Underdog Ag

Vance McCoy - Lead Educator for Transitional Ag Consulting Powered by Graze Master and Kerry Hoffschneider - Executive Director of the Graze Master Group talk frankly about what's happening on the frontlines of agriculture, and how we can make a life, not just a living on the farm and ranch.These are serious times and the Graze Master Group, led by real farmers and ranchers and agriculturists with global and local ag business experience, has developed pathways to increase soil health, enhance water conservation, and more. -- To learn more about the Graze Master Group network visit www.grazemastergroup.com or call/text Kerry Hoffschneider at (402) 363-8963. -- Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. HOST: Kerry Hoffschneider GUESTS: Vance McCoy --CREDITS: Mitchell Roush, ProducerBibi Luevano, Cover ArtPurple Planet Music, Theme

Shane and Kristi Daniels and their family live on a ranch near Mullen, Neb.It's a ranch story that began with a pickup, stock trailer, two horses and a milk cow. Now the couple is managing hundreds of cattle and making sure their decisions keep the ranch in the family for generations to come.They are also part of the Graze Master Genetics® Certification Program and are looking forward to attending an event put on by Graze Master and Impact Solutions:"Partners in Profitability Vol. 1," November 12-13 in Ainsworth and Long Pine, Neb.Learn more about the event here: Graze Master Genetics® – Partners in Profitability Vol. 1 Wednesday to Thursday, November 12-13 in Long Pine & Ainsworth, Neb.You can also contact Kerry Hoffschneider - Executive Director of the Graze Master Group to learn about their mission and services. Call or text (402) 363-8963. --Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.HOST: Kerry HoffschneiderGUESTS: Shane DanielsKristi Daniels--CREDITS:Mitchell Roush, ProducerBibi Luevano, Cover ArtPurple Planet Music, Theme

We want to help farmers and ranchers experience freedom and make farming fun again.Doing things the way traditional agronomists, lenders and insurance companies tell us we need to do it is not that much fun anymore. If you share this sentiment, give us a call. We have been there done that and thrown away the free hat,” Vance McCoy - Transitional Ag Consulting About Vance McCoy: In 1988, when Vance McCoy was 16, his father passed away, leaving Vance and his mom Maggie to manage the farm, “I was the only boy and had three sisters. That was how it worked out from the beginning. Everyone just knew I was going to be a farmer. I had planned to leave and come back to the farm, but when dad passed away, that put me on the fast track.”When McCoy was growing up near Elsie, Neb., the family raised mostly corn and operated a cow/calf operation. Today, he and his wife Ronda’s two grown sons, Tyler and Tanner, farm as separate managers of their own endeavors. McCoy continues raising corn and soybeans, but has also found a passion for soil health and regenerative agriculture. In addition to the farming business, McCoy also started Triple Creek Cover Crops, named for the three creeks that still cross the family farm. His daughter, Meredith, helps with the cover crop business. His sons returning to the farm around 2012, was one of the reasons McCoy began to seriously look at changing some things, “I had bought my farm when I was 30, and when I was 40 had the sons coming back to farm with me already. We had to find a new way to make that work. We had to look at the expenses in a different way as well as our risk. That is when I really fast-forwarded into a new way of doing things.” McCoy enjoys sharing his trials and triumphs on Facebook through videos and photos with posts outlining the real-world scenarios he is testing, “I try and be humble about it. I was lucky because dad was always forward-thinking. That’s another thing I tell people, ‘You have to respect your dad because he didn’t get to where he is at by being stupid. Be patient, there are probably some things you need to learn from him too.’ But, I also remind some of those dads that if their fathers had not allowed them to make changes, where would they be today?”“Asking questions and getting answers will get us someplace,” he said. “Don’t preach. Ask questions. It’s the best way to learn from somebody.”Contact Vance and the Transitional Ag Consulting team at: www.grazemastergroup.com. You can also call/text Kerry Hoffschneider to connect you with Vance and the team at 402-363-8963. --Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.HOST: Kerry HoffschneiderGUEST: Vance McCoy--CREDITS:Mitchell Roush, ProducerBibi Luevano, Cover ArtPurple Planet Music, Theme

“The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." ~ Masanobu FukuokaAs a grower of food and community in Cheney, Kan., Shelby Beyer embodies this quote in her many endeavors at Anchor Farm that she owns and operates with her husband Brad and their two children.Anchor Farm produces a wide variety of seasonal vegetables in outdoor gardens and high tunnels. Brad and Shelby also shepherd a flock of hair sheep. Their goal is to provide healthy meat and produce for their family and their local community. Shelby has broad work experience across the agricultural setting. She worked in the conventional beef cattle, research, soil amendment, organic produce, and regenerative dairy industries before starting Anchor Farm in 2019. Prior to her pursuing her passion for agriculture, Shelby worked in health care for 20 years. This journey led her to a deeper understanding of the connections between healthy soil and ecosystems, and food and human health. More recently, Shelby has worked with multiple companies to conduct soil health research. She provides consulting services for growers of all sizes, helping them to support and grow the diversity in their ecosystems and the health of their soils.Shelby's intent is to nourish her community and support farmers in their quest to grow diversity. She has an intense drive for sharing the magic of food and the natural world with those around her, especially younger generations.Follow Shelby at https://www.facebook.com/share/1H3dku6nPZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr--Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.HOST: Kerry HoffschneiderGUESTS: Shelby Beyer--CREDITS:Mitchell Roush, ProducerBibi Luevano, Cover ArtPurple Planet Music, Theme

According to Statista Research Department, statista.com, "The United States is home to the largest number of prisoners worldwide. More than 1.8 million people were incarcerated in the U.S. at the beginning of 2025." In the U.S., incarceration extends beyond prisons and local jails to include other systems of confinement. The U.S. and state incarceration rates in this graph include people held by other parts of the justice system as well, so they might be slightly higher than the commonly reported incarceration rates that only include prisons and jails. The statistics are alarming, heartbreaking, and expensive. During this Underdog Ag Podcast, we meet Brandon Hinrichs, the visionary behind Aspire Impact Network. A network that, "empowers communities through life skills, programs, community corrections, and family support, while also offering web development, data solutions, and tech services." Brandon wants to use his skills working as a probation officer and in the system in the past to help alleviate stress on the system and to ensure people don't repeat going to jail. His mission and vision saves our precious neighbors and saves taxpayer dollars. It's an amazing mission that needs more partners to succeed. Contact Brandon at (402) 759-2210 to become engaged with his cause and amazing pantheon of services.--Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.HOST: Kerry HoffschneiderGUEST: Brandon Hinrichs --CREDITS:Mitchell Roush, ProducerBibi Luevano, Cover ArtPurple Planet Music, Theme

This Underdog Ag Podcast features a very inspiring story told by Svetlana (Vysotsky) Hensley, wife of Allen Hensley, of Agua Dulce, Texas. Although she ended up in Texas, Svetlana spent the first five years of her life in Lviv, Ukraine. Then, because of religious persecution (even imprisonment), her parents, Igor and Nadia, fled to the United States with very little money, only the belongings they could carry, each other, and their faith in the risen Christ. Listen to Svetlana talk about her journey to the United States, that began when she was a tearful child at a train station in the Ukraine. So sad to leave her home, her friends, and her life there, little did she know a church and community in Oklahoma was preparing to welcome the family with open arms. This story is one of gratitude, humor, endurance, love, and faith. A fitting story to move us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Thank you, Allen Hensley, for recognizing the precious gift your wife and her story are to the world. Thank you, Svetlana, for your willingness to share your journey. P.S. There are a few surprises along the way in this interview too. Such as, we may know the source of those mysterious crop circles that pop up at times. Also, the power of mowing your lawn and more.In honor of Svetlana’s father, I am also sharing her father’s obituary below so that the story may live on in the hearts of those who read it: Igor Fedorovich Vysotsky, age 77, entered through the eternal gates of Heaven peacefully on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in the comfort of his home. Igor is survived by his loving wife, Nadia (Gavrilov) Vysotsky, and his six children, Miroslav Vysotsky (wife Natasha) of Roseville, CA; Lilia Otten (husband James) of Bartlesville, OK; Nelya DeSpain (husband Brady) of Talala, OK; Igor Jr. Vysotsky (wife Lauren) of Cypress, TX; Svetlana Hensley (husband Allen) of Agua Dulce, TX; Isaya Vysotsky (wife Aileen) of Tampa, FL; and 21 grandchildren: Sara, Breyden, Alexis, Emily, Ethyn, Leah, Baylie, Trystan, Mia, Melana, Abram, Jonah, Eli, Miryk, Adelade, Levi, Silas, Kirym, Samuel, Magdalene, and Maverik.Igor was born on January 25, 1947 in Matsoshyn (village near Lviv) Ukraine to Fedir and Agafia Vysotsky. He was the seventh of their eight children together. Igor attended and graduated from the Matsoshyn school house (completing grades 1-8; and prevented from pursuing higher education because of his Christian beliefs) after which he attended mechanical and technical trade schools where he earned mechanic and electrician certifications. Igor then completed 2 years of compulsory military service and entered the workforce in Lviv Ukraine. This turned out to be a fortunate location for Igor, as he began attending a local home-based church where he met, courted, and married his bride, Nadia, who would remain his life-long spouse for over 54 years, and would be by his side until his last breath on this earth. As the patriarch of a growing family, Igor worked for various state owned/run enterprises and was often held back from promotions or outright fired for his beliefs and his refusal to live out his Faith in secret. The ongoing persecution for his Christian beliefs strained his ability to provide for his family and he often had two to three menial jobs and drove a gypsy cab during non-working hours to make ends meet. This was simply the way of life for true Believers under the oppressive regime of the Soviet Union and became a theme of his ongoing struggle for freedom to worship and to live a life that God called him to live. Aside from the “softer” persecution of career and professional development limitations, Igor also experienced direct punishment for playing Christian worship music in the privacy of his own home. He and his pastor were imprisoned for over 40 days after being reported to the authorities by a neighbor. Igor was prepared to serve a much longer sentence but was unexpectedly released without explanation. Although Igor was able to feed and clothe his children, he and Nadia recognized that it would be a difficult future for their family to build a life they wanted under their circumstances in Ukraine. Together, they made the difficult decision to renounce their citizenship, sell-off or give away most of their possessions, pack up their suitcases with whatever remained, and leave their homeland behind with five children in tow, in pursuit of freedoms of opportunity and above all, the freedom to live and worship their God as He had called them to. They found this freedom in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, having been sponsored by First Assembly of God Church. The Vysotsky family arrived in the USA on November 4, 1989, where they began the second act of their life. Igor and Nadia embraced the opportunities that America afforded anyone lucky enough to reside inside its borders. They learned a new language, maximized their work opportunities (working just as hard as they had in Soviet Union but reaped the benefits of their labor), became business owners, sponsored other family members to immigrate to the States, raised their five Ukrainian born children and added one American born, and welcomed sons and daughters in law into the family. Above any material gains, Igor and Nadia were blessed with 21 grandchildren whom Igor considered his greatest success and best part of his legacy. Igor was a man of few words but managed to speak volumes in the way that he lived his life for his children to observe and model after. He lived out his faith by example in his daily devotional time, in reading his Bible, in private prayers and fasting, church attendance and giving. He also taught life skills and deep personal convictions and virtues that his kids have adopted by living those out in the person that he was rather than verbal teaching. He taught the importance of effort, to do tasks the best that one had the capacity to do them, to mind the fine details, the willingness to learn and to try something new, the confidence to tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges, the necessity of humor in life, the virtues of sincerity, honesty, justice, gratitude, and servanthood. Igor had a critical eye for detail, offered strong and unfiltered opinions, and quick wit and a dry sense of humor that he employed regularly to entertain himself and those around him; all qualities that have been embraced and adopted by his kids and grandkids. Igor suffered a stroke in September 2022 that limited his mobility and contributed to his passing on July 3, 2024. He lived a full life and leaves behind a legacy that he could not have imagined during his humble beginnings in the village of Matsoshyn. He lived a life worthy of remembrance. A life that our God called him to live. Igor followed and obeyed and through the many trying times of imprisonment, persecution, loss of earthly possessions, and loss of health, his faith never wavered. He now spends his time in Heaven with the One he loved and trusted all his days on Earth. Obituary source: https://www.davisfamilyfuneralhome.com/m/obituaries/Igor-Vysotsky/Memories --Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.HOST: Kerry HoffschneiderGUEST: Svetlana Hensley--CREDITS:Mitchell Roush, ProducerBibi Luevano, Cover ArtPurple Planet Music, Theme

“Living Water,” we’re all living because of it. Kylen Hunt has a story of self-discovery and faith. The center of that story is the incredible, divine element that is the foundation of all life, “living water.” You will be surprised by some of the twists and turns in his testimonial. Surprised, and filled with, HOPE. About Kylen Hunt:Kylen’s background in Precision Agriculture began as a teenager working with his grandfather in the fields of Central Nebraska. He was taught to love the land and respect its natural resources.It wasn't until 2001, that Kylen began his career in Precision Agriculture. While operating a local farm service business and working alongside local farmers, he became intrigued by auto steer and variable rate technology. This caused him to sell his business and transition into a Precision Ag Operator role for a local Cooperative.By the mid-2000s, Kylen began to see several issues developing within the precision industry. Learning how important data analytics would become in the future, he began to focus a considerable amount of time on the subject. Through personal research and study, Kylen learned that 87% of the time, water management was the cause for yield variability, crop production limitations, and even consistent profit management. Through this process of learning, Kylen developed a passion for data analytics and data interpretation on irrigated acres.Today, Kylen has the privilege of working alongside industry partners, and farmers, to help them fully adopt real-time and predictive water management. He’s learned his real gifts and talents are not in the technology or analytics, but in helping industry leaders and producers fully adopt precision technology along with annual and real-time data analytics.Kylen lives in Corning, Iowa with his wife Rebecca, his biggest fan for 31 years. They travel together and look forward to investing time in their four grandchildren. Kylen is also a DISC Certified Personality and Behavioral Trainer and Consultant as well as a certified speaker, trainer, and business coach with the John Maxwell Team. In his "spare time," Kylen engages in leadership, public speaking, and business training events, where he challenges individuals to seek truth, gain wisdom, and serve others. A formula he has found to be very successful in both his personal and business life.--Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.HOST: Kerry HoffschneiderGUEST: Kylen Hunt --CREDITS:Mitchell Roush, ProducerBibi Luevano, Cover ArtPurple Planet Music, Theme

The backbone of the family and the backbone of rural America, I present to you the modern farm wife. This Underdog Ag podcast, I had the pleasure of visiting with Robyn Harlan of Nueces County, Texas. Robyn is testament to the faith and lifelong learning it takes to play all the pivotal roles of farm partner and mother. You will love this podcast featuring an incredible woman who exudes joy, can-do, and timeless common sense to a world hungry to get back to the land.--Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.HOST: Kerry HoffschneiderGUEST: Robyn Harlan--CREDITS:Mitchell Roush, ProducerBibi Luevano, Cover ArtPurple Planet Music, Theme

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more salt-of-the-earth individual who is daily trying to do what’s right on his farm. Born and raised just three miles away from where he resides today Scott Heinemann said, “I have only lived in two houses in Nebraska. My grandpa settled in Wayne County in the 1940s. As early as I can remember, I was tagging along with dad and grandpa. I loved being around the cattle and on the tractor.”Today, Heinemann and his wife Rita are still in love with their farm near Winside, Neb. and are always trying to improve. One of their biggest dreams is finding a next generation farm family to give an opportunity to with a work ethic and passion for agriculture that matches their own. Heinemann is a Graze Master Group partner and will be one of the speakers on a farm profitability panel during our Wednesday, July 24 event in Denton, Neb.Register for free here: www.grazemastergroup.com/events or call/text Kerry (co-founder of the Graze Master Group) at 402-363-8963. --Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.HOST: Kerry Hoffschneider--CREDITS:Mitchell Roush, ProducerBibi Luevano, Cover ArtPurple Planet Music, Theme

This Underdog Ag Podcast presents: “Everything you don’t want to hear, but really need to about the current state of agriculture (with a light at the end of the tunnel if we don’t ignore the train a coming).” If you aren’t ready to hear about how agriculture really is, this podcast isn’t for you. If you do want to hear real farmers and ranchers discuss issues that may make us all squirm a bit and should, please tune in. Del Ficke of Ficke Cattle Company and co-founder of the Graze Master Group will have a frank discussion with Vance McCoy of Triple Creek Cover Crops and Graze Master partner along with Kerry Hoffschneider, co-founder of the Graze Master Group. No one held back in this discussion because agriculture doesn’t need a public relations campaign. It needs solutions. Now. Get your minds and hearts ready. We need all of us eyes wide open and on deck if we’re going to get things right. The good news is. We can. To find out more about Graze Master Group Transitional Ag Services that Balance Nature & Profitability contact:Del Ficke: 402-499-0329Kerry Hoffschneider: 402-363-8963Vance McCoy: 308-352-6031Join us in Denton, Neb. for our no-cost field day by registering here: www.grazemastergroup.com/events--Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.HOST: Kerry Hoffschneider--CREDITS:Mitchell Roush, ProducerBibi Luevano, Cover ArtPurple Planet Music, Theme

This Underdog Ag Podcast features Maurice, Iowa farmer and livestock producer, Howard Vlieger, who started asking serious questions about agriculture in 1989 when he switched to alternative farming on their family farm. “This is when I became a ‘student of the soil’ and I have no problem admitting that ‘the more I know, the more I know I don’t know.’ What I do know is the Good Lord gave us an amazing Creation to be caretakers of and it is a never-ending learning opportunity.” Vlieger started studying GMOs in 1994 and began conducting on-farm research in 1997, “I am blessed to work with scientists and researchers from around the world. I have been privileged to give numerous educational presentations on GMO crops and the chemicals used in growing them. I am the primary coordinator and co-author of a first of its kind in the world, lifetime feeding study for pigs as a meat animal. The study was published in 2013. ”The 2013 study can be found here: https://gmojudycarman.org/ Take a listen and find out some of the questions Vlieger has pursued in his agricultural journey! --Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.HOST: Kerry HoffschneiderGUESTS: Howard Vlieger, Farmer --CREDITS:Mitchell Roush, ProducerBibi Luevano, Cover ArtPurple Planet Music, Theme

I sat with two men who genuinely know the livestock industry on this Underdog Ag podcast, Mr. Ken Stewart from XL Ranch in Cowley, Wyo. and Dr. James Caldwell of Harrisburg, S.D. More about my guests: About Dr. Caldwell:James Caldwell and his wife Michelle reside in Harrisburg, S.D. with their three children – Trey, Jackson, and Zoey. James grew up farming tobacco and managing cow/calf operations in Ohio. He knew at a young age all he wanted to do was farm; however, he fell in love with research in school. In 2009, James earned his P.h.D in Ruminant Nutrition and has been conducting research in some capacity ever since. Dr. Caldwell’s diverse experiences include teaching at the college level, becoming a small ruminant expert, running companion animal research and milk replacer research for Land O’Lakes Purina in Gray Summit, MO. and then diving headfirst into feed additives throughout the next eight years. The Caldwells just recently sold their 270-acre cow/calf and hair sheep farm in Kentucky to move to South Dakota. They still own cattle and are still heavily involved in agriculture with their kids and livestock. James still leads the research at Advanced Ag Products while taking on the role as President for the company this past July. About Ken Stewart:Ken and his wife Jenny Stewart are owners of XL Ranch in Wyo. Ken grew up on a dairy that was converted to beef when he was still quite young. It didn’t take him long to know that raising beef cattle was what he wanted to do. The study of genetics and the ability to breed cattle that can perform within the parameters of the resources available on any given location at the optimum level, is what really turns Stewart's crank and fuels his passion. Stewart’s diverse experience includes management of large, commercial herds in excess of 12,000 cows all the way to smaller seedstock operations of numerous sizes across the continental U.S.A. He also serves as the National Sales Director at By-O-reg+. Contact Info:Toll Free: 1.844.229.6734Main Office: 605.558.1044Address: 1220 N. Dakota St.Canton, SD 57013Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ByOregAAPInstagram: By-O-reg+ (@by_o_reg.aap) • Instagram photos and videosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-ag-products-llc/ Website:www.byoreg.comKen Stewart:Email: info@xlranch.comWebsite: xlranch.comPhone: 601-528-4029 and 307-254-0292--Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.HOST: Kerry HoffschneiderGUESTS: Genevieve Tonniges, Director - Wessels Living History Farm --CREDITS:Mitchell Roush, ProducerBibi Luevano, Cover ArtPurple Planet Music, Theme