157. The Art of Breeding Grass-fed Cattle with Steve Campbell

In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, esteemed cattle consultant Steve Campbell shares his remarkable journey from a stocker cattle manager to a leading figure in grass-finished beef production. Following a life-altering leg injury in 1999, Steve's career took a transformative path as he embraced regenerative practices, heavily influenced by the Stockman Grass Farmer magazine. His expertise in optimizing grass and mineral content has led to groundbreaking methods for disease prevention, such as eliminating pink eye and foot rot. Steve's commitment to sustainable cattle management, along with his innovative approach to genetic and epigenetic cattle selection, makes this episode a treasure trove of insights for those interested in elevating cattle development.Topics covered in this episode:Selecting cattle for grass efficiencyGenetic and epigenetic cattle selectionSelecting bulls for cattle improvementAssessing cattle fertility and indicatorsGrazing management and cattle selectionThis episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about sustainable cattle management and regenerative agriculture. Steve Campbell's profound insights into strategic breeding, disease prevention, and the optimization of grass and mineral content provide invaluable knowledge for both seasoned grazers and newcomers. By listening, you'll gain practical tips and tools to enhance your cattle management practices and improve meat quality while addressing challenges such as fertility and udder quality. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from a true pioneer in the field.Links Mentioned in the EpisodeTailor Made CattleVisit our Sponsors:Noble Research InstituteRedmond2025 Manderley Farms Grazing ConferenceGrazing Grass LinksNew Listener Resource GuideProvide feedback for the podcastWebsiteInsidersResources (Coming Soon)Community (on Facebook)Check out the Apiary Chronicles PodcastOriginal Music by Louis PalfreyChapters(00:00) - Introduction (00:28) - Meet Steve Campbell: Background and Early Life (04:29) - Transition to Grass Finishing (07:19) - Learning and Implementing Rotational Grazing (20:28) - Selecting Efficient Cattle for Grass (33:56) - Exploring Dairy Cow Ownership (34:24) - Selecting the Right Bull for Your Herd (35:22) - Understanding Bull and Cow Anatomy (38:04) - Calving Ease and Gestation Insights (38:58) - The Importance of Bull Shoulders (42:54) - Epigenetics and Herd Improvement (43:50) - Environmental Adaptation of Cows (48:13) - Indicators of Fertility in Bulls and Cows (55:11) - Famous Four Questions (01:04:16) - Conclusion and Resources

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The Grazing Grass Podcast features insights and stories of regenerative farming, specifically emphasizing grass-based livestock management. Our mission is to foster a community where grass farmers can share knowledge and experiences with one another. We delve into their transition to these practices, explore the ins and outs of their operations, and then move into the "Over Grazing" segment, which addresses specific challenges and learning opportunities. The episode rounds off with the "Famous Four" questions, designed to extract valuable wisdom and advice. Join us to gain practical tips and inspiration from the pioneers of regenerative grass farming. This is the podcast for you if you are trying to answer: What are regenerative farm practices? How to be grassfed? How do I graze other species of livestock? What's are ways to improve pasture and lower costs? What to sell direct to the consumer?