LaneCast Ag Podcast

In this episode, Lane sits down with three generations of the Thompson family—Warren, Ty, and Jace Thompson—renowned livestock auctioneers and marketers with roots in Wyoming and Montana. Together, they discuss their family's legacy in the auction business, the important role auctioneers play in serving producers, and why competitive price discovery remains essential to the livestock industry. The...

In this episode of LaneCast Ag, Lane Nordlund sits down with the executive directors of Montana's agricultural commodity checkoff organizations: Chaley Harney of the Montana Beef Council, Liz Edmundson of the Montana Pulse Crop Committee, and Kent Kupfner of the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee. Together, they discuss how producer-funded checkoff investments are used to increase consumer aware...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in a calf in South Texas, marking the first confirmed U.S. detection as the pest continues moving north from Mexico. The affected animal is a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas. According to USDA, larvae were identified in the calf's umbilical area....

Is El Niño Overhyped? What Farmers and Ranchers Could Expect Meteorologist Brian Bledsoe joins Lane Nordlund to discuss whether El Niño is getting more attention than it deserves and what producers should realistically expect this summer. From drought concerns and hay production to rainfall prospects across Montana and the Northern Plains, Brian shares practical insight to help farmers and rancher...

Sit down with Kelly Whittman, President & COO of Roto-Mix, as we talk innovation, American-made quality, and the company’s commitment to helping cattle producers feed their herds efficiently and effectively across the globe. Plus, a look at the next chapter of growth for this trusted ag brand. #LaneCast #RotoMix #KellyWhittman #CattleIndustry #LivestockFeeding #AgInnovation #AmericanMade #Beef...

First-generation sheep producer Darnell Dugger of Acre & Herd Ranch in Georgia shares his unique journey from the military and corporate world to building a regenerative sheep operation in the Southeast. In this episode, Darnell talks about rotational grazing, solar grazing opportunities, and the challenges—and rewards—of raising high-quality lamb from pasture to plate. It’s a conversation abo...

At Commodity Classic 2026, Lane sat down with Greg Smith of Helena Products Group (HPG) to dig into what’s driving innovation in agriculture today—and what’s coming next. From the inside of Helena’s formulation labs to the broader product pipeline, Greg shares how HPG is developing new technologies designed to improve performance, increase ROI, and make products easier to handle for growers. They...

On this episode of the LaneCast Ag Podcast, Lane visits with Ben Lehfeldt, President of the American Sheep Industry Association, and David Fisher, Chair of the American Lamb Board. The two multi-generation sheep producers share insights on the current state of the sheep industry, highlighting the importance of policy, promotion, and collaboration to grow demand for American lamb. They also discuss...

As the U.S. cowherd rebuilds, Zoetis introduces the first commercially available BRD genetic predictions. Dr. Kent Andersen, Director of Technical Services, explains how Inherit Select and Connect help producers select healthier, more resilient, and more profitable cattle.     #BeefGenetics #HerdRebuilding #HerdHealth #CattleMarkets #CowCalfProducers

Recorded at Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Lane visits with Bree Baats, Grain & Oilseed Analyst with Terrain Ag, to break down the outlook for corn, wheat and global trade heading into 2026. From Mexico’s role in corn exports to dry conditions across the West and shifting export dynamics, Bree shares key insights producers need to watch this spring. Stay informed on markets, volatility and...

Cattle prices are sky-high, inventories are at historic lows, and drought is creeping back into the conversation across the West. So where does the cattle cycle go from here? Broadcasting from CattleCon in Music City, Lane Nordlund sits down with market analyst Don Close of Terrain to break down the latest USDA Cattle Inventory Report — showing the smallest U.S. cattle herd since 1951 — and what i...

In this episode of the LaneCast Ag Podcast, Lane Nordlund sits down with ag meteorologist Brian Bledsoe to break down what producers across the Northern Plains and beyond need to know about the weather ahead. From La Niña’s grip on winter and shifting Pacific patterns to snowpack, soil moisture, and long-range outlooks tied to herd rebuilding and crop planning, Bledsoe explains why forecasts chang...

On this episode of the LaneCast Ag Podcast, Lane Nordlund sits down with three leaders driving the future of the beef business. Roger Wann, Angus breeder and American Angus Association Board Member from Oklahoma, shares how verified genetics and programs like AngusLink help ranchers earn more. Doug Stanton, Senior VP of Sales and Business Development for IMI Global, explains how verification and t...

Lane Nordlund sits down with Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax, to discuss the forces shaping today’s historic cattle market. From supply and demand trends to global beef trade and herd rebuilding signals, Blach unpacks the latest data and economic indicators guiding producers’ decisions. In this exclusive conversation, viewers gain actionable insights to help steer their cattle operations toward sust...

In this episode, Lane Nordlund talks with NCBA CEO Colin Woodall about President Trump’s recent Truth Social post claiming credit for high cattle prices — and his new plan to boost beef imports from Argentina to lower grocery costs. Woodall says the move could hurt U.S. cattle producers, worsen the trade imbalance with Argentina, and risk animal health due to the country’s history of foot-and-mout...

It’s fall shipping season and ranchers are seeing the rewards of years of hard work. Lane Nordlund sits down with rancher and Superior Livestock Auction Representative Jake Feddes for a front-seat conversation right from the pickup during another busy shipping day. Jake shares insights on this year’s record-high calf prices, how producers are managing contracts, and why heifer retention isn’t taki...

President Trump says importing Argentinian beef could lower prices — but America’s cattle producers aren’t buying it. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall joins LaneCast to break down the risks for U.S. ranchers and rural America. #Cattlemen #Ranching #BeefIndustry #NCBA #BeefCheckoff #USBeef #AgNews #AgPolicy #AgTalk #RuralAmerica #ArgentinaBeef #TrumpBeefDeal #NCBA #AgNews #Ra...

Join Lane Nordlund on a special LaneCast Ag Podcast episode recapping the 2025 Montana Angus Tour across Southwest Montana. This year’s tour showcased the people, cattle, and country that define Angus excellence. Guests include: • Darrell Stevenson of Stevenson Down T Angus, White Sulfur Springs, MT • Will Malcolm of Mile Hi Angus, Livingston, MT • Jake Callantine of Timber Line Ranch, Belgrade, M...

In this episode of the LaneCast Ag Podcast, Lane sits down with Jim and Bob Sitz and their adult children to hear how the next generation is carrying forward the family’s Angus legacy. From day-to-day ranching to data-driven cattle genetics, the Sitz family shares what the famous “Sitz Look” means to them—and how they’re preparing for the future of the Angus breed. Listeners will hear candid refle...

Lane is joined by auctioneer Ty Thompson of the Northern Livestock Video Auction. Ty shares insights from their Fall Premier Sale, where over 15,000 head of feeder and bred cattle sold. From record-setting feeder calf prices to the outlook on bred cattle and the realities of drought and feed costs, Ty gives ranchers a front-row seat to today’s cattle market. Whether you’re marketing calves this fa...

Lane Nordlund visits Drange Apiary east of Billings, MT with Jodie Drange and Dana Jansen. Jodie shares the story of her family’s 6,000-hive beekeeping business, the honey harvest, and challenges from foreign imports and urban growth. Dana highlights her family’s century-old cattle ranch, the opportunities in today’s cattle market, and her work directing Montana’s Ag Safety Program. Together, they...

Lane visits with Ty Thompson, auctioneer with Northern Livestock Video Auction, following their 2025 Early Fall Preview sale. Ty shares firsthand insights on record-setting calf prices, unprecedented demand in the beef market, and what it means for ranchers, feeders, and replacement heifer buyers. They also discuss herd size, the outlook for bred cattle, and a few notes on the lamb market. With 33...

Nick Courville, Young Farmer & Rancher Chair of the Montana Farm Bureau, shares how he and his wife run a horse breeding program, raise cattle, and more. He talks about challenges like land access, high costs, and sale barn closures, while stressing the importance of showing up, networking, and stepping into leadership roles to shape the future of agriculture.     #LaneCastAgPodcast #YoungFarm...

Cheatgrass is costing ranchers big—and it’s not going away on its own. In this episode of LaneCast Ag, Podcast Lane Nordlund sits down with Justin Hossfeld of Envu to dig into real-world solutions for reclaiming rangeland from invasive annual grasses like cheatgrass, medusahead, ventenata and red brome. From first-hand success stories using Rejuvra® to smart application timing, return-on-investmen...

In this LaneCast Ag Podcast, Lane Nordlund talks with Don Close of Terrain about the booming 2025 cattle market and what’s driving record-high calf and bred cow prices. They break down the July USDA Cattle Inventory and Cattle on Feed reports, which confirmed bullish market conditions, the smallest U.S. herd in decades, and continued strong demand despite high prices. Close discusses herd rebuildi...