The Shorthorn Bull Pen

A decade with the American Shorthorn Association brings plenty of stories to tell. Shelby Diehm and Heather Lange join Montie Soules as they revisit their early days with ASA and how their roles have grown alongside the organization over the past 10 years. From the move to Kansas City to advances in tissue sampling, data processes and junior program growth, their conversation highlights a transfor...

What risks exist from the emerging threat of the New World screwworm? In this latest episode of The Bull Pen , Montie Soules, CEO of the American Shorthorn Association, visits with Dr. Jason Cleere of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Dr. Cleere discusses the need for industry awareness and preparedness, drawing on his expertise in beef cattle health, nutrition, and extension education at Texas A&...

Season 3 of "The Shorthorn Bull Pen” kicks off with Kenny Stauffer from Neogen. This episode dives into the scale and scope of Neogen’s global genomics business, its deep ties to breed associations, and how DNA technology continues to shape beef production. Stauffer also addresses the company’s transition to new ownership and what that means for customers, data integrity, and innovation movin...

This episode of The Shorthorn Bull Pen takes you inside the boardroom as Montie Soules visits with all nine members of the 2024–2025 American Shorthorn Association Board of Directors. The conversation offers a unique look at the leadership guiding the breed forward. Each director reflects on their time serving the ASA, the experiences that have shaped their perspective and the shared commitment th...

In this episode of The Shorthorn Bull Pen, Montie Soules sits down with newly appointed National Western Stock Show CEO Wes Allison on the grounds of the renovated complex. With the 2026 show set to debut all-new facilities, Wes shares what exhibitors and attendees can expect from the next era of this iconic event. Montie calls it “a new ballgame,” as the upgrades promise unmatched opportunities f...

Mark Anderson, Executive Director of the North American Limousin Foundation and President of the U.S. Beef Breeds Council, sits down with Montie Soules to discuss the critical role of accurate carcass data and certified ultrasound in advancing beef genetics. With decades of feedyard experience and leadership in breed collaboration, Anderson explores how genomics, data integrity and emerging techno...

Outgoing ASA President Lee Miller sits down with Montie Soules to reflect on six years of progress and the road ahead for the American Shorthorn Association. From expanding commercial relevance and improving genetic tools to building a united board focused on strategic growth, Miller shares how the Association is positioning itself for long-term success. With a firm grasp on both tradition and inn...

Katrina Huffstuttler, immediate past president of the Livestock Publications Council and part of the Grant Company team, joins Montie Soules to explore the evolving landscape of agricultural communications. Drawing on her leadership in one of ag media’s most influential organizations, Katrina shares valuable insights on the challenges and opportunities facing PR professionals—from mastering social...

As the face of R.A. Brown Ranch’s growing social media presence, sixth-generation rancher Tucker Brown is reaching millions of viewers each month, sharing the realities of ranch life and advocating for the beef industry. In this episode, Tucker joins Montie Soules to discuss the power of connecting with the public, the responsibility of producers to engage with consumers, and how he balances advoc...

Join Montie Soules for this exclusive conversation with Jon DeClerk, the incoming executive vice president of the American Simmental Association. With a background spanning livestock judging, academia and consulting, Jon brings a deep industry perspective to his new role. He and Montie talk about the value of multi-breed genetic evaluation through International Genetic Solutions, the importance of...

In this episode of The Shorthorn Bull Pen , host Montie Soules visits with Brian Bertelsen, vice president of field operations for U.S. Premium Beef. Brian shares insight into USPB’s producer-owned model, its long-standing partnership with National Beef, and how the value-based grid system works to reward producers for high-performing cattle. Tune in to learn more about how USPB’s data-driven appr...

Tom Schultz of Neogen joins us for an insightful conversation on DNA testing and genetic evaluations. This episode covers key differences between seedstock and commercial DNA testing, why DNA sample processing takes time, and how genetic research is helping select against major health issues like bovine congestive heart failure. Tune in for a deep dive into the science behind smarter, data-driven...

Season 2 of the Shorthorn Bull Pen kicks off with Chandler Mulvaney , director of grassroots advocacy and spokesperson development for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association . Host Montie Soules talks with Chandler about the vital role of industry advocates, whether they come from multi-generation ranching families or are just starting in beef production. They discuss why having “boots-on-the-g...

Welcome to the final episode of Season 1 of The Shorthorn Bull Pen ! To celebrate the season's success, we’re bringing back a fan favorite—our very first episode. In this special re-air, host Montie Soules sits down with Congressman Frank Lucas, a proud Shorthorn breeder and passionate advocate for rural America. Congressman Lucas shares his insights on representing agricultural communities i...

In this episode of the Shorthorn Bull Pen, we sit down with Ryan Sproul, the community relations manager for Oklahoma Natural Gas. With a background advising politicians such as former U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe from Oklahoma, Ryan brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors. Outside of his professional career, Ryan operates a cow-calf business, giving him a unique perspective...

In the latest episode of The Shorthorn Bull Pen , host Montie Soules sits down with Kevin Biffert and Sam Fisher from 701x to explore the future of ranching through innovative technology. 701x is pioneering autonomous ranching with smart ear tags, designed to simplify herd management and provide cattle producers with real-time data. Kevin and Sam dive into the ways these tags are transforming live...

The discussion with Dr. Bob Weaber continues as he and host Montie Soules dive into the whirlwind of evolutions in genomics. See what’s in store for genetic evaluations in the face of technologies like artificial intelligence and low-pass sequencing data, and how these revolutions pave the way for seedstock and commercial producers to make exponential progress. He also shares his vision for using...

No stone is left unturned in this two-part episode featuring Kansas State University Research and Extension’s Dr. Bob Weaber. “We are now at a spot in genomics technology where if you’re a seedstock producer and you’re not using it you’re going to get left way behind in terms of genetic merit and genetic progress,” he shares. Tune in to learn about what he calls “minding the gap” in forming your g...

In this special episode of the Shorthorn Bull Pen, guest Jackie McClaskey, President and CEO of the American Royal, unveils plans for the organization's monumental move to a new facility coinciding with its 125th anniversary. McClaskey discusses the significance of this transition in furthering the American Royal's mission of education and preserving consumer confidence in agriculture, i...

Dive into the world of the beef supply pipeline with special guest Clint Walenciak, Vice President of Product Services at Certified Angus Beef® . Clint challenges conventional supply wisdom with a simple question: “Is there demand for Select product and the characteristics that brings? Or is there demand for a price point?”  Sit down with Clint and host Montie Soules as they explore this topic, hi...

Join host Montie Soules as he visits with Dr. Troy Rowan of the University of Tennessee. Considered the new kid on the block for beef cattle genetics, UT is quickly transforming into a hub for industry research under Troy’s leadership. His research is bringing together phenotypic and genomic forms of “big data” to understand the genetics behind economically relevant traits. Find out what’s new in...

Are you ready for the Summer Symposium? Just a few months away, this can’t-miss event is filled with insights to prepare for future industry trends. In this episode of the Shorthorn Bull Pen, host Montie Soules visits with a couple friends who share our excitement — Chip Kemp from the American Simmental Association and Jay Carlson of Carlson Media Group. Tune in as they highlight the expansive iti...

Join us for a lively discussion with your 2023 American Shorthorn Association President Toby Jordan. A fifth-generation Shorthorn breeder from Indiana, Toby brings his family's commitment to pride and fun to his leadership on the Board of Directors. An example of his initiative is the upcoming Summer Symposium, a producer-focused, no-bull event boasting top geneticists, agronomists, marketers...

Host Montie Soules is back at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 2024 CattleCon for an exciting roundup of conversations with industry leaders. Up first is a visit with Norman Voyles about the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, a 101-member board appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to oversee the Beef Checkoff. Listen along to find out how your dollars are growing beef demand worldwide. 

Georgia native Josh White has lived and breathed the beef industry his entire life. Described as “cattle crazy” by his family, Josh now leads efforts at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s as Senior Executive Director of Producer Education and Sustainability, overseeing programs like the Beef Quality Assurance program. Learn more as he outlines the many opportunities for producers to learn...