Cattlemen’s Call Podcast

The New World screwworm has become a topic of discussion amongst cattle producers in the last few months as the pest has moved into Mexico. NCBA, state affiliates and USDA have partnered, working to prepare for this potential threat. In this episode, host Lane Nordlund sits down with NCBA CEO Colin Woodall and Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association First Vice President Stephen Diebel...

Larry and Ellie Primeaux, first-generation cattle farmers in Mississippi, balance full-time careers with raising Angus and Brangus cattle. Larry, a dedicated game warden and K-9 handler with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, brings his deep knowledge of local wildlife to their cattle operation. Ellie, a passionate 5th-grade teacher, integrates agriculture into the class...

Brett Chedzoy of Angus Glen Farms in Watkins Glen, New York, shares how his family built a successful grass-fed cow-calf operation practicing agroforestry and silvopasture. As the 2024 ESAP Region I award winner, Brett discusses sustainable grazing, managing 100 paddocks across 500 acres, and using cattle to improve both land and legacy. From Argentina to upstate New York, their story displays ste...

Accuracy is important to move the industry in the right direction and cattle size and frame have changed significantly, but the yield grading system hasn’t changed since the 1960s to match them. We need new technology and new grading algorithms to accurately measure carcass data and return profit to the producer. Professor Ty Lawrence with West Texas A&M University and James Henderson with the...

Gina Tran grew up in Orlando, Florida, without any agriculture experience or family connection. However, her introduction to agriculture in the FFA classroom transformed the trajectory of her thinking and education. Gina went on to earn an animal science degree from the University of Florida and work on numerous large ranches in Florida and Texas where she learned to rope, ride and so much more. H...

Minnesota cattle farmers Rachel Gray and her son Nick Grundmeier share about their unique heifer development program. Little Timber Farms has come a long way since its dairy farming days, and now their innovative practices include seeding with drone technology, rotational grazing, bore water, and bale grazing in addition to their genetic advancements. Rachel, her father, and her son Nick have made...

We are breaking down what farmers and ranchers need to do to prepare for an emergency on their operation – whether it’s a flood, a wildfire, an equipment accident or a foreign animal disease outbreak J.J. Goicoechea and Kip Wills are on the show giving advice ranging from how to prepare for a helicopter to land on your operation for a medical emergency to who should be the first points of contact...

Tune into a practical discussion between veterinarians and nutritionists delivering practical perspectives on optimizing feedlot performance through combined recommendations. This conversation with TELUS Agriculture’s Drs. Kee Jim, Matt May, and Breck Hunsaker covers critical market challenges, strategic calf procurement decisions, and the transformative role of data analytics in modern feedlot op...

Barb Downey and Joe Carpenter with Downey Ranch were honored as the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award National winners. Hear how their family navigates transition planning with their two daughters, how they initiated rotational grazing and bale grazing, and their experience with GPS collars on their cattle. Through experimenting with different practices, Downey Ranch has found ways to save on i...

We are diving into different verification programs and what opportunities are available for cattle producers. Cattle producer Nancy Jackson, DVM, of Southern Cross Farm, Clint Berry with Superior Livestock, and John Saunders, CEO of IMI Global and Where Food Comes From, talk through the importance of producers telling their stories and how tranparency impacts the entire supply chain. Saunders shar...

Beef cattle farmers and ranchers are preparing for spring 2025 and all that comes with it — calving and planting. Meteorologist Matt Makens once again joins the podcast to highlight the weather challenges in the months ahead, namely dry conditions in many western parts of the country. As beef producers evaluate their ability to retain heifers and build up their herd numbers, much of those decision...

Buck Wehrbein has decades of experience feeding cattle, learning and growing from great mentors, and participating in NCBA leadership. Buck and his wife, Sandy, talk about their experiences living in Texas, raising a family on a feedyard and their decision to return to Nebraska. Buck shares what he sees as challenges for the year ahead and where he sees opportunities for young producers brave enou...

Biosecurity has been getting a lot of attention recently. With foreign animal diseases like foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) making headlines, understanding the role that producers, veterinarians, transporters, and state and federal agencies is important if an outbreak occurs. Producers and experts on cattle health issues, Monte Bordner, Dr. J.J. Goicoechea, and Dr. Julia Herman are on the show discus...

In this episode of the Cattlemen's Call Podcast, host Lane Nordlund speaks with Dr. Rosslyn Biggs from Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Wyatt Catron, a practicing veterinarian in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas. The conversation explores the critical role veterinarians play in rural livestock operations, the challenges of the veterinary profession, and solutions...

On this episode of Cattlemen’s Call, we’re diving into the impactful Beef for Backpacks program, a collaborative effort led by Wyoming First Lady Jennie Gordon, the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, and 307 Meat Company. This inspiring initiative ensures food-insecure children in Wyoming have access to nutritious, protein-rich beef. Tune in to hear from First Lady Gordon, Kelcey Christensen, and Breean W...

Lane Nordlund chats with Tucker Brown of R.A. Brown Ranch about blending family ranching with a growing social media presence. Tucker shares how he uses platforms like Instagram and TikTok to educate and entertain audiences, connecting consumers to agriculture. He highlights the importance of innovation, storytelling, and bridging gaps between producers and the public. Tucker also discusses balanc...

Max Krupp served our country in the armed forces to protect Americans, and now he serves his community by raising grass finished, natural beef in Texas. Max describes how military leadership shaped him and how those skills transfer to his career with Halo K Cattle Co. and mentoring other men and women. Max walks us through the challenges he faced when he retired from the Army and started a cow her...

Producers in the Southeast who have been hit by the recent hurricanes, Helene and Milton, are set back at least a month in their cattle production timelines. Florida cattlemen Alex Johns and Dale Carlton share what producers are experiencing today as they work to recover and clean up their operations after these natural disasters. They discuss the impact the support of fellow cattlemen and women a...

Dive into genetics with us on this episode as we talk with Kyle Caires, an Angus producer in Maui, Hawaii. Kyle emphasizes the importance of knowing your environment, whether you’re on the mainland or the Hawaiian Islands. He explains how their operation has made genetic decisions to enhance their herd and work with their many microclimates. Kyle gives advice to producers on using genetics and bre...

“You learn from the people that you lead.” Sam Cossio grew up in Mexico and moved to the U.S. as a teenager where he then worked for 20+ years in the cattle feeding industry. Sam has a unique story to tell and has insight on labor challenges and opportunities in the agriculture industry. His consulting business, Back to Basics, focuses on connecting people to build respectful, personal relationshi...

Bringing job seekers and employers together in the Western clothing and lifestyle industries is a passion for Jessie Jarvis, founder of Of The West. Jessie is an ag advocate who balances owning a business and raising a family, including two small kids, while ranching in Idaho. Jessie began Of The West from the ground up and has helped many people find their careers in cattle, livestock, and Wester...

We welcome back a familiar face, Atmospheric Scientist Matt Makens. Matt explains his upbringing in an agricultural family that led to his passion for weather and appreciation how weather reporting can assist cattle producers. He talks about how he gathers his models and information, what the rest of 2024 looks like, and his recommendations for cattlemen and women across the country. #LaNiña #ElNi...

We are taking it back to the Old West this episode with Kent Rollins, chuckwagon cooking expert. Kent grew up helping his father tend cattle in Oklahoma and his passion for cooking took off when he spent time in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico with his uncle. He travels the country now with his chuckwagon, cooking for cattlemen and women and building community through good food and conversation....

Cameron and Deborah Fitch have established a 30-30-30-10 philosophy when it comes to the quality of the beef they are putting on plates in their restaurants and selling to their consumers. Fitch Ranch sees all segments of the supply chain with a cow-calf operation, a processing facility, and multiple restaurants which is why they’ve set such high standards for their end product. Hear their story f...

We are getting into the weeds…or maybe the stalks… of the relationship between corn growers and cattle producers. These two industries rely on one another and make great partners to provide nutritious food for worldwide consumers. Our guests today are beef producer Jaclyn Wilson, National Corn Growers Association’s Troy Schneider, and U.S. Grains Council’s Ellen Zimmerman. They discuss the benefit...