Adam Ledvina is a superhuman goat grazier conserving land in Iowa with over 1000 goats.

If you had 1000 grazing goats, could you manage them all by yourself? What sort of fencing solutions would you use? Are livestock guardian dogs necessary to protect them from predators? 

In today’s episode, expect to learn how Ledvina manages his goats, often spread out across 12 different locations all over Iowa, as the sole employee of his company; how he implements both electric net fencing and a fenceless system; and why he chose to forgo guardian dogs entirely after hearing two horror stories from other graziers. 

Find Adam @https://www.facebook.com/IowaKikoGoats/ and https://www.facebook.com/BlueCollarGoatscaping/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Goat Grazing and Adam Ledvina

01:35 Understanding Blue Collar Goatscaping and Iowa Kiko Goats

03:31 Adam's Journey into Goat Farming

03:31 How Adam Got Into Goatscaping

08:04 The Idea Of Using Goats For Invasive Plant Management

11:17 Starting Small: Adam's Initial Herd

13:25 The Evolution of Adam's Business Model

14:32 Meat Production and Market Dynamics

16:30 Logistics of Managing Multiple Herds

20:29 Customer Base and Client Relationships

22:25 Convincing Landowners of Goat Benefits

27:38 Creating Management Plans for Clients

29:36 Setting Up Grazing Operations

34:29 Challenges Of Guardian Dongs in Goat Management

40:01 Gathering the Goats: Training and Techniques

42:32 Scaling Up: Acreage and Job Bidding

47:20 Pricing Strategies: Understanding Costs and Risks

48:57 Urban Challenges: Virtual Fence System

52:03 Innovations in Grazing: The Virtual Fence System

53:42 Economic Viability: Assessing the Cost of Virtual Fencing

58:00 Training Goats: Adapting to New Technologies

01:00:37 Fencing Solutions: Hard Panels vs. Electric Fencing

01:03:16 Bale Grazing: Feeding and Soil Health Benefits

01:09:35 Mentorship in Goatscaping: Guiding New Entrants

01:12:24 Challenges in Goatscaping: Balancing Work and Growth

01:14:49 Value of Service: Why Charge for Grazing?

01:16:07 Connecting with Adam: How to Reach Out

01:17:38 Podcast Intro Video.mp4

Andree Soares is a former 27-year NICU nurse turned big-time goat and sheep grazier preventing wildfires in Northern California.

Would you quit a stable job as a NICU nurse and bet your future on prescribed grazing? Does California use prescribed grazing to combat wildfires like the one that devastated LA earlier this year? How many shepherds, guardian dogs, and border collies does it take to manage over 10,000 goats and sheep?

In today’s episode, Soares answers all these questions and more. She explains why she made such a drastic career shift, how Star Creek Land Stewards work tirelessly to mitigate fire risk and potentially save the lives of school children, and what it takes to make their massive operation function efficiently. 

Takeaways

Star Creek Land Stewards focuses on fire fuel reduction.

Andre's family has a long history in the sheep business.

The business has grown to manage over 10,000 animals.

Grazing can effectively manage vegetation and reduce fire risk.

Mixed herds of goats and sheep optimize grazing efficiency.

Fire management strategies are crucial in California.

Labor challenges are significant in the grazing industry.

Pricing strategies depend on logistics and access to sites.

Animal husbandry is key to successful grazing operations.

Sustainable practices are essential for the future of wild lands

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Goat Grazing Podcast

00:54 Overview of Star Creek Land Stewards

02:17 Andree Soares' Journey to Goat Grazing

06:04 Transition from Nursing to Grazing Business

12:24 Fire Management and Grazing

14:32 California's Growing Interest in Grazing for Fire Prevention

19:50 Creating Defensible Space with Grazing

22:23 Logistics of Managing Large Herds

25:18 Project Management and Client Relations

27:26 Management Roles

34:52 Understanding Bidding Processes in Grazing Services

37:42 Is This Free Feed?

38:59 Is This Agriculture?

40:12 Insurance For Goat Grazing Business

41:53 Labor Challenges in the Grazing Industry

44:06 Legislative Impacts on Agricultural Labor

47:54 Navigating Rising Input Costs

50:48 The Future of Guest Worker Programs

52:16 What Breeds Are You Running

53:23 Value Added Products

54:06 Numbers Of Goats vs. Sheep

54:14 New Chapter

56:20 Parasite Control and Hoof Trimming

59:21 Challenges and Anecdotes in Grazing Operations

59:28 New Chapter 2

01:00:42 Best Piece Of Advice For New Graziers

01:02:09 Closing

I review my conversation with Adam Ledvina as shares his journey from starting with a few goats to managing over a thousand goats, emphasizing the significance of operational efficiency, land management strategies, and the challenges of using livestock guardian dogs. In this review, I talk about why I think Adam is so successful and relate to how I do similar things in my business. The discussion also covers pricing strategies and the need for flexibility in business operations.

Keywords

goat management, livestock, genetics, land management, logistics, farming, goat breeding, conservation, business strategies, risk management

Takeaways

The importance of genetics in breeding resilient goats.

Logistics play a crucial role in managing multiple herds.

Starting with a solid herd is essential for success.

Risk management is vital when considering livestock guardian dogs.

Diversifying revenue streams can enhance business stability.

Effective land management requires understanding client needs.

Fencing logistics are critical for goat movement and health.

Pricing strategies must account for various operational costs.

Flexibility in business operations is key to adapting to challenges.

Building a strong foundational herd is an investment in the future.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Goat Grazing Podcast

00:50 Recap of Adam Ladvina's Insights

01:21 Top Five Success Factors in Goatscaping

01:55 Adam Ladvina's Business Model and Background

03:27 Innovative Practices in Goatscaping

04:16 The Foundation of Success: The Three Ions

04:35 Herd Selection: The Key to Unique Business

05:06 Building a Business from Scratch: Adam's Journey

05:23 New Chapter

07:18 The Journey to Finding the Right Goat Breed

08:56 Building a Resilient and Productive Herd

10:29 Investing in Quality: The Cost of Good Goats

12:20 The Importance of Herd Selection

12:26 Customer Service as a Key to Success

13:02 Meat Production and Market Dynamics

13:02 Creating Management Plans for Clients

13:47 The Importance of Customer Service in Land Management

15:07 Tailoring Solutions to Individual Needs

16:27 Offering Alternatives and Subcontracting Solutions

16:44 Understanding the Service-Based Business

17:00 The Controversial Success Without Dogs

17:53 New Chapter 2

20:23 Risk Management in Livestock Business

22:33 The Role of Herding Dogs in Goat Farming

23:09 Challenges and Controversies in Goat Management

23:09 Gathering the Goats: Training and Techniques

24:23 New Chapter 3

27:00 Setting Up Grazing Operations

28:02 The Importance of Constant Analysis

29:41 Mastering Logistics for Success

29:47 Diversifying Revenue Streams

29:57 The Importance of Quality Goat Herds

30:52 Revenue Streams from Goat Farming

31:40 Leveraging Knowledge and Experience

32:00 Goats as a Business Model

32:43 Diversifying Revenue Streams

33:08 New Chapter 4

36:25 Capering

Find Adam @https://www.facebook.com/IowaKikoGoats/ and https://www.facebook.com/BlueCollarGoatscaping/

In this episode of Windshield Time, Max discusses how one missed detail on a goat grazing job almost resulted in a massive tragedy. He tells the story of how 250 goats escaped their pen on a job right next to a busy road and emphasizes that it is of utmost importance that graziers always do their due diligence so they can avoid situations like this.

Aaron Steele is a goat grazing entrepreneur from Iowa whoruns an affiliate program called Goats On The Go, focusing on educating and supporting new goat graziers.

How does a new goat grazier turn into a goat grazing educator? What benefits do the members of the Goats On The Go affiliate program get? What is his book about? What creative ways might goat graziers stack their enterprises to increase business profitability?  

In today’s episode, Steele answers these questions. He shares the story of how he went from a beginning goat grazier to an educator and facilitator at Goats On The Go. He explains how members benefit from being part of the Goats On The Go community and discusses his book, which contains lessons on how goat graziers can make their business more profitable.

Find him at: goatsonthego.com farmdogpodcast.com goatsforgood.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Goat Grazing and Entrepreneurship

01:37 Understanding Goats on the Go

03:45 Affiliate Program vs. Franchise

05:52 Finding Local Affiliates

07:11 Becoming an Affiliate: The Process

08:50 Training and Community Support

12:07 Training Structure and Content

14:22 Equipment Recommendations and Discounts

15:29 Profile of Affiliates

18:06 Supporting New Affiliates

20:16 Business Fundamentals for Affiliates

23:17 Pricing Strategies for Goat Grazing

28:39 Identifying and Finding Customers

33:24 Building Value in Affiliate Programs

37:05 The Importance of Community and Brand

40:59 Innovative Business Models in Goat Grazing

48:24 The Concept of Enterprise Stacking

53:07 Exploring Solar Grazing Opportunities

57:08 The Role of Dogs in Grazing Operations

01:01:32 Future Directions for Goats on the Go

In this episode of Windshield Time, Max discusses the importance of observation, top of mind awareness, and social media in business. He shares personal experiences and insights on how these elements can lead to opportunities and success, particularly in the context of goat grazing and vegetation management.

What are the benefits of solar grazing? How can agrovoltaics allow farmers to benefit from solar power farms? How can solar farms benefit from hiring graziers? What are some challenges that come with solar grazing?

In this episode, listen to Jess Gray as she answers all these questions. As a solar grazier and a member of the American Solar Grazing Association, she is uniquely qualified to shine light on this new and growing industry.

https://grayslambscaping.com/jess-gray/

Facebook @Gray's LAMBscaping

Instagram @grayslambscaping

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Goat Grazing Podcast

01:07 Exploring Solar Grazing with Jess Gray

01:55 The Concept of Solar Grazing

04:53 Understanding Agrivoltaics

08:38 The Role of the American Solar Grazing Association

11:45 Navigating Relationships with Solar Companies

15:28 Communication and Education on Solar Sites

19:37 The Corporate-Farming Interface

24:38 Barriers to Entry in Solar Grazing

28:04 Financial Aspects of Solar Grazing

31:09 Day-to-Day Operations in Solar Grazing

33:30 Navigating Challenges in Solar Grazing

38:30 Innovative Grazing Techniques and Site Management

43:22 The Future of Grazing Technology

46:30 Sheep Breeds and Genetic Management

49:21 The Role of Livestock Guardian Dogs

55:57 Diversifying Revenue Streams in Sheep Farming

01:00:31 Overcoming Barriers in Solar Grazing

01:02:12 The Sheep Empire Podcast and Community Engagement

01:04:20 Podcast Intro Video.mp4

In this episode of Windshield time, Max talks about how he is still able to graze in New Mexico despite the majority of the weeds being toxic.

What lengths would you go to to help prevent future devastation if your city in California suffered from the worst wildfire in its history? Would you buy hundreds of goats and start your own goat grazing company? Would you become a certified type one fire fighter to gain the proper knowledge to best help your customers?

In this episode of The Goat Grazing Podcast, listen and learn why Michael Leicht with Ventura Brush Goats decided to get into goat grazing, why he wants to keep adding more goats to his operation, and what he has learned so that he can best help his customers protect their homes from future fires.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Goat Grazing and Fire Mitigation

02:21 The Birth of Ventura Brush Goats

06:15 Impact of Recent Fires on Grazing Practices

08:49 Home Hardening and Defensible Space

11:49 Integrating Goats into Fire Prevention Strategies

18:06 Community Response During Wildfires

20:24 The Current State of Goat Grazing in California

23:59 Clientele and Market Dynamics

25:44 The Evolution of Targeted Grazing Awareness

29:29 The Future of Fire Mitigation and Grazing Practices

32:45 Operational Logistics of Ventura Brush Goats

42:02 Balancing Sheep and Goats in Grazing Operations

44:24 Managing Herds: Logistics and Challenges

45:58 Labor and the H2A Program: A Lifeline for Agriculture

49:51 Navigating Political and Economic Challenges in Grazing

52:16 The Role of Shepherds and Their Dogs

56:03 Innovative Grazing Techniques and Community Initiatives

01:03:04 Vineyard Grazing: A Sustainable Solution

01:07:12 Creating a Fire-Resilient Community in Ojai

01:10:37 Lessons from the Field: A Shepherd's Story

01:13:28 Advice for Aspiring Grazers

01:16:35 Podcast Intro Video.mp4

In this episode of windshield time, Max shares why he will no longer do overnight grazing on July 5th. Not grazing on July 4th is already one of the rules of his operation because the goats do not respond well to fireworks, but recent events taught him why he should extend that rule to July 5th.

What would it take to convince you to leave a job in corporate America and become a full-time goat grazier? How does keeping goats in a trailer at night work? If you have no land to keep goats, is there any way to start a goat grazing business?

In this episode of the Goat Grazing Podcast, Jennifer Zietler with Let's Goat Buffalo, answers these questions. She explains what inspired her to pursue goat grazing and how she managed to run her business despite her living situation. Additionally, she sheds light on the methods she uses to house her goats and explains why she chooses to trailer them at night.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Goat Grazing Podcast

01:29 Meet Jennifer Zeitler: A Goat Grazing Pioneer

02:49 The Journey from Beekeeping to Goat Grazing

06:49 The Viral Success of Goat Grazing Projects

10:45 Building a Goat Herd: From Borrowed Goats to a Community

13:49 Open Farms: A Space for Community and Healing

15:25 Transitioning from Corporate Life to Goat Grazing

18:19 The Value of Small-Scale Goat Grazing

21:56 Current Goat Herd and Grazing Practices

24:03 Goals of Goat Grazing Projects

26:32 Managing Poison Ivy and Other Irritants

28:22 Understanding Reactions and Business Dynamics

31:07 Managing Seasonal Work and Income Challenges

35:00 A Day in the Life of a Grazer

39:26 Innovative Grazing Practices and Community Engagement

43:21 Navigating Grazing Seasons and Job Pricing

47:27 Veterinary Care and Goat Management

51:34 Utilizing Local Resources for Goat Farming

52:34 Pricing Strategies for Grazing Services

55:15 Understanding Job Suitability for Goats

57:46 Assessing Plant Toxicity and Forage Density

01:00:42 Navigating Public Safety and Accessibility

01:03:27 Lessons from Entrepreneurial Experiences

01:07:24 The Future of Goat Grazing and Care Farming

01:19:26 Podcast Intro Video.mp4

In this episode of Windshield Time, Max discusses that new graziers need to understand that they are offering a service and must charge accordingly. There are many unseen costs that pop up in this business, such as replacing flat tires, and graziers must really get serious about factoring those costs into their pricing.

How does a woman, born to a cattle rancher, end up being oneof the pioneers of goat grazing in the United States? What would you do if you lost 350 goats in a single night to an ice storm? Do goats eat toxic vegetation? Can a grazing operation be successful if it is completely nomadic?

In this episode of the Goat Grazing Podcast, Lani Malmbergof Goat Green LLC and the Goatapelli Foundation, answers all of these questions. From how she came to be a goat grazier despite her upbringing, how she handledthe loss of her goats and insured it never happens again, and how she grazes 365 days a year in a completely nomadic goat grazing operation.

 You can find her websites at: https://goatapellifoundation.org/ https://goatseatweeds.com/ on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/goatgreenllc/and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/p/Goat-Green-LLC-100063781426693/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Goat Grazing Podcast

01:16 Lonnie Malmberg's Journey to Goat Grazing

06:34 Transition from Cattle Ranching to Goat Herding

12:10 The Growth of Goat Green LLC

17:33 Understanding Goat Grazing Services

20:58 The Lifespan and Work of Goats

21:26 The Art of Goat Herding and Fire Mitigation

23:53 Understanding Acreage and Forage Management

26:22 Bidding and Pricing Strategies in Goat Grazing

29:55 Unique Challenges in Urban Grazing Projects

32:06 Winter Management and Goat Care

38:54 The Nomadic Lifestyle of a Goat Herder

43:29 The GoToPelly Foundation: Educating Future Goat Farmers

48:34 Winter Challenges and Professional Services

48:58 Building a Sustainable Business with Goats

50:02 Training Structure and Seasonal Learning

51:47 Success Stories from the Program

53:17 Health and Management of Goats

54:37 Goats and Poisonous Plants: A Unique Relationship

56:18 The Role of Dogs in Goat Herding

56:46 Challenges with Livestock Guardian Animals

59:17 Predators and Their Impact on Goat Herds

01:01:49 Challenges in Scaling the Business

01:02:09 The Story of Zippy: A Beloved Border Collie

01:08:39 Spiritual Connections and Animal Relationships

01:10:25 Podcast Intro Video.mp4