Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast

Cattle-PAC is CCA's voluntary political action committee, working to support and educate candidates and elected officials whose decisions shape the laws and regulations affecting California ranchers. In a state with a democratic supermajority in the legislature, every pro-livestock, pro-business voice elected to office matters. On this episode, California rancher and CCA Cattle-PAC Chair Jack...

Consumer trust doesn't happen by accident. It’s built through the everyday decisions cattle producers make to care for their animals and produce high-quality beef. In this episode, we sit down with Josh White, Senior Executive Director of Producer Education & Sustainability for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, to discuss the evolution of the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) pro...

At CCA's Feeder Meeting in San Diego, Overland Stock Yard Co-Manager Jason Glenn provided an update on the West Coast's supply of feeder cattle. On this episode Katie and Jason chat about the market,  cattle feeding in California, and more. Text us your comments, feedback and episode ideas!

In our last episode, part one of this two-part series we covered a lot of background on the CA Wolf Project: how it got started, the people behind it, and what the project is—and isn’t—focused on. In this episode we pick that conversation back up. We sort through how the team is collecting research, who they’re collaborating with, what they’re seeing so far, what’s ahead, and how it all fits into...

The California Wolf Project is an initiative within the University of California Berkeley’s Wildlife Program. In this episode, the leaders of the California Wolf Project and principal investigators Dr. Arthur Middleton and Dr. Justin Brashars explain how this project got started, the people behind it, and what the project is and isn’t focused on.  This is the first episode of two on The California...

On this episode of Sorting Pen , we’re joined by Dr. John Madigan. Best known for developing the Madigan Squeeze Procedure, Dr. Madigan walks us through this simple yet groundbreaking technique used to treat neonatal maladjustment syndrome (often called “dummy foal syndrome") and how it’s now being applied to calves as well. Hear why it works, how it can be used on the ranch, the research beh...

As he prepares to term out of serving in the California State Legislature, Assemblymember James Gallagher joins us for a real, wide-ranging conversation about his time in office and what’s next. He shares his background in agriculture, what he’s learned about navigating Sacramento, and how he’s worked to elevate rural issues. We also discuss the passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa and how that inf...

It's hot! What's up with California’s weather being unusually warm this March? Meteorologist & Climatologist Brian Bledsoe joins us to explain why this spring is feeling more like summer so far, break down this winter’s rainfall, and discuss whether a potential El Niño or even a super El Niño could be on the horizon. We also dive into the weather and situation with the devastating wi...

On March 5, initial findings from a new California study examining ways to improve produce safety—particularly on the Central Coast—were unveiled. The multi-year study was conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in partnership with the Western Center for Food Safety at the University of California, Davis, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and agricultural stakeholders a...

On this episode, we’re honored to sit down with current National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) President Gene Copenhaver and President-Elect Kim Brackett for a conversation to get to know them. They share insights from their leadership journeys, discuss the priorities shaping NCBA’s agenda, and reflect on what's ahead for them in their leadership roles with NCBA. Text us your comme...

National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Director of Government Affairs Sigrid Johanes is back on Sorting Pen . In this episode from CattleCon 2026 in Nashville, Sigrid shares about the years of work behind the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Also hear the latest on the threats of New World screwworm and the Asian Longhorned Tick.  Episode Resources: Secretary Kennedy&apos...

In this episode of Sorting Pen , we’re sorting through CCA’s early 2026 legislative efforts as lawmakers return to Sacramento for the second year of a two-year session. CCA's Vice President of Government Affairs Kirk Wilbur joins to talk about what CCA is watching early on, and whether the lack of major new threats so far is encouraging—or just the calm before the storm. We also dive into CCA...

To open the first episode of 2026, host Katie Roberti is joined by CCA President Rick Roberti for a conversation on the ongoing gray wolf crisis, thoughts on his final year as president, and what lies ahead for CCA. Together, they also take time to honor and remember the leadership and lasting legacy of Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Text us your comments, feedback and episode ideas!

How do you turn an idea like legalizing livestock composting into law in California? In part two of this two-part series, we go behind the scenes with researchers Laura Snell and Dr. Kasey DeAtley to cover the bill itself, how it moved through the Legislature, and what it means for ranchers going forward.  Text us your comments, feedback and episode ideas!

This episode was recorded where the cowboys shop— D Bar M — in downtown Reno. Hear from the owner himself about this iconic western store before our 109th annual convention takes place in Reno next week! Text us your comments, feedback and episode ideas!

How do you turn an idea like legalizing livestock composting into law in California? In part one of this two-part series, we go behind the scenes with researchers Laura Snell and Dr. Kasey DeAtley to hear how research, planning, and persistence made it all possible. Stay tuned for part two episode (dropping Dec. 8), where we’ll cover the bill itself, how it moved through the Legislature, and what...

As California's fall bull sale run winds down, Western Livestock Journal Western Region Representative Jared Patterson joins us to recap how this year's sales went the past few months.  We chat about this year’s outstanding sale averages, what makes California seedstock producers shine, EPDs, and more. Jared also shares some favorite moments from the road and the best advice for anyone g...

In this episode we welcome Tracy Sellers, senior content writer and media strategist for the UC Davis CLEAR Center, to Sorting Pen for the first time as she gives California ranching families and producers an inside look at the work being done to bridge science, media, and agriculture. Get to know her journey in agriculture, and now working at the CLEAR Center with Dr. Frank Mitloehner. Tracy also...

To learn more about the conversations had during CCA's recent "fly-in" to Washington, D.C., on this episode we first talk with CCA Feeder Chair Mike Sulpizio of Superior Cattle Feeders, as the New World screwworm situation and the border closure was a top priority he took to on that trip. After we hear from Mike, stay tuned for updates from the National Cattlemen's Beef Associa...

It has been fire years to the week since that fire ripped through the Plumas National Forest and destroyed communities, legacies, the Daley family’s cow herd, and tragically ended lives.  Dave Daley, Butte County Rancher and past CCA president, talks with Katie about where we are at on wildfire solutions in California. We also talk about the recovery progress (and lack of) on the land from that bu...

Some increases in biodiversity on working landscapes are easier to handle than others. We asked Meghan Hertel, California Natural Resources Agency Deputy Secretary for Biodiversity and Habitat, to be our guest on this episode to talk about a positive, voluntary initiative that is trying to drive funding, support and increased awareness into the important role that ranchers and rangelands can play...

WSR Insurance Farm and Ranch Specialist Josh Morris joins Sorting Pen host Katie Roberti to break down the latest insurance updates impacting California agriculture. From the state’s evolving Sustainable Insurance Strategy to upcoming workers’ compensation rate increases, Josh shares what producers need to know now. Plus, hear what’s new at WSR Insurance and why it’s the perfect time to schedule y...

California Cattle Council Executive Director Justin Oldfield joins the podcast to discuss what the Council has focused on so far in 2025 and what’s on the horizon for the last half of this year. On this episode, learn about the commercials, billboards, and digital content the Council is advertising now and the strategic plan behind it all. Plus, hear more about some of the research the Council has...

Summer is going fast! We slow down on this episode to talk about the first six months of Rick Roberti's presidency. Rick shares about his experiences and issues discussed at CCA's Feeder Meeting in May and NCBA’s Summer Business meeting a few weeks ago in San Diego. He also provides an update on the gray wolf conflict and the concerns of New World screwworm getting closer to the U.S. Fin...

We are releasing this episode early, to give you more information about the One Big Beautiful Bill that passed out of the Senate yesterday (as of publishing this episode on July 2).  In this update, hear from California rancher and past CCA president Kevin Kester about the positive tax provisions in this bill for ranchers and farmers. Last week, Kevin was invited to the White House for an event hi...