Casual Cattle Conversations

Shaye Wanner invites Brian Reisinger, author of the book "Land Rich, Cash Poor," to shed light on the complex factors that have influenced why the number of farms and ranches in America has changed over the past century.  Through Brian's poignant storytelling and personal anecdotes, you'll gain a newfound appreciation for the resilience and perseverance that have become hallmarks of farm families...

Imagine a world where the barriers of language and culture melt away, paving the way for a more harmonious, collaborative, and prosperous agricultural landscape. In this thought-provoking episode, rancher and podcaster Shaye Wanner invites Katie Dotterer, a passionate advocate for bridging communication gaps, to share her transformative mission. Through captivating anecdotes and insights gleaned f...

Embark on a transformative journey where knowledge meets camaraderie, and the pursuit of profitability intertwines with a shared passion for the beef industry's future. Welcome to RancherMinds, a dynamic community that transcends geographical boundaries, uniting cattle producers from diverse backgrounds in a continuous quest for growth and innovation. In this thought-provoking episode, host Shaye...

Season 7 || Episode 29 Let's take a trip to learn about the beef industry around the world! Join rancher and podcaster Shaye Wanner as she invites Andrew Uden, a seasoned industry professional, to share his multifaceted experiences spanning continents and cultures. From Scotland to Brazil and A LOT of other countries in between, Andrew's captivating experiences offer a new perspective to how we op...

In an era where the narratives surrounding agriculture are often shaped by misinformation and disconnection, a refreshing voice emerges – one that harnesses the power of storytelling to bridge the gap between producers and consumers. Cheramie Viator is a trailblazer, whose journey from the corridors of Congress to the heart of Texas ranching has ignited a profound passion for nurturing the next ge...

Have you heard these myths about grazing cover crops for cattle? Myth 1: Cover crops are not profitable. Myth 2: Grazing cover crops destroys the soil. Myth 3: It's impossible to build successful partnerships with neighboring farmers for grazing cover crops. Keith Berns debunks these myths and shares an immense amount of knowledge about diversified cover crops during this conversation. In this epi...

The United States beef industry is a leader in today’s world and that’s no accident. The industry is filled with proactive individuals spanning from researchers to ranchers. It’s nothing short of exciting to be an American rancher today. Amanda Radke is an example of a rancher, industry leader and innovator in the beef industry. Her experiences as a rancher and speaker allow her to see not only th...

In an industry where it seems large-scale operations often dominate, a refreshing story emerges from the heart of San Diego County. Alli Fender, a dynamic force within the beef industry, invites you to explore the boundless potential of small-scale cattle ranching. Alongside her husband Bryce, Alli has forged a path that defies conventional wisdom, leveraging the inherent advantages of their small...

Scott Sandquist, is a trailblazer who is reshaping the local meat processing landscape in a rural community. In this conversation, Scott shares the challenges and rewards that accompanied his bold vision: establishing NoDak Meats, a small meat locker in Steele, North Dakota. From navigating the labyrinth of financing and regulations to labor hurdles, Scott's candid insights offer a rare and unvarn...

This captivating and thought-provoking discussion unveils how commercial cow-calf producers can leverage their position in the beef supply chain to add more dollars to their bank accounts. In this engaging episode, rancher and podcast host Shaye Wanner weaves together the perspectives of industry luminaries Ian Wheal and Nick Jorgensen, as they discuss the importance of collaboration and just how...

In this thought-provoking episode, we embark on an exploration of legacy – and what it means for farmers and ranchers. Vance Crowe is an amazing storyteller who helps families capture their legacy by interviewing their loved ones about family stories, life challenges and other experiences that influenced their actions and decisions. As we journey through this captivating conversation, you'll disco...

Imagine unleashing the full potential of your beef operation, one mineral at a time. In this informative episode, rancher Shaye Koester-Wanner invites renowned nutritionist Cadra Krueger to share her wealth of expertise on crafting strategic pre-breeding mineral programs. This conversation unveils the profound impact minerals can have on conception rates, calf health, and ultimately, your bottom l...

Intrigued by the prospect of tasting the finest steaks in America? This lively podcast follows rancher Tyler McCann as he describes the unique Rendezvous City Beef Roundup, an annual event he launched with his wife 7 years prior. What originated as a friendly competition between regional cattle ranchers has since evolved into a nationally renowned showcase attracting top producers from across the...

Season 7 || Episode 19 Let's dive into heifer marketing and profitability with Doug Ferguson. Doug's sell-buy marketing strategies and mindset shifts will open your mind to how participating in the female side of the cattle market can be a profitability game changer for your ranch. In this episode, you will be able to: Understand sell-buy marketing strategies to increase profitability in the cattl...

In between where we are and where we want to be lies the challenges that come with change. However, the difference in those who get to the other side and those who revert back to old ways comes down to practicing patience and maintaining the proper mindset. Joe Pokay, general ranch manager at the Noble Research Institute, shared how to stay patient and adopt the right mindset to make it through th...

In Season 7, Episode 17 of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast, Caitlin Word shares how cattle producers in all regions with different goals can regenerate their natural resources by being observant and applying the following soil health principles:   Know Your Context Cover the Soil Minimize Soil Disturbance Increase Diversity Maintain Continuous Living Plants/Roots Integrate Livestock     Wh...

Cattle and crops. That’s what a lot of us make our living on and know best. But what if adding one more species to your operation could not only improve your soil health and forages but also offer another revenue source throughout the year? Kevin Lynch shares the pros and cons of multispecies grazing as well as what beginners need to consider in Season 7, Episode 16 of the Casual Cattle Conversati...

Implementing cover crops into a grazing plan has a host of benefits for the soil, cattle and profitability of the business when done properly. Steve Swaffar shares his knowledge about cover crop grazing and how it can be an effective method of increasing soil cover in all climates if done properly. During this episode, you’ll learn about the following topics:   (04:08) Increasing popularity of cov...

Season 7 || Episode 14 – Regnerative. It’s a word that seems to be everywhere. It’s talked about on podcasts, scattered throughout articles and of course, all over social media. However, what does it really mean and why has there been so much hype about it? Caitlin Word with the Noble Research Institute shared her thoughts on what regenerative means, why there is a modern wave of livestock produce...

Ever feel like you're constantly low on energy, relying on caffeine and pain relievers just to get through the day? It's frustrating, right? You're not alone. But what if I told you that it is possible to feel more energized and reduce joint pain while still living your ranching dream? This podcast episode with Kennedy Youngren offers practical tips that work for blue-collar workers in rural Ameri...

The "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality with your cattle herd health is tempting to adopt. However, episode guest Gary Bosch explains that the challenge with this mentality is that we don't know when things will break. Gary Bosch sheds light on how diagnostic surveillance and modern vaccine technology can help you stay ahead of potential herd health problems and keep your operation thrivin...

Season 7 || Episode 11 Have you heard these myths about genomic testing in cattle? 1. Genomic testing is only for seedstock producers. 2. Genomic testing is too complex and time-consuming for commercial producers. 3. Genomic testing doesn't provide practical benefits for commercial operations. Nick Hammett and host Shaye Wanner bust these myths and dive into practical ways you can use genomics as...

Seasons 7 || Episode 10 – The beef industry has been focused on measuring economically relevant traits for decades. However, some of these traits are harder to measure than others. One of these traits includes pasture-based forage intake on an individual animal basis. With feed costs being one of the highest inputs cattle producers have each year and forage being a limiting resource, the ability t...

Do you want to enhance individual contributions and strengthen your family bond on the farm or ranch? Find out how to achieve this and elevate your family farm experience. In this episode, you will be able to: Understand Family Dynamics: Discover how to navigate and leverage family dynamics for a thriving farm operation. Find Your Farm Role: Uncover the key to defining individual roles within the...

Uncover the unexpected way technology is revolutionizing cattle management. Andrew Uden, CEO of HerdDogg, joined me for a conversation about how one form of technology is providing solutions to labor challenges, cattle marketing and more. In this episode, you will hear about: Overcoming challenges faced by ranchers with technology solutions. Harnessing the power of technology to address industry c...