Casual Cattle Conversations

Join host Shaye Wanner as she delves into the inspiring journey of Todd and Taylor Stegall and Callie Barber, who are revolutionizing school lunches by introducing local beef into the system. Discover the challenges and triumphs of sourcing locally, the impact on students, and the benefits for the local economy. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction by Shaye Wanner [01:30] Todd Stegall on his passion for cattle ranching [04:00] Callie Barber discusses the logistics of local beef in schools [07:15] The USDA inspection process explained [10:00] Community support and collaboration insights [13:00] Challenges and triumphs in local food sourcing [16:00] Final thoughts and call to action Key Highlights: Todd Stegall shares his passion for cattle ranching and the importance of quality beef. Callie Barber discusses the logistics and benefits of integrating local beef into school programs. Insights into the USDA inspection process and its role in local food sourcing. The importance of community support and collaboration in local food initiatives. #LocalBeef #SchoolLunch #CattleRanching #USDA #SustainableFood #CommunitySupport Don't miss this insightful episode! Subscribe now and leave a review to support our mission of bringing quality content to your feed. Happy ranching! Ready for more ranching conversations? Join the Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19PZX3xByi/ Learn more about the Stegall Ranch ➡️ https://www.stegallcattle.com/ 

Join Shaye Wanner in a compelling conversation with Lamar Steiger as they delve into consumer perceptions and buying patterns in the beef industry. Discover insights from Lamar's unique experiences as both a rancher and a retail consultant. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction by Shaye Wanner 02:15 - Lamar Steiger's background and journey in the beef industry 05:30 - The importance of consumer perceptions and buying patterns 10:45 - Lamar's role in improving Walmart's beef reputation 15:00 - The impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior 20:30 - The significance of traceability in the beef supply chain 25:00 - Genetic selection and its role in consumer satisfaction 30:15 - The future of coordinated supply chains 35:00 - Lamar's reflections on his early years in the beef industry 40:00 - Closing thoughts and call to action   Resources: Calf Marketing Course: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/sell-smarter PLUCK discount: SHAYEWANNER eatpluck.com  #BeefIndustry #ConsumerInsights #Ranching #SupplyChain #Walmart #GeneticSelection #COVID19Impact Don't forget to check out the resources mentioned in the show notes and support the podcast by leaving a review or sharing it with a friend. Happy ranching!

Join host Shaye Wanner on the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast as she chats with Patrick Jones from the Noble Research Institute about strategies for ranch profitability. Learn how to set realistic financial goals, manage overhead and direct costs, and avoid common accounting pitfalls to ensure your ranch thrives. Learn more about Noble: https://bit.ly/3DD7uG0 Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 02:15 - Meet Patrick Jones 05:30 - Setting Financial Goals 10:45 - Understanding Overhead Costs 15:20 - Direct Costs and Common Mistakes 20:00 - Resources and Courses for Ranchers 25:30 - Patrick's Reflections and Advice   Hashtags: #RanchProfitability #CattleConversations #SustainableRanching

Are you ready to make more confident bull-buying decisions that truly move your ranch forward? In this episode, Shaye Wanner visits with Marty Ropp of Allied Genetic Resources to discuss how commercial cow-calf producers can leverage genomics through the Right Bull program to select bulls that align with their goals and cows. Marty shares how precision mating, large-effect genes, and genomic compatibility are revolutionizing herd improvement—saving time, reducing risk, and increasing uniformity and profitability. Whether you're buying one bull or managing hundreds, this episode will help you understand how to turn genetics into ROI. What You’ll Learn: The biggest risks and missed opportunities in bull selection How the Right Bull program matches bulls to your cow herd What “large-effect genes” are and why they matter How both small and large producers can benefit What it costs to get started—and why it pays off Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Marty Ropp’s background 01:45 – Why Marty bet on the beef industry 03:50 – Top risks in bull selection 05:30 – Defining goals for genetic selection 06:40 – How the Right Bull program works 11:20 – What large-effect genes mean for your herd 13:30 – Example of bull ranking and results 17:35 – How Right Bull is different from other programs 19:30 – Costs and return on investment 23:30 – Seedstock provider involvement and response 26:30 – Who this program is best suited for 28:15 – Breed flexibility & customization 31:45 – Marty’s reflections on his early career 33:10 – Final thoughts & how to connect 🔗 Resources & Links: 📌 Right Bull Program – https://bit.ly/44XIFzl 📌 Noble Research Institute – https://bit.ly/3DD7uG0 📌 Calf Marketing Short Course (Register by July 28th!) – https://bit.ly/46olT4K 📌 Pluck Seasoning (use code SHAYEWANNER for 15% off) – EatPluck.com 🌟 Support the show by leaving a review & sharing with your ranching peers.

In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, host Shaye Koester-Wanner reconnects with Casey Fanta, seedstock manager at Wulf Cattle, to explore how the beef industry is evolving—especially when it comes to online bull sales. Casey shares how COVID-19 accelerated their transition to digital auctions, the value of customer relationships, and how the beef quality landscape has changed over the years. From open houses to impulse buying, you'll get a deep look at the pros, cons, and practicalities of selling bulls online. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Reconnecting and Industry Insights 01:51 – The Evolution of Beef Quality 03:56 – Transitioning to Online Bull Sales 07:12 – Customer Engagement in the Digital Age 10:31 – Balancing Tradition and Innovation 14:14 – Adapting to Online Sales 18:20 – Customer Relationships and New Clientele 21:07 – Reflections on the Beef Industry Journey Key Takeaways: How online sales reduce impulse buying The critical role of communication in bull marketing Wulf Cattle’s approach to customer education and long-term relationships Beef quality trends and industry shifts over the decades Episode Resources Noble Research: https://bit.ly/3DD7uG0 Wulf Cattle: https://bit.ly/3I8Yri4 Cattle Marketing Series: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/sell-smarter Pluck: https://eatpluck.com/?ref=SHAYEWANNER 

In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, Jon Biermacher joins to explore the critical economic decisions ranchers face—particularly around culling cows. Jon dives into the financial trade-offs, market signals, and resilience that define today's beef producers. Discover why cull cows can significantly impact ranch revenue and what ranchers need to consider before keeping open cows. This is a must-listen for producers wanting to make smarter, margin-driven decisions in a volatile market. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Cull cows can drive meaningful revenue. Ranchers must weigh costs, time, and resources when managing open cows. Market trends in beef prices reflect broader consumer demand. Ranchers show resilience and adaptability during economic pressure. Economic diplomacy supports industry-wide collaboration. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to the Beef Industry and Its Resilience 07:28 – Cull Cows: Economic Considerations and Rancher Decisions 16:42 – Analyzing the Value of Keeping Open Cows 24:35 – Market Trends and Future Predictions for Ranchers 36:32 – Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections on Ranching Episode Resources Noble Research: https://bit.ly/3DD7uG0 Cattle Marketing Series: https://bit.ly/46olT4K Pluck Seasoning: https://eatpluck.com/?ref=SHAYEWANNER

What if fencing your pastures no longer required posts, wires, or constant upkeep? In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, Shaye Wanner talks with Gary Tiller about virtual fencing technology and its game-changing potential for the cattle industry. From grazing efficiency and labor savings to better land utilization and improved quality of life for ranchers, Gary outlines how Merck Animal Health is shaping the future of livestock management with the SenseHub Vence product. Discover what onboarding looks like, how the subscription model works, and how this tech supports sustainable agriculture and conservation programs. Whether you're a tech-savvy rancher or just curious about how this fits into your operation, this episode delivers insights that matter. LEARN MORE ABOUT VENCE: https://bit.ly/4kfWrCG Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Virtual Fencing and Its Importance 03:01 – Benefits of Virtual Fencing for Ranchers 05:59 – Individual Ranch Goals and Adoption of Technology 08:44 – Government Support and Conservation Programs 11:35 – How Virtual Fencing Technology Works 14:39 – Onboarding Process for Ranchers 17:33 – Software Features and Benefits 20:25 – Challenges and Hesitations in Adopting Technology 23:17 – Evaluating Fit for Virtual Fencing 26:09 – Intangibles and Quality of Life Improvements 29:13 – Personal Reflections and Career Insights CONNECT WITH SHAYE: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/

In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, host Shaye Wanner chats with Arlie Reeves about her family's journey raising Wagyu cattle. From the breed’s rich history to marketing premium beef and correcting industry misconceptions, Arlie shares valuable insights for ranchers, consumers, and anyone curious about the future of high-quality beef. Learn how consumer demand, direct-to-consumer sales, and proper animal husbandry all play a role in building a resilient Wagyu operation. Whether you're new to the breed or considering diversifying your herd, this episode offers practical ranching advice and real-world lessons from the pasture. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Wagyu cattle are prized for high marbling and quality. Consumer interest in Wagyu has surged post-COVID. Misconceptions persist around the breed’s origin and strength. Direct-to-consumer sales empower transparency and education. The cattle business requires patience and long-term vision. Local processor relationships are key to success. 📌 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Wagyu Cattle and the Beef Industry 03:11 – The Reeves Family Journey with Wagyu 06:12 – Marketing Wagyu Genetics and Beef 08:56 – Consumer Attraction to Wagyu Beef 11:48 – Misconceptions About Wagyu Cattle 14:59 – Advice for Aspiring Wagyu Ranchers 18:09 – Challenges and Resilience in Raising Wagyu 21:11 – Reflections and Lessons Learned 24:09 – Connecting with Consumers and Community Episode Resources https://bit.ly/4kfWrCG https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ 

In this solo episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, Shaye Koester-Wanner addresses a feeling many ranchers know all too well—feeling behind. She explores why that mindset exists, how it relates to the entrepreneurial nature of ranching, and how shifting your perspective can lead to greater satisfaction and measurable progress. Shaye shares actionable advice for setting clear goals, practicing self-reflection, and celebrating milestones—no matter how small. If you’re a rancher driven to succeed but often feel stuck or behind, this episode is a reminder that your progress deserves recognition. Key Takeaways: Ranchers share traits with high-performing entrepreneurs. Progress should be measured backward, not forward. Writing down goals helps you realize when you’ve surpassed them. Celebrating achievements builds morale and motivation. Success should be defined on your own terms. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Success in Ranching 02:52 – Measuring Progress and Setting Goals 06:07 – Celebrating Achievements and Defining Success Episode Resources Move the Ranch Forward https://bit.ly/3YzU7h4 Vence https://bit.ly/4kfWrCG  Ambrook www.ambrook.com/casualcattle

In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, Shaye Wanner and Mark Johnson discuss the practice of creep feeding in cattle management. They explore the advantages and disadvantages of creep feeding, its impact on calf weight gain, and the factors influencing its profitability. The conversation also delves into the importance of selecting the right ration for creep feeding and the potential of creep grazing as an alternative. Mark emphasizes the need for producers to evaluate their specific circumstances and market conditions to determine the viability of creep feeding in their operations.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Creep Feeding 05:00 Understanding Creep Feeding Benefits 10:08 Evaluating Profitability Factors 15:05 Ration Considerations for Creep Feeding 18:03 Final Thoughts on Creep Feeding   Episode Resources Try Ambrook for FREE: ambrook.com/casualcattle  Vence: https://bit.ly/4kfWrCG  https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ Creep Grazing: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/casual-cattle-conversations-podcast-shownotes/creep-grazing