Author: Sarah Roderick

At GreenBiz26, Zach Pinto of AgSpire joined a panel exploring a fundamental question for companies with an agriculture value chain: Can sustainability truly thrive while farmers struggle? 

For corporate sustainability and supply chain leaders in the room, the conversation underscored a reality that is becoming increasingly clear – producer viability and supply chain resilience are inseparable. 

The panel brought together perspectives from across the value chain, including global food, beverage and agriculture companies, Scope 3 project developers, and research organizations, alongside the voice of multi-generational grain farmer from Iowa. That diversity highlighted how sustainability commitments travel from boardrooms to working farms and ranches, and how much can be lost in translation along the way. 

Producer Perspectives

Pinto emphasized that sustainability only scales when it works on the ground. Programs designed without a deep understanding of operational realities including cash flow cycles, agronomic systems, labor constraints, family traditions, and risk exposure, rarely achieve scalable and durable adoption. Farmers and ranchers deal with a multiple of risk assessments, uncontrollable market and weather, and – rightfully so – are hesitate to take on high ambiguity programs and uncompensated risk. 

In recent years, the broader sustainability program space has shifted. Producers are asking sharper questions: 

• What exactly is being asked of me? 

• How does this impact my bottom line? 

• Who shares the risk?? 

• What does long-term commitment look like? 

Corporate Expectations

At the same time, corporate expectations have grown. Companies are under pressure to demonstrate credible progress, measurable outcomes, and resilient sourcing strategies. That level of credibility requires more than high-level commitments. It requires programs built around producer economics and practical implementation. 

Pinto noted that while industry conversations have evolved incrementally, the biggest shift is happening in the marketplace itself. The broader narrative around sustainability is changing. There is less tolerance for broad commitments and more focus on resilience, especially the resilience of agricultural supply chains. Sustainability is no longer just about signaling intent. Companies are under increasing pressure to strengthen supply chains and show measurable outcomes all the way down to the farm level. 

The Solution

This shift presents a clear opportunity. Programs that are intentionally producer-centric, built with operational feasibility, technical support, and aligned incentives, are far more likely to scale and endure. When programs work for the people managing the land and livestock, adoption becomes practical, progress becomes measurable, and resilience becomes real. 

At AgSpire, this philosophy is foundational. The team works at the intersection of corporate goals and farm reality, helping design and implement programs that translate sustainability goals into measurable, on-the-ground progress. By aligning business objectives with producer viability, AgSpire supports supply chains that are not only more sustainable, but more secure. 

The takeaway for corporate teams is straightforward: if farmers struggle, sustainability stalls. When producers thrive, sustainability scales. 

By Sheridan Wilson, Technical Advisor

If you’ve been around this industry, you know you can’t fix nutrition problems overnight. What you feed today shows up later in conception rates, calf vigor, and how long those females stay productive in your herd. 

Good nutrition starts with being proactive in keeping your cows in shape. When cows hold body condition and meet their energy needs, they breed back better and perform better in the herd. The problem is, by the time you see a cow slip in body condition, especially in winter when cows have more hair, you’re already behind. At that point, catching her back up is expensive and often insufficient. Planning and focusing on body condition before winter/last trimester is less expensive and more effective. 

It’s a mistake to treat nutrition as a last-trimester issue. Yes, those final months are important for calf development, but the other months of the year are just as important for embryonic survival, calf immune development, calf muscle fiber formation, and cow fertility and breedback. Consistent, year-round nutritional support sets cows up to do what we need them to do: get bred, raise a big healthy calf, and stay in the herd.  

Cows are good at adapting to their environment. Body Condition Score (BCS) matters, but it’s not the whole story. If you are building up your cow herd, focus on selecting cattle that can adapt to your environment and have energy requirements matched to your feed resources. The cows that breed early every year and maintain condition may tell you more than a genomic test.   

 Providing ample feed for your cattle is crucial; underfeeding has long shadows. Research has shown that shorting first-calf heifers in their last trimester can hurt their performance for at least two years afterward.  These heifers displayed lower body weights and reduced milk production compared to their counterparts, even following their second parturition. On the flip side of feeding, more isn’t always better. Over-conditioned bulls, for example, often show poorer semen quality. New research shows that embryos fertilized by over-conditioned bulls had delayed embryonic development and were more likely to die before placentation. It is hypothesized that calves sired by fat bulls may actually have reduced average daily gains when they get to the feedyard.   

Bottom line: nutrition decisions stack up. When you invest in your herds’ nutrition today, you’re not just feeding this year’s calf crop. You’re building the next generation of your herd.  

Contact AgSpire today if you want to learn more about making proactive decisions for the nutrition of your herd.  

Additional Links

Herd Management Basics on AgSpire’s YouTube Channel >>> Link to Video 

By Derek Ver Helst, Senior Agronomist

At its core, regenerative agriculture is understanding human activity, particularly in food and fiber production; it has the potential to either degrade or enhance the environment. It’s a process of aligning human activities with the natural cycles of unique and individual ecosystems.  

Conventional agriculture, in its current state, focuses on maximizing yields, often disrupting natural processes. Practices like monocropping, reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and extensive tillage depletes water resources, reduces biodiversity, and diminishes soil health.     

Regenerative agricultural practices attempt to restore balance to natural systems by focusing on three general categories: 

• Soil Health: Healthy soil is the foundation of any ecosystem. Practices such as cover cropping, no/reduced till, and the integration of livestock promote soil biodiversity, increasing organic matter content, and improving water retention. Beneath the surface, these changes create a thriving ecosystem that supports prosperity.       

• Biodiversity: Monocultures lead to ecological vulnerability. Regenerative agriculture emphasizes crop diversity, intercropping, and agroforestry, which creates a more resilient and balanced system. Biodiversity supports beneficial insects, pollinators, and other organisms that contribute to the overall health of an ecosystem.     

• Natural Systems: Instead of attempting to dominate and control natural processes, regenerative agriculture mimics these systems and cycles.  Nutrient and water cycles, and energy flow, are harnessed to produce the same, with less reliance on off-farm inputs.  

Just as a high-performance sports car requires precise and delicate tuning for speed and handling, ecosystems require careful calibration to function optimally. Regenerative agriculture acts as the calibration process. By understanding and respecting the synergistic relationships in an ecosystem, we can create a sustainable food system that nourishes both humans and the environment. 

Regenerative agriculture is not just about producing food and fiber; it’s about restoring balance to a currently strained system. By embracing regenerative principles, we can recalibrate our relationship with the environment, creating a future where human activity enhances and builds sustainable, resilient, natural ecosystems.  

 Additional Links 

Learn more about soil health on AgSpire’s YouTube Channel >>> Soil Health 

Learn more about soil health at our ranching resilience workshops, Jan. 21 (Yankton) and Jan. 23 ( Aberdeen) >>> More information

December hits fast in the Great Plains and Upper Midwest. One week you’re finishing fall work — the next, you’re breaking ice off tanks and watching the forecast shift toward single digits. Winter rarely offers much warning, and the operations that fare best are the ones that prepare early. 

If you haven’t already taken stock of the season ahead, now is the time. Here are five key points of technical assistance worth reviewing before winter sets in fully – along with how strategic planning today can reduce stress and protect forage, livestock performance, and long-term land health into 2026.

Know Your Feed Inventory – And Whether It Will Hold

Winter increases energy demand for livestock, and forage quality matters as much as volume. A quick inventory check now prevents shortages later. 

• Test forage quality to determine supplement needs 

• Consider crop residue, cornstalk grazing, or leased pasture to stretch supply 

• Short on feed? Early decisions cost less than late-season scrambling 

Beat the Freeze Before It Starts

Frozen lines and dead heaters don’t wait for a convenient moment. 

• Inspect tanks, hydrants, floats, and heat sources 

• Confirm insulation and water access at remote sites 

• Ensure power-outage backups are workable 

If water delivery fails in January, the margin for error is slim — a simple pre-check now is worth it. 

Ensure Livestock Have Adequate Wind Protection

Cattle tolerate cold well; wind and moisture are the bigger threat. A little structural support pays off immediately in energy retention and calf survivability. 

• Evaluate windbreak integrity 

• Repair bale or fence-panel shelter systems 

• Ensure early-calving areas drain and stay dry 

Good protection reduces feed demand, stress, and risk.  

Protect Your Forage Base for Next Year

Grass may be dormant, but management decisions still count. Overgrazing now becomes lost yield later. 

• Maintain residue for moisture retention + erosion control 

• Rotate winter-grazing sites to protect stand vigor 

• Supplement before ground cover is compromised 

Healthy forage in May starts with restraint in December. 

Winter-Proof Equipment & Emergency Systems

A slow-turning engine or an unplanned storm can turn into hours of lost time. 

• Check engine warmers, fuel filters, and batteries 

• Have winter-grade diesel, tire chains, and spare parts on hand 

• Review blizzard plans: access routes, backup help, supply lists 

Preparedness saves time, fuel, and headaches. 

The Right Planning Makes Winter Manageable 

Winter is unavoidable — stress doesn’t have to be. Proactive planning keeps cattle fed, water flowing, equipment moving, and pastures protected for next year’s growth. 

At AgSpire, we help producers make decisions like these with confidence. From feed budgeting to grazing strategy and infrastructure planning, our technical advisors work alongside you to build solutions that fit your land, not a generic template. 

Ready to tighten up your winter strategy? Now is the time. 

Connect with AgSpire for technical assistance and winter planning guidance.
Let’s keep livestock performing, resources protected, and your operation resilient — this season and the next. 

In October AgSpire’s Director of Business Partnerships, Drew Slattery, spoke at the Expanding Markets Conference, hosted by the Western Sustainability Exchange. Nearly 200 producers and 50 industry professionals gathered to explore new market opportunities and strategies for resilient ranching across Montana and the Western U.S. 

Panel Highlights: Why Are Food Companies Investing in Producer Programs? 

At the Expanding Markets Conference, Drew Slattery joined a panel with a producer from Prime Pursuits and two representatives from Walmart to address a central question on many producers’ minds: “Why are companies investing in programs like this?” The panelists explained that major corporations are increasingly committed to supporting American ranchers and farmers, not just for immediate business needs, but to ensure the long-term resiliency of their supply chains. 

As Drew Slattery shared, “Producers are often surprised that Food companies are investing in producer programs because of a mindset that companies don’t care and just want the cheapest beef possible. The reality is, these companies want to help keep ranchers ranching, and investing in producers is how they ensure they have beef to sell 20 years from now.” 

Representatives from Walmart and Prime Pursuits emphasized that their investment in producer programs goes beyond the bottom line. These initiatives help elevate beef production from a commodity industry to a specialized, value-driven business. By rewarding producers for quality and sustainability, these programs open new opportunities for ranchers of all sizes. 

Looking Ahead: Building Resilience Through Partnership  

The panel showcased how collaboration between producers and corporate partners is shaping the future of ranching. By investing in producer programs and prioritizing investing in US beef supply chains, companies like Walmart and Prime Pursuits are helping ranchers build resilient operations and unlock new market opportunities. As these partnerships continue to grow, producers are better positioned to thrive in a changing agricultural landscape. 

To watch the full panel, please click HERE

Interested in more information about how AgSpire connects partners across the supply chain, please click here

Winter is approaching, spring calves are weaned, and nutrition is top of mind for many beef producers. Extending the grazing season by utilizing crop residue and cover crops is a strategy to maintain or boost body condition score while reducing reliance on stored or purchased feed. Keeping cows grazing home-raised forage longer also gives perennial pastures a much-needed rest, and is an approach producers are using successfully. 

With a few management tips and Technical Support from AgSpire, you can make the most of this feed source. 

Corn Stalks + Cover Crops: A Winning Combination 

One of the most effective ways to extend grazing and cut hay costs is turning cattle out on corn stalks interseeded with a cover crop like cereal rye. After harvest, corn residue alone provides a valuable feed source, but adding rye significantly boosts forage quality and quantity. Begin grazing corn stalks as soon as fields are dry enough to prevent compaction. If rye was interseeded, allow 6 to 8 inches of growth before grazing to avoid overgrazing and ensure regrowth potential. 

• Research shows interseeding rye into corn can provide an additional 42.5–52.6 animal unit days per acre without reducing corn grain yield under normal conditions (Iowa State University Extension).  

• Cereal rye offers 8–13% crude protein and 53–63% total digestible nutrients (TDN) when grazed at the boot stage (University of Nebraska Extension). 

A Simple Addition

While single species cover crops like rye can help extend your grazing season, adding brassicas can supercharge fall grazing. These species produce lush leafy growth and energy-rich bulbs that cattle find highly palatable. Planting covers is typically recommended to be done in late July through early September so the plants have time to develop enough biomass before frost. Target grazing brassicas after a light frost (to improve palatability), but before severe frost. Strip grazing can help manage intake and reduce waste.  

• Brassicas can deliver 12–20% crude protein and support gains of up to 2 pounds per day on backgrounding calves when managed correctly (University of Wisconsin Extension).  

• For best results, seed cover crops as soon as possible to get the most biomass for grazing. This may mean interseeding into corn before silage or grain harvest or drilling right behind the combine 

Beyond forage value, brassicas offer significant soil health advantages: 

• Compaction Reduction: Radishes develop deep taproots that penetrate compacted layers, while turnips form large bulbs that loosen topsoil.  

• Nutrient Scavenging: Brassicas capture residual nitrogen and other nutrients, reducing leaching and improving nutrient cycling for the next crop.  

• Weed Suppression: Rapid canopy growth inhibit weed germination, reducing pressure in subsequent crops.  

• Enhanced Soil Biology: Decomposing roots add organic matter and stimulate microbial activity, improving soil structure and resilience.  

Extending more than the Grazing Season

When combined with rye or other cereals, brassicas create a diverse root system that improves water infiltration, aeration, and overall soil health. This diversity also helps maintain soil cover through winter, reducing erosion and protecting soil health long-term. Brassicas typically winterkill, so they won’t compete with spring crops, while rye overwinters to provide early spring grazing. 

There are also economic benefits to planting and grazing cover crops. Feed is one of the largest yearly expenses for cattle producers, and an area where finding ways to decrease spend, can have a big impact on the bottom line. Utilizing cover crops reduces days fed or supplemental feed and can increase calf gain over grazing corn stalks alone.  

To learn more about how AgSpire can help with integrating cover crops and grazing strategies for maximizing their use, visit AgSpire.com, email us at info@agspire.com, or call / text (605) 675-7255, and someone from the team will be in contact.  

Additional Links

Learn more on YouTube >>> Nutrient Management 

Follow us on Facebook >>> AgSpire Facebook