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

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass?  Check out Grass Based Genetics

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute

Redmond Agriculture.
eShepherd

Grazing Grass Links
New Listener Resource Guide

Provide feedback for the podcast
Website
Insiders
Resources
Community (on Facebook)
Check out the Apiary Chronicles Podcast



Looking for grass-based breeders?
 Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.

Upcoming Grazing Events

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute

Redmond Agriculture
Grassroots Carbon
Apr 22-24 3 Springs Utah

Grazing Grass Links
Website
Community (on Facebook)

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
Podcast Episodes
178. Grazing Lessons from the Ground Up with Marque Renshaw [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:13
In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, we hear from Marque Renshaw of Peace in the Valley Farms in West Plains, Missouri. Marque shares her journey into rotational grazing and the lessons she and her husband Ryan…
174. A Subscription Model Transformed Jeff Siewicki’s Farm Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:29
In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, we're joined by Jeff Siewicki of Vital Mission Farm in South Carolina. Jeff shares his journey from raising 25 chickens for personal use to building a thriving regenerative p…
171. Growing a Farm Brand with Alex Russell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:48
In this episode, we chat with Alex from Chucktown Acres, a regenerative farm based in Charleston, South Carolina. Alex shares his transformation from suburban musician and Bible college student to full-time regenerative…
170. Building a Bison Empire in Oklahoma with Dusty Baker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:52
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…