Working Ranch Radio Show

We’re taking a straightforward look at virtual fencing — not as a sales pitch, but as an honest conversation about what the technology actually does, how it works on real ranches, and where it may or may not fit. We are joined by Theo Beaumont from Halter and Dallas Mount with Ranch Management Consultants to explore the practical side of this rapidly evolving tool and what producers should be thin...

The conversation around herd rebuilding has been brewing all year — but is it actually happening? Senior Beef Industry Analyst Lance Zimmerman with Rabo Research (Rabobank) joins me to break down what the data really says about heifer retention and the pace of this rebuild. We’ll look at how recent market disruptions and global trade chatter have shaped producer confidence, what the numbers reveal...

Earlier this year, Dr. Kenny Burdine from the University of Kentucky joined us to outline four key cattle-market questions for 2025. Now, as we close out the year, we circle back to see what’s been answered — from heifer retention and slaughter weights to competing proteins, trade, and tariffs. Then we shift gears to a question every rancher faces: whether to buy replacements or develop your own....

From cattle expansion to succession planning and the future of the beef business — this week we dig into the big picture of where our industry stands. Industry consultant Dr. Nevil Speer is our guest as we discuss what current cow numbers are telling us, why some producers may be choosing to retire, and how a lack of succession planning continues to erode family ranches across the country. And in...

When’s the right time to calve — and what’s it really costing you? Dr. Bob Larson with Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine joins us to talk through five key questions every rancher should ask when setting their calving window. From matching forage and labor to feed efficiency, to tightening up that calving period and improving breed-up rates — we dig into how timing affects ev...

Estate Planning... a big issue our family ranches must deal with but often avoided or do it incorrectly in trying to save money.  This only creates bigger problems after Mom and Dad have passed.   Attorney Dal Houston  joins us today as we discuss topics like trusts versus a will.  The difference between a revocable trust and an irrevocable trust, practical information on LLC’s, plus much more.  Y...

Ranching is changing — and the future may depend on how we adapt. Today we visit with Chip Kemp with 701X to explore how technology is enhancing tradition. From the million-dollar impact of monitoring livestock, to tackling labor shortages and overhead costs, to the bigger question of keeping the family brand on the gate for the next generation — this conversation digs into why precision agricultu...

On this episode of the Working Ranch Radio Show, we visit with Colorado rancher Tim Bedell, a recipient of the state’s Seal of Climate Literacy . Tim shares how his ambassadorship for ranching and involvement in FFA are bridging the gap between generations as climate and environmental conversations grow more complex. Later, we’ll shift from climate to cattle care—discussing strategies to get stres...

On this episode of the Working Ranch Radio Show, Dr. Carson Roberts from the University of Missouri lays out Ten Reasons You Should Quit Making Hay. From the skyrocketing cost of equipment to the hidden toll on soil health, we’ll explore why it may be time to take a hard look at haying and what it means for your bottom line. We’ll also touch on issues like oversupply, labor challenges, and winter-...

On this episode of the Working Ranch Radio Show, we explore the fast-growing role of drone technology in ranching. From weed and invasive species control to fly management and even feed delivery in rugged country.  Kelley Wittenberg (Central UAS Technologies) is our guest as we discuss how drones are becoming a practical tool on the ranch. Then later, meteorologist Don Day joins us with his Fall a...

Weaning is one of the most stressful times in a calf’s life — where health, nutrition, and management all collide. In this episode, we dig into how producers can minimize stress, choose the right methods for their operation, and build a robust health program that keeps calves thriving long after weaning. Dr. Ron Lemenager with Purdue University is my guest as we discuss the Keys to Successful Wean...

How much is Heat Stress really costing your operation? It might be more than you think — and it’s not just about weight loss or conception rates. Dr. Michelle Calvo-Lorenzo with Elanco Animal Health joins us to talk about why heat stress is a problem, what the science says about its effect on both herd health and profitability, and what steps you can take to mitigate it. Plus a conversation with T...

State and county fairs have long been a bridge between rural and urban. But as our society drifts further from production agriculture, that bridge is under pressure — financially, culturally, and politically. From rising costs to volunteer burnout, lack of participation to being a political football… So how do we refocus? How do we, in the ag industry, protect these events that tell our story. Tod...

It was a record-breaking "Week in the Rockies Sale" that delivered big numbers.  But what does it all mean for us heading into the second half of the year?  Superior Livestock’s Clint Berry is back with us as we unpack the results of the sale. We’ll cover everything from market fundamentals and program calf sales… to weaning decisions and delivery timing. We’ll also hit on heifer prices, signs of...

The cattle market is at an all-time high which probably means for most of us we are seeing a pretty healthy profit this year.  So, the question is, how should we strategically use the profit? Dallas Mount (Ranch Management Consultants) returns as we work through this question… starting first at debt.  Then we'll work through the desire for business growth, cash flow, investing in yourself, benchma...

Today we dive into what it really takes to keep America free and strong: a food system that supports family farms and ranches—because a country that can feed itself stands independent. I’m joined by Amanda Radke —rancher, author, speaker and podcaster —who shares powerful insights on protecting private property rights, revitalizing rural America, and uniting as cattle producers. Keeping American F...

Today we look at some very basic management practices that data shows will increase the value of your calves when you go to market them.  The values has been derived from data through a partnership between Superior Livestock , Kansas State University, and Merck Animal Health .  So today Dr. Chris Thomsen with Merck joins us as he walks us through the data.  From breeding management to calfhood man...

Dawn Hnatow (Cattle Up Stockmanship) joins us as we discuss Stockmanship.  What it is and what it isn’t.  The three areas where you and I as ranchers would see benefits to our operation: Economics, Production, & Life.  Dave Voth (Integrated Grazing Management) also joins us as we continue deeper into the conversation and work through the conflict many think about… is it worth my time? Which le...

Dr. Allen Williams ( Understanding Ag and Regenified LLC )is back with us today as he walks us through several things that can increase productivity and profitability through your grazing management. From the initial management in the early part of the grazing season, to the rule of Compounding, rule of Disruption, a great discussion on weeds and we'll conclude with a practice that is quite simple...

Today on the Working Ranch Radio Show we are covering three things. First Dr. Rick Machen with the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management joins us as we discuss some exciting modifications they’ve made to their Master’s Program in Ranch Management… especially for those current college students that will be getting an undergraduate degree with aspirations of a Master’s Degree in Ranch Management...

The Common Ground Summit … a meeting of 40 people across the country.  These 40 represented various segments of the cattle industry. These 40 were comprised of what some might say would be small non-influential family operations to large influential registered operations, family feed yards, or sale barn owners.  If these 40 where a herd of cows… the term Heinz 57 comes to mind. But their purpose w...

Bovine Congestive Heart Failure. For me I’ve always assumed it was the same as High Altitude Disease or Brisket Disease, but in our cattle industry today where we see a push for performance and high growth, we are seeing it manifest itself at a point in time that is extremely costly to the feeder... right before slaughter. Dr. Kirk Ramsey and Dr. Paige Pratte with Neogen join me today as we discus...

The story of the Maude Family in Western South Dakota took center stage this past week as criminal charges against Charles and Heather Maude were dropped over a land issue in what many are saying was a rogue US Forest Service agent bringing charges of land theft over 25 acres of ground that have been fenced into the deeded ground for over 70 years. Today, Rachel Gabel , spokesperson for the Maude...

On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your Quality of Life (QOL) right now?  Today Allan Crockett returns as our guest as we rip the band aid off the question that may be bouncing off the walls of your mind, "Is this the Quality of Life that I want going forward? We take a three-leg'd approach as we start with looking at how we can generate "Time and Money" in one area of a QOL, then we discuss "R...

Virtual Fencing. It’s a topic that spurs intrigue for many of us, but often from a distance. Whether it’s the newness of the technology or the cost to implement.  Today Matt Vermeesch with Nofence , joins as we explore the technology as a whole.  Additionally, we’ll hear from Idaho rancher Tyson Coles with his perspective as a user. So, what are the factors to contemplate when considering an inves...