VCP: Silvopasture Cattle Rancher: how to see what the land needs

Aug 5, 2025

Michael Ring, a cattle rancher and writer at Ring Family Agriculture, shares his insights on balancing business and personal life while practicing regenerative grazing. He discusses the importance of saying no to opportunities, valuing relationships, and setting boundaries. Exploring the nuances of pricing and opportunity costs, he emphasizes creativity and the role of aesthetics in farming and writing. Michael also dives into silvopasture techniques, the impact of AI, and the philosophical concept of the daemon as a guiding force in decision-making.

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ADVICE

Choose What To Say Yes To

When opportunities multiply, deliberately choose and scale back to protect priorities.
Say no to some work to preserve family time and long-term projects.

INSIGHT

Work Harder By Building Systems

Building infrastructure and systems unlocks much greater efficiency later.
Working harder now often means improving processes, not just adding hours.

ADVICE

Use Short Resets For Mental Work

Take breaks (naps) when mental work stalls to reset productivity.
Short rests can let you finish tasks in minutes instead of hours.

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In this episode of the Vance Crowe Podcast, we dive into the complexities of balancing business opportunities and personal commitments with Michael Ring, a cattle farmer and writer. Michael shares his journey of managing multiple ventures, from farming to writing, and the challenges of saying no to lucrative opportunities. He discusses the importance of setting boundaries and valuing relationships, both in business and personal life, while navigating the pressures of success. The conversation also touches on the nuances of pricing work, the opportunity costs involved, and the struggle to maintain family time amidst growing demands.

We also explore deeper philosophical themes, such as the concept of the daemon, a guiding inner voice, and how it influences decision-making. Michael shares his insights on the importance of creativity, innovation, and the role of aesthetics in shaping our future. The discussion extends to the practical aspects of farming, including sustainable cattle grazing practices and the economic dynamics of the agricultural industry. Michael's reflections on personal growth, the impact of AI, and the future of energy and Bitcoin provide a thought-provoking perspective on the intersection of technology, agriculture, and personal development.

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1. 00:00:01 The Challenge of Success and Saying No
2. 00:06:00 Writing and Personal Growth
3. 00:10:00 Introducing Michael Ring and His Work
4. 00:18:00 Navigating Grief and Personal Loss
5. 00:30:00 Mechanical Skills and Learning by Doing
6. 00:40:00 Parenting Philosophies and Challenges
7. 00:52:00 Communication Styles and Feedback
8. 01:00:00 The Impact of AI and Future Technologies
9. 01:10:00 Commodity Trading and Market Dynamics
10. 01:24:00 Legacy Interviews and Family Stories
11. 01:32:00 The Future of Energy and Bitcoin
12. 01:48:00 The Daemon and Personal Guidance

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