Practically Ranching

Dr. Dale R. Woerner, Professor and Cargill Endowed Professor, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, is an academic professional and meat and food industry consultant. Dr. Woerner earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Animal Science, Meat and Food Industry Management from Texas Tech University in 2003 and 2005, respectively, and earned his Ph.D. in Animal Science/Meat Science from Colorado State University in 2009.  He served on the faculty at Colorado State University for 9 years, and recently joined the faculty at Texas Tech University in an endowed chair position. He has conducted more that 12 million dollars in industry funded research and has published more than 300 scholarly works. Dale has served as a member of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's Beef Innovations Group, has served as the president of the AMSA Intercollegiate Meat Coaches Association, serves as chairman of the National 4-H Meat Judging Advisory Committee,  and is a member of the American Meat Science Association Board of Directors.  In 2013, Dale was selected by Vance Publishing as a “40 Under 40” honoree as a young leader in the agricultural industry contributing to the 2050 challenge, the challenge of feeding 9 billion people by 2050. Also, Dale was named one of the Top Ten Industry Leaders for 2014 by Cattle Business as a “Difference Maker”, was recognized along with his wife Wendy in 2014 by Texas Tech as Horizon Award Recipients, in 2015 he received the American Meat Science Associations Achievement Award, in 2018 was recognized by the American Society of Animal Sciences with the Early Career Achievement Award, and, was recognized in 2018 as a Distinguished Alumni by the TTU College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Also, in 2018, Dr. Woerner was selected by the American Meat Science Association membership to be the chairman of the Reciprocal Meat Conference, the premier meat science conference in North America. Most recently, he was awarded the North American Meat Institute's 2018 Harry L. Rudnick Educator's Award.dale.woerner@ttu.edu

Bradley Wolter is a relative newcomer to the beef business, but has certainly been a student of the industry since his move from a successful career in the swine industry.In this episode, we talk about his tenure with Maschhoffs, one of the largest family-owned pork producers in the United States. We talk about data collection, management strategy, operational efficiency and the major differences between pork and beef production systems and cultures.Bradley and his family now own and operate Windy Hill Meadows, an Angus seedstock and consumer-focused beef business in Aviston, IL.

Kara Lee is Director of Producer Engagement for the Certified Angus Beef Program. A native of Indiana, she now resides in northeast Kansas.On the episode, we highlight the many speakers and information shared at the 2024 Feeding Quality Forum, held in Dodge City, KS, last month.Slides and further information may be found at:www.feedingqualityforum.com

Dr. David Lalman is a professor and Extension Beef Cattle Specialist at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Lalman holds the Harrington Endowed Chair with split extension and research appointment. He works primarily in the beef cattle industry focused on cow/calf and stocker cattle production. His extension and applied research program includes beef cattle nutrition and management with emphasis on beef cattle grazing and genetic by environment interactions in beef production systems. His program goals are to provide producers with information and decision tools to facilitate production system profitability, improve cow herd efficiency and to improve product quality. At Oklahoma State, Dr. Lalman serves as the Animal Science Extension Program Coordinator and the supervisor for the Range Cow Research Center.Identifying-Forage-Efficient-Cows-Lalman-BIF-2024-1.pdf (beefimprovement.org)david.lalman@okstate.edu

Chef Tyler Florence, a renowned culinary figure with decades of experience on Food Network, dives into his passion for beef and the ranching families behind it. He shares insights on evolving beef consumption practices, emphasizing animal welfare and authenticity. Florence reflects on his journey from reality TV star to steakhouse success, highlighting the cultural significance of beef in American cuisine. The discussion also covers the importance of storytelling in the culinary world, resilience in hospitality, and engaging dining experiences that celebrate quality ingredients.

Josh Mueller and Charly Cummings both work with Superior Livestock Auction.Josh and his wife, Macey, also operate Eldorado Livestock Auction, plus farm and ranch with their family near Halstead, KS.Charly is an auctioneer, real estate agent, and partners on his family's diversified hay and livestock operation near Yates Center, KS.On this episode, we cover decisions that producers should consider when they decide how best to merchandise their calves and yearlings this fall. We cover some market trends and even get into the need for producers to join their industry organizations to help make better decisions and represent all producers.El Dorado Livestock Auction, Inc.Superior Livestock Auction – The leader in Livestock Marketing

Kevin Ochsner, a National FFA Officer, discusses the future of agricultural practices, youth organizations, and community service in the industry. Topics include the importance of civic responsibility, face-to-face interaction in meetings, and driving organizational reinvention from within. The significance of unity, cooperation, and adapting value propositions for organizational success is highlighted.

This was a live audio recording from last March at South by Southwest in Austin, TX.SXSW is an annual festival that celebrates the convergence of various fields and genres. This panel consisted of host, Tyler Florence, world-renowned chef and Food Network Star, Dr. Temple Grandin, Animal Behaviorist from Colorado State University, Harris Heckelman, CEO of Chef's Warehouse and Matt Perrier, Eureka, KS.www.sxsw.com

Andy Bishop is a cow-calf producer from Bardstown, KY.  He also serves as a loan officer at their local bank. In addition, he currently serves as Chair of the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board.Cattlemen's Beef Board | Beef Checkoff

Don Close is Terrain’s Chief Research & Analytics Officer. Don’s prior experience includes his work as a senior animal protein analyst at Rabobank, and as a market director for the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, where he worked on all economic and market-sensitive policy issues for cattle feeders in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. In his three decades of professional experience, Don has been a licensed commodity broker, handled risk management and pricing for large cattle operations, managed a grain procurement program, and published market updates and outlooks for cattle and hogs. Don has conducted research on a wide range of topics including confinement cow/calf operations, dairy-beef crossbreeds, and development in international trade. Don earned his BS in agricultural economics from West Texas A&M.www.terrainag.comdclose@terrainag.com