Dr. Cody Zilverberg is not your ordinary rangeland scientist who grew up on the ranch knowing this was exactly what he wanted to do. Cody’s path was somewhat more circuitous – he grew up in Central South Dakota on a registered beef cattle ranch that his parents, brother, and sister-in-law still operate. Cody studied computer…
Soil Health Labs Ep. 27: Exploring the Future of Ag with Dr. Dwayne Beck
To most farmers in South Dakota, Dr. Dwayne Beck needs very little introduction, Dwayne is the manager of the Dakota lakes Research Station near Pierre, SD and has been an influential force in promoting no-till farming and an awareness of soil biology with farmers. While Dwayne has written a good bit on no-till farming, he…
Soil Health Labs Ep. 25: Increasing Grass Production Despite Drought
Bart Carmichael and his wife Shannon run a seed stock operation with their family in Northwest SD, just north of Faith SD. In this interview we kick off with drought – in a 12” rainfall area, Bart says they’re either preparing for a drought or in a drought. In the last 28 years, the Carmichaels…
Plug and Plant Ep. 23: Bringing Prosperity Back to the Range
It’s often thought that being a rancher is a noble profession—but not one that easily pays the bills. In this episode, Jenita Qualm (current Farmers Network Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Specialist) calls on us to question this old way of looking at the ranching profession and invites us to step into a reality where ranchers…
Plug and Plant Ep. 22: Overcoming the Fear of Prescribed Burn
“The Eastern Red Cedar invasion is happening right in my backyard. It affects many of my friends, landowners, ranchers, and people I work with in the county.” Sean Kelly, South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Range Management Field Specialist, Winner, South Dakota, discusses the process of a prescribed burn to showcase the safe use of…
Plug and Plant Ep. 20: Optimizing our Soils with Former NRCS State Conservationist Jeff Zimprich
“Soil health knows no bounds,’ says Jeff Zimprich, the recently retired NRCS State Conservationist in South Dakota. “It can be accomplished on the front lawn and is alive and well in our grasslands and our croplands. But we can always do more to become more resilient to handle the weather patterns coming our way.” Hear…
Plug and Plant Ep. 19: Increasing Rangeland Soil Health with Stan Boltz
Stan Boltz, a USDA NRCS rangeland management specialist in South Dakota for 33 years, describes how healthy soil and cattle grazing management can reduce invasive species, bring back native rangeland and increase stocking rates. Listen to the podcast interview with Robin “Buz” Kloot on Growing Resilience podcasts or Soil Health Labs podcast.
Plug and Plant Ep. 18: Promoting Healthy Grass in Cropland Country with Larry Wagner
“Here in South Dakota, we always say we’re two weeks away from a drought. Having your soil in good condition in wet years helps store more water than having it runoff. You get through a really dry year pretty well.” Larry Wagner, a rancher who grows grass in cropland country southeast of Chamberlain, SD, has…
Plug and Plant Ep. 17: Growing Resilience Talks to Range Evangelist, James Halverson
The Stockgrowers is a wonderful organization trying to do some great things, trying to help ranchers and help our independent cattle producers of this country and trying to save our rural towns, which are in decline. And so we need to help these things economically and ecologically. And I think those things can all work…
Plug and Plant Ep. 15: Integrating Drought Management with Jim Faulstich
Our guest, Jim Faulstich, producer from Highmore, SD, needs very little introduction. Jim takes us on a deep dive into how he integrates drought management planning in every aspect of his operation. Apart from 2019, Jim’s operation has always experienced a dry patch some time during the year and he is always prepared for that. …
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