170. Building a Bison Empire in Oklahoma with Dusty Baker

170. Building a Bison Empire in Oklahoma with Dusty Baker

Author: Grazing Grass May 14, 2025 Duration: 1:26:52
Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming
ScienceNatural

Dusty Baker of Cross Timbers Bison joins us on the Grazing Grass Podcast to share his journey from city life to raising bison full time in Sulphur, Oklahoma. With a background in wildlife ecology and a deep appreciation for the nearby Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Dusty took the leap into bison ranching during the pandemic, starting out on an old dairy farm. Since then, he’s poured his passion into building a thriving herd and managing his land with regenerative practices that benefit both the soil and the animals.


In this episode, we dig into:

  • Dusty’s transition from city life to bison ranching
  • How he adapted a former dairy into a working bison operation
  • The challenges of fencing and handling these powerful animals
  • His approach to regenerative grazing and land stewardship
  • Thoughts on bison genetics and today’s bison meat market
  • Lessons learned from experimenting with multi-species grazing
  • Straightforward advice for anyone looking to get into bison ranching

If you’re curious about bison, regenerative grazing, or just love hearing a good ranching story, you won’t want to miss this one. Dusty’s experience offers practical tips and a real-world look at the ups and downs of raising these incredible animals.

Links Mentioned in the Episode

Cross Timbers Bison Ranch
Cross Timbers Bison on YouTube
This is Oklahoma Podcast with Dusty Baker

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Original Music by Louis Palfrey

Chapters

  • (00:00) - Introduction and FAST Five
  • (00:23) - Welcome to the Grazing Grass Podcast
  • (02:01) - Farm Updates and Teeter Farm Tech Gates
  • (03:06) - Web Tinkering and Community Projects
  • (05:24) - Interview with Dusty Baker Begins
  • (05:47) - Dusty's Journey with Bison
  • (16:57) - Challenges and Learnings in Bison Farming
  • (21:59) - Transition to Full-Time Farming During COVID
  • (29:29) - Starting a YouTube Channel
  • (35:25) - Regenerative Practices on a Bison Ranch
  • (45:05) - Transition to Overgrazing
  • (45:59) - Redmond Agriculture Ad
  • (46:56) - Getting Started with Bison
  • (47:49) - Fencing and Keeping Bison Happy
  • (50:25) - Bison Genetics and Breeding
  • (57:32) - Bison Meat Market and Business
  • (01:00:21) - Challenges with Multi-Species Grazing
  • (01:11:34) - Cooking Bison Meat
  • (01:14:00) - Famous Four Questions
  • (01:25:48) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts


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Original Music by Louis Palfrey


There’s a quiet revolution happening in the fields and pastures, one that ties the health of the soil directly to the health of a farm’s bottom line. Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming is a part of that conversation, sitting down with the men and women who are putting regenerative principles into daily practice. Hosted by Grazing Grass, each episode feels like a candid chat across a fence line, moving beyond theory into the tangible details of managing livestock on grass. You’ll hear farmers recount their own journeys-what prompted their shift in thinking, the logistical hurdles of changing their operation, and the outcomes they’ve witnessed in their land and ledger books. A recurring segment called "Over Grazing" digs into the specific problems and hard-won lessons that come with this way of farming. This isn’t just a science or nature podcast; it’s a practical resource built on shared experience, aiming to strengthen a community where knowledge about profitable, grass-based systems is passed along openly. Tune in for honest stories that get to the root of what it means to work with the land.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming
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