Episode 24: Matching Cattle to Country with Matt Robbins
What if the fastest path to profit is choosing cows that match your weather, then letting grass lead the schedule? We sit down with Matt Robbins to unpack how his family left hay dependence, heavy inputs, and misaligned genetics behind and built a resilient, profitable herd for hot, humid Arkansas.
Matt explains why management and genetics have to move together. We dive into a Mashona-led composite built for heat, humidity, and parasites, paired with a 45-day breeding season and Zietsman’s two-three standard that selects for true fertility under pressure. On the ground, ultra-high-density grazing includes about four moves a day at up to a million pounds per acre. This approach drives uniform utilization, deeper rest, stronger stockpiles, and fewer days feeding hay. We talk practical numbers from cow size to supplemental protein costs, and how rotating by recovery, not the calendar, keeps forage quality and animal performance aligned.
This conversation tackles myths head-on. We discuss why EPDs fade across environments, how warm-season forage often labeled “poor” can support excellent production with the right cattle, and where a one-time amendment can ethically and profitably jump-start a tired pasture. The unexpected wins are everywhere. Soils become spongier, native grasses return, drought resilience improves without destocking, and wildlife and water quality benefit as the land breathes again. If you’re curious how to run more cows on the same acres, reduce inputs, and buy back your time with a tight calving window, this is your playbook.
Connect with Matt Robbins:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobbinsRanch1961/
Check out Bos Sires:
https://www.bossires.com/
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