NEWS: Farming Turned Profitable, Red Meat Health Benefits, Outdoors College Education

Learn how a farmer changed from cotton to sheep to be profitable, share red meat health insights, plus outdoor college programs can earn you college credits, upcoming events & News! Join radio hosts Rebecca Wanner aka ‘BEC’ and Jeff ‘Tigger’ Erhardt (Tigger & BEC) with the latest in Outdoors & Western Lifestyle News!   NEWS TOPICS: Farming, Outdoors, College, Red Meat, & Upcoming Events

Hang on tight - Lots of news and topics covered here... let's ride!

Upcoming Events: Rodeo, Horse Sale, Pheasant Hunt Devils Lake Shoot Out Rodeo

When: September 5 - 7, 2025

Where: Devils Lake, North Dakota at the Western State Bank Event Center (7823 Hwy 19, Devils Lake, ND).

Watch: Saturday night and Sunday afternoon performances will air on https://www.bek.tv/

Stock Contractor & Producer: Abrahamson Rodeo Company

PRCA Announcer: Jeff 'Tigger' Erhardt

PRCA Music Director: Rebecca Wanner

Froelich Legacy Quarter Horses Sale

Selling: Blue Roan & Grullo Quarter Horse Fillies & Colts

Offering: 2025 Weanlings with Superior Bloodlines, Disposition and Confirmation.

Full Details available Here.

When: September 20, 2025

Where: Froelich Ranch near Selfridge, North Dakota

How To Buy: Bid Live In-person or Online Bidding with DV Auction.

Full Details & Catalog Request: https://ranchchannel.com/froelich-legacy-quarter-horses/

Cattlemen's Week Pheasant Hunt by Jorgensen Land & Cattle

When: November 20-23, 2025

Where: Ideal, South Dakota

Location: Lazy J Grand Lodge at Jorgensen Land & Cattle

Information & Contact HERE.

Texas Farmer Ditches Cotton for Sheep, Finds Success Grazing on Solar Farms

In a dusty field in Texas, Chad Raines is living a new reality — as a shepherd. After four generations of cotton farming, Raines faced years of bad harvests and rising debt, forcing him to rethink his future and to think outside the box.

That led him to a growing trend called solar grazing, where farmers rent out sheep to keep vegetation in check at solar farms. Raines now works with Enel North America, helping manage one of the largest solar farms in the U.S., near Waco. The sheep are the perfect lawn mowers, working in all conditions, day or night, even when it's muddy or rainy.

While small farms across the country struggle—40% operated at a loss last year—Raines has found success. By grazing 6,000 sheep across 20,000 acres, he turned a profit of nearly $300,000, compared to a loss of $200,000 had he stuck with cotton. It’s a profitable venture that also supports his family’s future, as his sons are set to join the business.

From struggling farmer to thriving shepherd, Raines is a prime example of adapting to change in the world of agriculture.

Reference: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/solar-farm-texas-sheep-grazing-farming/

New Study Says Red Meat Can Support Mental and Gut Health — In the Right Diet

A new study out of South Dakota State University suggests red meat should not be getting a bad rap — at least when it’s part of a high-quality diet.

Researchers looked at data from nearly 5,000 adults in the American Gut Project and found that people who ate lean red meat within a healthy eating plan had better levels of nutrients that support brain health — things like choline, selenium, vitamin B12, and zinc. They also had greater gut microbial diversity, which is linked to overall well-being.

Samitinjaya Dhakal, the lead researcher, says the takeaway isn’t to cut out red meat entirely, but to focus on balanced, high-quality diets where lean meat can play a positive role.

The study was supported by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and could help reshape how we think about red meat in healthy eating.

University & Colleges Offer Outdoors Courses 

Penn State’s Aurora Outdoor Orientation Program offers a unique nature experience plus the opportunity to earn 3 General Health & Wellness Credits as a bonus!

 

Personal Review: Gregory Clarke, Pennsylvania

Hear how this parent of a college freshman took part in the program August 2025 in order to get ready for freshman year, have one more outdoors experience, and make new friends!

Check out: https://hhd.psu.edu/rptm/aurora

Red Lobster - New! Mariner's Seafood Boil

In an attempt to bring you back, Red Lobster has added Seafood Boils to th