Casual Cattle Conversations

Season 7 || Episode 19 Let's dive into heifer marketing and profitability with Doug Ferguson. Doug's sell-buy marketing strategies and mindset shifts will open your mind to how participating in the female side of the cattle market can be a profitability game changer for your ranch. In this episode, you will be able to: Understand sell-buy marketing strategies to increase profitability in the cattle industry. Learn how to identify and serve your ideal customer Stay ahead of the curve with the latest trends in selling bred heifers and pairs. Gain insight into the importance of knowing your cost of production Hear how other cattlemen and women are applying these strategies to remain profitable My special guest is Doug Ferguson Doug Ferguson, a seasoned figure in the beef industry, brings a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for cattle marketing. Doug's roots in conventional farming have instilled in him a deep understanding of the industry. His commitment to sharing his expertise is evident through his in-person marketing schools, where he imparts practical knowledge and insights to fellow producers. Doug's approach is not only rooted in tradition but also incorporates a forward-looking perspective, making him a trusted source for those seeking to elevate their cattle marketing strategies. https://mrcattlemaster.com/ The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Cattle Marketing 00:09:58 - Trends in Marketing Bred Heifers 00:12:41 - Value Assessment and Trading Cattle 00:13:03 - Selling and Replacing Cattle 00:13:22 - Fallout Rate of Females 00:15:05 - Maximizing Profit with Cows 00:18:42 - Missed Opportunities when Selling Bred Heifers 00:22:05 - Sale Barn vs. Private Treaty Sales 00:24:09 - Providing Important Information to Customers 00:28:17 - Understanding Ideal Customers 00:30:06 - The Importance of Cattle Marketing 00:31:23 - The Example of Heifer Pricing 00:33:16 - Resources and Upcoming Events 00:35:25 - Market Demand and Timing 00:37:58 - Commitment to Cattle Farming Links: Full Show Notes: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/casual-cattle-conversations-podcast-shownotes  Free Weekly Resources: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranching-resources  • The easiest way to create a new revenue stream for your ranch is with LandTrust. Learn more here! www.landtrust.com/a/cattleconvos  Take Your Ranch to the Next Level Once a month Shaye hosts Q&A calls between cattle producers and beef industry leaders to help ranchers find answers to their questions and improve their bottom lines. The best part is you get expert insight from the comfort of your own ranch and get to ask any question you want relating to the topic! Learn More About RancherMinds: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranchermind-events  Connect with me on Social Media Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleconvos Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleconvos/ Podcast Coaching Do you have an existing podcast or want to start a new one but don't know where to start? Connect with Shaye and she will lay out everything you need to know to get you started on the right foot. Find podcast resources and coaching opportunities here! https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/podcast-coaching

In between where we are and where we want to be lies the challenges that come with change. However, the difference in those who get to the other side and those who revert back to old ways comes down to practicing patience and maintaining the proper mindset. Joe Pokay, general ranch manager at the Noble Research Institute, shared how to stay patient and adopt the right mindset to make it through the first five years of focusing on regenerative principles during Season 7, Episode 18 of the Casual Cattle Conversations Podcast.   Key Moments: (03:00) About Joe (05:38) Mistakes Made During the First Five Years (10:25) Removing Bias (11:23) Challenges During the First Five Years (13:00) Staying Motivated (15:25) Metrics to track (17:15) Rewarding Parts of the Beginning Days (19:50) Going all in or one step at a time (21:38) Building a Team & Resources   About Joe Joe Pokay grew up in northwestern Colorado as a town kid but wasted no time in finding ways to work with great people in production agriculture who helped him get started. The opportunities and people he worked with helped him develop a passion and skillset for animal husbandry and land stewardship that he now applies every day as the general ranch manager for the Noble Research Institute. Resources: https://www.noble.org/regenerative-agriculture/ Full Show Notes: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/casual-cattle-conversations-podcast-shownotes  Free Weekly Resources: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranching-resources    The easiest way to create a new revenue stream for your ranch is with LandTrust. Learn more here! www.landtrust.com/a/cattleconvos  Take Your Ranch to the Next Level Once a month Shaye hosts Q&A calls between cattle producers and beef industry leaders to help ranchers find answers to their questions and improve their bottom lines. The best part is you get expert insight from the comfort of your own ranch and get to ask any question you want relating to the topic! Learn More About RancherMinds: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranchermind-events  Connect with me on Social Media Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleconvos Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleconvos/ Podcast Coaching Do you have an existing podcast or want to start a new one but don't know where to start? Connect with Shaye and she will lay out everything you need to know to get you started on the right foot. Find podcast resources and coaching opportunities here! https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/podcast-coaching

In Season 7, Episode 17 of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast, Caitlin Word shares how cattle producers in all regions with different goals can regenerate their natural resources by being observant and applying the following soil health principles:   Know Your Context Cover the Soil Minimize Soil Disturbance Increase Diversity Maintain Continuous Living Plants/Roots Integrate Livestock     While we discuss all of the soil health principles during our conversations, we go back to number one quite frequently. “I like to bring it back to outcomes. What outcomes are you looking for? You have to strike a balance between what you want and what nature can provide,” said Word. Caitlin walks through how different producers such as seedstock operators, those with hunting leases, stocker operators and cow-calf producers are all looking for slightly different outcomes and shares specific grazing strategies they can apply to find that balance between their desired outcome and regenerating the soil.   Learn more about regenerative ranching: https://www.noble.org/regenerative-agriculture/   Key Time Points (04:15) Soil Health Principles (7:55) Seedstock Producers (14:50) Hunting Leases/Wildlife (23:39) Stockers/Yearlings (27:30) Cow-calf/moving during calving season (36:30) Knowing which principle you need to improve/focus on     Links: Full Show Notes: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/casual-cattle-conversations-podcast-shownotes  Free Weekly Resources: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranching-resources    The easiest way to create a new revenue stream for your ranch is with LandTrust. Learn more here! www.landtrust.com/a/cattleconvos  Take Your Ranch to the Next Level Once a month Shaye hosts Q&A calls between cattle producers and beef industry leaders to help ranchers find answers to their questions and improve their bottom lines. The best part is you get expert insight from the comfort of your own ranch and get to ask any question you want relating to the topic! Learn More About RancherMinds: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranchermind-events  Connect with me on Social Media Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleconvos Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleconvos/ Podcast Coaching Do you have an existing podcast or want to start a new one but don't know where to start? Connect with Shaye and she will lay out everything you need to know to get you started on the right foot. Find podcast resources and coaching opportunities here! https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/podcast-coaching

Cattle and crops. That’s what a lot of us make our living on and know best. But what if adding one more species to your operation could not only improve your soil health and forages but also offer another revenue source throughout the year? Kevin Lynch shares the pros and cons of multispecies grazing as well as what beginners need to consider in Season 7, Episode 16 of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast.   About the Guest: Kevin Lynch currently works in the Research Service Department at the Noble Research Institute where he is involved in forage and soil sampling and monitoring. He has worked with Noble for 17 years but has been passionate about small ruminants and grazing for over 40 years. What started as a 4-h project turned into a career of caring for land, soil, large and small livestock as well as exotic animals.   Key Time Stamps: 2:25 Kevin’s Background   06:15 What is multispecies grazing   9:01 Management Challenges   10:30 Why people graze multiple species at once   13:09 Animal Health and Mineral programs   18:20 Return on Investment   20:10 Is this right for you   24:06 Resources & Different Breeds to Consider Links: Noble Research Institute: https://www.noble.org/regenerative-agriculture/  Full Show Notes: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/casual-cattle-conversations-podcast-shownotes  Free Weekly Resources: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranching-resources    The easiest way to create a new revenue stream for your ranch is with LandTrust. Learn more here! www.landtrust.com/a/cattleconvos  Take Your Ranch to the Next Level Once a month Shaye hosts Q&A calls between cattle producers and beef industry leaders to help ranchers find answers to their questions and improve their bottom lines. The best part is you get expert insight from the comfort of your own ranch and get to ask any question you want relating to the topic! Learn More About RancherMinds: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranchermind-events  Connect with me on Social Media Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleconvos Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleconvos/ Podcast Coaching Do you have an existing podcast or want to start a new one but don't know where to start? Connect with Shaye and she will lay out everything you need to know to get you started on the right foot. Find podcast resources and coaching opportunities here! https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/podcast-coaching 

Implementing cover crops into a grazing plan has a host of benefits for the soil, cattle and profitability of the business when done properly. Steve Swaffar shares his knowledge about cover crop grazing and how it can be an effective method of increasing soil cover in all climates if done properly. During this episode, you’ll learn about the following topics:   (04:08) Increasing popularity of cover crops (06:00) Cover crops in wet climates versus arid climates (08:30) Using cover crops for forage, soil health and grazing (09:40) Return on investment (11:02) Animal performance and managing livestock diets (12:30) Beginner Mistakes (15:10) Working synergistically with farmers (20:15) Being prepared for when planting cover crops is the right decision for you   Steve Swaffar grew up in Tulsa and spent a majority of his time on the family farm where he was exposed to raising certified wheat and registered Angus cattle. He has spent his entire career in agriculture and currently works for the Noble Research Institute in Ardmore, OK.   Resources: https://www.noble.org/regenerative-agriculture/ Full Show Notes: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/casual-cattle-conversations-podcast-shownotes  Free Weekly Resources: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranching-resources  The easiest way to create a new revenue stream for your ranch is with LandTrust. Learn more here! www.landtrust.com/a/cattleconvos  RancherMinds: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranchermind-events  Connect with me on Social Media  https://www.facebook.com/cattleconvos  https://www.instagram.com/cattleconvos/ Podcast Coaching Do you have an existing podcast or want to start a new one but don't know where to start? Connect with Shaye and she will lay out everything you need to know to get you started on the right foot. Find podcast resources and coaching opportunities here! https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/podcast-coaching

Season 7 || Episode 14 – Regnerative. It’s a word that seems to be everywhere. It’s talked about on podcasts, scattered throughout articles and of course, all over social media. However, what does it really mean and why has there been so much hype about it? Caitlin Word with the Noble Research Institute shared her thoughts on what regenerative means, why there is a modern wave of livestock producers focusing on natural resources and how cattle producers can start slow to avoid crashing during the early stages of implementing these principles in Season 7, Episode 14 of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast.  In this episode, you will be able to: Discover how regenerative ranching practices can rejuvenate soil health and enhance your cattle operation's sustainability. Uncover the lesser-known benefits of integrating regenerative agriculture into the beef industry for a more resilient and thriving operation. Learn effective strategies to trim down operational costs in ranching and improve the financial health of your cattle enterprise. Explore how to implement regenerative management techniques to bolster the ecological balance and productivity of your cattle operations. Challenge common misconceptions about regenerative agricultural practices and gain a deeper understanding of their true impact on cattle production. My special guest is Caitlin Word Caitlin Word serves as a regenerative ranching advisor at Noble Research Institute, specializing in sustainable cattle production and soil health. With a background in cattle nutrition and production, Caitlin possesses a deep understanding of the critical link between grazing lands and livestock management. Her role involves direct interaction with livestock producers, providing practical strategies and insights to optimize their operations. Caitlin's expertise in regenerative practices and commitment to sustainable management make her an invaluable resource for cattle producers seeking to improve their land health and resilience. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:01 - Introduction to Regenerative Ranching 00:00:42 - Noble Research's Regenerative Management Courses 00:01:09 - Understanding Regenerative Practices 00:10:00 - Regenerative vs. Conservation and Sustainability 00:12:30 - Metrics for Regenerative Practices 00:15:06 - Understanding Healthy Ecosystems 00:16:29 - Intensity of Regenerative Practices 00:21:01 - Business Model and Mindset Shift 00:23:57 - Beginning Steps for Producers 00:28:24 - Regenerating More than Land 00:29:47 - Excitement for Exploration 00:30:06 - Refreshing Conversation 00:30:16 - Conclusion 00:29:47 - Embracing New Perspectives 00:30:06 - Gratitude and Appreciation Learn more: https://www.noble.org/regenerative-agriculture/ Links and Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/shaye-koester🎙-30b46b16a/ https://www.youtube.com/youtube.com/cattleconvos https://www.youtube.com/youtube.com/cattleconvos https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ https://www.twitter.com/twitter.com/cattleconvos https://www.facebook.com/facebook.com/cattleconvos

Ever feel like you're constantly low on energy, relying on caffeine and pain relievers just to get through the day? It's frustrating, right? You're not alone. But what if I told you that it is possible to feel more energized and reduce joint pain while still living your ranching dream? This podcast episode with Kennedy Youngren offers practical tips that work for blue-collar workers in rural America to do just this. In this episode, you will be able to: Learn effective strategies for managing joint pain to stay active and healthy on the ranch. Uncover the crucial role of nutrition in optimizing the well-being of beef producers. Master practical and sustainable methods for reducing caffeine intake without sacrificing energy. Unlock the secrets to improving sleep hygiene for enhanced wellness and productivity on the farm. My special guest is Kennedy Youngren Kennedy Youngren, a registered dietitian, brings a unique perspective to the table as a fourth-generation dairyman's wife residing in central Minnesota. With a master's degree in exercise science and sports nutrition, Kennedy is dedicated to helping farmers, ranchers, and cowboys enhance their well-being through optimized nutrition. Her close ties to the agricultural community and evidence-based approach allow her to offer practical, achievable strategies for improving health. Kennedy's emphasis on addressing common misconceptions and the positive impact of nutrition on overall wellness makes her a valuable advocate for promoting healthier lifestyles among ranchers. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:01 - Introduction to the Podcast 00:00:40 - Introduction to Medgene 00:00:59 - Importance of Nutrition for Ranchers 00:09:17 - Impact of Nutrition on Decision Making and Joint Health 00:12:16 - Practical Tips for Busy Ranchers 00:12:47 - Realistic Fueling Strategies 00:14:40 - Medgene: Innovating Animal Healthcare 00:15:49 - Eating Late at Night 00:18:41 - Importance of Sleep Hygiene 00:23:16 - Benefits of Tart Cherry Juice 00:26:11 - Recommendations for improving lifestyle on the farm and ranch 00:27:29 - Educational resources for increasing fertility and pregnancy nutrition 00:28:02 - Importance of following qualified dietitians on social media 00:28:38 - Where to find Kennedy Youngren 00:29:04 - Closing remarks and resource links https://landtrust.com/a/cattleconvos https://medgenelabs.com/ https://www.thelegendairydietitian.com/ https://www.facebook.com/facebook.com/cattleconvos https://www.twitter.com/twitter.com/cattleconvos https://www.youtube.com/youtube.com/cattleconvos https://www.youtube.com/youtube.com/cattleconvos https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/shaye-koester🎙-30b46b16a/

The "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality with your cattle herd health is tempting to adopt. However, episode guest Gary Bosch explains that the challenge with this mentality is that we don't know when things will break. Gary Bosch sheds light on how diagnostic surveillance and modern vaccine technology can help you stay ahead of potential herd health problems and keep your operation thriving. Tune in to discover the game-changing benefits of platform vaccines and why it's time to consider modernizing your cattle herd health strategies. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover the enhanced herd health benefits of platform vaccines in cattle. Uncover the cutting-edge technology behind prescription platform vaccines for cattle. Explore the modernized strategies for optimizing cattle herd health. Understand the crucial role of diagnostic surveillance in maintaining cattle health. Learn the benefits of transitioning to modern cattle vaccines for improved herd well-being. Learn more about platform vaccines: https://medgenelabs.com/ My special guest is Gary Bosch Dr. Gary Bosch is a highly experienced veterinarian with a career spanning over 40 years in the animal health industry. His extensive background includes practicing veterinary medicine for eleven years and collaborating with cattle producers and veterinarians. Currently, Dr. Bosch is a key figure at Medgene, a biotechnology company dedicated to the development of prescription platform vaccines. His vast expertise in the cattle industry and hands-on involvement in the creation of modernized vaccine technologies position him as an expert in discussions about enhancing herd health management and proactive surveillance for cattle producers. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:01 - Introduction to Casual Cattle Conversations 00:00:20 - Diving into Herd Health with Gary Bosch 00:01:00 - Benefits of Platform Vaccines 00:02:09 - Medgene and Prescription Platform Vaccines 00:15:06 - Baculovirus vs. mRNA Vaccines 00:18:08 - The Importance of Diagnostic Surveillance in Herd Health Programs 00:19:32 - Key Elements for Herd Health 00:21:03 - Monitoring Disease Status in Cattle Herds 00:22:32 - Where to Learn More Links: Full Show Notes: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/casual-cattle-conversations-podcast-shownotes  Free Weekly Resources: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranching-resources  • The easiest way to create a new revenue stream for your ranch is with LandTrust. Learn more here! www.landtrust.com/a/cattleconvos  Take Your Ranch to the Next Level Once a month Shaye hosts Q&A calls between cattle producers and beef industry leaders to help ranchers find answers to their questions and improve their bottom lines. The best part is you get expert insight from the comfort of your own ranch and get to ask any question you want relating to the topic! Learn More About RancherMinds: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranchermind-events  Connect with me on Social Media Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleconvos Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleconvos/ Podcast Coaching Do you have an existing podcast or want to start a new one but don't know where to start? Connect with Shaye and she will lay out everything you need to know to get you started on the right foot. Find podcast resources and coaching opportunities here! https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/podcast-coaching

Season 7 || Episode 11 Have you heard these myths about genomic testing in cattle? 1. Genomic testing is only for seedstock producers. 2. Genomic testing is too complex and time-consuming for commercial producers. 3. Genomic testing doesn't provide practical benefits for commercial operations. Nick Hammett and host Shaye Wanner bust these myths and dive into practical ways you can use genomics as a commercial cow-calf producer. In this episode, you will be able to: Uncover the potential of genomic testing to improve your cattle breeding strategies and boost profitability. Harness the power of genomic data to make more informed and effective mating decisions for your cattle operation. Discover what traits are analyzed in the Igenity Beef Test and how to use these when selecting replacement heifers Learn how genomic data helps build relationships with cattle buyers Cultivate patience as a key virtue in the genetic selection process to achieve long-term success in your cattle breeding endeavors. Learn more about Igenity Beef https://www.neogen.com/igenity-beef My special guest is Nick Hammett Nick Hammett, currently serving as a key accounts manager at Neogen, brings substantial expertise in the beef industry. With a background that includes working for breed associations, a vertically integrated beef company, and a large commercial cow-calf operation, Nick has acquired a comprehensive understanding of the industry. His role involves assisting commercial cattle producers in making well-informed breeding decisions and improving the productivity of their operations. Nick's proficiency in genomic testing and its practical applications for commercial producers positions him as a knowledgeable authority for anyone seeking to enhance their breeding strategies and bolster profitability within the beef industry. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:01 - Introduction to casual cattle conversations 00:01:04 - Benefits of genomic testing 00:07:37 - Value of genomics for commercial producers 00:10:38 - Future of genomic information in the industry 00:12:07 - Leveraging genomic information for bull decisions 00:13:53 - Understanding Genomic Scores 00:15:03 - Importance of Genomic Scores 00:16:30 - Database Comparison and Selection Decisions 00:18:07 - Sample Collection and Process 00:19:52 - Using Indexes for Decision-Making Links: Full Show Notes: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/casual-cattle-conversations-podcast-shownotes  Free Weekly Resources: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranching-resources  • The easiest way to create a new revenue stream for your ranch is with LandTrust. Learn more here! www.landtrust.com/a/cattleconvos  Take Your Ranch to the Next Level Once a month Shaye hosts Q&A calls between cattle producers and beef industry leaders to help ranchers find answers to their questions and improve their bottom lines. The best part is you get expert insight from the comfort of your own ranch and get to ask any question you want relating to the topic! Learn More About RancherMinds: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranchermind-events  Connect with me on Social Media Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleconvos Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleconvos/ Podcast Coaching Do you have an existing podcast or want to start a new one but don't know where to start? Connect with Shaye and she will lay out everything you need to know to get you started on the right foot. Find podcast resources and coaching opportunities here! https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/podcast-coaching

Seasons 7 || Episode 10 – The beef industry has been focused on measuring economically relevant traits for decades. However, some of these traits are harder to measure than others. One of these traits includes pasture-based forage intake on an individual animal basis. With feed costs being one of the highest inputs cattle producers have each year and forage being a limiting resource, the ability to measure this trait is more important than ever before. Cattle producers can now measure forage intake on a per-head basis in their pastures with the implementation of Ceres Tag devices. David Smith, Dr. Troy Rowan and Barbara Jackson share valuable insights about how Ceres Tag devices measure pasture feed intake and how it can be applied in real-world settings during Season 7, Episode 10 of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast. In this episode, you will be able to: Understand How Technology Optimizes Cattle Management Maximize Profitability Through Forage Intake Management Unlock the Power of Genetic Selection for Efficient Grazing Discover the Importance of Measuring Forage Intake for Profitability Achieve Balance Between Traditional Practices and Modern Technology in Cattle Management My special guests are David Smith, Troy Rowan, and Barbara Jackson. Learn more about Ceres Tag: https://cerestag.com/collections/ceres-ranch The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:01 - Introduction to the Importance of Forage Intake Management 00:01:08 - Insight on Forage Intake Importance 00:02:25 - Guest Introductions and Expertise 00:05:09 - Practical Challenges in Cattle Ranching 00:10:02 - Research and Technology in Forage Intake Measurement 00:16:15 - Importance of Design in Technology 00:19:31 - Impact on Genetic Selection 00:22:04 - Pasture Feed Intake Algorithm 00:27:37 - Future Generations and Data Utilization 00:32:56 - Closing Thoughts 00:34:14 - Importance of Software in the Cattle Industry 00:34:58 - Importance of Basic Practices 00:35:19 - Leveraging Technology with Solid Foundation 00:36:02 - Pushing the Beef Industry Forward Links: Full Show Notes: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/casual-cattle-conversations-podcast-shownotes  Free Weekly Resources: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranching-resources  • The easiest way to create a new revenue stream for your ranch is with LandTrust. Learn more here! www.landtrust.com/a/cattleconvos  Take Your Ranch to the Next Level Once a month Shaye hosts Q&A calls between cattle producers and beef industry leaders to help ranchers find answers to their questions and improve their bottom lines. The best part is you get expert insight from the comfort of your own ranch and get to ask any question you want relating to the topic! Learn More About RancherMinds: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranchermind-events  Connect with me on Social Media Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleconvos Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleconvos/ Podcast Coaching Do you have an existing podcast or want to start a new one but don't know where to start? Connect with Shaye and she will lay out everything you need to know to get you started on the right foot. Find podcast resources and coaching opportunities here! https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/podcast-coaching