How I Started Regenerative Ranching - Cowside Chats Ep. 1 | Regenerative Ranching

What is the best way to get started in regenerative ranching? Have a plan and be deliberate in exercising that plan. Finding land to graze is the first step. Networking with friends, family and coworkers will often identify property to lease or use for free. This video chronicles my journey through my initial steps in obtaining land and cattle and gradually progressing towards becoming a regenerative rancher.
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#regenerativeranching #regenerativeagriculture #soilmicrobiome

[@canalroadadventures5079]

An inspiring and motivating story. Also, you have superb video and presentation skills. If I were 24yo instead of 74, I'd try to get into regenerative ranching, but there was no such thing 50 years ago. Please record as much of your operation as you have time.

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

Thank you! I am inspired by folks like you and will definitely do my best to pass it on. This is my heritage to my kids and grandkids. I wish for them my love of the land! Hopefully folks like you can enjoy my journey. Thank you for watching and motivating me!

[@phillipbenefield3279]

Love the story. I can relate to your story. I wanted to stay home and enjoy my grandparents farm and work. My mom said, “oh, you’re going to college. I don’t care where, sign these three applications!” So happy for her wisdom. Fast forward 35 years and I’m retired from the Army, living in my grandparents place getting ready to start my first herd. Thanks for a great video.

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

Best of luck to you!

[@philipedwards8762]

You have an interesting background and story. My two siblings and I co-own 162 acres with around 70 acres of pasture in NW Alabama that has been in our family since the 1940s. Hasn’t had cattle on it in a number of years, but it could be fun to put some regenerative ranching practices to work there.

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

That would be awesome if someone has the passion!

[@aaron.goedhart]

Just found your channel. My family lives just East of San Antonio. Good to see someone in Texas doing regenerative ranching. Received 29 acres from my parents and starting a herd. We bought 3 heifers to start out and hopefully we can get our farm to look like as good as yours. We are enjoying your videos. 👍

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

Thank you very much. Feel free to reach out. I’ll share all I have!

[@rogerfuhr8067]

Good advice. Debt is your enemy.

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

A slow, insidious enemy. It will strangle you.

[@miraclefarm1927]

So glad we found your channel. My husband and I raised our children on a small homestead. Now that my daughter is done with college she wants to take it to the next level and farm. She has leased her first farm and we have been building fences since last summer. Her four cows had their first hay last week when it snowed and today are enjoying their winter stock pile grass. Mid Jan and the cows are enjoying grass. Your story is an inspiration to us newbies and thankful you are sharing. Blessings

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

I’m excited for you and your daughter! No better feeling then to see animals on the land and the land respond to managed grazing! Best of luck to all of you!!

[@yukoncornelius8669]

Love your story.. sounds like the slow and steady really payed off for you

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

It definitely did. Thanks

[@PoplarRidge]

All great advice, Cliff. Enjoyed hearing your backstory and agree with the idea of moving at the pace your finances allow.

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

Thanks!

[@marybraud8718]

Great wisdom shared.

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

Life lessons. It’s impossible to start at the top. Hard work and grit is what it takes.

[@truthseaker2944]

Amazing story very inspiring for those of us who want to live on the land

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

Thanks!!!

[@joehairston4159]

Great advice! I’ve followed the same path,, slow and steady and pay as you go!

[@iamsecond3625]

I drive by your Equine Hospital every day on my way into town to work. Similar to you we started in a small house, albeit a cabin about 485 square feet. Unfortunately unlike you we bought a half way decent tractor, trailer, etc but we felt like we needed them. In spite of our mistakes we are debt free, except the house we built. We've upgraded some things but have become more focused on trying to manage our pastures with regenerative practices. I find a lot about how great it is for the land but not so much on how to manage the land. We've set up rotation paddocks by dividing our place in half, then in half, then in half as best as we can imagine. Water is out limiting resource. The cows will rotate into paddocks about every 6 weeks but this drought is choking us. We've been 10 weeks without rain and grass won't grow without water. I feel like we didn't properly manage the rotations and I'm trying to find information on what to do to move forward.

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

I’m not sure I have the answers for this event either. I have managed carefully and rotated to the best of my ability but the absence of even a little rain, coupled with the high temperatures, is going to put me in a bind as well if we don’t get rain in the next 6 weeks. Ranchers all over the state are selling their herds or culling aggressively. Sale barns are limiting how many they will sell because of the huge runs of cattle. It hurts to sell the animals you have worked so hard to acquire and then to maintain. Sell what is needed to give your pastures some relief, manage as best you can, and pray real hard. That’s all I know to do. We are one day closer to a rain.

[@iamsecond3625]

@@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher I like that. We are one day closer to rain. Thanks. I just needed someone to tell me maybe I didn't mess up all that much and we are all limited by rain. I do have another place next to mine that only needs a fence. I already have the lease. We are laying plans for the fence.

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

That’s awesome! That will help!

[@rockylane2702]

Thank you for sharing Mr. Cliff

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

Most welcome!

[@osarlous]

Awesome Thank you so much for sharing!

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

Thank you for watching!!

[@allenmeinhold7038]

Thank you Sir! Butch Ashland Ohio

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

Thanks for watching!

[@ryanrich-chicoryridgefarms2043]

Thank you very much for sharing your encouraging story. My wife, 4 young kids and I have been in the process of trying to find a place or an area to relocate to where these opportunities exist. We are in an area that conventional corn and soybean production rules everything. We both grew up in very conventional operations. We have been trying to break out of that mold for a few years now. Any grassland that can't be farmed and comes up for rent has guys fighting over it. It is typically under 30 acres and severely over grazed. On the couple small pieces we have had the opportunity to rent, we have been able to see big improvements using regenerative grazing principles and adaptive planned grazing. Thanks again!

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

The easiest solution is to relocate to a place where the land is more rolling hills and not crop land. The problem with that is that if you are tied into your location because of a job or family, those moves can be difficult to make for lots of reasons. Keep the dream alive in your heart and keep asking friends, neighbors and coworkers about leasing opportunities. Things will fall into place. Good things are going to happen, just be patient and persevere!

[@heinrichlorenzen8671]

How wonderful to listen to !!!!

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

Thank you!

[@ronaldclemons5520]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom with us today. Blessing🙂

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

Most welcome!

[@amandar7719]

How interesting! You state that you’re concentrating on a much downsized herd on your home farm, now. Does that mean you’ve leased out to others much of the neighbouring land you now own? So enjoying your videos. Thank you for taking the time to share your inspirational new journey.

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

The land I previously leased or used was spread across 3 local counties. Took a lot of driving to take care of it all. When I sold the bulk of the herd, the equity allowed me to clear and improve the land I owned so that my operation could stay at home. I am leasing and using property that is contiguous with the property I own. A neighbor recently allowed me to use his property that is not contiguous but i can walk the cattle down a county road to reach their place. Trying not to venture out too far from my home place.

[@bryanrobinson1980]

Very inspirational Dr H. Making me more and more wanting to get this going on our new place. Thanks for putting this info out there.

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

You’re welcome! As I always say, “put your head down and butt up”. Hard work and perseverance will get you there!

[@rc5693]

Great advice

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

A lifetime of doing my best.

[@renastreetman602]

Thank you for sharing 😍

[@lonestar9453]

Beautiful and inspirational video.!

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

Appreciate your kind words!

[@downbntout]

To find land to lease, you can drive around in your desired area looking for derelict but promising places. Often it's bc Mr. died and Mrs. will lease to keep it family.

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

Excellent point!

[@yoopermann7942]

that is how i plan to do it as soon as i can work out how to go about getting a lease,,,

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

Keep networking. There are older folks that have lots of land that are unable to take care of it. Investigate those places if you can find a way but in the meantime, keep networking.

[@yoopermann7942]

@@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher thats what i am doing,,

[@waveoflight]

I keep forgetting about the renting option. I want my own land. Thats so foolish. We have Perserved Farm land in NJ when it is farmed the owner pays next to nothing for taxes. I have to move on this Idea.

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

I want my own land as well. Just too expensive to get what I want!! Leasing makes sense if you can find it!!

[@amandar7719]

Greg sent us. 🙏🏻

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

And I am appreciative of you coming!

[@renastreetman602]

😍

[@perryleeds8260]

We are retired, bought a 97 acre farm with 30 head of cattle.. rotating grazing, Trying to learn.

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

Best of luck to you! It’s a great journey!

[@thehuntersight7548]

How many cows per acre are you able to run? How often do you rotate? Size of paddocks and number of days? How short do you let the grass get before deciding to move your cattle? Have you saved money on vaccination or medical cost with rotating? less deworming etc

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

I run about 1 cow to 4 acres. Rotate every 5-7 days till grass gets good, then electric fence into 6 acre paddocks where I leave them 3 days typically. I’m trying something different and utilizing 85-90% of available forage before a move followed by a 45-60 day rest period before regrazing. I have saved money on vaccines and dewormer.

[@thehuntersight7548]

@@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher thank you

[@accessiblenow]

Great advice

[@cliffhonnasregenerativerancher]

Thanks!