Ranchonomics

In Part 2 of John Haskell's conversation with Kevin Wiltse, the focus shifts from implementing cover crops to building a resilient farming business that can withstand changing markets and weather. Kevin explains why resilience comes from designing flexible production systems, reducing dependence on expensive inputs, and treating forage as a profitable enterprise rather than simply a tool for soil health. By integrating livestock, perennial forages, and annual crops, he shares how his operation has become more adaptable while improving both profitability and land stewardship.
The conversation also explores the importance of making management decisions based on economics instead of tradition. Kevin discusses when annuals outperform perennials, why he adjusts his cropping plans based on projected profitability, and how lowering operating costs helped eliminate the need for an annual operating loan. The episode offers practical insights for producers looking to build businesses that are financially resilient, environmentally sustainable, and prepared to adapt as conditions change.
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In this episode, we cover:
Why perennial and annual forage systems each have a place in a resilient farming operation
How integrating livestock can reduce costs while improving soil health and profitability
The management changes that allowed Kevin to eliminate the need for an annual operating loan
Why projected losses should trigger a change in management, not business as usual
How flexible forage systems create opportunities to custom graze cattle and generate additional revenue
Why profitable farms are managed as integrated systems, not individual enterprises

Connect with Kevin:
Green Cover Seed Podcast: Building a Drought Resilient Grazing Operation Using Perennials and Cover Crops with Kevin Wiltse
Green Cover Seed Podcast: Kevin Wiltse - Integrating Livestock Producer Stories Webinar Series

Connect with Ranch Right:
Subscribe on YouTube
Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc
Follow on Facebook
Check out the website
Check out all of our past webinars here

Resources & Links:
Covers & Co.
Green Cover
No-till on the Plains
CCTA
Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
Ranching for Profit
Ranching.FYI
Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:
At Ranch Right, we help producers slow decisions down just enough to see the real tradeoffs: cash flow, risk, and long-term impact. Better information leads to better decisions—and better sleep.
If you want more confidence in the choices you’re making, click below to learn more.
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In this Ranchonomics Stories episode, John Haskell sits down with the Sims family to trace the roots of a ranching operation that began with leased ground at $2 an acre and has grown into a thriving four-generation business. Scott and April Sims, along with their son Shannon and daughter-in-law Melinda, reflect on the pivotal decisions, financial challenges, and mindset shifts that shaped their four-generation ranch over the years. From surviving periods of heavy debt to embracing new management ideas, they share how a willingness to learn and adapt laid the foundation for future generations.
The conversation also explores the power of a shared family vision and the role it has played in guiding major business decisions. The Sims family discusses developing a holistic vision, creating space for every family member's voice, and using that vision to evaluate opportunities, genetics, grazing management, and long-term succession. More than anything, this episode is about building a ranch that reflects shared values while preparing the next generation for success. Stay tuned for part 2 of this conversation.
Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!
In this episode, we cover:
How the Sims family grew a ranching business from leased ground into a four-generation operation
The financial decisions that helped them overcome debt and improve profitability
Why creating a shared family vision became a turning point for the business
How their vision guided decisions around adaptive genetics, grazing, and business growth
Why embracing new ideas and calculated risks has shaped each generation of the ranch
The importance of building a business that creates opportunities for future generations

Connect with Ranch Right:
Subscribe on YouTube
Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc
Follow on Facebook
Check out the website
Check out all of our past webinars here

Resources & Links:
Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
Ranching for Profit
Ranching.FYI
Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:
At Ranch Right, we help producers build clarity around cash flow, margins, and risk so the decisions we talk about on Ranchonomics actually work in the real world.
If you want fewer surprises and more control, that’s where to start.
Click below to book a call today.
Book a free discovery call

Can cover crops actually make your operation more profitable? In this episode, John Haskell sits down with Kansas farmer and rancher Kevin Wiltse to discuss how integrating livestock into a dryland cropping system has transformed the economics of his operation. Kevin shares how his family's fifth-generation farm shifted from viewing cover crops as an expense to treating them as a profitable forage enterprise, creating additional income while reducing herbicide and fertilizer costs.
The conversation explores the practical realities of making cover crops work in a semi-arid environment, including grazing management, species selection, seed costs, and measuring profitability. Kevin explains why success comes from evaluating the entire system instead of individual enterprises, and how stacking multiple sources of revenue on the same acres has helped his operation remain profitable, even during challenging years for traditional row crop farming. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this conversation.
Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!
In this episode, we cover:
Why Kevin transitioned from viewing cover crops as a cost to treating them as a forage enterprise
How integrating livestock can offset lower crop yields through additional revenue and reduced input costs
Practical guidelines for selecting cover crop species and managing grazing in a dryland system
How cover crops have reduced herbicide and fertilizer costs on Kevin's operation
How stacking livestock, forage, seed production, and cash crops can significantly increase profit per acre
Why adapting farming systems to local rainfall and growing conditions is essential for long-term success

Connect with Ranch Right:
Subscribe on YouTube
Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc
Follow on Facebook
Check out the website
Check out all of our past webinars here

Resources & Links:
Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
Ranching for Profit
Ranching.FYI
Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:
At Ranch Right, we help producers build clarity around cash flow, margins, and risk so the decisions we talk about on Ranchonomics actually work in the real world.
If you want fewer surprises and more control, that’s where to start.
Click below to book a call today.
Book a free discovery call

In this episode of Ranchonomics Stories, John Haskell sits down with Brian and Jill Munger to share the journey of building a diversified ranch business while continually creating new opportunities. From taking over family responsibilities at a young age to expanding into registered cattle, custom grazing, educational ventures, and even hospitality, the Mungers reflect on the decisions, relationships, and mindset that have shaped their business. Their story is one of embracing change, saying yes to opportunity, and learning that growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.
Throughout the conversation, Brian and Jill discuss balancing family and business, navigating rapid growth, and the challenge of deciding what deserves their time and attention. They share lessons on leadership, succession planning, continuous learning, and the value of building strong relationships throughout the ranching industry. More than anything, this episode is about living with a mindset of service, believing that when you help enough other people succeed, success has a way of following.
Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!
In this episode, we cover:
How Brian and Jill built a diversified business by continually pursuing new opportunities
Why relationships have been one of the greatest drivers of their success
The challenges of balancing multiple businesses while protecting time and focus
Lessons learned from expanding into hospitality and other non-traditional ventures
How Brian and Jill are preparing for succession and the next generation
Why continuous learning and personal development have shaped their journey

Connect with Ranch Right:
Subscribe on YouTube
Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc
Follow on Facebook
Check out the website
Check out all of our past webinars here

Resources & Links:
Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
Ranching for Profit
Ranching.FYI
Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:
Join us online, ask questions, and get practical tools you can put to work tomorrow. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to receive updates on our next session. Click the link below to catch up on all of our past webinars on YouTube.
Webinars

In Part 2 of John Haskell's conversation with Amos Troester (listen to Part 1 here), the focus shifts from forage systems to business thinking. Amos explains why many producers miss profitable opportunities by focusing on minimizing expenses rather than maximizing returns. Through real-world examples, he shares how integrating livestock with cover crops and annual forages can generate additional revenue, increase carrying capacity, and improve profitability, all while making better use of the same acres.
The conversation also explores the mindset required to adopt new systems, from starting small and learning through experience to viewing biomass as a marketable crop. Amos discusses the economic and agronomic benefits of integrating grazing into cropping systems, including improved weed suppression, erosion control, soil health, and overall resilience. The episode is a reminder that the biggest opportunities often come from thinking differently about the resources you already have.
Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!
In this episode, we cover:
Why producers should focus on return, not just cost, when evaluating new opportunities
How grazing annual forages can increase carrying capacity and improve profitability
Why biomass should be viewed as a valuable crop, not just a byproduct
The importance of starting small when adopting new grazing and cropping systems
How cover crops can reduce herbicide costs while improving soil health and erosion control
Practical strategies for managing mud, compaction, and grazing intensity
Why staying open to new ideas can unlock opportunities that transform your business

Connect with Amos:
Follow on Facebook
Check out his website
Send an email at TBarACattle@gmail.com

Connect with Ranch Right:
Subscribe on YouTube
Follow on Instagram @ranchrightllc
Follow on Facebook
Check out the website
Check out all of our past webinars here

Resources & Links:
Episode 105. From Row Crops to Forage Crops: A New Way to Think About Your Acres with Amos Troester
Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
Ranching for Profit
Ranching.FYI
Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:
Join us online, ask questions, and get practical tools you can put to work tomorrow. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to receive updates on our next session. Click the link below to catch up on all of our past webinars on YouTube.
Webinars