On February 12, 2026, 37 producers and land managers gathered in Bemidji for a full day of learning and conversation at a Ranching for Profit workshop hosted by Beltrami SWCD.

Led by Dallas Mount, the day challenged some deeply held assumptions about profitability, grazing, and succession — and gave participants practical frameworks they can take straight home to their operations.

What stood out most wasn’t just what was taught, but how often participants nodded, laughed, and leaned forward as familiar pain points were named plainly.

Economics First. Always.

One message came through clearly: taxes and financing should never lead the conversation. “Tax problems are good problems — they mean you made money.” Participants were encouraged to separate value from cash, and to evaluate enterprises based on where value is truly created and where it quietly leaks away. Avoiding taxes or chasing production numbers may feel productive, but it often hides deeper economic issues. Dallas drove home the sentiment, “Don’t let tax avoidance drive business strategy.”

Profit Is Not the Same as Production

A recurring theme throughout the day was the difference between being busy and being profitable. Dallas shared that “Profitability and productivity are not the same thing.” Higher outputs don’t automatically lead to better margins, and more work doesn’t always improve results. The focus instead was on understanding enterprises clearly, knowing real costs (not just cash costs), and identifying the small number of decisions that create the biggest impact.

Grazing Is About Time and Recovery

The grazing discussion challenged conventional thinking around overgrazing and stocking. “Overgrazing has little to do with animal numbers — it’s about recovery time,” Dallas shared. Shorter graze periods, adequate recovery, and adaptability to changing conditions were emphasized over rigid systems or average-year thinking. Even drought was reframed not as disaster, but as information — and an opportunity for prepared managers.

Succession Requires More Than Good Intentions

The session on succession planning highlighted why so many transitions fail: unclear roles, poor communication, and businesses that aren’t economically viable to begin with. Dallas reminded the room that “Knowing how to raise livestock doesn’t mean you know how to run a business.” Participants were encouraged to clearly separate labor, management, and ownership, and to create healthy boundaries between family life and business operations.

Final Reflections

This Ranching for Profit workshop offered more than tools — it offered a mindset shift. One grounded in clarity, adaptability, and honest assessment. As one core message summed it up: “Know your numbers — and know how to use them.”

Thank you to everyone who participated, asked hard questions, and contributed to thoughtful discussion throughout the day.

And thank you to Beltrami SWCD for hosting a meaningful, high-impact event for producers in our region!