157. The Art of Breeding Grass-fed Cattle with Steve Campbell

In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, esteemed cattle consultant Steve Campbell shares his remarkable journey from a stocker cattle manager to a leading figure in grass-finished beef production. Following a life-altering leg injury in 1999, Steve's career took a transformative path as he embraced regenerative practices, heavily influenced by the Stockman Grass Farmer magazine. His expertise in optimizing grass and mineral content has led to groundbreaking methods for disease prevention, such as eliminating pink eye and foot rot. Steve's commitment to sustainable cattle management, along with his innovative approach to genetic and epigenetic cattle selection, makes this episode a treasure trove of insights for those interested in elevating cattle development. Topics covered in this episode: Selecting cattle for grass efficiency Genetic and epigenetic cattle selection Selecting bulls for cattle improvement Assessing cattle fertility and indicators Grazing management and cattle selection This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about sustainable cattle management and regenerative agriculture. Steve Campbell's profound insights into strategic breeding, disease prevention, and the optimization of grass and mineral content provide invaluable knowledge for both seasoned grazers and newcomers. By listening, you'll gain practical tips and tools to enhance your cattle management practices and improve meat quality while addressing challenges such as fertility and udder quality. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from a true pioneer in the field. Links Mentioned in the Episode Tailor Made Cattle https://tailormadecattle.com Visit our Sponsors Noble Research Institute https://noble.org Redmond https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/ 2025 Manderley Farms Grazing Conference https://www.manderleyfarms.com/events... Grazing Grass Links New Listener Resource Guide https://grazinggrass.com/new-listener... Provide feedback on the podcast https://grazinggrass.com/listener-fee... Website https://grazinggrass.com Insiders https://grazinggrass.com/insiders Resources (Coming Soon) Community (on Facebook)   / grazinggrass   Check out the Apiary Chronicles Podcast https://apiarychronicles.com Original Music by Louis Palfrey https://louispalfrey.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Meet Steve Campbell: Background and Early Life 04:29 Transition to Grass Finishing 07:19 Learning and Implementing Rotational Grazing 20:28 Selecting Efficient Cattle for Grass 33:56 Exploring Dairy Cow Ownership 34:24 Selecting the Right Bull for Your Herd 35:22 Understanding Bull and Cow Anatomy 38:04 Calving Ease and Gestation Insights 38:58 The Importance of Bull Shoulders 42:54 Epigenetics and Herd Improvement 43:50 Environmental Adaptation of Cows 48:13 Indicators of Fertility in Bulls and Cows 55:11 Famous Four Questions 01:04:16 Conclusion and Resources