In this episode of Horns and Hooves, Taylor returns from a transformative week at the Graham School in Garnett, Kansas. Stepping far outside her comfort zone, she dives into the technical world of cattle management, covering everything from ultrasounding and pregnancy checking to nutrition and herd health.

Taylor shares her excitement about bringing these new skills back to her mini highland herd, noting that "you're learning everything you need to know from the moment that calf is in the womb... to taking it to the sale barn". The duo also discusses a fascinating product called Bovi-Thera (referenced as "therapies") that mimics a nursing calf to calm livestock during high-stress events like weaning, shipping, and AI.

Key Takeaways

The Graham School offers an intensive five-day cattleman course providing hands-on experience with pregnancy checking, ultrasounding, and fertility management.

Once you pay the initial fee, students can return to future classes for free to refresh their skills.

Calming products that mimic natural maternal pheromones can significantly improve conception rates during AI and reduce weight loss during shipping.

Proper semen handling is critical, as even slight temperature changes in the neck of the tank can damage motility and lower success rates.

Episode Highlights

Taylor describes her experience as a "niche breed" owner among 19 students from across the country, including Hawaii and Florida.

We discuss the challenges of confirming pregnancies in miniature donkeys and horses, hoping that external ultrasound techniques might provide a faster solution than waiting a year for a foal.

We also touch on the emotional side of ranching, acknowledging the mourning process cows go through after losing a calf.

Finally, we look forward to the National Western Stock Show in Denver, discussing the preparations for showing heifers in the new facilities.

Timestamps

00:11 Graham School overview and location

01:04 Skills learned: Ultrasounding and preg checking

05:29 The "Return and Learn" free tuition policy

07:18 Benefits of calming pheromone products

10:40 Testing external ultrasound on mini donkeys

14:07 Technical tips for AI and semen handling

16:43 Coping with calving losses and breech births

19:18 Preparing for the National Western Stock Show

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Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

In this episode of Hooves and Horns, we sit down with Courtney Henson from Little Finger Farms to discuss the reality of starting and scaling a small livestock operation. We dive deep into the lessons learned when transitioning from a hobby to a production farm, emphasizing that "Progress, not perfection" is the key to success in the homesteading world.

Courtney shares her experience moving from Virginia to Northwest Georgia and how she navigated the challenges of regional differences in cattle management and pasture care. From the importance of soil sampling to the brutal honesty required when managing animal numbers, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to optimize their farm forages and livestock safety.

Key Takeaways

Utilize local resources like your county extension office for free soil sampling and expert regional advice.

Implement rotational grazing and stockpile forages to offset the high costs of hay during drought seasons.

Maintain a "brutally honest" assessment of your property’s carrying capacity to avoid overgrazing and financial strain.

Understand livestock safety and behavior, especially when integrating different species like cattle, donkeys, and goats.

Episode Highlights

The transition from hobby farming to intentional livestock production.

Regional differences in forage quality and the impact of Georgia droughts.

How to effectively use temporary fencing and rotational management.

Managing animal temperament and safety tips for handling fluffy but pushy cows.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to Courtney Henson and Little Finger Farms.

05:22 - Moving a farm from Virginia to Georgia.

12:15 - The importance of soil sampling and extension offices.

18:45 - Strategies for rotational grazing and drought management.

25:30 - "The Math": Balancing animal numbers with available acreage.

32:10 - Safety tips for livestock owners and "Cow Math".

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Contact Courtney Henson: Little Finger Farm

Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/

In this episode of Horns N Hooves, we are joined by Trevor and Nichole Warren, the founders of North True Feeds. They share the science and passion behind their cold-pressed livestock tubs, explaining how this unique process preserves vital nutrients that are often lost in traditional heat-processed feeds. The Warrens dive into how their products, ranging from fly control with garlic to gut health support, are helping producers across the country achieve a more resilient and healthy herd.

Key Takeaways

Cold-pressing technology ensures that vitamins and minerals remain bioavailable and are not damaged by high temperatures during manufacturing.

Managing livestock health starts with the gut; when the digestive system is balanced, cattle are better equipped to handle stress and environmental challenges.

Natural ingredients like garlic and apple cider vinegar provide effective, chemical-free solutions for pest management and overall immunity.

Episode Highlights

Trevor and Nichole discuss the "incredible process" of creating biodegradable tubs that leave no waste behind in the pasture. They explain the specific benefits of their "Butter" and "Peanut" lick tubs and how these formulations cater to different livestock needs throughout the year. The conversation also covers the importance of empowering the next generation of farmers with hands-on nutritional knowledge.

Timestamps

00:00 Introducing Trevor and Nichole Warren of North True Feeds

08:45 The science of cold-pressed nutrition versus cooked tubs

15:20 Utilizing garlic and apple cider vinegar for natural health

25:10 Environmental impact and the benefits of biodegradable packaging

38:40 Expanding niches in the cattle industry and helping producers succeed

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Contact Trevor and Nichole Warren: True North Feeds LLC

Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/