Episode 8: AI in the Arctic — Building Better Cattle with Hailey Edwards

Hailey Edwards takes us deep into the world of raising cattle in Alaska's most extreme environments, where temperatures plummet to -60°F in winter before soaring to 90°F in summer. Growing up on a family dairy that collapsed during industry-wide failures in 2000, Hailey pivoted to beef production and developed specialized knowledge that few ranchers in America possess.

The realities of Alaskan agriculture are startling. With 95% of food imported and only enough stored food to feed the population for approximately ten days, the state faces unique food security challenges. COVID-19 exposed these vulnerabilities, triggering panic buying and renewed interest in local production. Yet building agricultural systems in Alaska isn't simply a matter of importing models from Texas or Iowa.

Hailey shares the extraordinary challenges of raising cattle where hay seasons last just three months, allowing only two cuttings annually. This compressed growing season extends beef production cycles to 30 months—nearly double the timeframe in the lower 48 states. Transportation costs further complicate matters, with importing a single cow from Montana potentially costing $7,000.

As an AI technician serving remote communities, Hailey sometimes travels 1,000 miles round-trip to service just a few cows. Her work through Granite Mountain Breeding Services provides vital genetic diversity to isolated herds where "the family tree can quickly turn into a Christmas wreath." Her approach combines scientific knowledge with practical wisdom as she helps producers select genetics suited to Alaska's harsh realities.

Haley's most powerful insight resonates throughout our conversation: "You can't outbuy a learning curve." No amount of capital investment can replace the knowledge gained through experience in Alaska's unique conditions. Success requires patience, adaptation, and cattle that thrive on marginal forage with minimal inputs.

Connect with Hailey's work and discover more about building resilient cattle genetics for challenging environments through the links in our show notes. Subscribe for more conversations with ranchers revolutionizing cattle production through sustainable practices.

Connect with Hailey Edwards and Granit Mountain Breeding Services:

Facebook:  https://m.facebook.com/hailey.mcnabb.3/

Website: https://granitembs.com/

Bos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/haileyedwards

Check out Bos Sires:

Website: https://www.bossires.com/

Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)

Support the Podcast

If you enjoy the show and want to support our mission of restoring sustainable, long-lasting genetics to the cattle industry, consider joining our Patreon community. Your support helps us continue producing valuable content for ranchers and cattle enthusiasts worldwide.

Join us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/BosSires]

Episode 7: No Backbone, No Herd: Restoring Forgotten Genetics With Hays Boyd

When nine-year-old Hays Boyd set out to find heat-tolerant, good-natured cattle that could thrive on grass, he had no idea his research would lay the foundation for one of America’s premier Murray Grey herds. Now a veterinarian and third-generation rancher, Hayes shares the journey of Backbone Ranch—where a commitment to practical, efficient genetics is reshaping the industry.

From combing through decades-old breed newsletters as a teenager to sourcing semen from the first Murray Grey bulls imported to the U.S. in the 1960s, Hays took an unconventional path to restoring forgotten genetics. With a focus on longevity and efficiency, Backbone Ranch selects for cattle that last—like females still producing past age 12 and bulls from proven maternal lines.

Hays also brings a veterinarian’s insight into the structural soundness issues plaguing the industry, contrasting them with the durability of his low-maintenance herd in the Texas heat. His customers—both ranchers and restaurants—have discovered that Murray Grey cattle don’t just survive, they excel. Whether grass-finished or grain-fed, they deliver premium beef quality with unmatched efficiency.

If you’re interested in genetics that work in the real world—without the extra inputs—tune in to hear Hays Boyd’s take on building better cattle from the ground up. Learn more at https://www.backboneranch.com/.

Connect with Hays Boyd & Backbone Ranch:

Website: https://www.backboneranch.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078894004341

Bos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/backbone-ranch

Check out Bos Sires:

Website: https://www.bossires.com/

Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)

Support the Podcast

If you enjoy the show and want to support our mission of restoring sustainable, long-lasting genetics to the cattle industry, consider joining our Patreon community. Your support helps us continue producing valuable content for ranchers and cattle enthusiasts worldwide.

Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BosSires

Episode 6: Show Ponies and Paper Tigers with PJ Budler

In this episode PJ takes us on a global cattle expedition that challenges everything we think we know about breeding. Having judged cattle in 48 countries, Budler offers a rare perspective on the disconnect between American cattle breeding philosophies and what actually works around the world.

Budler introduces two powerful metaphors that perfectly capture the industry's challenges: "show ponies" (cattle bred for ribbons rather than practicality) and "paper tigers" (animals selected solely on spreadsheet data). Both approaches have created genetics that often collapse when exported to different environments – particularly troubling since 80% of the world's cattle live in tropical or subtropical regions where adapted animals are essential.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Budler challenges the industry claim that fertility is "lowly heritable," calling out the nutrition companies that benefit from this misconception. "If you had 300 cows and a hundred were Holstein, a hundred Brahman, and a hundred Angus, you know which group would have the highest calf crop before we even start – it's definitely genetic," Budler explains.

Perhaps the most valuable takeaway comes from Budler's counterintuitive approach to selection: breed against negative outliers rather than for positive extremes. "If you're average for just about everything but an outlier in a positive way for fertility, you're profitable," he says, encouraging ranchers to pursue balance over extremes.

PJ concludes with a powerful perspective on cattle producers as "superheroes" who not only feed the population but maintain rural communities and contribute to national security by stewarding vast tracts of land. His message offers hope that by returning to adapted, balanced genetics, ranchers can create sustainable operations that benefit both people and the environment.

Connect with PJ Budler:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009980023978

Check out Bos Sires:

Website: https://www.bossires.com/

Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)

Support the Podcast

If you enjoy the show and want to support our mission of restoring sustainable, long-lasting genetics to the cattle industry, consider joining our Patreon community. Your support helps us continue producing valuable content for ranchers and cattle enthusiasts worldwide.

Join us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/BosSires]

Episode 5: Form Follows Function and the Bonsma Approach with Darris Meitler

What can a cow that's raised 16 calves teach us about sustainable ranching? More than any textbook, says Darris Meitler, a fifth-generation Kansas cattleman whose family has been raising functional, profitable cattle since 1932. 
 
 The Meitler operation stands as a living testament that focusing on maternal traits, hormonal balance, and practical functionality creates cattle that thrive for generations. With approximately 700 cows spanning registered Herefords, Angus, and their renowned F1 crossbreds, they've built a reputation for females that last—not through flashy marketing or trend-chasing, but through patient observation and respecting what actually works on the range.
 
 "If you have to dig through papers to answer which cow is your best, that's a problem," Darris explains, challenging an industry increasingly disconnected from the animals themselves. Following principles learned from South African scientist Dr. Bonsma, the Meitlers select cattle showing visual indicators of proper hormonal balance—traits that correlate strongly with fertility, longevity, and problem-free performance.
 
 What makes this approach revolutionary in today's cattle business isn't its novelty but its time-tested reliability. While many modern operations chase single traits at the expense of overall functionality, the Meitlers have maintained their focus on creating "employees that don't cause troubles"—cows that consistently deliver a calf each year without drama or excessive inputs.
 
 The conversation ventures beyond breeding philosophy into deeper territory—the moral obligation cattlemen have to the land and future generations. Darris reflects on how previous generations' sacrifices enabled his family's continued success and how their current efforts aren't just about profit but preserving something meaningful for their children.
 
 Whether you're a multi-generational rancher or just beginning your cattle journey, this episode provides invaluable insights about reading what your cows are trying to teach you and building a herd that's truly sustainable in every sense of the word. Learn more about Meitler Cattle's program at their upcoming production sale on April 12th in Lucas, Kansas.

Connect with Darris Meitler & Meitler Cattle:

Website: https://meitlercattle.com/

Meitler Catalog: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/657986875/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057599162764

Bos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/meitler-cattle-company

Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)

Support the Podcast

If you enjoy the show and want to support our mission of restoring sustainable, long-lasting genetics to the cattle industry, consider joining our Patreon community. Your support helps us continue producing valuable content for ranchers and cattle enthusiasts worldwide.

Join us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/BosSires]

Episode 4: What Happens When Cows Fly? With Renee Strickland

What does it take to move cattle across continents? In this episode, we sit down with Renee Strickland, a seasoned livestock exporter, to explore the challenges and opportunities in the global cattle trade. From sourcing the right cattle to ensuring their welfare in transit, Strickland shares firsthand insights into what it takes to successfully export livestock to diverse environments.

We’ll also discuss the importance of genetics in these operations, including how moderate-built, fertile cattle with heritage genetics are better suited for thriving in different climates. With years of experience bridging the gap between ranchers and international markets, Strickland highlights the critical role of education, logistics expertise, and ethical responsibility in cattle exporting.

Tune in for a deep dive into the world of livestock exports, sustainable cattle genetics, and the future of global agriculture. Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and join the conversation!

Connect with Renee Strickland & Strickland Exports:

Website: https://stricklandexports.com/

Renee's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1023690156

Strickland Exports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100042840972694

Support the Podcast

If you enjoy the show and want to support our mission of restoring sustainable, long-lasting genetics to the cattle industry, consider joining our Patreon community. Your support helps us continue producing valuable content for ranchers and cattle enthusiasts worldwide.

Join us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/BosSires]

Episode 3: Shaping Regenerative Ranching with Austin Dillon of Counter Culture Farms

Unlock the secrets of sustainable ranching with Austin Dillon, owner and operator of Counter Culture Farms in East Texas. In this episode of Sustainable Stock, host Patrick Powers dives into Austin’s innovative approach to regenerative ranching, where traditional cattle genetics meet cutting-edge practices. Austin shares how he integrates cattle and sheep to create a harmonious, low-input system that thrives while respecting the delicate balance of nature.

Learn about Austin’s journey in selecting resilient Mashona bulls, perfectly adapted to the Texas heat, and how his emphasis on composite cattle genetics, including Hereford influences, plays a vital role in the success of his operation. By blending these genetics with regenerative techniques, Austin is creating a system that boosts productivity while safeguarding the health and sustainability of the land for future generations.

Whether you're an experienced rancher or new to the field, you’ll gain actionable advice and valuable insights into the evolving landscape of agriculture.

Beyond the technical aspects, this episode explores deeper themes of stewardship, legacy, and hope. Austin reflects on the importance of mentorship, adaptation, and faith in driving positive change. His inspiring stories emphasize the powerful role individuals play in nurturing our planet for future generations.

Connect with Austin Dillon & Counter Culture Farms:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counterculturefarms/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/counterculturefarms

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@counterculturefarms

Bos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/counter-culture-farms

Tune in to discover how regenerative ranching can transform the future of agriculture!

If you believe in what we're building and want to support our growth, consider checking out our Patreon! We're still evolving, and with your help, we can continue to expand and improve. Every contribution makes a difference. [https://www.patreon.com/BosSires]

Episode 2: Building the Bos Sires Legacy with Grant Vassberg

In this episode of Sustainable Stock, host Patrick Powers speaks with Grant Vassberg, owner of Kallion Farms and co-founder of Bos Sires. Grant provides an inside look at the roles within Bos Sires, the vision driving the program, and how newcomers can get involved.

This episode serves as both an introduction to the structure of Bos Sires and a call to action for those looking to engage in sustainable cattle breeding. Whether you're a seasoned cattleman or just starting out, Grant’s insights will provide valuable guidance on how to be part of this growing community.

Connect with Grant Vassberg & Bos Sires:
Website: https://kallionfarms.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kallionfarms/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kallionfarms
Bos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/grant-vassberg

Tune in to learn how you can contribute to the future of sustainable ranching!

If you believe in what we're building and want to support our growth, consider checking out our Patreon! We're still evolving, and with your help, we can continue to expand and improve. Every contribution makes a difference. [https://www.patreon.com/BosSires]

Episode 1: Breeding Resilience with John Atkinson

In the premiere episode of Sustainable Stock, host Patrick Powers sits down with John Atkinson, a seventh-generation Australian cattleman, breeder, representative, and consultant for Bos Sires. John shares his family's rich ranching legacy, including their pivotal role in developing the resilient Droughtmaster breed.

This episode dives into low-input genetics, sustainable breeding practices, and how these methods are shaping the future of cattle ranching. Gain insights into Bos Sires’ commitment to restoring sustainability and ensuring long-term herd resilience.

 Connect with John Atkinson:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cashmeredroughtmasters/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cashmeredroughtmasters/
Bos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/john-atkinson

Tune in to discover how thoughtful breeding can secure the future of ranching!