185. Hair, Grass, and Virtual Fences with Todd Barkley

185. Hair, Grass, and Virtual Fences with Todd Barkley

Author: Grazing Grass August 27, 2025 Duration: 1:33:07

Todd Barkley of Barkley Ranch in Southeast Montana joins us to share his journey as a fourth-generation rancher balancing education, cattle, and regenerative practices. Todd talks about building his cow herd through AI, crossbreeding with Herefords, and now introducing Galloway genetics for winter hardiness and fly resistance. He also dives deep into cover crops, soil health, and the powerful role of epigenetics in shaping cattle for the environment. A major highlight is his firsthand experience with Gallagher’s eShepherd virtual fencing system and how it’s changing the way he manages pastures and labor on his ranch.

We cover topics including:

  • Todd’s return to ranching after pursuing a teaching degree
  • How CRP programs shaped his family’s operation
  • Building his cow herd with Angus, Hereford, and now Galloway genetics
  • Challenges of managing cattle in a 9–12 inch rainfall environment
  • The role of cover crops and organic matter in regenerative systems
  • Why epigenetics matters in cattle selection
  • Using eShepherd virtual fencing for labor savings and improved grazing management
  • Balancing innovation with practical ranching realities

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about how virtual fencing works on a real ranch, or for producers considering breed selection to better match cattle to their environment. Todd’s perspective shows how combining tradition, experimentation, and technology can strengthen both the land and the herd.

Resources & Mentions:

  • Johan Zietsman’s Man, Cattle and Veld
  • Montana Grazing Lands Coalition
  • Gallagher eShepherd Virtual Fencing
  • NRCS and regenerative ag leaders: Gabe Brown, Neil Dennis, Jerry Doan, Allen Williams

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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

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