Cattlemen’s Call Podcast

Kevin Birt, a first-generation Virginia producer, and Jeff Landrum, fourth-generation Iowa cattleman, discuss the different challenges facing cattle producers today, particularly access to land and capital for business growth and transition planning. In spite of these challenges, Kevin and Jeff are excited about the innovations evolving the industry. They both attended NCBA’s Young Cattlemen’s Con...

Conservation easements are a durability tool. On this show, Erik Glenn, CEO of Colorado Cattlemen’s Ag Land Trust, is joined by Colorado rancher Lee Rooks, whose family circumstances led them to leverage a conservation easement on their ranch to preserve the grazing land in an area seeing rapid development. A conservation easement was the right choice for Lee and his family to protect their ranchi...

Livestock haulers are a critical link in the cattle and beef supply chain, and they safely transport cattle across the country every day. Dusty Holley, executive vice president of Florida Cattlemen’s Association, and Kent Bacus, NCBA executive director of Government Affairs, discuss current federal transportation rules/regulations and identify changes that could improve livestock haulers’ ability...

Greg Putnam, a Montana cattle producer who co-owns Little Belt Cattle Co. shares how his experiences in the armed forces led him to a career in beef production and aligned with the hard work necessary to succeed. His current project involves collaborating with local producers, restaurants and businesses to provide high-quality beef for consumers. Greg has a passion for ensuring his community has a...

Lane Nordlund sits down with NCBA CEO Colin Woodall and Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane for a conversation on NCBA’s producer-led policy process and its role in fighting back against regulatory overreach, protecting property rights and grazing access, and strengthening animal health protections. Colin and Ethan highlight the importance of face‑to‑face engagement with lawmake...

Whether managing a herd of 10 or 10,000 head, there are ways to mitigate risk in price, weather and market volatility. Clay Burtrum, Farm Data Services, is breaking down risk management programs like Livestock Risk Protection; Pasture, Rangeland and Forage; and Weaned Calf Risk Protection. Clay walks through the differences between these programs and considerations for producers using these tools...

Learning a new way to ranch; it requires risk, but it also helps the ranch grow and realize new opportunities. Jeff and Logan Pribbeno of Wine Glass Ranch, the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award Program National winner, explain their progressive way of thinking on their operation in the Sandhills of Nebraska. Jeff Pribbeno, mentored by his grandfather, encouraged Logan to spend 10 years off the...

Troy Rowan with the University of Tennessee, dives into genetic innovations and research, examining the potential for producers to tailor EPDs to their environment, forage quality and animal health protocols. Better genetic predictions help producers select the animals that will perform best for their goals and at the heart of the discussion is a focus on the commercial cattle producer. If you’re...

Operating in the rugged mountain country of Los Angeles County, cattleman Mike Williams faces the same challenges producers encounter across the West — water scarcity, forage pressure, labor shortages and market fluctuations. He talks candidly about how “survival mode” keeps many ranchers reactive instead of proactive, and how shifting to make time to focus on better financial systems and margins...

Higher prices in the cattle industry are the result of cattle producers increasing the quality of our product, with 84% of fed cattle grading Choice or higher and 12% grading Prime today. However, herd expansion is occurring at a very slow pace, and Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax, reminds producers that the market could be volatile in 2026, so adopting risk management strategies is critical. We als...

Atmospheric Scientist Matt Makens returns to the show following his presentation at CattleCon, bringing an in‑depth look at the spring weather outlook for producers. Matt breaks down the latest trends in moisture patterns, temperature shifts, and spring weather forecasts, emphasizing the critical need for late‑winter precipitation after a dry December and January. He also explains why much of the...

Innovation is driving efficiency for the everyday cattle producer, and forage plays a crucial role in the cattle herd’s success. Scott Birker shares how his partnerships have shaped new ideas and solutions in baling and forage equipment to help his family save time and labor, giving Scott more time to focus on his family and the future of their multi-generational farm in Iowa. From the ground up,...

Gene Copenhaver took the reins as NCBA President after CattleCon 2026. He and his son Will join the podcast and share how they’ve worked together to transition majority ownership of Copenhaver Brothers Farms to Will and how they partner to make business decisions. Gene is excited for his year leading NCBA, especially as he sees young cattlemen and women who are eager to get involved in beef produc...

Maddux Cattle Company, located in southwest Nebraska, was homesteaded in 1886 and has grown in the last 140 years and now sustains about 2,500 cows and 5,000 yearlings. In 2026, the Maddux Cattle Co. is dispersing their mature bred cow herd at the Ogallala Livestock Auction. In this conversation, John Maddux walks us through the background of this decision and the opportunity for producers to acqu...

With CattleCon 2026 just around the corner, Feb. 3–5, in downtown Nashville — we’re taking a look at some of the standout highlights heading to Music City. In this episode, we preview what’s ahead with Grammy-nominated songwriter and keynote speaker Jimmy Yeary, who shares how the power of storytelling connects country music with the lives of cattlemen and women, and NCBA President Buck Wehrbein,...

We’re tackling a critical topic for every cattle producer: business continuity and biosecurity during a disease outbreak. Joining us are Dr. Julia Herman, DVM and beef cattle specialist at NCBA, and Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle, DVM with Preventalytics. They discuss how the Secure Beef Supply (SBS) was created, how a USDA grant has helped NCBA improve educational resources SBS planning, and its impo...

In this episode, we bring together voices from both the ranching and the policy front. Joining us are California cattle producer, Rick Roberti, and Kaitlynn Glover, executive director of Government Affairs for NCBA and the Public Lands Council. Together, they explore the real-world impacts of the Endangered Species Act, the controversy surrounding gray wolf protections, and the broader implication...

The high demand for beef continues, and consumers are seeking a high-quality product. Beef producers have been answering that call, as is evident in the upward trend of beef quality grades, specifically Prime and Choice. Paul Dykstra, with Certified Angus Beef, joins to discuss the shifting dynamics of quality grades and what they mean for today’s cattle producers. Paul offers insights into market...

Although Missouri isn’t known for being the home of vineyards and wineries, Windy Wine Company and KK Farms Red Angus are shaking up the narrative. Ken Keesaman and his son Kody operate a Red Angus herd, selling bulls locally and around the country, while Ken’s son Kraig used his culinary passion to begin a winery, incorporating various fruits and grapes that work well in Missouri's climate. Kraig...

The climate, forage species and desired cattle type vary greatly for these three producers who are 2025 ESAP Regional Winners. Mike Wilson, Whispering Hills Farm in Kentucky; Jack Smith, Smith Family Farms in Iowa; and Logan Pribbeno, Wine Glass Ranch in Nebraska, are on the show talking about the partnerships, programs and mentors that have shaped the way they raise and market cattle and how they...

Whether it’s migrating birds, elk and deer, large predators or invasive species, these three cattlemen have spent decades adapting their management plans to coexist and promote the health of wildlife along with their cattle. Gregory Gardner, G&G Livestock & Cathey Cattle Co.; Mark Overstreet, M&D Overstreet Ranch; and Bob McCan, McFadden Ranch dive into which plant and animal species h...

Matt Makens returns to the show to talk about weather patterns that changed from his spring outlook and created unexpected moisture in different regions of the country this spring and summer. He also discusses his Cattle Comfort Index, a tool he is developing to help cattle feeders and cow-calf producers to manage heat stress on cattle and give producers better opportunity to prepare. In addition,...

On this episode, host Lane Nordlund visits with Dr. Rick Machen, Executive Director of the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, and graduate Garrett Stribling. They share the Institute’s mission of preparing future ranching leaders, the value of advanced training in ranch management, and how KRIRM’s legacy is shaping the next generation of cattlemen and women. #KingRanchInstitute #RanchManag...

Cattle producers know what it’s like to push through pain to get the job done, finish chores, feed and take care of their family. And Rachel O’Grady has personal experience with overcoming extreme pain to pursue her goals. Now she helps rural farmers, ranchers and rodeo athletes to heal and find pain relief without surgery or endless appointments. Rachel shares her story of overcoming a paralyzing...

With the recent passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall and Senior Vice President Ethan Lane dive into the important pieces of this bill for cattle producers including tax provisions. They examine Congress’s work on disaster relief programs and wildfire management as well as NCBA’s work defending public land grazing. With producer profitability always top of mind, NCBA’s Wash...