How Highland Cows Became Real Therapy | With Lou Ann & Mike Kramer, Remark-Able Ranch

How Highland Cows Became Real Therapy | With Lou Ann & Mike Kramer, Remark-Able Ranch

Some farms breed cattle, this one breeds connection. This week Lori sits down with Lou Ann and Mike Kramer of Remark-Able Ranch in Greenfield, Indiana, a 501c3 nonprofit using Highland cattle to bring joy, healing, and confidence to people of all abilities. What started with a trip to Scotland and a love for "the pretty ones" became a mission built around the Kramers' daughter Brianna, whose bond with their first bottle-fed steer changed everything. This episode covers agritourism insurance realities, why petting zoos require more than one of each species, and the kind of moments that happen when a so-called "murder cow" finally finds the right person. Key Takeaways Agritourism insurance is highly specific by state and activity — read every line before assuming you're covered.  Highland cattle bond with individual humans, not just with people in general. Steers make exceptional companions and babysitters for calves and herd mates.  A 501c3 nonprofit status takes real groundwork, including signage, accessibility, and insurance compliance.  Highland cattle have a uniquely calming, therapeutic effect that translates well to special needs and mental health programs. Episode Highlights Lou Ann shares how a trip to Scotland and a backwards spelling of their last name led to Remark-Able Ranch.  The story of Augie, the bottle-fed steer who became the herd's unofficial babysitter and Brianna's best friend.  A wild, "feral" bull named Emilio Estevez who only ever bonded with one woman, completely unprompted.  The realities of insurance, accessibility, and what actually goes wrong when you open a farm to the public for the first time. Timestamps 00:01 — Welcome & introduction to Remark-Able Ranch  01:46 — How Lou Ann, Mike and Brianna got started  04:33 — Brianna's story and why this mission matters  06:40 — A trip to Scotland and "can we get the pretty ones?"  14:08 — Cowgirl Confidence and the Highland community  21:45 — Becoming a 501c3 nonprofit  26:15 — Agritourism insurance: what people don't expect  29:25 — Petting zoos, transferability and including everyone  40:55 — Augie the steer and the bond between bulls and babysitters  41:17 — Emilio Estevez: the feral bull who picked his person  47:57 — Calving schedules and managing fly strike Learn more or book a visit at remarkableranch.net [http://remarkableranch.net]Connect with Remarkableranch on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088917934871 Follow us on social media so you don't miss out on any advice, auction updates, or crazy farm stories! Find us on Facebook: Horns N Hooves  Instagram: @hornsnhoovesauctionpodcast  TikTok: @Hornsnhoovespodcast Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/ [https://www.the32collective.co/]

Chondro, BVD & The Truth About Mini Highlands — With Annie, FW Cattle Company

Going from boat days on the river to calving checks at 3am is not a small leap — and Annie from FW Cattle Company is here to tell you exactly what that transition really looks like. This week Lori sits down with Annie to talk fencing failures, BVD testing nobody warns you about, and the uncomfortable truth about chondropositive calves that social media will never show you. If you're new to Highlands or thinking about getting started, this episode is packed with the kind of hard-earned lessons most people only learn the expensive way. Annie and her husband traded city life for a farm in Stillman Valley, Illinois, and built FW Cattle Company from the ground up — fencing, infrastructure, education and all. Key Takeaways Build your fencing and infrastructure before the animals arrive, not after.  Always BVD test incoming cattle, even from reputable sellers — a negative mom doesn't guarantee a negative calf.  Confirmation matters more than size or color when choosing breeding stock.  Quarantine new arrivals for 10-14 days, even if they look healthy.  Chondropositive does not always mean small — thick, structurally sound calves can carry the gene and still be substantial. Episode Highlights Annie shares the real story of trading river life for farm life and what nobody warns you about with fencing.  The conversation gets into MooCall calving sensors, why a health certificate doesn't always mean what people think it means, and the heartbreaking realities of breeding chondro to chondro.  Lori and Annie talk honestly about the financial side of this hobby — including embryo losses, bull calf pricing, and why "this'll pay for itself" rarely holds true.  Plus the social media myth of the apartment-sized mini Highland gets fully busted. Timestamps 00:01 — Welcome & Annie's transition from city to farm life  03:35 — Building proper fencing and infrastructure from day one  08:07 — Designing pastures and dry lots that actually work  12:53 — Why a headgate is non-negotiable  13:55 — The truth about social media and "teacup" Highlands  16:22 — Confirmation versus color and size  20:01 — The real cost of embryo work and low success rates  22:13 — Bull calves, collecting semen, and realistic returns  24:29 — BVD testing and why it matters even with reputable sellers  28:08 — Health certificates: what they actually guarantee  33:04 — Chondro to chondro: a hard lesson learned  35:39 — MooCall sensors and why they're worth it  44:20 — Supporting customers long after the sale Learn more about FW Cattle Company at fwcattlecompany.com Follow us on social media so you don't miss out on any advice, auction updates, or crazy farm stories! Find us on Facebook: Horns N Hooves Instagram: @hornsnhoovesauctionpodcast TikTok: @Hornsnhoovespodcast  Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/ [https://www.the32collective.co/]

The Mineral Mistakes Costing You Money — With Karson Rippstein, Redmond Agriculture

Mineral supplementation is one of the most confusing and most expensive parts of raising cattle, and most of us are doing it wrong without even knowing it. This week Taylor sits down with Karson Rippstein, soil and grazing specialist at Redmond Agriculture and a fourth-generation rancher himself, to break down why "more minerals" doesn't mean "healthier cow," how to read a feed tag without getting played by marketing, and why salt might be the single most important thing in your mineral program. If you've ever stood in the feed store staring at a wall of mineral bags wondering which one is actually worth the money, this episode will change how you think about it completely. Key Takeaways More mineral isn't better — animals need to hit a requirement, not exceed it.  Most mineral tags lead with calcium and grain byproducts to look impressive and entice cows to overeat.  Salt-based minerals regulate naturally because cows have a built-in salt thermostat.  A cow's coat, manure, and calving ease tell you more than a grass sample ever will.  Mini Highlands need far less mineral than standard-sized cattle — overfeeding can cause real problems. Episode Highlights Karson breaks down the NRC mineral requirements and explains the "moron effect" — the common belief that more mineral always means healthier cattle.  Taylor gets the real story on garlic salt for fly control, including why it stinks, why it works, and how to actually get cows to eat it.  The conversation covers cobalt salt myths, why chelated minerals come with a big price tag and not always a big benefit, and the Montana State University study showing a 22-pound calf weight gain difference.  Plus the story behind Redmond, Utah and the ancient sea bed the company's salt comes from. Timestamps 00:01 — Welcome & introduction to Karson and Redmond Agriculture  01:15 — Why 80% of rancher calls are about mineral supplementation  02:11 — Understanding NRC mineral requirements  05:09 — How to test your forage and why it matters  06:04 — Why mineral tags are designed to be over-consumed  10:00 — Garlic salt for natural fly control  13:35 — Why cows overconsume mineral but not salt  15:41 — What to do when mineral gets wet or hard  18:33 — Reading your cow instead of a lab report  21:09 — The Montana State University 22-pound calf study  27:23 — Mineral needs for mini Highlands and smaller cattle  34:10 — Why expensive minerals aren't always the best minerals  39:07 — Cobalt salt versus Redmond salt explained  45:00 — Where to find Redmond Agriculture products Find your local Redmond dealer at www.redmondagriculture.com [http://www.redmondagriculture.com] Follow us on social media so you don't miss out on any advice, auction updates, or crazy farm stories! Find us on Facebook: Horns N Hooves Instagram: @hornsnhoovesauctionpodcast TikTok: @Hornsnhoovespodcast  Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/ [https://www.the32collective.co/]

250,000 Followers, A Hacker & The Story of Hamish and Kyloe — With Marc Stewart, Thistle Do Farm

He saw a Highland cow lift her head from a hay bale in a field in Scotland and knew right then that he would own one someday. It took Marc Stewart ten years to find Hamish, but what followed was fifteen years of one of the most heartfelt bonds between a man and his cattle the internet has ever seen. This week Lori sits down with Marc, owner of Thistle Do Farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and founder of a 501c3 Highland cattle sanctuary, to hear the story of Hamish, Kyloe, a quarter of a million Facebook followers and losing it all overnight to a hacker. This one is for anyone who's ever loved an animal more than they can explain. Key Takeaways Steers often make better companions than heifers for people who don't want to breed.  Time spent with your cattle — real time, not ten minutes twice a day — is what builds a true bond.  A 501c3 sanctuary status allows supporters to make tax-deductible donations of animals, not just money.  Protect your social media pages — Meta Verified exists now and is worth the cost.  Don't build your entire audience on one platform. Episode Highlights Marc shares how the name Thistle Do Farm came to him — and why it's perfect.  The story of Kylo, the runt steer saved from becoming tiny T-bones, who eventually grew to 1,100 pounds.  How a Facebook hack wiped out 250,000 followers and $900–$1,200 a month in donations overnight — and what happened next.  Lori makes the case for Marc taking in owner-surrendered steers, and the conversation opens up a real avenue for listeners who have animals in need of a good home. Timestamps  00:01 — Welcome & intro to Thistle Do Farm  03:30 — How the farm got its name  05:35 — A trip to Scotland, a Highland cow, and a ten-year wait  07:30 — Finding Hamish and the first four years  09:51 — Rescuing Kylo: the runt saved from the dinner table  12:02 — Why steers make better companions than you think  14:53 — Building a social following and becoming a 501c3 sanctuary  16:26 — The Facebook hack that wiped out everything overnight  20:01 — How YouTube saved the channel  23:15 — Losing Hamish and Kylo after fifteen years  24:20 — What's next for Thistle Do Farm  31:08 — Owner surrenders and what Marc is looking for Find Marc and Thistle Do Farm on  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HamishandKyloe/ [https://www.facebook.com/HamishandKyloe/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hamish_and_kyloe/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thistle_do_farm [http://www.youtube.com/@thistle_do_farm] Follow us on social media so you don't miss out on any advice, auction updates, or crazy farm stories! Find us on Facebook: Horns N Hooves Instagram: @hornsnhoovesauctionpodcast TikTok: @Hornsnhoovespodcast  Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/ [https://www.the32collective.co/]

Mini Cows As Therapy: Grief, Illness & An Accidental Business — Shantell Goodenough, Posh Mini Farm

What happens when a mini Highland cow shows up in a nursing home and a lady sits down at the piano to play for her? That is the kind of moment Shantell Goodenough lives for. Based in Shelley, Idaho, Shantell started Posh Mini Farm less than a year ago after a grief-stricken whim turned into a full-blown business and a lifeline. Fighting lupus and several other autoimmune conditions while mourning the loss of her father, Shantell found in her mini Highlands something no medication could give her. This episode is warm, honest, and full of real talk about the true cost of getting started - not just financially, but in time, training, and commitment. If you've ever thought about taking your Highland to events, weddings, or care facilities, this one's for you. Key Takeaways The purchase price is just the beginning - feed, maintenance and training add up fast.  Halter training takes daily consistency and some animals may never be event-ready.  If you're taking your Highland to events or facilities, get proper insurance and use waivers.  Pink pool noodles on horn tips are a genius hack for working with kids.  These animals are a genuine therapy tool for owners and the people they visit. Episode Highlights Shantell shares how her first Highland came to her after its mother was struck by lightning — and how that became a full business in under a year.  She breaks down what it really takes to bring mini Highlands into assisted living facilities, including the potty bag reality check nobody talks about.  The team gets into wedding Highlands, cocktail hour saddle packs, and the very real risk of a cow bucking drinks across a reception.  Plus Lori's black eye story makes another appearance. Timestamps 00:01 — Welcome & intro to Posh Mini Farm  00:49 — How Shantell got her first Highland after lightning struck  03:35 — Building a business through grief and autoimmune illness  04:50 — How cuddle sessions and assisted living visits began  07:45 — Taking mini Highlands into care facilities and what to expect  10:47 — Animals on the farm: goats, insurance and waivers  17:00 — Cuddle and feed experiences and event pricing reality  20:41 — What new owners don't expect: true cost of ownership  23:29 — Halter training, personality and why it takes daily work  27:42 — Chondro positive and planning for size  27:42 — Weddings, saddle packs and cocktail hour Highlands  35:02 — Charging fairly for your time, travel and training Follow Shantell at  Instagram: @poshminifarm TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@shangoodenough?_r=1&_t=ZP-96hYRGQuAkp [https://www.tiktok.com/@shangoodenough?_r=1&_t=ZP-96hYRGQuAkp]  Follow us on social media so you don't miss out on any advice, auction updates, or crazy farm stories! Find us on Facebook: Horns N Hooves Instagram: @hornsnhoovesauctionpodcast TikTok: @Hornsnhoovespodcast Website: hornsnhoovesauction.com Production Credit: Edited and produced by @the32collective_ / https://www.the32collective.co/ [https://www.the32collective.co/]