156. Local Meat from Pasture to Plate with Thomas Wade & Emily Lane

Join us on a journey to Emory, Texas, as we explore the innovative multi-species ranching operation at Legends Cattle Company with our guests, Thomas and Emily. Thomas shares how their family-run ranch has expanded over five generations, evolving from a traditional cattle farm into a diverse ecosystem that includes sheep, pigs, and chickens, all managed through grass finishing. Emily, hailing from a beach town in California, talks about her vital role in marketing and sales for their Born and Raised brand, which sells directly to consumers. Together, they offer insights into their sustainable grazing techniques and how they are adapting to the varied needs of their livestock while improving land management.

In an intriguing segment, Thomas and Emily recount their unexpected paths into the world of ranching and livestock marketing. Despite starting as a city boy, Thomas landed a marketing role at Morning Rains Ranch and found a new connection with nature, which now helps him understand and respect animals. Emily, inspired by her grandfather's ranch and her involvement with the FFA, shares her journey from a love of animals in high school to a rewarding career in agriculture. Their stories underscore how past experiences and chance moments can lead to unexpected career paths in the ranching world.

We also discuss the Garrett family's evolution from traditional cattle farming to a leading seed stock producer focused on genetics and production. The conversation highlights their commitment to regenerative practices, such as rotational grazing, and the integration of multiple proteins like chicken, pork, and lamb. Thomas and Emily reveal the logistics behind their direct-to-consumer sales, offering a glimpse into their meat bundle options and customer preferences. From sustainable practices to local sourcing and small batch processing, this episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone interested in diversified livestock operations and the benefits of grass-finishing livestock for optimal nutrition.

Links Mentioned in the Episode
Born & Raised

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Original Music by Louis Palfrey

Chapters

• (00:00) - Introduction to Today's Show
• (00:23) - Meet Thomas and Emily
• (01:01) - History of Legends Cattle Company
• (01:21) - Emily's Journey into Livestock Management
• (01:57) - Thomas' Role in Marketing
• (02:24) - Podcast and Community Announcements
• (03:54) - Daily Farm Operations
• (04:31) - Listener Engagement and Support
• (05:53) - Thomas' Marketing Journey
• (07:55) - Emily's Background and Passion for Livestock
• (12:25) - Expanding the Ranch Operations
• (21:10) - Sheep Breeding and Challenges
• (26:15) - Adding Pork to the Ranch
• (30:24) - Introducing Chickens to the Ranch
• (34:16) - Overgrazing and Grass-Based Finishing
• (34:19) - Optimizing Herd Nutrition with Redmond Minerals
• (35:39) - Grass Finishing Techniques and Forage Management
• (37:57) - Chicken Finishing Practices
• (41:49) - Pig Finishing and Diet Management
• (43:26) - Sheep Finishing and Breeding Programs
• (45:06) - Cattle Finishing and Pasture Management
• (46:12) - Processing and Packaging Strategies
• (49:18) - Customer Preferences and Marketing Strategies
• (51:14) - Subscription Bundles and Delivery Services
• (57:50) - Challenges and Requests in Meat Production
• (01:01:26) - Famous Four Questions and Closing Remarks