Roots in the Boot

"Who Would of Thought?" - Using Livestock to Restore a Native Prairie

Learn how Julie Mattox is using livestock on her property to restore native prairie species. She uses cattle and sheep to create targeted disturbances, which has helped improve the soil and created an environment for native plant species to thrive. She has conducted forage testing on more than 50 native and non-native plant species consumed by livestock, measuring protein values, total digestible nutrients (TDN), and other nutritional indicators. Her most recent research applies DNA metabarcoding techniques to analyze fecal samples from cattle and sheep, providing quantifiable data on dietary composition and advancing understanding of livestock-prairie interactions. Julie Mattox is a retired surveyor with 35 years of experience in the energy industry, where she worked extensively across the United States and Canada. While operating her own consulting firm, she explored diverse ecosystems, and her time in the short- and mixed-grass prairies of the West sparked a deep interest in prairie ecology and biodiversity. Following her career, she shifted her focus to restoring tallgrass prairie on a former dairy farm in Northeast Texas. Her restoration efforts combine soil health management, adaptive multi-species grazing, and native plant reintroduction to rebuild biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Julie partnered with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to implement the Pastures for Upland Birds program and collaborates closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to apply science-based management practices. *To better see the graphs and charts Julie references in her discussion, view this episode on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMV6JjlOmeA

Producer Panel Intensive Grazing Management Q&A Discussion

In this discussion, three farmers from across Louisiana talk about their grazing management strategies, and how they use grazing to help manage cattle health. Panelists are: Mr. Conner Hays (Vinton, LA); Mr. Josh Morris (Slaughter, LA); Mr. Robby "Butch" Royer (Denham Springs, LA). This audio is from a recorded webinar. The video recording is also available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euTByKFgC_A&t=33s This interview is a follow-up from the Producer Panel at the 2025 Louisiana Forage Conference. The recording of that discussion can be found on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/a6lG2ldHnzA LGLCI educates and connects land owners, farmers, ranchers, and land operators to provide a network of information and how-to’s on better economically and ecologically grazing Louisiana’s grazing lands.

Cattle Markets & Fall Planting with Wallace Mills

In this episode, Tara and Caitlin speak with Wallace Mills about the unique way he structures his operation, how he markets his cattle, and what he's planning to plant for fall. Wallace, along with his father and brother, operate a cattle farm in Northeast Louisiana. Tune in to learn how they differentiate themselves from the typical cow-calf operation.

Wildlife & Grazing: How the Two Can Work Together

In this episode, we learn from Scott Durham, a Wildlife Biologist for Ducks Unlimited, Louisiana. In addition to his professional experience as a wildlife biologist, Scott is a rancher at heart, with experience working on ranches in Texas and Wyoming. Together with host Tara, they dive into the unique relationship that wildlife can have with agriculture. They discuss the many mutual benefits that a diverse wildlife population can have on a grazing operation. Tune in to learn about how grazing and wildlife can work together.

Cows with Pecans? How Grazing Cattle and Sheep Can Lower Inputs in the Pecan Orchard in Louisiana and the Deep South in a Silvopasture Operation

In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Charles Rohla, a senior regenerative ranching advisor at the Noble Research Institute. Actively involved in several state and national organizations focused on pecans and agriculture, Dr. Rohla brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Together with host Tara, they dive into the "why" and the "how" of integrating grazing practices into pecan orchards. Discover the benefits of grazing ruminants in a pecan operation. Learn about the benefits of adaptive grazing in these unique systems, and gain insights into sustainable practices that nurture both land and livestock while boosting the farm’s profit.