the two tell some funny stories about college and their careers. You don’t want to miss this one!

Jared and Justin are catching up this week on current happenings in agriculture and politics following recent events. Hear the pair discuss how changing incentives could impact commodity agriculture and grazing systems, as well as the role of seed oils and ethanol in the future of farming. Tune in for an in-depth look at where the agricultural industry might be headed following the election.

Justin is going solo this week with special guest Karl Palmberg, a retired Air-Force Veteran who runs a farm near Larchwood, Iowa. Karl is working towards fully organic practices and specializes in grass-fed beef and the science behind sustainable farming. Tune in to hear to Karl talk about how his time in the Air Force relates to his experiences on the farm and his approach to farming as a whole.

We are headed north! Well, not actually, but this week our guest joins us from all the way up in Alberta, Canada. Jolene Noble from Jackknife Creek Land & Cattle joins Jared and Justin to dive into swath grazing and what it looks like on her operation. Hear how she and her family use swathing to help reduce feed, labor, and handling costs on their cattle operation. Tune in!

Ohlde Cattle Company has been breeding “cattle with a purpose” near Palmer, Kansas for years. This week Tim Ohlde and his wife Trudy join Jared and Justin to discuss the history and details of beef genetics. Tune in this week to hear the four discuss everything from breeding functional traits in cattle to innovative grazing techniques using rye and triticale. 

Bison are back! This week Jared and Justin are talking about bison marketing and production with third generation producer Kadyn Nolz. Kadyn helps run his family’s bison farm near Hartford, South Dakota, where they have been raising and breeding buffalo for years. Tune in to learn more about their unique operation!

Jared and Justin are going back to their roots today and just chit chatting about all things agriculture. Listen to them dive into ag policy and what’s happening in our world, and about how things are going on their own operations. You won’t want to skip this one! 

Will Harris from White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, Georgia joins Jared and Justin this week to talk all things grass, cows, and money. Harris runs an operation focused on radically traditional farming where he uses regenerative and humane farming practices. Listen to this week’s episode to hear the three discuss why Will turned away from industrial agriculture techniques and how his operation morphed into what it is today.

This week hosts Jared and Justin discuss crop rotations, cattle, and other hot topics along with guest Craig Bieber. As Jared said, Craig "paints the picture" of what his operation looks like and describes the history of how his practices have evolved over the years. Tune in to hear the cattle and forage discussion between these three gentlemen. 

Luke Hiebert is from the same area as our host, Jared. Jared, Justin and Luke spend this episode chatting about the spring they've had so far (spoiler: it's thrown them some curveballs) and problem solving for real-life scenarios Luke's experiencing on his farm. Plus, there's a graze it, harvest it, rent it out scenario with conflicting answers. Just three real farmers talking about real farm things. You won't want to miss it! 

Grazing hogs and honeybees... well, kind of. Listen to hosts Jared and Justin chat with Rob Dowdle of Dowdle Family Farms in Steens, Mississippi about how he raises pigs, cattle, and honeybees. Throughout the episode, the guys discuss the details of raising honeybees, how Rob is trying to accomplish year-round grazing with his livestock, what it's like to be from a "humble" state like South Dakota or Mississippi, and a few things in between. Tune in! Find Dowdle Family Farms on YouTube and FacebookFollow Roots + Ruminants on social and watch full episodes on YouTube! Facebook: Roots + Ruminants PodcastX: @RootsRuminantsInstagram: @RootsAndRuminantsPodcastTikTok: @RootsAndRuminantsPodcastYouTube: @RootsAndRuminants 

Dodge Slead of Lebo, Kansas is no stranger to unique farming strategies – even if that strategy means NOT farming. Yes, you read that right.Dodge and his wife run a bison and beef operation, as well as traditional row crop farming. On this episode, he breaks down why he decided to try bison farming, how he manages his livestock, why he felt called to take a year off from growing crops entirely, and how he kept his farm afloat in that year off. Tune in! 

All your questions will be answered on July 2nd at the Renovo Rally plot day in Brookings, South Dakota. The event will feature sessions on incentive programs, product info, breakthrough crop strategies, and more. And of course, there will be plot tours, warehouse tours, and a great meal. Get all the details and register to attend at www.renovoseed.com/plot/.

No guest this week, there are too many spring things to catch up on! Jared and Justin are filling us all in on where their own operations sit this spring, what they're hearing from other farmers and ranchers, and how they prioritize when everything needs to be done at once. Just two farmer friends chatting about everyday farm things - what more could you want?

“We're believing in a system that's been here for millennia. We’re just trying to learn some lessons from natural systems that have always been here, and that built the topsoil we're farming now.” Mic drop. Christof Just shifted his operation in 2019 when a heavy prevent plant year changed his plans. Tune in for his insight on what he’s learned, what he’s trying next, and why he thinks we can all learn from the past. 

Graeme Finn is an Australian native who brought his extensive agriculture knowledge and livestock background to Canadian agriculture. He is a huge proponent for year-round grazing, but he questions whether practices like this are considered sustainable agriculture, or simply survival agriculture? Tune in!

"At what point do the ducks become limited?" - a real question asked by our hosts on this episode. Spoiler alert: never. Ducks Unlimited joined Roots + Ruminants at Commodity Classic to talk through their mission, incentive programs available in the ag space, and to enlighten Jared with a new word - herbivory. Tune in! You won't want to miss this lighthearted episode. 

We're live at Commodity Classic 2024! Jared and Justin chat with four guests from the show - a Tennessee farmer, a Kansas farmer,  a national sorghum board member, and a soil and water conservation employee. This lively episode gives a quick view of all facets of ag across the country. 

We're coming at you with a double episode today. Jared Luhman of the Herd Quitter podcast is making waves by interviewing "farmers and ranchers who aren't afraid to think for themselves and do things a little bit differently." Sounds familiar, right? Tune in for this in-depth episode to hear all about why JR (IYKYK) quit the herd, how JD diversifies his operation, and who's really in control of the carbon movement in ag. Head over to Herd Quitter wherever you get your podcasts for more like this!

As is true to form on Roots + Ruminants, we feature those who question the quo. And AJ Munger of Eagle Pass Ranch is no different. He hails from a six generation (soon to be seventh generation) cattle ranch in Highmore, SD. The ranch has gone through many changes and phases through the generations, but the constant over time is that the ranch continues to be home to a progressive cattle operation managed by a family with a vision of the future. Tune in to hear about why they calve in May, how they’re the only seedstock producer with intake data on every female in the cowherd, and how they continue to challenge the status quo.  

Van Mansheim, a farmer since 2011 and board member on the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, shares how he prioritizes crop diversity on his farm. As someone who is relatively new to the industry, Van has the benefit of a fresh perspective – never looking at things with a “we’ve always done it this way” mindset. Hear how he prioritizes soil health, water infiltration, crop diversity, and how he fed 500 head of cattle for 90 days of winter and didn’t start a tractor once. Insane!

Run it back! The 2023 predictions episode was one of our most popular of the year, so Justin and Jared are back at it to check the scorecard on their predictions and make some new forecasts for 2024. From land and commodity prices, to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, to the most popular cover crop mix – you won't want to miss what Justin and Jared think is in store for 2024. 

Zack Smith, AKA the Stock Cropper, is the co-creator of autonomous grazing machines, developed from the desire to harness the natural cycles of a plant-animal ecosystem. The autonomous grazing concept grows healthier animals and healthier soils, all with a lower carbon footprint. Hear from Zack on autonomous grazing, rural community sustainability, and more!

Lynn Fahrmeier is a Missouri farmer involved in everything from traditional row crop production, to drone application of seed and chemicals, to cover crops, to raising Katahdin sheep.  He's not afraid to try new things, and he shares with Justin and Jared some of what he's learned in his decades of farming. Lynn even gives a peek into the possible future of his farm, and it's not what you might expect. We'll give you a hint...  there's solar panels and livestock involved. Tune in for this fascinating episode! 

Sara Bauder is an SDSU Extension Forage Field Specialist, and she sits down with Justin and Jared to talk all things forage, and to share about the Northern Plains Forage Association. Join the association at their annual meeting on December 1! Meeting details are available here: https://fb.me/e/1exveJuRv

Yes, you read that right. Hosts Justin and Jared sit down with Vivian Georgalas of AgSpire to discuss five grants that are providing new and added income sources for farms and ranches across the country. Many of these grants operate differently from other government or carbon programs in the fact that they don't necessarily require "added" practices to be eligible for incentive payments. Tune in for details!

Meet Roots + Ruminants third international guest, Steven Bennett. Steven is the International Sales Manager for PGG Wrightson, a New Zealand-based seed company. Hosts Jared and Justin got together with him at the Western Seed Trade Association meeting to talk all things brassicas.