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 30: PCOS Round Table
-Full video episode available on YouTube-
What started as scattered observations across different herds slowly turned into a much bigger conversation.
In this episode, Patrick Powers sits down with John Atkinson of Cashmere Cattle, Grant Vassberg of Kallion Farms, and Dr. David Rainosek to discuss fertility, hormonal balance, embryo production, and a growing theory surrounding possible PCOS like patterns in cattle, recently updated in human medicine terminology to PMOS.
The discussion explores why some naturally fertile cows consistently show lower egg counts but higher embryo development and pregnancy rates, while some high follicle count donors struggle with long term reproductive consistency.
Along the way, the group discusses selection pressure, weaning weights, embryo transfer economics, observational cattle knowledge, and the growing disconnect between what producers are quietly seeing in the field and what modern systems currently prioritize.
This is not presented as settled science or final conclusion.
It is an open discussion built around real world observations, existing research, and a belief that difficult questions deserve honest conversation.
Watch the full video episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/Ihl4qjCmZ1g
Referenced studies discussed during the episode:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9159068/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4199720/
Check out Bos Sires:
https://www.bossires.com/
If this episode sparked a thought, challenged an assumption, or reminded you of something you’ve quietly observed in your own cattle, share it with someone willing to be part of the discussion.
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