Practically Ranching

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." 

Dr. Brad White is Director of the KSU Beef Cattle Institute a Professor of Production Medicine and Host of the BCI Cattle Chat podcast.He wears a lot of hats, but in this week's episode, we'll explore collaborative work that he has recently been doing in the area of Bovine Heart Disease.Called by a variety of names (non-infectious heart disease, bovine, congestive heart failure, mechanical heart failure, high altitude disease, brisket disease, AIP and others), it continues to be the topic of many industry discussions...especially in the feeding segment. Phone: 785-532-5700E-mail: bwhite@vet.k-state.edu

Randy Blach came to CattleFax in 1981 and served as Director of Market Analysis for 15 years. He was promoted to CEO in January of 2001, a role that he continues to serve in today.  During his tenure, the company has enjoyed significant growth and has continues to lead the industry with timely market information, in-depth analysis and forecasts on cattle, protein and grain markets in the United States and globally. Blach has been a keynote speaker at thousands of cattle, beef and related business meetings, seminars and conventions.A Colorado native, Randy Blach and his family remain actively involved in the cattle business and farming. He was raised on his family’s ranch in Yuma, Colorado and graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in animal science. Blach received the Honor Alumni award from its College of Agricultural Sciences in 2004 and the Livestock Leader Award in 2011. In 2016, he was awarded the Industry Leadership Award through the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame.Randy and his wife Karen have been married for 33 years. She is a retired school teacher. Their son, Ty, plays for the San Francisco Giants baseball team, and daughter, Haylee, attends Creighton University in Omaha and competes in soccer. Randy and his family enjoy spending time together at sporting events and at the ranch in eastern Coloradowww.cattlefax.comArticle from Industry Achievement Award - The Cattle Market Teacher - CAB Cattle