Sustainable Stock: Reviving Legacy Genetics
Sustainable Stock: Reviving Legacy Genetics
Podcast Description
Sustainable Stock: Reviving Legacy Genetics is a podcast dedicated to exploring the power and potential of traditional cattle genetics while celebrating the ranchers who are bringing these practices back to life. Hosted by Patrick Powers, this podcast connects the past with the present, showcasing the resilience, efficiency, and fertility of the cattle breeds that helped build strong herds in the 1960s and '70s.Each episode features in-depth conversations with ranchers and breeders who are rediscovering and preserving the cattlemen practices that have stood the test of time. These ranchers are committed to using common-sense methods that focus on what truly works, blending the wisdom of the past with modern solutions for sustainable ranching in today’s world.At its core, Sustainable Stock is about returning to the fundamentals—embracing practical, time-tested approaches that prioritize what’s best for the land, livestock, and the rancher. We honor the heritage of ranching and are passionate about creating a future that’s rooted in both tradition and sustainability. Whether you’re passionate about heritage genetics, the future of ranching, or simply interested in the story behind the herd, this podcast is for you.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on legacy cattle genetics, sustainable ranching practices, and the challenges facing modern ranchers. Episodes include topics like the formation of Bos Sires with Grant Vassberg and the historical significance of the Droughtmaster breed shared by John Atkinson, emphasizing the integration of time-tested methods with contemporary solutions for better land and livestock management.
Sustainable Stock: Reviving Legacy Genetics is a podcast dedicated to exploring the power and potential of traditional cattle genetics while celebrating the ranchers who are bringing these practices back to life. Hosted by Patrick Powers, this podcast connects the past with the present, showcasing the resilience, efficiency, and fertility of the cattle breeds that helped build strong herds in the 1960s and ’70s.
Each episode features in-depth conversations with ranchers and breeders who are rediscovering and preserving the cattlemen practices that have stood the test of time. These ranchers are committed to using common-sense methods that focus on what truly works, blending the wisdom of the past with modern solutions for sustainable ranching in today’s world.
At its core, Sustainable Stock is about returning to the fundamentals—embracing practical, time-tested approaches that prioritize what’s best for the land, livestock, and the rancher. We honor the heritage of ranching and are passionate about creating a future that’s rooted in both tradition and sustainability. Whether you’re passionate about heritage genetics, the future of ranching, or simply interested in the story behind the herd, this podcast is for you.
Episode 13: Sell Truth, Not Hype with John Atkinson
A candid conversation with Australian cattleman John Atkinson reveals profound insights about the cattle industry's struggle with honesty, fertility, and sustainable breeding practices. Since our last conversation, John's operation has secured a milestone export deal to Africa, not through slick marketing, but through straightforward communication about which genetics would actually work for the buyer's environment.
The episode confronts uncomfortable truths about how newcomers are frequently exploited in the cattle business. ”I feel really sorry for new people into the industry,” John remarks, ”because they naively trust people, they get so taken advantage of.” This exploitation often leads to costly failures when producers invest in cattle with impressive appearances but poor functional traits. John and Patrick discuss how the pursuit of show ring aesthetics and extreme growth has undermined the fundamental fertility that determines ranch profitability.
One standout moment comes when John describes a respected Australian veterinarian who recently spoke out about the crisis of infertility in northern Australian herds, where many producers have simply accepted that their expensive cattle will only produce a calf every two years. Meanwhile, John's own operation achieved 80%+ pregnancy rates in just two months of breeding, proving that fertility-focused genetics deliver results even in challenging environments.
The conversation takes fascinating turns into innovations emerging from Australia's high labor costs, including automated weighing systems that allow producers to monitor weight gain in real-time and make smarter decisions about pasture rotation. John also makes a compelling case for crossbreeding, explaining how strategic breed combinations can correct functional problems in just one generation.
Perhaps most powerful is John's reflection on the moral obligations of cattlemen: ”We are the biggest animal rights advocates there are. We just don't voice it. We live it every day.” His message for listeners considering bull purchases this season? Research the maternal lines, look beyond the sale catalog photos, and understand what you're really bringing into your herd for generations to come.
Connect with John Atkinson:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cashmeredroughtmasters
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashmeredroughtmasters/
Bos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/john-atkinson
Check out Bos Sires:
Website: https://www.bossires.com/
Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)
Support the Podcast
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To go deeper, join us on Patreon-where we host Shooting the Bull, our unfiltered podcast focused on honest conversations with producers from across the cattle industry.
Join us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/bossirestalk
Disclaimer
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