Horns N Hooves

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/]

A Mini Cow Changed Our Lives Forever | Milk & Honey Ranch

What happens when a software engineer from South Africa loses everything, buys a mini Highland cow on a credit card, and builds a miracle from scratch? This week Lori and Taylor sit down with Brent and Daniela Phillips of Milk and Honey Ranch in Burton, Texas — and their story will stop you in your tracks. From the Texas Snowpocalypse that changed Brent's outlook on life, to a $7,000 cow that launched a thriving agritourism business, to Daniela's near-fatal car accident that somehow became the turning point that changed everything. This episode is less about cattle and more about what these animals do to people - the magic they carry and the lives they transform. Grab a tissue. Key Takeaways Mini Highlands can be a genuine business foundation — not just a hobby.  Private agritourism and experience-based stays are a growing opportunity for small farm owners.  Keeping faith and showing up one day at a time can carry you further than any master plan.  Animals change people — including the people who own them. Episode Highlights Brent shares how one mini cow grew into a ranch sleeping 164 guests across 41 stays.  The story of Daniela's accident, her miraculous nine-day ICU recovery, and how strangers booking the ranch kept it alive.  The moment Brent told an influencer he'd run naked down the street if it helped his wife — and why he'd do it again.  Plus Matthew McConaughey just bought a mini Highland from them. Timestamps 00:01 — Welcome & introduction to Milk and Honey Ranch  01:20 — How a tech guy from South Africa ended up with mini Highlands  05:41 — Losing everything and finding a new path  07:17 — Buying the first cow on a credit card  09:42 — How cuddle sessions turned into a sell-out business  17:11 — Expanding from mini cows to a full agritourism resort  21:56 — January 2024: $5,000 in the bank and a phone call no one wants  25:17 — The power of prayer and a community that showed up  31:05 — Nine days in ICU — and a year and a half of bookings  34:50 — Where Milk and Honey Ranch stands today  42:49 — Location, visiting & what to expect Visit Milk and Honey Ranch at www.milkandhoneyranch.com [http://www.milkandhoneyranch.com] or find them over on socials @milkandhoneyranch 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/]