Episode 11: Wrong Background, Right Results with Jesse Colón

What happens when a California city boy inherits his father's struggling cattle ranch in Mexico? For Jesse Colón, it became the unlikely beginning of a regenerative ranching revolution in the semi-desert of Zacatecas.

Jesse's story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the most innovative paths forward begin with honoring what came before. When faced with his father's deteriorating health and a ranch that had become a financial "money pit," Jesse made a pivotal decision to learn everything he could about making the operation viable—not just as a business, but as a living tribute to his father's dream.

The journey took him deep into the world of regenerative agriculture, where he discovered that the conventional, large-framed cattle genetics that dominated the region were fundamentally mismatched to the harsh local environment. Through trial and error, Jesse transformed the ranch using high-density grazing with electric fencing and by transitioning to smaller-framed, regionally-adapted cattle. The results speak for themselves: improved soil health, greater plant diversity, extended grazing periods, and most impressively, cows that can consistently produce a calf every year—something local conventional ranchers consider impossible.

What makes Jesse's perspective particularly valuable is his willingness to challenge established practices while maintaining deep respect for traditional wisdom. He's become a bridge between worlds—documenting his journey on YouTube to 20,000 Spanish-speaking subscribers and now serving as a Bos Sires distributor for Mexico. His mission is clear: highlight "legacy breeders" who have consistently selected for practical traits like fertility over fashionable traits, and make those genetics available to ranchers searching for sustainable solutions.

Explore more of Jesse’s work and see how he's proving the power of practical genetics in one of Mexico’s toughest ranching environments—through the links in our show notes. And don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with ranchers who are rewriting the rules of sustainable cattle production.

Connect with Jesse Colón and Rancho Cinco Talentos:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCADO6875jXhcloWZxYoM4EQ

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RanchoCincoTalentos

Bos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/jesse-colon

Check out Bos Sires:

Website: https://www.bossires.com/

Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)

Support the Podcast

If you enjoy the show and want to support our mission of restoring sustainable, long-lasting genetics to the cattle industry, consider joining our Patreon community. Your support helps us continue producing valuable content for ranchers and cattle enthusiasts worldwide.

Join us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/bossirestalk]

Episode 10: Let the Cows Do the Work: Durability Over Dependency with Arron Nerbas

Arron Nerbas of Nerbas Bros Angus challenges mainstream cattle breeding philosophies by creating a herd built on durability rather than dependency. This third-generation Canadian cattleman shares how his family transformed their operation by focusing on three fundamentals: grass, pressure, and purpose.

The conversation reveals a refreshing alternative to trend-chasing in the cattle industry. Arron explains how they've developed genetics specifically adapted to their environment without introducing any live cattle since 1999, relying solely on AI for genetic improvement. Their breeding philosophy prioritizes maternal traits over the extreme growth that has dominated the industry for decades – creating moderate-framed, fertile cattle that require minimal intervention.

"A good cow is a cow that doesn't need me," Arron explains, highlighting their commitment to letting cattle express their natural abilities without constant human support. This approach has yielded cows that calve unassisted on stockpiled grass, maintain fertility, and demonstrate exceptional longevity in their herd.

The discussion explores four key strategies for herd improvement: AI sire selection, replacement selection, system pressure through management, and strict culling protocols. Arron also shares insights on the benefits of multi-sire breeding, which enhances both land management and reproductive efficiency by allowing natural competition among bulls.

What started as a local approach to better ranching has gained international attention. Nerbas Bros now exports genetics to the UK, with interest coming from as far away as Romania and Botswana. Closer to home, Arron also shares how they’re challenging convention with a self-serve, automated beef market—offering direct-to-consumer sales without middlemen.

This episode offers valuable perspective for anyone questioning industrial cattle production models. As input costs continue rising worldwide, the Nerbas Bros approach demonstrates that focusing on land-adapted, low-maintenance cattle might not just be more sustainable – it might be the economic future of ranching.

Explore more of Arron’s work and learn how the Nerbas Bros are building cattle that thrive where others fail—through the links in our show notes. And don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with ranchers who are rewriting the rules of sustainable cattle production.

Connect with Arron and Nerbas Bros Angus:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NerbasBrosAngus/

Website: https://www.nerbasbrosangus.com/

Bos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/nerbas-brothers

X page: https://x.com/nerbasbrosangus

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theebutcheryonmain/#

Check out Bos Sires:

Website: https://www.bossires.com/

Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)

Support the Podcast

If you enjoy the show and want to support our mission of restoring sustainable, long-lasting genetics to the cattle industry, consider joining our Patreon community. Your support helps us continue producing valuable content for ranchers and cattle enthusiasts worldwide.

Join us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/bossirestalk]

Episode 9: Fat Cows, Fat Soil, Fat Wallet: Real Wealth Ranching with Jim Elizondo

Regenerative agriculture expert Jim Elizondo reveals the profound connection between cattle genetics and land health in this transformative episode. Drawing from his diverse expertise as an accountant, dairy nutritionist, and agronomy engineer, Elizondo shares how modern cattle selection has inadvertently led to degraded soils and increased dependence on costly inputs.

The conversation explores Elizondo's revolutionary Total Grazing Program, which mimics natural grazing patterns from 50,000 years ago when diverse herbivores maintained healthy ecosystems. By selecting for early-maturing, efficient cattle that can perform non-selective grazing, ranchers can dramatically increase their stocking rates while simultaneously improving soil health. "Usually we can double the stocking rate the first year," Elizondo explains, highlighting the immediate economic benefit.

One of the most compelling insights is Elizondo's "screwdriver test" for soil health. When a screwdriver hits a hard pan just inches below the surface, it reveals the damage caused by selective grazing. The solution lies not just in changing management, but in transitioning to cattle genetics that thrive without requiring excessive inputs or specialized grazing patterns.

The episode clearly articulates Elizondo's four pillars of Real Wealth Ranching: the Total Grazing Program, adapted genetics selection, nutrition when grazing, and optimal calving season. Together, these principles create what he calls the "fat grass, fat soil, fat cattle, fat wallet" progression that leads to true ranching wealth—defined as having money, time, and health.

Ready to break through the hard pan holding back your operation's potential? Discover how adapted genetics combined with proper grazing management can revolutionize your ranch.

Connect with Jim Elizondo and Real Wealth Ranching:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealWealthRanching

Website: https://www.rwranching.com/learn

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@realwealthranching

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realwealthranching/?hl=en

Check out Bos Sires:

Website: https://www.bossires.com/

Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)

Support the Podcast

If you enjoy the show and want to support our mission of restoring sustainable, long-lasting genetics to the cattle industry, consider joining our Patreon community. Your support helps us continue producing valuable content for ranchers and cattle enthusiasts worldwide.

Join us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/bossirestalk]