Working Ranch Radio Show

If you were to analyze the direct expenses associated with your cow enterprise (s), one of bigger numbers falls under the category of Feed Costs.  Jim Gerrish, author of the book "Kick the Hay Habit", is my guest as we look at how our industry evolved over the past 75 years to a heavy reliance on substitute feeding on our ranches during the winter months. We'll cover why modifying your production...

Feed costs often consume a big portion of input costs in our ranches. Today we visit with two ranching operations about how they manage year around grazing… yes… little to no hay.  Vance Mitchell from Lolita, TX will be on to talk from the southern and wetter climate perspective and then Cameron Smith and Kellen Smith with Daly Livestock in Northern Wyoming will offer a perspective on the colder a...

The Capt'n Tim O'Byrne is guest host this week as he sets down to interview... Justin Mills , weekly host of this show.  The Capt'n's inquisitive nature wants to know more about the weekly host of the Working Ranch Radio Show.  They talk family history, growing up in Wyoming, and where he is at today.   #workingranchmagazine #workingranchnation #justinmills.wyocowboy #ranchlife #ranching #dayweath...

Missouri Commercial Cattleman, Bruce Mershon, with Mershon Cattle LLC is my guest as we discuss why they originally started DNA Testing their cattle, how they are using it now, how they plan to use it going forward, and the lessons learned along the way.  How do you justify this expense?  What are the management components that could be utilized in things like selection of replacement heifers, mar...

Clint Berry , with Superior Livestock joins me again today as we rehash the CattleFax Report from the recent 2023 Cattle Convention .  We’ll go through the factors that are going to increase the prices in our markets as well as factor that that could limit margins. The market is gearing up to provide us as ranchers with leverage… so where are you? #workingranchmagazine #workingranchnation #justinm...

Whether you’re making a big geographical move of your ranching operation or just getting started and searching for the place you want to put down roots, there are some things you should consider.  Chris Jorgensen and Tyler Gardner, who have both respectively managed ranches in various areas around the country and now both unit managers for Sunlight Ranch will join me to talk about what you will wa...

Is raising our kids on the ranch to have a good work ethic and know what the cycle of life looks like, the biggest lessons they can learn?  Allan Crockett, Ranching Consultant and Business Coach, is back with me to discuss how we as parents can use the classroom that our ranches provide us to help our kids become savvy to running a ranching business... and in balance with other aspects that will h...

Meteorologist Don Day joins me as we assess where we are at in our weather cycle and the outlook for 2023 across the country.  Plus, we’ll talk about what went wrong with the outlook for 2022 and what factors he attributes to missing the boat.  Also, concerns on where the money is going when it comes to weather research and concerns on how climate policy is being shaped by misguided advocates and...

The Biden Administration’s finalization of the Water of the US rules (WOTUS) was release on December 30th of 2022.  Mary-Thomas Hart, Chief Council for NCBA is my guest as we discuss how the Biden update differs from what’s been in place, the concern on subjectivity for rule interpretation, and the irony that there is a case regarding WOTUS currently before the Supreme Court. Plus, a conversation...

Junior (son or daughter) aspires to take over the family ranch. Often it is, or becomes, a very contentious family issue first from the point of other siblings and then later the relationship with Mom and Dad.  So, when is the time right for Junior to come back? Or maybe a bigger question, "Is what you are passing on a legitimate business or an expensive hobby?" Dallas Mount, CEO and Owner of Ranc...

Today we wrap up our three-part series as we’ve been counting down the top ten shows of 2022. We’ve worked our way down the list that brings us to our top 3 shows of the year.  Here are the topics will hit on today’s show:  " Types of Cattle Setting the Markets ", " 6 P's to a Healthy Ranching Business ", and " Why Own Cows? ".   #workingranchmagazine #workingranchnation #justinmills.wyocowboy #ra...

We continue our three-part series as we count down the top ten shows of 2022.  Last week we started at number ten and today will pick up at the show ranked 7th and work down to the 4th. Here are the topics will cover on today’s show:   Expanding Your Cattle Herd in an Up Market , a Canadian Ranch Tour , the Evolution of using Horses on our Ranches , and finally Fall Cow Work . Plus, Meteorologist...

In this Episode, we start a three-part series as we count down the top ten shows of 2022.  Today will start at 10 and work our way down to number 8 in our rankings.  Here are the topics will hit on today’s show:   Carbon Credits , a Rancher founded Beef Packing Plant , and Using Weather Data to make Stocking Decisions . Plus, Don Day is in with a look at the weather and the COLD! #workingranchmaga...

June 2023 is the date that will mark a change in how ranchers have access to several animal health products that are currently purchased off the shelf… meaning no prescription. It's called Guidance #263 and will hear from two guest.  Dr. Eric Moore , with Norbrook Incorporated and practicing veterinarian,  Dr. Lacey Fahrmeier with Stillwater Veterinary Clinic in Absarokee, MT.  Between both our gu...

A group of ranchers that came together and are building Sustainable Beef LLC , a 1500 head packing facility in North Platte, Nebraska.   Trey Wasserburger , Co-Founder and Rancher (TD Angus) joins me as we discuss how this came from “Pipe Dream” to Reality.  What were the issues in those early meetings, how did they gather the capital, and how they are handling the many challenges that are part of...

It seems like no two years are alike, which is what makes winter nutrition for our cows a moving target.   Dr. Megan Van Emon (Montana State University) and Dr. Eric Bailey (University of Missouri) , join me as we talk about winter cow nutrition.  From the winter ranges in the West, to cattle on fall fescue in the Midwest and Eastern seaboard, down to the drought regions of the Southern plains. #w...

Tired of the political spin on the election outcome?  Me too… so how about we talk about how it will it affect our business as ranchers.  Jess Peterson and Lia Biondo , US Cattlemen’s Association , join me to talk about what’s next following this past election on several livestock bills that are currently before congress.  Plus, will talk about how this election will affect the upcoming Farm Bill...

Kent Rollins , out of Hollis, OK, has made a name for himself bringing Cowboy Cookin' to the world through his appearances on national television shows and now his YouTube channel seen by millions. With the help of his wife Shannon, Kent’s become a YouTube sensation with videos that stir up our memories of the food growing up... plus he's become a great spokesperson for our beef industry.  Join us...

We welcome back Meteorologist Don Day for the entire show.  Our discussion of La Nina, sea surface temperatures, and some extreme weather events leads us down the road of climate change.  Plus, he’ll give us his perspective on when he believes the La Nina will fade and how that will affect eight regions across North American.  And, what years does he predict to see, in general, a wetter than avera...

It’s the time of year where we see a large volume of livestock being shuttle across the country… and most of it is in the form of a truck and a cattle pot.  Alleah Hilker Heise, President of Steve Hilker Trucking joins us as we dial in on the Transportation Industry.  Well talk about the issues that are critical for ranchers, why we can't just sit on the sidelines, and what we can do... including...

If you want to talk about the heritage of the cattle industry in North America, then let’s talk about Florida. Jim Handley , Executive Vice-President of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association is my guest as we discuss what the Florida Cattle Industry looks like today, how they've evolved to meet the demands of the market in the last 20 years, as well as the political issues that affect them.  And of...

For decades making management decisions about the genetic direction of your herd was often a game of time… years… and added to that was an element of risk.  However, the use of Genomic Testing has unveiled a whole new level of management for a rancher’s ability to make solid and profitable decision regarding their genetic investments. Dr. Kent Andersen joins me today as we talk about the practical...

In ranching, the local Sale Barn is a staple to our industry and today we visit the largest stocker and feeder cattle market in the country, the Oklahoma National Stockyards .   Kelli Payne , President of the Oklahoma National Stockyards, is my guest as we talk about this historic entity.  She’ll explain how it is unique to all other sale barns in the country in how it functions, plus her tips for...

Started in 1974, the American Agri-Women has become a solid and credible voice for agriculture.  To quote from their website they "strive to be a force for truth, a reasoned, non-partisan voice for the agricultural community to the public".   Heather Hampton-Knodle is the current President, and on this episode, we talk about the issues they are focused on, the role they play in representing our in...

It’s pretty easy to hit the "Repeat" button as we approach and go through our fall cow work… from Pre-Conditioning to Weaning to Preg Checking.  Some may have to re-evaluate due to drought while other can do what’s been done traditionally.  But the question is, "Is what you're doing leaving you at a net positive or a net negative financially when the dust settles?"  Dr. Steve Paisley with the Univ...