Leveraging Partnerships 

Without inheriting any land or ranching assets, Michael Vance knew the importance of strategic partnerships to grow his own ranching operations. These partnerships now include capital partners and landowners who believe in regenerative grazing principles. 

“At the end of the day, outside of putting food on the table, it’s about relationships,” Michael said. 

Southern Reds, LLC., Michael’s cattle partnership, has grown into a 1,200 head seedstock operation in North Central Texas. His operations span 8,000 acres, managed with the help of his wife and three sons. 

Southern Reds has plans to double its operation due to increased demand from landowner partners who desire to see their own land investments be improved through true ecosystem management and regenerative grazing principles. Michael currently has customers in 13 states who use his genetics to improve their own regenerative farming and ranching operations. 

“We’re conservationists,” Michael said. “We’ve always got to manage in a way that provides food for the other animals that call these ranches home.” 

Growing Together 

“Texas Farm Credit has really allowed us the ability to get started with our current partnership,” said Michael. 

“They believed in us, and they’ve grown with us throughout the partnership without question. Whenever we get an opportunity to lease a large track, we never doubt that we can pull that off – and that’s given us the ability to really increase our rate of return in a way that is truly a good investment for us.” 

This article was originally published by Texas Farm Credit.