Stories from California Cattle Country

In this episode we speak with Kirk Wilbur, Vice President of Public Affairs for the California Cattlemen's Association, about legislation he shepherded in to allow California ranchers access to their animals during wildfire events and what can be done to address predation.

In this Episode we speak with Dr Stephanie Larson, County Director and Livestock Range Management Advisor and Director of University of California Cooperative Extension, Sonoma County about fires in Sonoma county, rangeland management and how cattle can help.

Match Graze

In this episode we talk to Mike Furlong about his ranching operation in Bodega Bay, his family's experience with fires in the area and what can be done, if anything, to mitigate them.

More about the Redwood Empire Food Bank

In this episode we speak with California Rancher and Deputy Fire Chief for the Santa Barbara Fire Dept. Anthony Stornetta about increasing, in fact historical, fire behavior and what can be done to mitigate it. Anthony was instrumental in developing this series by linking me with ranchers in California affected by fire.

In this episode we speak with Dave about his experience with the fire, how wildland management is holding up and his feelings on the outlook for the future.

I Cry for the Mountains and the Legacy Lost

In this episode we speak with Justin Lofton of AH Beef about the direct-to-consumer marketplace... its benefits and its difficulties. This episode is the 3rd to come out of imperial valley and frankly wasn't planned. We also talk about some delicious yet lesser known cuts.


Calbeef.org Direct-To-Consumer Directory
Costco Freezer

In this episode we speak with Mike Sulpizio of Superior Cattle Feeders about the feeding sector of the cattle business, water, quiet cows and the unique history of the Imperial Valley.

Cattle Breeds
Ralph's California Beef Program (now defunct)

In this episode we speak with Joe Dan Cameron of Mesquite Cattle Feeders about the feeding sector of the cattle business, quiet cows and the unique history of the Imperial Valley.

In this episode we speak with rancher Rich Ross about his unique location, why a 77 year old attorney would choose ranching as a way of life and his partnership with another rancher, 77 year old Wally Roney. We also talk a bit about wolves (which is a first for this podcast). 

https://cei.org/studies/the-roney-land-and-cattle-company-inc/

In this episode we speak with Jake Parnell, owner of the Cattlemens Livestock Market in Galt California… 20 miles south of Sacramento about the livestock market, common misconceptions and why communication is critical between the ag and non ag community.

In this episode we speak with rancher Tim Neilsen about El Dorado ranch and his commitment to ranching almost 8000 acres of the Sierra foothills in collaboration with the American River Conservancy in an effort to preserve area biodiversity of Sierra Nevada oak woodland… with cows. This is a follow up to our last episode where we spoke with Elena Delacy from the aforementioned American River Conservancy where Tim’s ranching operation is mentioned, in fact, celebrated.

In this episode we speak with Elena Delacy, executive director of the American River Conservacy about working with California ranchers in an effort to preserve critical ecosystems through land trusts in the American and Consumnes water basins.

In this episode we discuss the intricacies of direct-to-consumer sales, the appeal of the ranching lifestyle and the shaky future of a small city ranch under the looming shadow of suburban sprawl with lawyer/rancher Nick Avdis.

In this episode we join Tim Lewis in his truck Whoa Black Betty to ferry some calves from a dairy in Escalon to a feedlot in Nevada returning with some cows to the same lot stopping only for fuel and truck stop burritos. We'll learn about the ins and outs of Bull Hauling and how Tim managed to get in this unique line of work.

In this episode we speak with Melissa about ranching in Nicasio, about her Angus and Long Horned Cattle, and the ancillary businesses she runs through agritourism to ensure the success of her operation through hosting and educating non-ranchers about the ins and outs of agricultural living.

My purpose for the visit was to highlight the importance of this county fair to the next generation of agricultural professionals. Specifically, those still in elementary, middle or high school. In this episode we speak with Ulises Garcia, a 17 year old who spent the last 10 months restoring a circa 1949 Farmall Tractor to original condition. We also speak with Chiara Stornetta, an 11 year old at the fair to auction a steer and a heifer she raised. 

In this episode we visit Sherri and Bob Brennan just north of La Grange, Calif. to bell some cows prior to the herd's annual pilgrimage into the Stanislaus National Forest at Eagle Meadows which sits at just about 7,400' elevation.

On this sweltering day I speak with Rancher Bart Cremers at his ranch in Sloughhouse. I first spoke with his wife Noelle via telephone, a former cca employee, about their operation. The Cremers a bit of a unicorn in this industry as they are first generation ranchers who only lease land throughout the west for their operation. Such an operation can allow for some operators to be nimble but also puts the operator at the whims of the landowner. On this visit the bulk of the herd was enjoying more temperate weather in Oregon with some bulls and replacement heifers on the property in Sloughhouse. We'll first hear a bit from Noelle and follow that with a visit with Bart. 

In this episode we visit Rita McPhee from the McPhee Red Angus ranch in Lodi California. McPhee Red Angus differs a bit from our typical cattle ranch in that it only has red hided angus cattle (commonly Angus have black hides) and that their businesses is principally selling bulls opposed to selling cattle for beef. The ranch is about an hour South of Sacramento, and though the address is in Lodi it exists in a spot bordered by Lockeford, Linden and Lodi. We toured McPhee Ranch, their sale barn, pet some horses and then sat with Rita and her son Royce where we discussed ranch history, why they prefer Red Angus Cattle and a bit about branding.

In this episode we meet up with Tim Curran in Sattley, California which is a few miles north of Sierraville... which is about 40 miles due west as the crow flies from Reno, Nevada. Note that the crow would have to fly over mountains at about 8000 feet to get there from Reno. Getting there by car is considerably more circuitous. 

The Curran's own and operate Circle Ranch, an outfit that is based in Ione, about a 3-hour drive from Sattley. Some of the ranchers we visit, primarily ones in coastal areas, are able to keep their cows on property year around due to a forgivable Mediterranean climate. But I'd say the majority of the ranches we visit have to move their animals seasonally to greener pastures... literally.