The use of Antibiotics, Implants, and Feed Supplements... honestly it feels like the start of an awkward conversation. However, Dr. Michael Apley (KSU) unpacks these topics as we not only talk through the history of Antibiotics in our food animals, but also their purpose in today’s cattle industry… from both an animal efficiency point of view but also from an animal welfare perspective. Then we'll have a discussion on Implants being used and the narratives in our industry by both producers and consumers that tend create division.  Then we'll get into the uses and value of using Ionop ..read more

The USDA closed the loophole that requires IF a beef product CHOOSES to be labeled a "Product of the USA" it must be Born, Raised, Slaughtered, and Processed in the USA.  Leo McDonnell is my guest as we get his take on this change.  It's a topic he has been advocating for, for 25 years. And as we know Country of Origin Labeling has been a controversial issue in our industry for many years.  So, what clicked… what was it in these latest changes that brought agreement amongst industry groups that have been at odds in the past on this issue?  We’ll discuss that as well as his ..read more

Over 6 million head, that’s the size of the cattle herd in the state of Kansas and today Matt Perrier (Dalebanks Angus & host of Practically Ranching), 5th generation rancher from Eureka, KS, walks us through the history of the Kansas Cattle Industry. From those iconic Kansas cow towns to the expansion of the railroad, the arrival of the Black Angus in the US, and the Kansas City Stockyards and Packing houses.  We'll also talk about the evolution of the Kansas Cattle Industry since the early 1900’s and how Kansas is a state that literally has every facet of the beef industry inside it ..read more

Estate Planning... a topic nearly every ranch family will have to… or has dealt with.  Attorney Dal Houston walks us through the various topics like: the difference between a Will and a Trust; the difference between a Revocable Trust and an Irrevocable Trust as well as discussion on Joint Tenancy, Partnerships, and LLC’s.  You may have heard this topic before, but it's crucial to the sustainability of our family ranches... and how much you wanna bet you’ll hear something this time around that you missed the first time.     #workingranchmagazine #workingranchnation #jus ..read more

It's the second most costly animal health issue in our industry… Lameness. And today Dr. Lacey Fahrmeier is my guest as we discuss the factors that contribute to animals coming up lame.  We'll talk about nutrition, the environment and even your genetics.  Also, not everything is Footrot and how improper diagnosis can have long-term effects. Plus, what does naval infection in these baby calves have to do with lameness?  Today we cover all the angles of lameness in our cattle and begin to understand that, what is being manifested in the soundness of our cattle could be from an und ..read more

Buying bulls in a BIG investment.  Dr. Mark Johnson with Oklahoma State University Extension is back with us to bring into context some practical insight when searching for and buying bulls. It starts with defining the purpose and role that bull will be playing in shaping the desired outcome.  We'll discuss how you can determine what the value of a good bull is to your operation and the factors you may want to consider in your bull buying decision. Links: Video from OK State Extension Cow-Calf Corner | February 5, 2024  #workingranchmagazine #workingranchnation #justinmills.wy ..read more

The Estate Tax Exception amount is set to roll back from 13 million per person to 7 million at the end of 2024 and attorney Dal Houston returns as a guest to explain the details.  We’ll discuss options that can be looked at should your estate be bumping into the potential for those Death Taxes… which will lead us into a great discussion on the uses and differences of a Revocable Trust versus an Irrevocable Trust. Plus, his thoughts on whether to leave your estate to that next generation “Outright” or in a “Trust”. #workingranchmagazine #workingranchnation #justinmills.wyocowboy #ranchlife ..read more

Simple Supply and Demand indicated the Ranchers are going to have leverage for the next few years.  Clint Berry, Marketing Rep for Superior Livestock joins us as we work through the CattleFax projections for 2024.  The US Beef Cattle herd is the smallest since 1961 and expansion of the US herd appears to be rather slow.  What could be causing that?  We’ll talk through some of the fundamentals from corn and hay prices to consumer demand then break down the report as we look at projected prices from Fat Cattle down through Feeder Steers and Calves as well as the Cul ..read more

How does a case in Idaho over stock water rights on public lands have a much broader implication? That’s basically the crux of our conversation today as Gage Zobell with the law firm of Dorsey & Whitney walks us through the multiple angles of this topic starting first with water and land use of our public lands.  We’ll discuss how policy rather than legislation is now the norm when it comes to the rules and regulations we see in the country side.  And we’ll discuss how climate initiatives are shaping policy with no realization to the consequences they’ll make on the producti ..read more

The USDA recently launched a pilot program that will allow local or independent beef processing facilities the ability to get official USDA Grading… remotely. Lia Biondo & Patrick Robinette with the US Cattlemen’s Association join me today to talk about the details of this pilot program.  How it came about, how it will function, and why they believe it to be a major game changer for so many in the cattle industry. Who benefits from Remote Grading at your local independent beef processing facility?  Listen in as we learn about the details and what it means to us as beef produ ..read more