Roots + Ruminants

Hosted by Millborn Seeds

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Episodes

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to Roots + Ruminants, your podcast for creative and innovative use of farm pasture and rangeland. We're going back to the basics of raising and grazing livestock to growing your own forage. Join us as our hosts Jared Knock and Justin Fruechte visit with special guests to explore practical land use.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 13, 202645 min

Fall Feed Strategies and the Fight to Protect the Cattle Herd

Fall harvest is moving fast, and wet conditions and strong growth are keeping producers on their toes across the Midwest. Justin and Jared dig into what’s happening in the field, from alfalfa cutting and cover crops, to how lush pastures are shaping plans after corn harvest. They also take a closer look at some of the challenges cattle producers are currently facing, including growing pressure on grazing acres and a livestock risk-management tool for bred heifers. Plus, Jared shares an update on his "farming experiment." There’s a lot happening this fall. Give it a listen!

August 25, 202648 min

An intro to the RANCH Act, plus Jared’s twin calves experiment

Jared and Justin dive in to the newly-introduced Rebuilding America’s National Cow Herd (RANCH) Act, spearheaded by U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). The RANCH Act would create a voluntary program to turn more land into usable grazing ground for cattle, with a goal to open up as many as 20 million acres for grazing. Plus, it’s not an episode of Roots + Ruminants without some fun farming stories, and this episode did not disappoint. Tune in to hear how Jared is conducting his own experiment on his herd to see if he can productively turn out twin calves by implanting embryos in pregnant cows.

June 30, 202641 min

Summer Snapshot

After a couple of weeks away, the guys are back with a snapshot of their summers so far. Honestly, who knows what direction the conversation is going to go! In this episode, they're catching up on life during their hiatus, sharing market updates, and discussing what's ahead for the rest of the summer. Tune in if you're looking for something to listen to over the upcoming holiday weekend!

May 5, 202630 min

Mexico & Market Talk

The guys are back this week with plenty to cover! Justin shares highlights from his recent trip to Mexico to judge a sheep show. They also dive into all things sheep, livestock disease concerns, and the latest market updates. Give it a listen!

April 14, 202641 min

Spring State of Mind

This week, Jared and Justin are in the spring state of mind. With the weather (hopefully) warming up, they dive into cattle talk, plans for this spring, and how they’re gearing up for the season. They also touch on some hot topics in ag right now and share updates on the different AgSpire programs they’re enrolled in. Tune in for a laid-back spring catch-up!

March 24, 20261 hr 14 min

Less Fence, More Grazing with Ryan Gravenhof

Our guest this week, Ryan Gravenhof, is a Minnesota farmer who shares how he is using cattle collars to transform grazing management and reduce labor on his operation. These GPS collars allow him to create virtual fences and quickly locate animals without relying on traditional fencing. Jared and Justin talk with him about everything from grazing cover crops in low traffic fields to managing escaped livestock with precision. Give the episode a listen!

March 10, 202652 min

Markets, Meat, and Warmer Weather

On this week's episode, hear Jared and Justin discuss what’s happening around the world and how current events could impact input prices moving forward. They also share a quick spring catch up before shifting gears to something a little more fun, talking meat and getting the grill fired up as warmer weather rolls in. Tune in for the latest market talk and a laid back conversation as we head into spring!

February 17, 20261 hr 3 min

Building a Successful Herd with Garrett Masat

The guys are back with their first guest of the year, Garrett Masat! He breaks down how he built his herd into a successful cattle operation and shares insights on increasing herd value, controlling costs, and navigating changing markets. Whether you're just getting started or an experienced rancher, you won’t want to miss this episode.

February 3, 202650 min

Fueling the Herd Through Winter

Back by popular demand, Jared and Justin return to their regularly scheduled (most of the time) recordings. In this episode, they break down winter livestock feeding, including how grazing still plays a role, which feed types they use, and practical strategies to maintain performance during the cold months. Sit back and listen in!

January 6, 202656 min

2026 Predictions

Join hosts Justin Fruechte and Jared Knock as they return from a hiatus with the annual New Year’s Predictions podcast. The duo revisits their predictions from this time last year and shares new predictions for the year ahead. Tune in as they reflect on their analysis and share what’s next for the podcast. We know you’ve missed Roots + Ruminants , so be sure to give this episode a listen!

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