Practically Ranching

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

Dr. Temple Grandin is a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. She is a livestock industry consultant, offering advice on animal behavior. She is also an autism spokesperson and advocate.www.grandin.com

Lance Zimmerman is the Senior Beef Analyst for Rabobank. Prior to joining Rabo, he has worked for the Certified Angus Beef Program and Cattlefax. He holds a BS in Ag Communications and an MS in Ag Economics from Kansas State University.To access both the summary and complete report we discuss, go to:Rebuilding with resiliency is a necessity for the US beef supply chain (rabobank.com)Contact:Lance Zimmerman (rabobank.com)

Miles Theurer coordinates research projects for Veterinary Research and Consulting Services, LLC, a practice comprised of 12 veterinarians who specialize in feedlot production medicine and research across the high plains region. Miles grew up on a family farm and cow/calf operation in south central Kansas. He did a dual DVM/Ph.D. program at Kansas State University. miles@vrcsllc.com

The podcast features Stan Bevers, an expert in ranching economics, discussing key performance indicators and accounting principles to improve profitability. Topics include managing expenses, maximizing productivity, comparing managerial and tax accounting, utilizing fixed asset software for analysis, and maximizing revenue through data-driven decision-making in ranching operations.

Dr. Phil Bass is an Associate Professor of Meat Science at the University of Idaho. He applies industry experience to teach, advise students and others involved in the Pacific Northwest meat production and processing community; conducts applied research in meat quality with emphasis in beef.We cover human nutrition, beef cattle genetics, livestock selection, value-based marketing, politics, Economics, Animal ID, Exports, public land use, beef promotional efforts, restaurant wait staff training…and THEN we finally touch on the meat science topics of carcass weight, extra ribs, higher USDA grading standards and, yes…portion size of steaks today, as this episode’s title so aptly implies. Links:MeatsPad Podcast: MeatsPad - Learn about the Meat IndustryIt's Not a Cow book by Phil Bass PhD (thriftbooks.com)pbass@uidaho.edu

Ava Perrier is a Junior at Kansas State University, majoring in Animal Science with a Communications option. She is originally from Eureka, KS, and yes...she is Amy and my firstborn.At KSU, she has judged on the Intercollegiate Meats Team, served as VP of Finance for Sigma Kappa sorority and continues to be involved in various campus groups and organizations.Her perspective about agriculture, college and life in general is an interesting one, as she connects the dots between her youth, education and future life in the "real world."