Casual Cattle Conversations

In this episode of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast, Shaye visits with Rocky Brown to discuss effective fall and winter watering systems for cattle ranchers. Rocky, who operates Wald Fencing, a local farm supply store, shares expert advice on both temporary and permanent watering solutions to help keep water flowing and reduce winter maintenance headaches.   Highlights include tips on various watering systems, the benefits of using geothermal heat and energy-efficient methods, and key considerations when installing permanent solutions such as Ritchie waters. Additionally, Rocky emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge within the beef industry to collectively elevate the success of all producers.   01:19 Meet Rocky Brown: Expert in Winter Watering Systems 01:38 The Importance of the Beef Industry 03:56 Rocky's Business and Customer-Driven Approach 06:57 Temporary Winter Watering Solutions 18:52 Permanent Winter Watering Solutions 22:40 Removing and Thawing Water Systems 23:06 Geothermal Heat and Insulation Benefits 23:20 Customer Experiences and Product Endorsements 25:04 Concrete Pads for Livestock 27:22 Rough Cut Lumber Alternatives 29:45 Ritchie Water Systems Overview 32:33 Ritchie Water System Enhancements 39:17 Tank Heaters and De-Icers 43:14 Final Thoughts and Industry Advice   Find more information and more episodes at https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ Learn more about Wald Fencing here: https://bit.ly/3KMGd7v Learn more about Pluck here: https://eatpluck.com/?ref=SHAYEWANNER

In this episode of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast, Shaye is joined by Jeananne from the Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) to discuss the advantages of value added programs for cattle producers. The conversation covers the importance of genetic verification, age and source documentation, and the specific benefits of RAAA's programs such as Angus Access and Allied Access. Jeananne explains how these programs boost marketability and premiums for producers, regardless of breed. The discussion also touches on the recent rebranding of the Feeder Calf Certification Program to Angus Access and the transition to electronic ID tags for improved traceability. For more details, listeners are encouraged to check additional resources and contact RAAA directly.  Learn more about RAAA here: https://bit.ly/4iaU6b Find more information and more episodes at https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/  

In this episode of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast, Shaye Wanner speaks with Elaine Froese about the critical and often overlooked topic of non-family farm transition plans. Elaine, a seasoned expert in farm transitions and coaching, emphasizes the importance of considering non-family members in continuity plans. She offers insights for both the rising generation seeking better opportunities and the senior generation without family successors. Key points include the necessity of solid agreements, financial literacy, and understanding individual strengths and gaps. Elaine also touches on the importance of open communication within the family and the community to ensure a harmonious transition. Listeners are encouraged to take proactive steps in planning to avoid being stuck in unfulfilling situations and to find value in collaborative efforts. 00:00 Introduction to Casual Cattle Conversations 00:18 Guest Introduction: Elaine Froese 00:29 Non-Family Transition Plans 01:42 Elaine's Background and Experience 02:32 Importance of Non-Family Transitions 03:18 Challenges and Opportunities in Non-Family Transitions 05:17 Real-Life Examples and Success Stories 12:16 Financial Literacy and Transparency 14:34 Understanding Your Skillset and Gaps 17:54 Starting Conversations and Agreements 33:07 Final Thoughts and Contact Information Learn more about Elaine here: https://bit.ly/46KdlUm  Learn more about the Red Angus Association of America: https://bit.ly/4iaU6b

In this episode of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast, Shaye talks with Tucker Brown about using social media as an alternative revenue stream for ranchers. Tucker shares his journey of leveraging platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to not only market their cattle operations but also create a substantial income. He discusses the challenges and rewards, the transition from casual posting to serious content creation, and the impact this has had on his family's life. He also gives practical advice on storytelling, handling negative feedback, and selecting brand partnerships, emphasizing the importance of staying authentic and strategic. This insightful conversation sheds light on how ranchers, especially the younger generation, can use social media to sustain and grow their family operations while inviting more people into the world of agriculture.   Learn more about Performance Beef: https://bit.ly/47PxY3W Learn more about Red Angus here: https://bit.ly/4iaU6bb  Connect with Shaye: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/   00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:41 Meet Tucker Brown: A Ranching Legacy 03:14 Social Media as a Revenue Source 05:20 The Journey and Impact of Social Media 11:22 Monetization and Brand Partnerships 16:13 Advice for Aspiring Social Media Influencers 22:06 The Long Game: Building a Sustainable Presence 24:14 Speaking Engagements and Final Thoughts    

In this episode of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast, Shaye chats with Luke Ressler about innovative ranching practices that improve both livestock management and soil health. Luke and his wife Elli operate a diversified ranch in Northeastern North Dakota. They delve into the benefits of using cover crops and bale grazing to extend grazing days and enhance soil quality, especially in challenging Northern climates. Luke shares insights from their fall and winter grazing practices, the integration of no-till farming, and their transition to fall calving. The episode also covers the challenges and learning curves associated with these methods, offering practical advice for ranchers looking to adopt similar strategies.   00:17 Meet Luke Ressler: Diversified Ranching in North Dakota 02:40 Grazing Practices and Soil Health 07:29 Cover Crops: Implementation and Benefits 19:27 Challenges and Adaptations in Ranching 25:10 Bale Grazing: Techniques and Benefits 34:30 Reflections and Future Plans   Learn more about Performance Beef: https://bit.ly/47PxY3W Learn more about Red Angus here: https://bit.ly/4iaU6bb  Connect with Shaye: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/

In this solo episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, Shaye Wanner walks through six key factors ranchers should consider when choosing herd management software. From cost and user access to ease of use and long-term value, Shaye shares real-world experiences from both seedstock and commercial operations. Whether you’re still jotting notes in a red calving book or testing out digital platforms, this episode will help you evaluate which system best fits your ranch’s needs, reduces stress, and increases profitability. 👉 Tune in for practical insights that make recordkeeping easier and more profitable for your operation. 📌 What You’ll Learn: 0:00 – Introduction 1:20 – Why herd records matter for profitability 2:20 – Factor 1: What problems does it solve? 4:45 – Factor 2: Will it work for your ranch in 5 years? 7:10 – Factor 3: Cost and return on investment 9:39 – Factor 4: User access and team needs 11:00 – Factor 5: Web-based, app-based, or both? 12:04 – Factor 6: Ease of use for your crew 14:32 – Bonus: Onboarding and training for success 16:00 – Final recap and closing thoughts Resources:  Performance Beef: https://bit.ly/47PxY3W https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/

Host Shaye Wanner speaks with Jared Ranly, a veterinarian and backgrounder, about effective strategies for receiving cattle and enhancing profitability in the beef industry. Jared shares his extensive experience in the cow-calf and backgrounding sectors, emphasizing the importance of health protocols, nutrition, and technology in managing cattle operations – specifically how Performance Beef positively impacts the profit and confidence of cattle feeders. The conversation also highlights common challenges faced during the receiving process and the significance of maintaining good veterinary-client relationships and accurate record-keeping for better decision-making. Learn more about Performance Beef: https://bit.ly/47PxY3W Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Cattle Conversations 00:55 Jared's Background in the Beef Industry 04:05 Receiving Cattle: Key Steps and Protocols 10:05 Challenges in Receiving Cattle 14:02 Technology and Profitability in Cattle Management 22:01 The Importance of Record Keeping 23:58 Final Thoughts and Advice Connect with Shaye: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/

In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, host Shaye Wanner sits down with Katey Johnson, a first-generation rancher and beef advocate, to talk about addressing consumer concerns in today’s beef industry. From questions about grass-fed vs. grain-finished beef to myths about factory farms, Katey shares how she connects with consumers at farmers markets, online, and through direct-to-consumer beef sales. If you’ve ever wondered how to better engage with consumers or how to respond to tough questions about beef production, this conversation will give you practical insights and encouragement. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction with Shaye Wanner 01:35 – Why Katey Johnson bet on the beef industry 04:21 – Becoming a first-generation rancher 06:00 – Selling beef direct-to-consumer and shipping nationwide 07:21 – Common consumer concerns about beef production 09:22 – Explaining the beef lifecycle: cow-calf to feedyard 11:14 – Why Katey is “Team Beef” regardless of how it’s finished 13:03 – Grass-finished vs. grain-finished: consumer perceptions 15:24 – Shocking myths and misinformation consumers believe 17:05 – Beef’s role in upcycling food byproducts 18:30 – Addressing glyphosate and other health claims 19:57 – Building consumer trust as a rancher 21:27 – Advice for ranchers: engaging with consumers respectfully 23:36 – What Katey would do differently in her first five years 24:50 – Where to connect with Katey online Resources & Links: Follow Katey Johnson: @zerocattleranch @kateyjohnsoncreative Favorite Seasoning: EatPluck.com (use code ShayeWanner for 15% off) Free Ranching Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FKWGvQKxh/

In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, Shaye Wanner visits with Shane White of Ceres Tag and Justin Hossfeld of RangeView by Envu. Together, they explore how integrating these two technologies helps ranchers make data-driven decisions about grazing management, forage utilization, cattle performance, and theft prevention. From tracking real-time animal behavior to managing pastures with geospatial data, discover how technology can become your ranch’s “extra hired hand” while improving profitability and sustainability. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction with Shaye Wanner 01:15 – Why Shane White & Justin Hossfeld bet on the beef industry 03:30 – Overview of RangeView by Envu 05:15 – Introduction to Ceres Tag and its satellite-powered ear tags 06:55 – Data dashboards and grazing management tools in RangeView 09:05 – Alerts, utilization tracking, and planning pasture moves 12:39 – Measuring ROI: feed costs, efficiency, and time savings 14:40 – How ranchers can start with RangeView 16:00 – Benefits of Ceres Tag: forage intake, animal tracking, and theft prevention 19:55 – Real-time notifications and peace of mind 24:00 – Overcoming intimidation with technology adoption 25:30 – The power of integration: RangeView + Ceres Tag 30:30 – Individual animal data and management possibilities 32:40 – Future innovations for RangeView 34:05 – What’s next for Ceres Tag and ranching technology 36:00 – Final thoughts: Why now is the time to invest in technology 37:50 – Closing remarks and resources Resources: Learn more about RangeView: https://bit.ly/3JL7BlI Explore Ceres Tag: https://bit.ly/45WlwfW Connect with Shaye Wanner: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ Hashtags: #Ranching #BeefIndustry #CattleManagement #ForageUtilization #LivestockTechnology #BeefCattle #RanchManagement #CeresTag #RangeView #CasualCattleConversations

In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, host Shaye Wanner sits down with Jim Strickland, a sixth-generation Florida rancher managing multiple operations across the state. Together, they discuss how Vence’s virtual fencing technology is transforming ranch management—helping producers through hurricanes, improving wildlife habitats, protecting calves from predators, and creating new opportunities for conservation. Jim shares real-world examples from his ranches, from reducing calf losses to alligators to managing grazing for wildlife corridors and water quality. He also explains how his employees adapted to the technology and what ranchers should consider before adopting it. If you’re curious about the future of ranching technology and how it ties into profitability and stewardship, this conversation is full of practical insights. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction with Shaye Wanner 01:18 – Why Jim Strickland bets on the beef industry 04:19 – Overview of Strickland Ranch and Blackbeard Ranch operations 09:31 – How Jim was introduced to virtual fencing technology 15:20 – Conservation and wildlife benefits of virtual fencing 21:55 – Managing hurricanes with Vence 28:05 – Protecting calves from alligators 33:12 – How employees adapted to the technology 38:58 – Challenges ranchers should know before starting 43:44 – Opportunities for public land grazing 44:24 – Questions to ask before investing in virtual fencing 47:18 – Closing thoughts and resources Resources: Blackbeard's Ranch | Strickland Ranch | Lost Girl Prairie Ranch | Florida Conservation Group | Vence Virtual Fence