About this episode
Jonathan Kilpatrick of Red Lantern Ranch and Kilpatrick Land & Livestock joins Cal to share what changed since he first appeared back on episode 2, including moving from Oklahoma to west central Minnesota (Alexandria area) and rebuilding a grazing operation from the ground up with sheep, goats, and pastured poultry.In This Episode, We Explore:What prompted Jonathan and his family to move from Oklahoma to Minnesota and restart their operationLessons Jonathan took from the Ranching for Profit School and how they shaped his decision-makingStarting a grazing operation with a clean slate and building genetics that match the environmentGrazing sheep and goats together and using goats as part of a buckthorn control strategyOutwintering sheep and goats with minimal infrastructure and what that requiresUsing adaptive grazing decisions that fit real life, time constraints, and family prioritiesExpanding from a 45-acre grazing lease by adding tillable acres and converting some to perennialsPartnering with a regenerative crop farmer for strip-till or no-till, cover crops, and added grazing opportunitiesMobile range coop pastured poultry production, daily moves, and labor efficiencyProcessing options, state-inspected processing, and why time is often the limiting resourceMarketing channels including direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and opportunities in ethnic marketsWhy This Episode MattersIf you are building or rebuilding a grazing business, Jonathan lays out a realistic path that balances production, business management, and family life. This conversation is a good reminder that experience matters, time is a real constraint, and matching livestock, grazing, and marketing to your context is what keeps the whole system working.Resources MentionedRanching for Profit SchoolExecutive Link program (Ranching for Profit)Google SheetsExcelChatGPTGeminiP.L. 90-492 (Poultry Products Inspection Act exemption referenced in the discussion)Find Out MoreRed Lantern Ranch website | https://redlanternranch.comKilpatrick Land & Livestock website | https://www.kilpatricklandandlivestock.comSustainable Farming Association (SFA) | https://sfa-mn.org
Looking for grass-based breeders? Explore the Grass Based Genetics directory.Upcoming Grazing EventsNoble Profitability Essentials - Jefferson City, Mo, March 24-25, 2026Visit our Sponsors:Noble Research Institute
