Harder Not Smarter Podcast
#0046 - Greg Putnam - Navy SEAL to Cattle Rancher (PART 1)
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Episode notes
Greg Putnam, a former Navy SEAL, shares his experience transitioning from the military to cattle ranching. He discusses his time in the SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) unit and the challenges of long-duration dives in small, submersible vehicles. The mental and physical toll of these dives, including the need for breath control and the lack of communication, is highlighted. Greg also talks about the unique camaraderie and mindset required for SDV operations. The conversation touches on the importance of mindset, breath work, and preparation for SEAL missions. Greg Putnam and Kevin Seiff discuss various topics including Greg's experience in the military, his transition to civilian life, and his involvement in cattle ranching. They also touch on the influx of people moving to Montana and the challenges of living in a rural area. Greg shares his journey into ranching and the complexity of the industry. The complexity and capital intensity of the agriculture and ranching business are often underestimated. The business requires a diverse skill set, including accounting and cash flow projections. Similar to the military, the job evolves from operational to administrative and planning. While there are enjoyable aspects, such as being outdoors and working with animals, there is also a significant amount of challenging and mundane work. The key to success is having a genuine passion for the job and being willing to overcome obstacles. Building a strong team and being open to making changes are crucial in the industry. Little Belt Beef focuses on producing high-quality, sustainable beef through a vertically integrated supply chain. Grass-finished beef has a different flavor profile compared to grain-finished beef, with grass-finished beef having a more natural, wild game-like taste. The marbling of beef determines its grade, with higher marbling resulting in a higher grade. Little Belt Beef uses a style of grazing and rotation similar to grass-fed, grass-finished beef but finishes their cattle on grain for the desired fat quality, color, and marbling. The company emphasizes the importance of local supply chains and building a customer base that supports their product.
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Greg’s Links
https://littlebeltcattleco.com/
https://www.instagram.com/littlebeltcattleco/
Chapters
00:00 Greg Putnam's Unconventional Journey
04:11 The Mental and Physical Challenges of SDV Operations
08:26 The Unique Camaraderie of SDV Operators
19:07 The Importance of Mindset, Breath Work, and Preparation in SEAL Missions
27:07 From Military to Civilian Life: Greg's Journey
28:00 Living in Rural Montana: Challenges and Benefits
32:24 Exploring Cattle Ranching: Greg's Interest and Journey
36:09 The Complexity of Beef Cattle Production
56:29 The Complexity and Capital Intensity of Agriculture and Ranching
57:13 The Evolution of the Job: From Operational to Administrative
58:09 Passion and Perseverance: Overcoming Obstacles in the Industry
01:00:10 Building a Strong Team and Embracing Change in Agriculture and Ranching
01:32:08 The Flavor Difference Between Grass-Finished and Grain-Finished Beef
01:34:04 Understanding the Grading Process for Beef
01:38:16 The Importance of Local Supply Chains in Beef Production
01:39:30 Building a Customer Base for Sustainable Beef