Building a Regenerative Ranch Around Bison (Live Farm Tour) - TLC Ranch | #110

Fascinating episode, touring a regenerative bison and pecan farm! A first for me. A bit about the ranch & tour... TLC ranch is located in Souther Oklahoma. It's ran by Cindy Sheffield (who tours us today) and her husband Tread and their two daughters and husbands, where they raise bison and manage a large organic pecan orchard. The ranch began in 1997 when the family purchased land that many others had passed on, seeing potential where others did not. What started as weekend trips for hunting and time outdoors gradually turned into a long-term commitment to steward the land. Over the years the family developed ponds, trails, and eventually planted thousands of pecan trees, which are now grown using organic and regenerative practices. More recently they fulfilled a long-standing goal of bringing bison back to the property. Today the ranch combines pecan production with bison grazing, reflecting the family’s focus on building a working farm that supports both the land and the people who depend on it. What we cover: Starting a bison ranch after decades of owning land Managing parasites and animal health on pasture Rotational grazing and integrating chickens behind bison The economics and risks of pecan farming Floods, disease, and the unpredictable realities of agriculture Connect with the farm: Website Facebook Instagram Regenaissance Youtube Channel Timestamps: 00:00:00 Regulations and differences between bison and cattle 00:02:20 How TLC Ranch began and why the family chose bison 00:03:40 Flooding, parasites, and losing animals in the herd 00:05:00 Transitioning to rotational grazing for parasite control 00:06:30 Plans to integrate meat chickens behind the bison 00:08:00 How bison grazing behavior differs from cattle 00:12:50 Handling bison and working animals through the chute system 00:17:00 Field harvesting a bison and the reality of on-farm slaughter 00:19:30 The challenge of finding truly clean food and produce 00:24:00 Managing a pecan orchard and harvesting the crop 00:27:00 Weather risks, floods, and the economics of farming 00:29:00 Why consumers need to understand the realities farmers face