Summer 2026 State of the Ranch Report
🐺 STATE OF THE RANCH | SUMMER 2026
Author: Heather Brink
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The Most Valuable Crop on Our Farm Isn't Beef or Pork
When people visit our farm, they usually see cattle, pigs, grass, and maybe a few Australian Shepherds running around.
Why Heritage Pork is Making a Comeback
Heritage pork is returning as families rediscover traditional pig breeds, richer flavor, useful fat, pasture compatibility, and transparent farm-direct production.
What Is Your Pasture Actually Worth? Calculating the Economics of Soil Health
Most livestock producers know the cost of feed, hay, minerals, and fuel. Far fewer know the value of their pasture.
What Does Kunekune Pork Taste Like? Why Flavor is Different From Grocery Store Pork
One of the first questions people ask when trying heritage pork is simple: Does it actually taste different? For Kunekune pork, the answer is usually yes — dramatically.
Why Your Local Farm Probably Isn't Sold in Grocery Stores
"If your food is so good, why isn't it in grocery stores?" It's a fair question.
Soil Series #12: How Soil Health Influences the Quality of the Meat We Raise
Throughout this series, we’ve talked about soil — how it works, how it improves, and the practices we use to rebuild it on our ranch. But many people naturally ask an important question: What does soil health have to do with the food we eat?
Soil Series #11: What Our Soil Tests Will Tell Us (And Why They Matter)
Over the past several posts in this series, we’ve talked about the practices we’re using to rebuild soil at Dos Lobos Ranch. But there’s an important question behind all of it: How do we actually measure progress?
Soil Series #10: Rainfall, Water Infiltration, and Why Healthy Soil Handles Weather Better
Rain is one of the most powerful forces affecting a farm. Too little rain can stress plants and slow pasture growth. Too much rain can cause runoff, erosion, and flooding.
Soil Series #9: Soil Amendments -- Compost, Biochar, and Mineral Support
Most of the practices we’ve discussed in this series focus on working with natural biological systems — grazing management, rest, cover crops, and livestock impact. But sometimes soil also benefits from carefully chosen amendments.
Soil Series #8: How Multi-Species Grazing Helps Build Healthier Soil
On most farms, a pasture is grazed by one type of animal. But regenerative farms often take a different approach by allowing multiple types of livestock to work the same land.
Soil Series #7: Why Rest is One of the Most Important Tools in Regenerative Grazing
When people hear about regenerative agriculture, they often focus on visible practices like compost, cover crops, or rotational grazing. But one of the most powerful tools for improving soil health is something much simpler: Rest.