In Episode 6 of the Killer Growth Podcast, Sam McVay sits down with Ryan Locke, a multi-generation Kansas cattleman whose life revolves around faith, family, land, and the relentless realities of the ranching business. From calving seasons to droughts, from volatile markets to generational transition, Ryan gives a raw and deeply grounded look into what it takes to build—and sustain—a ranching legacy.

Ryan shares the Locke family story going back decades, including how his father rebuilt the operation from leased grass and custom grazing, and how the family recently made a bold move to sell their long-time ranch and expand into a new era together. He breaks down the entire cattle lifecycle in a way anyone can understand—calving, weaning, grass season, wheat pasture, feed yards, markets, risk, and the day-to-day realities most people never see.

This episode dives into:

• How the Locke family rebuilt their ranching legacy from nearly nothing

• The economics of cattle: markets, margins, volatility, drought, and risk

• Why Kansas is one of the best places on earth for raising cattle

• The emotional and financial weight of generational transition

• The harsh realities of calving storms and drought years

• What "sustainable ranching" really means for land and water

• How Ryan balances cowboy tradition with modern efficiency

• The challenges of leadership, growth, and raising the next generation

• His investment group and how outsiders can (carefully) invest in cattle

Ryan also opens up about fatherhood, community, accountability, and the quiet, spiritual beauty he finds in gathering cattle at sunrise with his boys—a reminder that ranching is more than business; it’s a way of life worth preserving.

If you’ve ever wanted to understand the cattle industry, Kansas ranch culture, or the heart of a true cattleman, this is one of the most insightful episodes yet.

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