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88 | Regenerative Ranching Is a Process, Not a Destination: How We Actually Make Decisions

88 | Regenerative Ranching Is a Process, Not a Destination: How We Actually Make Decisions

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 Regenerative agriculture can feel like a buzzword, a badge, or a list of practices you’re supposed to follow. But in real life, and especially in a challenging climate, regeneration is a process of learning, comparing ideas against your own environment, testing small changes, observing what your land and animals are telling you, and adjusting as you go. In this episode, I’m sharing the decision-making loop we use on our ranch with both goats and cattle, and why I see multi-species grazing as a long-term benefit—even though it adds complexity in the beginning. I also walk through our big-picture goal of reducing supplemental hay by extending the grazing season, and the real constraints we have to work within, like limited moisture, fragile pasture, frozen ground, predators, and wildlife pressure. You’ll hear how we’re approaching water infiltration and soil building in a dry climate, why we’re testing straw bales to slow runoff first, and what we’ve already observed from years of intensive rotational grazing, chicken tractors, and summer bale grazing. I also explain why certain popular practices don’t translate well to goat management in our conditions—and how we adapt without abandoning the principles. In This Episode, I Cover: Why regenerative agriculture is a process, not a destinationThe decision-making loop: Learn → Compare Context → Clarify Goals → Test → Observe → Adjust → RepeatHow to learn from other producers without copy-pasting their practicesShifting from “this won’t work in my climate” to “how do these principles apply here?”Why nature is the best teacher and how to use observation as your guideOur big-picture goal: reducing hay by extending spring and fall grazingThe resource bottleneck in dry country: water infiltration and water-holding capacityWhy soil cover and organic matter are critical in moisture-limited environmentsUsing straw bales to slow runoff as a low-risk way to test water flow pathsWhat we’ve observed after 5 years of intensive rotational grazingThe forage improvements we’ve seen from chicken tractors and summer bale grazingWhy winter bale grazing is risky/not feasible for us right now (electric netting in frozen ground, elk pressure)A winter feeding strategy that works within predator pressure and management realityA soil-building feeding approach we’re preparing to test (and why snow cover matters)Why we’re not buying a no-till drill right now—and what we want in place firstWhy starting with annuals can make sense before investing in expensive perennial seed Key Takeaways: Regenerative practices aren’t universal—principles transfer, but application must fit your climate and animals.Nature is the best teacher: observation turns theory into real management decisions.Start with clear goals and real constraints, then break big objectives into small, testable steps.Moisture-limited land requires prioritizing water infiltration, water-holding capacity, and soil cover.Testing small and reversible ideas (like straw bales) can prevent expensive mistakes.Multi-species grazing is a long-term benefit, but it adds complexity—especially in the beginning.“Not yet” is a valid answer on tools and investments; timing matters.Progress comes from repeated cycles of learning, testing, observing, and adjusting—not from perfection. Mentions: Gabe Brown — Dirt to Soil Related Episodes: 84 | The Messy Middle of Regenerative Ranching: Key Insights from “A Bold Return to Giving a Damn” by Will Harris78 | Winter Grazing: Low Cost, Regenerative Strategies for Goats and Other Livestock53 | Livestock and Land Management that Works WITH Your Environment and Resources, Not Against Them21 | Seeking Sustainability? How to Evaluate Options and Make Decisions with a Sustainability Mindset All the Best, Millie Resources & Links: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts + grab the free Kidding Due Date Chart: https://www.getgoatwise.com/kidding-chartGet Dry Creek meat: https://drycreekheritagemeats.comJoin my insider email list: https://www.getgoatwise.com/insiderJoin the FB community: https://www.getgoatwise.com/communityEmail me:millie@drycreekpastures.comSee ranch life on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drycreekpastures/ Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for animal health guidance. *As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
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