It's more about the "unknown" than the "known" when it comes to Avian Influenza (Bird Flu). Dr. Fred Gingrich, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, is my guest today as we discussed the Influenza Type A H5N1 outbreak now being confirmed in Dairy Cattle. As a beef cattle rancher I have A LOT of questions like... Are beef cows susceptible? W…

Today you get to listen in as I talked with two, totally unrelated, products in our ranching industry that I am considering using on our ranch. The first is GPS tags in livestock. Rob Paxson with 701X lays out how GPS tag technology works, how you would use it, who’s using it, who controls the data, and of course the cost. Then we’ll hear about a p…

It’s all in the Title when it comes to Cull Cattle Management… Right Way… Right Time. Trey Patterson (Padlock Ranch) and Patrick Linnell (CattleFax) join me today as we discuss the details of a guide to Cull Cattle Management called Right Way – Right Time. Our initial discussion starts with looking at practices that lead to financial losses to our …

The use of Antibiotics, Implants, and Feed Supplements... honestly it feels like the start of an awkward conversation. However, Dr. Michael Apley (KSU) unpacks these topics as we not only talk through the history of Antibiotics in our food animals, but also their purpose in today’s cattle industry… from both an animal efficiency point of view but a…

The USDA closed the loophole that requires IF a beef product CHOOSES to be labeled a "Product of the USA" it must be Born, Raised, Slaughtered, and Processed in the USA. Leo McDonnell is my guest as we get his take on this change. It's a topic he has been advocating for, for 25 years. And as we know Country of Origin Labeling has been a controversi…

Over 6 million head, that’s the size of the cattle herd in the state of Kansas and today Matt Perrier (Dalebanks Angus & host of Practically Ranching), 5th generation rancher from Eureka, KS, walks us through the history of the Kansas Cattle Industry. From those iconic Kansas cow towns to the expansion of the railroad, the arrival of the Black Angu…

Estate Planning... a topic nearly every ranch family will have to… or has dealt with. Attorney Dal Houston walks us through the various topics like: the difference between a Will and a Trust; the difference between a Revocable Trust and an Irrevocable Trust as well as discussion on Joint Tenancy, Partnerships, and LLC’s. You may have heard this top…

It's the second most costly animal health issue in our industry… Lameness. And today Dr. Lacey Fahrmeier is my guest as we discuss the factors that contribute to animals coming up lame. We'll talk about nutrition, the environment and even your genetics. Also, not everything is Footrot and how improper diagnosis can have long-term effects. Plus, wha…

Buying bulls in a BIG investment. Dr. Mark Johnson with Oklahoma State University Extension is back with us to bring into context some practical insight when searching for and buying bulls. It starts with defining the purpose and role that bull will be playing in shaping the desired outcome. We'll discuss how you can determine what the value of a g…

The Estate Tax Exception amount is set to roll back from 13 million per person to 7 million at the end of 2024 and attorney Dal Houston returns as a guest to explain the details. We’ll discuss options that can be looked at should your estate be bumping into the potential for those Death Taxes… which will lead us into a great discussion on the uses …

Simple Supply and Demand indicated the Ranchers are going to have leverage for the next few years. Clint Berry, Marketing Rep for Superior Livestock joins us as we work through the CattleFax projections for 2024. The US Beef Cattle herd is the smallest since 1961 and expansion of the US herd appears to be rather slow. What could be causing that? We…

Lamar Steiger returns as a guest in his role both as a rancher and a consultant to beef retailers as we discuss the value in knowing and understanding more about the end user of our product, we call Beef. We’ll also get an update on the Walmart Beef Supply Chain... and while we’re on the topic of Beef Supply Chain, let's talk vertical integration. …

How does a case in Idaho over stock water rights on public lands have a much broader implication? That’s basically the crux of our conversation today as Gage Zobell with the law firm of Dorsey & Whitney walks us through the multiple angles of this topic starting first with water and land use of our public lands. We’ll discuss how policy rather than…

The USDA recently launched a pilot program that will allow local or independent beef processing facilities the ability to get official USDA Grading… remotely. Lia Biondo & Patrick Robinette with the US Cattlemen’s Association join me today to talk about the details of this pilot program. How it came about, how it will function, and why they believe…

It’s Part 2 in our series on Beef on Dairy. Dr. Ty Lawrence of West Texas A&M University and director of the Beef Carcass Research Center, continues walking us through this topic. Last week he provided an overview and then we started with the Good… then into the Bad… and this week we get into the Ugly. Also, are "Beef on Dairy" animals a competitor…

Beef on Dairy... today is Part 1 of a two-part series looking at that segment of our cattle industry. Dr. Ty Lawrence of West Texas A&M University is one of the most recognized experts on this subject. Today we will look at the factors in the dairy industry that has dairy producers cross breeding to non-dairy genetics. Then we’ll begin to peel back…

With the start of a new year let’s stop and think about what we want in the year ahead. While we may know what we’d like to accomplish, what we end up doing is often something different. Ranching Consultant and Coach Allan Crockett returns as a guest as we discuss what we can do to be effective in the next year. From settle goals to identifying the…

It's the final show of 2023, and the last of a three-part series where we have been counting down the top 12 shows of this past year. We started at 12. We've worked all the way down to number five and today we'll recap the top four shows of the year. We'll be talking about Windfall Profits, Kicking the Hay Habit, Not Being A Debbie Downer, and Usin…

 We continue with part two of a three-part series of shows as we are counting down the top 12 shows of 2023. Last week we started at 12 and worked down to 9. This week we'll start at the 8th ranked show and work down the list to 5th. The topics will range from the Cattle Market to addressing issues of the next generation coming back to the ranch, a…

 Today, it's the start of a three-part series of episodes as we look back over 2023 and bring to you highlights from the top 12 shows. Today we'll start at number 12 and work down the number 9th ranked show of the past year. Plus, the Captain, Tim O'Byrne will be in for "T2Cents" and Meteorologist Don Day gives us the weather outlook for the next c…

Today, two interviews. First with Dr. Chris Reinhart as we talk about the importance of a mineral program not only for the vitality of your cows and their offspring, but how that plays out in the maturity of those young heifers that may one day be in your herd. Then a sit down with two ranchers, Niels Hansen from Wyoming and Ron Cerri of Nevada as …

An extremely informative conversation with the respected and revered industry consultant Dr. Nevil Speer. We’ll cover an array of subjects from the current cattle market to why the delay in heifer retention and his thoughts on what will shape our industry in the year(s) to come. These are just a few of the topics we cover in the in depth conversati…

It’s important that we stay in touch with the activities and decisions being made in Washington DC that effects our industry… such as the latest announcement on fresh beef imports from Paraguay. Lia Biondo and Jess Peterson with the US Cattlemen’s Association join us to provide insight on several topics like the new House Speaker Johnson. How will …

Less than two months of the year are remaining so finishing strong and planning for 2024 is going to be key in having a successful year ahead... and reducing the chances of not doing something that could be a costly financial mistake. Ranching Consultant, Allan Crockett is back with us as we discuss why and how we can be proactive in analyzing the …

Feed and/or Supplement is one of the bigger line items in a ranch budget. So, what if we took a little time to put some thought behind our feeding program in an effort to save money. Dr. Mark Johnson, from Oklahoma State University Extension is my guest as he shares with us what we can do to make sure we are being both efficient and effective with …

New show with updated weather, but going to re-run the main interview... if you want to know why, listen in. The financial picture for ranchers this year and potentially for a few years is going to look a lot different than has for a while. Mary Jo Irmen, Farm/Ranch Strategy Expert and Author is back as she offers some strategy, considerations, and…

The financial picture for ranchers this year and potentially for a few years is going to look a lot different than has for a while. Mary Jo Irmen, Farm/Ranch Strategy Expert and Author is back as she offers some strategy, considerations, and cautions on managing these potential profits. We’ll also discuss Operating Loans, which are now at a 20 year…

Today we cover several topics. First, the story from Denise Loyning (L-W Cattle Company) is using software that helps them efficiently develop their young bulls. From tracking feed, both inventory and what is fed, to also health records with their veterinarian. Then, RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger will join us to talk about a new risk management t…

Tim Sheehy is a former Navy Seal turned businessman and rancher that shares his story of what provoked him to start from ground zero with a ranch (Little Belt Cattle Company) in Montana and start raising and selling branded beef products. We’ll also discuss his concern about protecting and enhancing our food supply chain and why that’s important, h…

After a strong summer Cattle Market will it hold through into the Fall Run? Clint Berry, Marketing Representative for Superior Livestock is back as we assess this past summer's market and what that is telling us as we look ahead to the Fall Run. What does it look like on the steer market? On the heifers, will there be high demand or still a sell of…

You might think that with these record cattle prices you can afford to buy some things or add to your operation. But, before you do that, you’re going to want to listen through today’s show. Dallas Mount, with Ranch Management Consultants, is my guest as I’ll have him expand more on his recent Profit Tips Newsletter titled… Don’t Screw Up The Windf…

This time of the year brings about the fall work of our cows. Activities like shipping yearlings, pre-conditioning, weaning, and preg checking… there’s just a lot going on. So how can we do all this and keep the stress level down in our cattle? Steve Cote is back with us to talk about some of the low stress practices we can do to keep our animals i…

We can breed for efficiency, but that doesn’t make your cows efficient… they can only work with the resources that are available. Ted Perry, Director of Beef Technical Services with Purina joins us as we discuss the value of a mineral program in the nutrition of our cows that allows them to be efficient with the resources they have; whether that’s …

Virtual Fencing... Can it work? Is it cost effective? Researchers from Oklahoma State University (Dr. Ryan Reuter, Dr. Laura Goodman, & Alayna Gerhardt) join me as we talk about their project in looking at the viability of Virtual Fencing for ranchers. What are the benefits that it offers and what have been the challenges as this technology emerges…

In ranching there are just some things we cannot control. For example, our markets and weather. So far, the markets are looking pretty good, but what about the weather for this fall and winter? Meteorologist Don Day joins us for the entire show as he walks us through his outlook for the next 4-8 months. We’ll take an overall look at what will be af…

Managing a ranch in today’s industry is different that it was for the previous generations... and it continues to change. So, what are the skills a manager needs on today’s ranch? Rick Machen with the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management is my guest as he shares with us three umbrella areas that are critical for Ranch Managers. If you have asp…

Your Legacy… it’s what you leave behind when you leave this world. What’s that going to look like? Will your legacy be muddled with your estate and family in disarray and your children not speaking to each other, or will it be a blessing? Dan Childs, with the Noble Research Institute, is my guest as we go through seven considerations in the success…

Today… An update on industry issues that you might want to be in the "know" on. Russell Nemetz with the Western Ag Network joins me to discuss the hot topics that were on the table of the Cattle Industry Summer Business in San Diego. Among the topics, why the current administration is not accepting the Supreme Court's ruling on the WOTUS. Also, who…

The principles that Bud Williams brought to the forefront of our livestock industry have motivated many ranchers to learn and adopt these practices in their own operations. Today we talk with Steve Cote as we specifically focus on the most important part of getting a herd to move is how they get started. Plus, will talk through what we can being do…

Capital Gains Taxes… it’s a subject that is a part of the conversation in ranching families when there is a desire to divest of ranch land. And if the land is sold outright, it leaves the seller liable for Capital Gains Taxes. This is where Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code comes in. Dal Houston, attorney from Alva, OK is my as we go throug…

In our primary education we had report cards. It was a method that could tell us if we were on track, where we were falling short, and monitored our progress. The BQA Audit serves in that capacity for our industry as it evolved out of an era over 30 years ago in which consumer demand was in the tank. So the industry took the bull by the horns (so t…

If your ranch struggles with profitability… maybe it’s time to consider the difference between Ranching Principles versus Ranching Practices. Dallas Mount, Owner of Ranch Management Consultants is my guest as we discuss the danger to the lifespan of your operation when focusing on the “Practices” keeps you from adapting to changes in the industry. …

To become one of the largest horse sales in the west… what does that take? Jann Parker, manager of the BLS Horse Sale in Billings, MT is my guest as we discuss how they handle the issues that can arise specifically when it comes to selling horses, how do they provide assurance to buyers , what has made BLS an exceptional "Loose Horse Sale Market", …

To fully understand our domestic cattle markets, we need a grasp on the Global Beef Supply. Brett Stuart, with Global AgriTrends, is my guest as we talk world beef supply numbers. What countries are driving US Beef exports and why Plus, we’ll address why there are beef imports from other countries and some concerns on imports. Finally, why the long…

When you look head-on into the future of your ranch, are your management decision and day to day operations creating a viable multi-generational business, or is it over when you’re done? Making critical management changes in your operation that moves away from traditional practices can be hard. Kurt Myllymaki, a rancher and farmer from Stanford, MT…

In agriculture our livelihood begins with a drop of rain, and when it doesn’t come, decisions must be made. As ranchers it’s about stocking rates. So how can we be proactive in our management rather than reactive? Keith Harmoney, with Kansas State University, joins me today as he discusses the factors we should assess both in coming out of a drough…

On the heels of a recent BSE case in the US, let’s discuss Animal Traceability. And while it’s been a subject that has been debated within our industry, the recent BSE case provided a glimpse of what traceability looks like and its defense of our industry. Lia Biondo, Executive Vice President of US Cattlemen’s Association is my guest as we talk abo…

Breeding Costs… do you really have a good grasp on what yours are? Andrew Griffith, Livestock Economist with the University of Tennessee, is my guest today as we work through the Cost Benefit Analysis of Timed Ai’ing and Natural Service. We’ll discuss the strengths and weakness of each of these methods as well as the economic and how that ties in w…

Flies! All of us in the cattle business deal with them. They contribute to over a billion dollars in potential financial loses to our cattle industry each year, which includes you. And before you repeat what you’ve always done or get sold on the latest product from the feed store, or get caught up in the latest all natural methods… maybe it’s time …

In the classic western film "The Three Amigos" there is a discussion on knowing what a Plethora is. So after 1 hour and 44 minutes of research (coincidentally is the same length of this classic film), I determined that today we have a plethora of topics in store for you. Meteorologist Don Day will not only be in to talk long term weather, but we’ll…