<description>New technology takes time to prove its worth. Jay and Chyenne Smith now have three grazing seasons' experience using Vence's virtual fence technology and they are convinced they will keep using it. Smiths initially used the Vence system to keep cattle out of the Moose Creek Fire burn area, thereby avoiding 2-3 years of non-use on the entire allotment (see episode 123). Since then, the other benefits of this animal tracking and distribution control system have proven valuable beyond mere exclusion. Be sure to watch the Life on the Range video of this project, linked here.

The Art of Range Podcast is supported by the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission; Vence, a subsidiary of Merck Animal Health; and the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center.

Go to the episode page at https://artofrange.com/episodes/aor-172-vence-j-lazy-s-ranch-idaho-sequel-jay-smith for a full transcript of the interview and links to resources mentioned in this episode.</description>

New technology takes time to prove its worth. Jay…

New technology takes time to prove its worth. Jay and Chyenne Smith now have three grazing seasons' experience using Vence's virtual fence technology and they are convinced they will keep using it. Smiths initially used the Vence system to keep cattle out of the Moose Creek Fire burn area, thereby avoiding 2-3 years of non-use on the entire allotment (see episode 123). Since then, the other benefits of this animal tracking and distribution control system have proven valuable beyond mere exclusion. Be sure to watch the Life on the Range video of this project, linked here.

The Art of Range Podcast is supported by the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission; Vence, a subsidiary of Merck Animal Health; and the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center.

Go to the episode page at https://artofrange.com/episodes/aor-172-vence-j-lazy-s-ranch-idaho-sequel-jay-smith for a full transcript of the interview and links to resources mentioned in this episode.

AoR 172: Vence on the J Lazy S Ranch in Idaho, the Sequel with Jay Smith

<description>Stephanie Larson and Mikie McDonnell encourage you to attend the Society for Range Management's flagship event in Monterey, California to kick off the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. Listen to learn about location, conference themes, tour options, and plenary sessions.

Go to the episode page at https://artofrange.com/episodes/aor-171-celebrating-global-rangelands-pastoralism-srms-2026-annual-meeting for conference website links and a transcript of this conversation.</description>

Stephanie Larson and Mikie McDonnell encourage yo…

Stephanie Larson and Mikie McDonnell encourage you to attend the Society for Range Management's flagship event in Monterey, California to kick off the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. Listen to learn about location, conference themes, tour options, and plenary sessions.

Go to the episode page at https://artofrange.com/episodes/aor-171-celebrating-global-rangelands-pastoralism-srms-2026-annual-meeting for conference website links and a transcript of this conversation.

AoR 171: Celebrating Global Rangelands & Pastoralism at SRM's 2026 Annual Meeting

<description>Cattle growth goals and livestock use of large, topographically challenging landscapes have been at odds for some decades. Weaning weights went up, cow weights went up, and herd distribution on rangelands went down. Dr. Jim Sprinkle, an Extension beef specialist at the University of Idaho, has been doing research that is providing guidance on developing cows that do both, leading to herds that are more efficient on feed and graze hillsides -- the Perfect Range Cow. This has significant implications for reducing land use conflicts, particularly with riparian grazing concerns on public lands, but also profitability and sustainability of range livestock operations.

The Art of Range Podcast is supported by the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission; Vence, a subsidiary of Merck Animal Health; and the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center.

Visit the episode page at https://artofrange.com/episodes/aor-170-dr-jim-sprinkle-perfect-range-cow for a full transcript of the interview and links to resources mentioned in the episode.</description>

Cattle growth goals and livestock use of large, t…

Cattle growth goals and livestock use of large, topographically challenging landscapes have been at odds for some decades. Weaning weights went up, cow weights went up, and herd distribution on rangelands went down. Dr. Jim Sprinkle, an Extension beef specialist at the University of Idaho, has been doing research that is providing guidance on developing cows that do both, leading to herds that are more efficient on feed and graze hillsides -- the Perfect Range Cow. This has significant implications for reducing land use conflicts, particularly with riparian grazing concerns on public lands, but also profitability and sustainability of range livestock operations.

The Art of Range Podcast is supported by the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission; Vence, a subsidiary of Merck Animal Health; and the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center.

Visit the episode page at https://artofrange.com/episodes/aor-170-dr-jim-sprinkle-perfect-range-cow for a full transcript of the interview and links to resources mentioned in the episode.

AoR 170: Dr. Jim Sprinkle on The Perfect Range Cow

<description>Malnutrition should be defined as any diet that results in metabolic derangement. Few Americans suffer from lack of access to calories. But we are unhealthy, with metabolic and chronic diseases increasing steadily. These are true statements, but how we should respond to them individually and societally is controversial. Peter Ballerstedt ("Sodfather of the Ruminati”) earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Georgia and his doctorate at the University of Kentucky. He was the forage extension specialist at Oregon State University from 1986 to 1992. He worked in the forage seed industry from 2011 until 2023. He is a member of several national and international scientific societies, participates in related global initiatives, and is a Past-President of the American Forage and Grassland Council.
Peter’s personal experience has led him to re-examine human diet and health. What he has learned doesn’t agree with the advice given for the past several decades. Peter is an advocate for ruminant animal agriculture and the essential role of animal source foods in the human diet. He strives to build bridges between producers, consumers, and researchers across a wide variety of scientific disciplines – increasing awareness of metabolic health and ruminant animal agriculture’s essential role in social, economic, and ecological sustainability. Peter has spoken at many different events in the US and internationally. Many of his presentations are available on YouTube. Peter and Nancy live in western Oregon (northwestern USA) with their three dogs, Conor, Noni, and Iris.

The Art of Range Podcast is supported by the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission; Vence, a subsidiary of Merck Animal Health; and the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center.

Go to the episode page at https://artofrange.com/episodes/aor-169-peter-ballerstedt-metabolic-dysfunction-opportunities-eaters-and-graziers for a transcript of this interview and links to resources mentioned in the episode.</description>

Malnutrition should be defined as any diet that r…

Malnutrition should be defined as any diet that results in metabolic derangement. Few Americans suffer from lack of access to calories. But we are unhealthy, with metabolic and chronic diseases increasing steadily. These are true statements, but how we should respond to them individually and societally is controversial. Peter Ballerstedt ("Sodfather of the Ruminati”) earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Georgia and his doctorate at the University of Kentucky. He was the forage extension specialist at Oregon State University from 1986 to 1992. He worked in the forage seed industry from 2011 until 2023. He is a member of several national and international scientific societies, participates in related global initiatives, and is a Past-President of the American Forage and Grassland Council.
Peter’s personal experience has led him to re-examine human diet and health. What he has learned doesn’t agree with the advice given for the past several decades. Peter is an advocate for ruminant animal agriculture and the essential role of animal source foods in the human diet. He strives to build bridges between producers, consumers, and researchers across a wide variety of scientific disciplines – increasing awareness of metabolic health and ruminant animal agriculture’s essential role in social, economic, and ecological sustainability. Peter has spoken at many different events in the US and internationally. Many of his presentations are available on YouTube. Peter and Nancy live in western Oregon (northwestern USA) with their three dogs, Conor, Noni, and Iris.

The Art of Range Podcast is supported by the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission; Vence, a subsidiary of Merck Animal Health; and the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center.

Go to the episode page at https://artofrange.com/episodes/aor-169-peter-ballerstedt-metabolic-dysfunction-opportunities-eaters-and-graziers for a transcript of this interview and links to resources mentioned in the episode.

AoR 169: Peter Ballerstedt on Metabolic Dysfunction - Opportunities for Eaters and Graziers

<description>Chuck Jarecki ranched in Montana from 1961 to the 1990s, using grazing to heal lands broken by the plow that never grew enough to justify continued crop farming. He had success using the classic management tools: develop stockwater in places cattle don't like to go, graze the most preferred species moderately, and give grasses time to grow back before you graze them again. Chuck won't elaborate much, but what he says is worth listening to and he has lived out his brief advice, starting with instructions from his mentor, Don Ryerson, to learn with "your face in the ground and your butt in the air."

The Art of Range Podcast is supported by the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission; Vence, a subsidiary of Merck Animal Health; and the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center.

A transcript of the conversation and links to resources mentioned in this episode is available at the episode page at ahttps://artofrange.com/episodes/aor-168-chuck-jarecki-ranching-your-face-ground-montana</description>

Chuck Jarecki ranched in Montana from 1961 to the…

Chuck Jarecki ranched in Montana from 1961 to the 1990s, using grazing to heal lands broken by the plow that never grew enough to justify continued crop farming. He had success using the classic management tools: develop stockwater in places cattle don't like to go, graze the most preferred species moderately, and give grasses time to grow back before you graze them again. Chuck won't elaborate much, but what he says is worth listening to and he has lived out his brief advice, starting with instructions from his mentor, Don Ryerson, to learn with "your face in the ground and your butt in the air."

The Art of Range Podcast is supported by the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission; Vence, a subsidiary of Merck Animal Health; and the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center.

A transcript of the conversation and links to resources mentioned in this episode is available at the episode page at ahttps://artofrange.com/episodes/aor-168-chuck-jarecki-ranching-your-face-ground-montana

AoR 168: Chuck Jarecki on Ranching "with Your Face in the Ground" in Montana

The Art of Range is a podcast about rangelands for people who manage rangelands.  Our goal is education and conservation through conversation.  Find us online at www.artofrange.com.

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