Our first stop was Ryan Brothers Farm in Moscow Mills, Missouri. We started the day at Chubby’s, the local breakfast spot, with Bill, his wife Donna, and his brother Mike. Having met Bill and Donna at CattleCon earlier this year, it was lovely to see them again and hear how things had been going since they put Monil collars on some of their cattle at the end of May.
After breakfast, we headed out to the pasture. Brothers Bill, John, and Mike grew up in the area and still own the farm where they were raised. Together, they run a cow-calf operation, selling their calves after weaning, and grow soybeans, corn and cover crop radishes
The collared herd grazes on land rented from their cousins. We drove through the woods before hopping into the 4×4 to visit the cattle. Bill and Mike shook their feed buckets to bring the herd over, with plenty of lively calves bouncing around alongside them.
Throughout the day, we heard about the lessons their father and uncle passed down when teaching them to raise cattle: work hard, keep an open mind, and be willing to try something that could improve the way you do things.
One quote captured that outlook particularly well:
“If you don’t try something new, nothing ever changes.”
That willingness to experiment helped shape their decision to try Monil.
Understanding what peace of mind looks like
The brothers live between two and fifteen miles from the cattle. Being able to open the app and check the herd’s location is something they particularly value.
They explained how storms can bring trees down on the poly-wire fences, giving cattle a way out. With more homes, roads, and people nearby, escaped cattle can put both the animals and the public at risk a real worry for the brothers. Hearing that helped us understand the peace of mind they get from being able to check the herd’s location and receive alerts if cattle leave their virtual boundaries.
They also told us they’re making better use of their pasture. Previously, they moved fences several times a week and struggled to use the whole area effectively. This season, some areas haven’t needed to be grazed at all. They already plan to collar the rest of the herd in the spring.
Another generation, another busy schedule
Monil has found its way into the next generation’s operation, too. Bill’s oldest son, Danny, uses the collars on his own herd, about thirty minutes from home. Between a full-time job, a young family, and a farm shop, he has plenty competing for his time.
Danny previously spent at least two to three hours a week moving fences. Now, he can adjust boundaries and check cattle locations from work, calling Bill, who is retired, if something needs a closer look.
The brothers generously made time to show us around, share family stories, and talk through their experience. With familiar faces, plenty of conversation, and calves keeping the pasture lively, there was a lot to enjoy alongside the filming.
For us, days like this are an important part of working at Monil. Spending time with customers gives us a much fuller understanding of the stories we tell, and it gives them a chance to show us what matters in their operation.
Thank you to Bill, Donna, John, Mike, and Danny for sharing your story and welcoming us so warmly. We’re looking forward to seeing how the herd gets on next spring!
Stay tuned for the Ryan Brothers producer story!
Whether your cattle graze across several properties, you manage pastures miles from home, or you're constantly driving out to check fences and move the herd, Monil gives you more flexibility to manage cattle from wherever you are.
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