189. Building Soil and Beef Quality with Virtual Fencing with Karl Palmberg

In this episode of the Grazing Grass Podcast, Cal visits with Karl Palmberg of Sunlight and Rain in northwest Iowa. Karl shares his journey from growing up on a farm, serving in the Air Force, and eventually returning home to rebuild his family’s cattle operation. He dives into the lessons learned from shifting to no-till farming, integrating livestock for soil health, and experimenting with genetics for grass-fed beef. A major focus of this conversation is Karl’s experience adopting virtual fencing technology with Gallagher’s eShepherd collars—how it’s changed his management, saved time, and opened new possibilities for grazing.

Topics covered include:

• Karl’s beginnings with cattle in junior high and how those early experiences shaped his path
• Transitioning from conventional tillage to no-till and strip-till farming
• The role of livestock in building soil health
• Practical fencing tools: reels, polywire, fiberglass posts, energizers, and water infrastructure
• Breeding strategy and focusing on functional, easy-fleshing cattle genetics
• Shifting toward grass finishing and direct-to-consumer beef sales
• The challenges and opportunities of marketing grass-fed beef
• A deep dive into virtual fencing: training animals, collar fit, technology quirks, and labor savings
• Lessons learned about humility, innovation, and adapting systems on the farm

Karl’s story is a reminder of how regenerative practices are often a process of trial, error, and persistence. His candid take on the benefits and limitations of virtual fencing offers practical insight for graziers considering this new technology.

If you’ve wondered whether virtual collars could fit into your grazing system—or if you’re curious about one farmer’s path from conventional tillage to regenerative practices—this episode is packed with honest lessons and real-world advice. Karl’s mix of military discipline, family heritage, and innovative curiosity makes for a compelling story.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Sunlight and Rain – Karl’s farm
• Gallagher Animal Management – eShepherd virtual fencing system
• Joel Salatin’s The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass?  Check out Grass Based Genetics

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Original Music by Louis Palfrey