Collaboration over competition. 

You’ve probably heard this saying throughout multiple fields, industries and career paths through the years. But what does it mean for the cattle industry and, more specifically, the Angus breed?  

Ron Bolze, Angus seedstock producer from Nebraska, says one way to achieve this is through grassland coalition groups. Bolze is heavily involved with the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition, serving as the activity coordinator for 12 years. 

“The primary objective is to work with ranchers, landowners and land managers to conserve native range,” Bolze says when discussing the idea behind grassland coalition groups. 

Another Angus producer who highly recommends grassland coalition groups as a way to network with other producers is Bart Carmichael. Carmichael says he became known for trying new grazing methods after developing a friendship then mentorship with holistic grazing teacher, Wayne Berry.

 After this initial connection, Carmichael says his involvement continued to grow, eventually leading to serving as director on the South Dakota Grassland Coalition. 

“Everybody just has a heart to share and learn,” Carmichael says. “Most everyone involved are lifelong learners.”

When discussing the benefits from these and similar groups, Bolze says producers have much to learn from each other in terms of education and collaboration regarding grazing management practices.

“I think most ranchers, most land managers, landowners, ideally, in reality, their grass managers first, cattlemen second,” Bolze says, noting soil health should be of primary concern to producers. 

Carmichael also says idea sharing and grazing management can lead to increased efficiency, including an increase in numbers and grazing more animals on less acres, leading to a larger percentage of beef available. 

“It’s just amazing what our land can actually do and what the cattle can do with that,” Carmichael says. 

Reflecting on his frustrations as a young rancher, he says he heard the answer, “It depends,” from so many more experienced in his field when discussing the more challenging aspects of raising cattle. When opportunities like idea sharing groups and grassland coalitions came along, Carmichael discussed his excitement at seeing producers network and gain knowledge from each other. 

“Nobody knows it all,” he explains. “So when you run into a problem, who do you go to? Someone has already been through that.” 

Bolze similarly discussed the benefits of a mentor/mentee relationship between young ranchers and older, more seasoned producers. 

“I think a lot of particularly younger ranchers can learn very valuable lessons from those Angus breeders who have been at it for a long time,” Bolze says. 

Carmichael says bringing community into the Angus breed and the cattle industry allows more and more producers to progress and succeed. 

“Very few people I know in this deal try to hold back information,” Carmichael says. “People share, and that’s really refreshing.” 

By coming together through grassland coalitions and similar idea sharing groups, Bolze says cooperation in learning is key to moving the industry forward. 

“I think if ranchers can learn to work together and learn from each other, I think we can realize more the importance of regenerative agriculture, regenerative grazing, that will enhance soil health over time,” he says.   

Editor’s note: Madi Baughman is a freelance writer from Stillwater, Okla.