Nate Ranallo’s soothing voice and storytelling prowess turned the Wisconsin dairy hoof-trimmer into a social media sensation.
The internet is full of all kinds of oddities: foot videos, pimple-popping videos, and even some really great farming videos. But then there are hoof videos — specifically, the dairy hoof-trimming videos. It’s the best of all of these worlds (well, minus the foot part, probably), where dairy hoof trimmer Nate Ranallo, better known as Nate the Hoof Guy, grinds and trims away whatever ails about 10,000 head of Holstein cattle near his home in Wisconsin.
While many careers in agriculture go unnoticed, Nate the Hoof Guy has turned an everyday (and sometimes stomach-churning) farm task into a social media sensation.
Ranallo’s videos, which started as modest uploads, now garner millions of views across various platforms.
“On YouTube, my videos can get between 100,000 to 300,000 views, while some Facebook posts have reached up to 20 million views,” Ranallo said in an interview with AGDAILY. His TikTok account boasts 1.9 million followers, and his YouTube channel has 1.5 million. Individual videos often rack up hundreds of thousands of views.
This wide reach has significantly impacted Ranallo’s career and the way he connects with the public.
“I never expected my content to blow up like this,” he admitted. “I started posting just to see what would happen, and the response has been overwhelming.”
With a Minnesota biology degree and hands-on training from a seasoned hoof trimmer, Ranallo has found a niche that combines his passion for farming with a love for storytelling. He does it all with a soft, drolling tenor that leaves many of his followers looking for his videos around bedtime.
Ranallo’s journey into dairy hoof trimming began with a simple interest in farm life.
“I always wanted to farm, but I wasn’t quite ready to dive in fully. Hoof trimming felt like a halfway point,” the 45-year-old explained.
Working alongside a professional hoof trimmer, he quickly realized that this career offered a blend of hands-on work and the chance to run his own business. With this goal in mind, he set out to make a living for himself and his family in hoof care.
A typical day for Ranallo starts early.
“I leave the house first thing in the morning and drive to farms within 30 minutes of home,” he said. His workday involves trimming cow hooves for seven to eight hours, ensuring the animals are healthy and comfortable.
This daily grind is punctuated by moments of calm and focus as he works carefully to avoid injury to himself and the cows.
The road to mastery wasn’t easy, Ranallo said. “When you first start, everything is challenging.”
Learning the nuances of different farms, dealing with various setups, and managing time effectively were all hurdles he had to overcome. Despite these challenges, Ranallo’s dedication to his craft has never wavered.
Ensuring the safety and well-being of the cows is paramount.
“The most dangerous part is getting the cows into the chute. I keep them calm by using small pens and working with just a few cattle at a time,” Ranallo said. His careful approach minimizes stress for the animals and keeps the work environment safe.
Ranallo’s foray into social media began almost by accident. Inspired by a fishing show and the advice of social media guru Gary Vaynerchuk, he started posting videos in 2020.
“I had no idea what to expect. My first videos only got a few thousand views,” Ranallo said.
Fast forward to today, and his content reaches millions across YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok.
His success lies in his unique voice and engaging content. Despite having no formal media training, his natural storytelling ability shines through.
“I was insecure about my voice at first,” Ranallo admitted. But his followers love the way he narrates the intricate process of hoof trimming, especially videos featuring abscess trimmings, knife work, and transformations.
He said that becoming a social media icon has brought surprising rewards.
“The freedom it has given my family is incredible. I get to share my perspective and connect with people worldwide,” Ranallo said enthusiastically. The feedback from followers is overwhelmingly positive, with some even incorporating his videos into their nightly routines.
Managing a successful social media presence while maintaining professional responsibilities is no small feat.
“It’s a 24/7 job,” he said. He films and monitors his content continuously, building videos in his head as he works.
But, the connection between his content and the public has been a rewarding experience. The most unexpected joy comes from the little things.
“I love getting letters from young kids who enjoy watching my videos. One girl even pretended to trim hooves,” Ranallo said with a laugh.
Those moments of connection make all the hard work worthwhile. Yet it’s not just the kids who get a kick out of Ranallo’s videos. There’s a whole section of spoofs, where people remove abscesses by trimming away at black spot bruising on potatoes or carefully cutting cookie dough from their ice cream with cutlery.
@erinizm I hear @Nate the Hoof Guy every single time I peel potatoes 😂 #natethehoofguy #kitchen #food #peelpotatoes #potatopeeling #hoofcleaning #hoofcow #hoofpicking #hooftriming #lol #comedy #funnyvideos #funnyvideo #whatihear ♬ original sound – Nate the Hoof Guy
Ranallo said he on a mission to educate the public about dairy cows.
“People often don’t understand the body composition of a dairy cow. They think they’re too skinny, but it’s just a different type of body frame,” he noted.
Through the thorough explanations he offers on social media shorts, and even Q&A sessions, he’s able to provide a unique connection between consumers and agriculture. Though oozing abscesses and lesions may not always be imagery for the faint of heart, they add interest, and Ranallo is able to explain cattle welfare and the process by which he treats each cow individually in a methodical and easy-to-understand format.
And for Ranallo, the importance of connecting with the general public goes beyond the numbers.
“Agriculture is often misunderstood, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” he explained. “Most people don’t even know what hoof trimming is or why it’s necessary. My goal is to tell the story of farming from the correct perspective.”
Ranallo’s videos help to demystify the process and show the care and dedication that goes into maintaining the health of dairy cows. His content bridges the gap between farmers and consumers, fostering a greater appreciation for the hard work involved in agriculture.
“Connecting with the public is crucial because it builds trust and understanding,” Ranallo emphasized. “When people see what we do and why we do it, they gain a new level of respect for farmers and the agricultural industry.”
Using social media, Ranallo has built a successful business and raised awareness about agriculture. His videos highlight the importance of transparency and education in farming, making him a well-liked figure online and a strong advocate for the agricultural community.
Heidi Crnkovic, is the Associate Editor for AGDAILY. She is a New Mexico native with deep-seated roots in the Southwest and a passion for all things agriculture.
