If you’ve ever helped work cattle and thought, “I hope I’m doing this right,” this episode is for you.

This episode is an audio replay of a recorded webinar from the Rural Resilience series. As you listen, you may hear references to visual demonstrations and slides. If you’d like to follow along or watch the full webinar, you can view the video replay here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEVQMhK5448&list=PL4o5WDFewKec-Wb2Wq09nTgdeTwf4vUV-&index=3

Healthy herds are the foundation of a resilient ranch. In this session, Dr. Katie Rein of Crazy Mountain Veterinary Service shares practical, hands-on guidance for livestock vaccination.

Dr. Rein walks through the fundamentals with clear, field-ready instruction you can apply right away. Whether you're working cattle every day or stepping in to help when needed, this episode is designed to build confidence and improve outcomes in the chute and beyond.

You’ll hear straightforward guidance on choosing the right needle, administering injections correctly, and avoiding common mistakes that can impact both animal health and meat quality.

This episode is especially helpful for ranch hands, interns, family members who assist with livestock care, and experienced producers looking for a solid refresher.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to choose the correct needle length and gauge
• Where to give injections for animal health and carcass quality
• The difference between subcutaneous and intramuscular injections
• Practical tips for safe, effective, low-stress vaccination
• Common mistakes—and how to avoid them

About the Guest:
Dr. Katie Rein grew up on her family’s ranch near Melville, Montana, land her family has stewarded since 1893. She earned her undergraduate degree from Montana State University and her veterinary degree from Washington State University, followed by an internship in Large Animal Medicine at Texas A&M University.

After practicing at Harlowton Veterinary Clinic, she founded Crazy Mountain Veterinary Service, where she focuses on delivering practical, field-ready care to livestock producers.

About the Series:
This episode is part of the Rural Resilience series from the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance. Now in its sixth year, the series highlights practical skills and applied knowledge that support working lands and the communities who care for them.

Support the show

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email info@ranchstewards.org. Want to support our mission? Visit www.ranchstewards.org/support.

Burnout in agriculture is often overlooked, but it carries real consequences for people, productivity, and profitability.

In this episode of the Ranch Workforce Project, host Haylie Shipp and co-host Dr. Rachel Frost (Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at Montana State University) sit down with JD Hill of Padlock Ranch and Caroline Wild of Wild Ranch Solutions to explore burnout through both employer and employee lenses.

From missed details and rising costs to turnover and safety risks, burnout is more than a personal issue. It’s a business issue. This conversation dives into how ranch managers can recognize early warning signs, foster better communication, and build systems that support both efficiency and employee well-being.

The group also discusses the unique challenges of ranch life, where work and home often overlap, and how expectations, identity, and lifestyle all play a role in long-term sustainability in the industry.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why burnout matters in ranch operations
• Early warning signs employers should watch for
• The connection between burnout and operational efficiency
• Communication strategies for both managers and employees
• The importance of aligning expectations in hiring
• How identity and lifestyle impact longevity in ag careers
• Practical ways to reduce burnout without sacrificing productivity

Guest Information:
JD Hill – Operations Manager, Padlock Ranch
Caroline Wild – Financial Consultant, Wild Ranch Solutions

Resources & Links:
🔗 Caroline Wild LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-wild-a27067229

🔗 Padlock Ranch: https://padlockranch.com/

🔗 Dan Scott Ranch Management Program: https://animalrange.montana.edu/danscott/

Key Takeaways:
Burnout in agriculture often shows up subtly through disengagement, fatigue, and missed details, but can quickly impact safety, morale, and profitability. Addressing it requires intentional communication, realistic expectations, and a commitment to supporting both the personal and professional well-being of employees.

About the Series:
The Ranch Workforce Project is a multi-part limited series focused on solving workforce challenges in agriculture and rural America, bringing together industry leaders, educators, and practitioners to share insights and solutions.

Support the show

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email info@ranchstewards.org. Want to support our mission? Visit www.ranchstewards.org/support.

You hired well. You trained well. Everything seemed right.
Then they left.

If that sounds familiar, you are not alone.

Employee turnover is one of the biggest challenges in agriculture today, and every time someone leaves, it costs time, energy, and momentum.

In this episode of The Ranch Workforce Project, Haylie Shipp and Rachel Frost (Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at Montana State University) are joined by Chris Redman, former Turner Ranches manager, to break down what actually keeps employees on a ranch.

It is not just the paycheck.

Today’s ranch employees are looking for purpose, connection, and a sense of belonging. The ranches that understand this are the ones building strong, lasting teams.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to define your ranch’s culture and why it is the foundation of retention
• Why onboarding is more than a first day process and how to do it right
• The overlooked role of spouses, families, and community in employee satisfaction
• Simple and practical ways to boost morale and engagement
• What “treat it like you own it” really means and when it does not work
• How to spot burnout before an employee quits
• Why your best employees may be disengaging and how to address it
• The power of stay interviews and the one question you should always ask
• Bridging generational gaps in expectations around work and life
• How to create a culture where feedback, growth, and teamwork are the norm

Bottom line:
Great ranches do not just hire good people. They keep them. That starts with intentional culture, clear communication, and creating a place where people feel like they belong.

If you are tired of constant turnover, this episode will give you practical tools to start building a team that stays.

Support the show

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) is a rancher-led, grassroots organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for rural communities throughout the Northern Great Plains. Through collaborative conservation projects, rancher education events, and local community outreach, RSA works to strengthen our rural community, economy, and culture for generations to come.

For more on the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, head to www.RanchStewards.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback is always welcome. Email info@ranchstewards.org. Want to support our mission? Visit www.ranchstewards.org/support.