Working Ranch Radio Show

With replacement females costing what they do today, what’s another productive year worth from a cow already in your herd? University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension educators Randy Saner and Shannon Sand join us to explore when that extra year adds value—and when it doesn’t. From replacement costs and young cows leaving the herd too soon to feed expenses and the productivity of older cows, we look...

Historically low cattle numbers are creating challenges throughout the beef industry, but what does that mean for the infrastructure needed to feed and process those cattle? Dr. Stephen Koontz, agricultural economist at Colorado State University , joins us to examine how reduced cattle supplies are affecting feedlot capacity, packing plant operations, and competition within the industry. We discus...

As the fall calf marketing season moves forward, where does the cattle market stand, and what should producers be considering? Bailey Ballou with Superior Livestock joins us to discuss current market fundamentals, feed costs, calf prices, and marketing strategies, including the value of weaning and vaccination programs. Then, Dr. Mitch Blanding with Zoetis discusses the importance of herd health,...

Are the numbers and talking points we hear across the cattle business really telling us the whole story? This week, Chad Conard joins me to challenge some commonly repeated narratives—from the aging rancher and shrinking cow herd to beef production and imports—and look at the context behind the numbers. Plus, Cameron Cody with Harper Industries talks DewEze bale beds, feeding equipment and the But...

The life you planned in agriculture may not be the life you ultimately live—and that doesn’t mean it turned out wrong. Glen Waters, cattle sales specialist with Purina Animal Nutrition , joins us to share how growing up with cattle helped shape his career in the industry, why staying involved in cattle production today gives him a valuable perspective when working with ranchers, and why he’s optim...

Sometimes the toughest years force us to rethink the way we manage our ranches. Northern California rancher Kyle Farmer joins us to share how a devastating wildfire changed the way he looked at rebuilding and ultimately led him to become an early adopter of virtual fencing. We’ll talk about how that technology has changed his approach to grazing, water and infrastructure development, fire mitigati...

The cattle market has backed off its summer highs, but is some perspective in order? Kyle Shobe with Superior Livestock joins us to recap the Big Horn Classic, discuss where the calf market stands today, and look at the outside forces creating uncertainty. Plus, meteorologist Don Day joins us for our annual long-range weather outlook, taking us from fall through winter and into spring as El Niño t...

What does the commercial cow that actually pays her way look like? Trey Patterson ( Padlock Ranch ) and John Maddox ( Maddux Cattle Company ) join us to discuss building a cow for the long haul—balancing fertility, genetics, management and production without losing sight of profitability. We’ll look at why maximizing performance isn’t always the answer, the value of heterosis, and how to build a c...

Coming off the Video Royale sale in Winnemucca, where does the cattle market stand as we head toward the fall calf run? This week, Superior Livestock’s Trent Stewart looks at what the summer sales are telling us, what buyers are paying for, and how weight, delivery date and rising feed costs could impact marketing decisions. Plus, why he says this market is still “defying gravity” and why 2028 may...

Should today's record cattle market change the way you make culling decisions? This week, Texas A&M's   Dr. Ron Gill discusses which culling principles should never change, where the current market may justify a different approach, and the traits that lead to a more profitable, longer-lasting cow herd. Plus, in a lightning round of real-world scenarios, Dr. Gill weighs in on which cows stay, w...

Data centers are becoming a bigger part of the conversation across rural America, but what do they actually mean for the communities where they're built? Tony Pipa with the Brooking Institution is our guest as we discuss what's driving the rapid growth in data centers, the opportunities they may bring, and the legitimate concerns surrounding water, power, land, jobs and long-term economic impacts....

Has the cattle market found its new normal? Superior Livestock representative Clint Berry joins us to discuss what the recent Week in the Rockies sale is telling us, why he remains bullish on the long-term outlook for the beef industry, and what producers should be thinking about as they prepare to market this year's calf crop. Plus, Purina beef nutritionist Dr. Elizabeth Belew shares practical st...

As summer progresses, forage quality can begin to decline long before the pasture looks like it's running out. That subtle change can impact intake, digestion, weight gain, body condition, and ultimately your bottom line. Oklahoma State University professor Dr. David Lalman joins us to discuss when late-summer protein supplementation makes economic sense, which classes of cattle stand to benefit t...

Screwworm has dominated headlines across the cattle industry, but what happens after the initial crisis? Jared Wareham (Horizon Venture Management) and Chelsea Good (Good & Associates) join us to examine where the industry stands today—from the economic impact of a closed Mexican border and changing cattle markets to the latest technology being deployed to combat screwworm. We also explore the...

The first major summer video auction is in the books, and the results from Superior Livestock Auction's Corn Belt Classic are providing an early look at where the calf market may be headed this fall. Bailey Ballou joins us to discuss the fundamentals continuing to support historically strong cattle prices, what buyers are rewarding in today's market, and how health programs, genetics, and demand a...

Technology is changing ranching—but only if it leads to better decisions. This week, Shane White of Ceres Tag discusses wearable livestock technology and how data on feed efficiency, fertility, and grazing behavior may reshape cattle management. Then Gabe Wight of HerdAdvisor joins us to tackle one of ranching's biggest challenges: getting records entered and using them to improve marketing, culli...

A historic amount of American farm and ranch land is changing hands—and for many families, the biggest challenge isn't the legal paperwork. It's having the conversations that need to happen before the paperwork is ever signed. Today, land transition strategist Sonja Howle joins us to discuss the growing wave of agricultural land transitions, why so many families find themselves unprepared, and how...

If you had an extra $50,000 to invest into your ranch today… what’s the smartest way to use it? In part two of this special roundtable discussion, Zach Hopson, Dallas Mount, and Paul Foster discuss the worst ways to spend money, when equipment actually makes sense, paying down debt versus keeping cash available, and how ranchers are beginning to use AI and technology to improve decision-making, gr...

If you had $50,000 to invest into your operation today… where would it go?  Today is part 1 of a 2-part conversation with three ranchers from different operations answer the exact same question. Zach Hopson from East Texas, Dallas Mount from Eastern Wyoming, and Paul Foster from Northern Wyoming each bring a different perspective shaped by their own environments, business structures, land access,...

Cattle markets are strong… but are producers truly managing risk, margins, and marketing decisions — or simply reacting to the market around them? This week Abby Greiman of Ever. Ag joins us for a practical conversation on cattle marketing, breakevens, risk management, and why surviving cattle cycles often isn’t about swinging for the fences. We discuss understanding your costs, putting a marketin...

Today we take a closer look at the mission behind the Noble Research Institute and what it means for the future of ranching in the United States. Steven Rhines, CEO and President of the Noble Research Institute, joins us to share the history of the organization, the vision that shaped it in the 1940s, and how that work continues today through a focus on soil health, grazing management, and keeping...

Today we take a closer look at Eminent Domain and what it means for landowners. Tiffany Dowell Lashmet , agricultural law specialist with Texas A&M University, joins us to walk through the basics of eminent domain, where the authority comes from, some of the common truths and misconceptions, and the practical steps landowners should—and shouldn’t—take if they find themselves facing it. Plus, a...

Kentucky 31 fescue—for some it’s tolerated, for others it’s hated. This week, Dr. Harley Naumann with the University of Missouri joins us to talk about how to manage Kentucky 31 fescue and make it work in a year-round grazing system. From avoiding toxicity to stocking rate, forage diversity, and matching cattle to available feed, the focus is on building a system that works—not just for ranchers i...

What does it look like to shift irrigated pivot ground from crop production to grazing livestock? On today’s episode, Race King with the Matador Ranch joins us to share how their operation approached that transition. With over 20 years of experience, we discuss what led them to explore grazing under pivots, the steps they took to implement it, and the results they’ve seen over time. From labor and...

What do you do when farming no longer pencils out? Today, South Dakota rancher Troy Hadrick (Hadrick Ranch) joins us to talk about transitioning from dryland crop farming to a cattle-focused operation. We discuss what drove that shift, how direct-to-consumer beef sales created new opportunity, and what it really takes—from water and infrastructure to working with the right partners—to make a trans...