Working Ranch Radio Show

Managing a ranch in today’s industry is different that it was for the previous generations... and it continues to change.  So, what are the skills a manager needs on today’s ranch?   Rick Machen with the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management is my guest as he shares with us three umbrella areas that are critical for Ranch Managers. If you have aspirations of being a ranch manager, either for y...

Losing calves during pregnancy may not be a big factor in your operation, but it’s still a loss and it does affect your bottom line. So today Chloe Collins ( University of Missouri Extension ) walks us through what can cause Gestational Pregnancy Loss during the Early Embryonic phase of the first 45 days to the fetal period from 45 days to birth. Plus, ways to mitigate those losses in both our you...

Like it or not, AI Technology is here and today we continue in our discussion  with Mackenzie Burnett ( Ambrook ). Topics like how it could be used… for example to start the ball rolling on things like estate planning, enterprise analysis, or business negotiations.  But then we also head down a line of questions about things like the morality of AI technology and is it safe? But AI is not a silver...

AI Technology… and I’m not talking Artificial Insemination.  I’m talking about tools like ChatGPT.  It has quickly risen to the surface in our vocabulary but what about our understanding of it? Today Mackenzie Burnett (Ambrook) returns as our guest as she walks through what it is, why it has suddenly come to the forefront, how it’s being used, and how could you and I as ranchers use it.  Does AI T...

When it comes to bull selection, before you even look at a bull or look at all the numbers… there are some questions you must ask yourself.   Dr. Saulo Zoca (University of Tennessee) walks us through some of these critical questions.  Then, we must understand that first and foremost, this bull needs to stay healthy and breed cows. Finally we start looking at numbers, keeping in mind that at the en...

It’s our Annual Market & Weather Outlook Show for the coming year! We start first with the Cattle Markets as Clint Berry ( Superior Livestock & @HossTheBeefGuy) and I discuss the factors playing into our market for the next couple of years as well as the CattleFax market forecast prices from Fat Cattle down to bawlin’ calves. Plus, we'll discuss "just how long the market stays up, price pr...

Today we conclude my conversation with Allan Savory.  It’s a deeper dive into what Holistic Management really looks like… and what it isn’t.  And, if it crosses your mind about creating a future or legacy for your family or ranch operation you will find our conversation extremely valuable.  Also does Holistic Management work with the principle of running your ranch like a business? This is the con...

Today we continue with Part 2 of my conversation with Allan Savory.  He is a firm believer that livestock MUST be a part of reversing what he fills is a threat to mankind… that being desertification.  Today our conversation leads us down the road of talking about climate change.  It is a topic that ranchers often feel they have to be defensive due to environmental groups placing blame on agricultu...

My guest today is none other than Allan Savory.  A man who once despised livestock and now a fierce believer in the role of livestock to our planet. Today we hear the back story of what fuels his life’s work and passion for helping ranchers through Holistic Management. Through his beliefs and stances on land management, climate change, and other issues, he’s managed to frustrate both the extreme e...

From the conversations at the coffee shop to the sale barn café, there’s FOUR questions just kind of hanging out there in the air… and I can guarantee you’ve probably engaged with someone recently over one or more of these questions.  Today Dr.  Kenny Burdine ( University of Kentucky ) joins me as he identifies FOUR questions that the 2025 Cattle Market will need to answer. Plus, Jeremy Martin &am...

From what started as a group of ranchers believing that they needed to be more than just “price takers” in the cattle business to an elaborate idea of building multi-million dollar packing plant.  Trey Wasserburger (TDAngus) returns as our guest to update us on the progress of Sustainable Beef LLC . It is now less than 3 months from the doors opening on the newest packing facility of this size.  W...

Sale Day… that day we all look forward to every year… but often manage the least for it.  Brett Crosby ( Custom Ag Solutions ) and Dave Voth (Good Grazing Makes Cent$) join me today as we discuss the costs to our business when we don’t provide adequate time nor have the proper information of potential future market prices before us as we make management decisions that affect the marketing of our l...

Wally Olson (Ranching.fyi ) joins us today as we talk about some of the principles and thoughts he has regarding the current cattle market and cycle.  He’ll explain his “Cow Bell” curve as a tool to find the undervalued and overvalued animal in your herd and why many Cow/Calf operations are a break-even business. We’ll also talk about the difference between building wealth versus profit in the cow...

Today we reveal the top four show (subjects) of 2024... and after you hear them, I think you will agree why these where the top shows of the year.  So listen as we start at #4 and conclude with the #1 show of 2024! #workingranchmagazine #ranchlife #ranching #dayweather #weather #agweather #beef #cows #livestock #cattle #cowpunchercoffee #TankToad #BarnOwl #Zoetis #Inherit #NewGenerationFeeds #Smar...

We continue with our count down of the top show of 2024.  Today we feature the shows ranked at #8 and work down to #5.  From Utilizing the FREE Nutrients from our Cows to Product of USA Labeling.  And what is the Canary in the Coal Mine when it comes to your animal's health and longevity?  And end up with our #5 shows covers a topic about Dairy Cattle... really?  #workingranchmagazine #ranchlife #...

We are counting down the top show of 2024.  Today we feature the shows ranked at #12 and work down to #9.  From Grazing to Controversial Vaccine, to the State of Kansas and NextGen Ranchers.  Just in case you missed them, tune in as we play back parts of the interviews from the top shows of the year.  #workingranchmagazine #ranchlife #ranching #dayweather #weather #agweather #beef #cows #livestock...

While none of us are eager to pay any more to Uncle Sam than we need to, proper tax planning is crucial so your year-end decisions are proactive rather than reactive. Jordan Steele , with Ranch Management Consultants walks use through effective year end planning and strategy. We’ll go through five areas to understand in your ranch business that will help you strategically keep cash in the business...

With the election in the rearview mirror and nearly all of President-Elect Trumps major cabinet picks announced, we sit down with Jess Peterson ( USCA ) who’s been advocating on behalf of cattlemen in Washington DC for many years and get his perspective.  We'll discuss the picks for Secretary of Agriculture, Interior, as well as RFK at HHS.  However, there are some other cabinet selections that we...

If you’re of the Next Generation with plans of taking over the family ranch OR you have goals of having your own ranch someday (First Gen Rancher) stop and listen to this episode. And, if you are of the current generation that owns or is managing the ranch… stop and listen to this episode. Generational Transition and/or First-Generation ranchers are huge issues that our industry struggles with.  T...

Winter feeding costs take a lot of profit away from your ranch and often we find ourselves working for the cow. So, what are some alternatives? Dr. Bart Lardner from the University of Saskatchewan discusses what they have found in their research on Bale Grazing, Swath Grazing and Crop Residual Grazing.  While these are not new concepts and you might be saying, "that can’t work in our operation". W...

Starting with a Clean Slate… I’m sure at some point that has crossed your mind.  Whether it’s with your ranch business or even your personal life.  Things feel cluttered, disorganized, over whelming, or stuck in a rut… and in many cases, not all, it starts with profitability.  So today Allan Crockett returns as our guest as he walks us through what we can do to “Reset”.  A conversation that will t...

It's called the "Silent Thief of Productivity"... we’re talking about Johne’s Disease.  A disease that is highly contagious and fatal, because there is no cure for it.  For most of us we assume it’s a disease that you see in the dairy industry, but now, we are starting to see it showing up in the beef herd. Dr. Susanne Hickley (Neogen) is back as my guest as we discuss what causes it Johne's Disea...

Dr. Kelley Neuhold returns as our guest as we discuss why you would consider adding crude protein to your cow’s diet… from maintaining a healthy body condition score to calving, to getting the most out of your low-cost feed sources. We'll also discuss one of the most commonly used protein sources, Urea.  Why it’s used and some of the misconceptions about Urea.  Plus, we'll also discuss other high...

Adding ZINC can reduce the impacts of muscle disease in cattle.  Muscle Fatigue, which can be a precursor to animals not getting up and eating, thus leading to added stress, which leads to sickness.  Dr. Stephanie Hansen , with Iowa State University (link to press release) has been leading the latest research on benefits of added zinc into the diet of the cattle. Today will review the results of t...

mRNA Vaccines... another sticky subject in our cattle industry.  While their is research on their potential use for cattle, there is no approved vaccines on the market.  Dr. Lew Strickland with the University of Tennessee is we discuss mRNA technology. How it differs from our current vaccine technology, what advantages does it potentially have, concerns from the industry, as well as what challenge...