e146. Building a Partnership and Regenerative Ranch with McKinley Smoot and Mitch Dumke

e146. Building a Partnership and Regenerative Ranch with McKinley Smoot and Mitch Dumke

Author: Grazing Grass November 27, 2024 Duration: 1:02:46
Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming
ScienceNatural

Join us for an engaging exploration of regenerative grazing with McKinley Smoot and Mitch Dumpke of Three Springs Landing Cattle. Mitch, transitioning from a tech background to regenerative agriculture, shares his insights alongside McKinley, who brings a lifetime of ranching experience and holistic management. Discover the dynamics of their collaborative venture, including the challenges and learning experiences faced in starting their grass-finishing cattle and pastured chicken operation in Utah. Despite some technical issues with Mitch's audio, McKinley provides invaluable perspectives on their practices, complemented by updates on our own farm and exciting upcoming changes to the podcast.

Listen in as Mitch recounts his journey from veganism to embracing a more holistic approach to meat consumption. This transformation is fueled by an understanding of nutritional value and ethical meat production practices. We explore the significance of connecting with food sources, contrasting fast food with sustainably raised livestock, and discuss the impact of agro-tourism in fostering deeper consumer-farmer relationships. The partnership of Mitch, James, and McKinley brings together diverse perspectives—environmental, nutritional, and more—showcasing their shared dedication to sustainable agriculture.


The future of sustainable agriculture takes center stage as we navigate the challenges of profitability in farming, particularly amid rising land values and development pressures. Discover the creative solutions employed by McKinley and Mitch, from using Joel Salatin's methods to innovative electric fencing, all underscoring the potential for sustainable practices to thrive. The conversation sheds light on their perseverance in building a sustainable business model, emphasizing the importance of community support, adaptability, and a commitment to transparency. As they strive to maintain financial viability and ecological balance, the narrative highlights the collaborative efforts in holistic ranch management and the continuous journey of learning and improvement.


Links Mentioned in the Episode
3 Springs Land & Livestock


Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute
Redmond
Kencove Farm Fence


Grazing Grass Links
New Listener Resource Guide

Provide feedback for the podcast
Website
Insiders
Resources (Coming Soon)
Community (on Facebook) 



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

Official website RSS
Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming
Podcast Episodes
188. Simple Recipe for Cattle Production with Bruce Shanks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:59
Bruce shares his journey from managing sheep and goats to building a South Poll seedstock operation, the pivotal experiences that shaped his philosophy, and how he balances practicality with profitability. He also reflec…
185. Hair, Grass, and Virtual Fences with Todd Barkley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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,…
184. Grit, Grazing, and Grass-Fed Dairy with Wyatt Jones [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:49
In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal visits with Wyatt Jones of Happy Meadow Farm in Pisgah, Alabama. Wyatt shares his family’s journey from military life to building a thriving grass-based farm, raising bee…
183. Beef is the Waste Product with Hobbs Magaret [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:46
In this episode, Hobbs Magaret, author of Herd: Animals That Gave Rise to Humanity and Why We Need Them More Than Ever, joins Cal for a deep, thought-provoking conversation about grazing, ecology, and shifting our perspe…

«12345678...10»