Cattlemen’s Call Podcast

Whether it’s migrating birds, elk and deer, large predators or invasive species, these three cattlemen have spent decades adapting their management plans to coexist and promote the health of wildlife along with their cattle. Gregory Gardner, G&G Livestock & Cathey Cattle Co.; Mark Overstreet, M&D Overstreet Ranch; and Bob McCan, McFadden Ranch dive into which plant and animal species have been a challenge for them and w...

Matt Makens returns to the show to talk about weather patterns that changed from his spring outlook and created unexpected moisture in different regions of the country this spring and summer. He also discusses his Cattle Comfort Index, a tool he is developing to help cattle feeders and cow-calf producers to manage heat stress on cattle and give producers better opportunity to prepare. In addition, Matt explores the history of the N...

On this episode, host Lane Nordlund visits with Dr. Rick Machen, Executive Director of the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, and graduate Garrett Stribling. They share the Institute’s mission of preparing future ranching leaders, the value of advanced training in ranch management, and how KRIRM’s legacy is shaping the next generation of cattlemen and women.

#KingRanchInstitute #RanchManagement #Cattlemen #FutureOfRanching ...

Cattle producers know what it’s like to push through pain to get the job done, finish chores, feed and take care of their family. And Rachel O’Grady has personal experience with overcoming extreme pain to pursue her goals. Now she helps rural farmers, ranchers and rodeo athletes to heal and find pain relief without surgery or endless appointments. Rachel shares her story of overcoming a paralyzing disability ...

With the recent passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall and Senior Vice President Ethan Lane dive into the important pieces of this bill for cattle producers including tax provisions. They examine Congress’s work on disaster relief programs and wildfire management as well as NCBA’s work defending public land grazing. With producer profitability always top of mind, NCBA’s Washington, D.C., team has had a busy y...

The New World screwworm has become a topic of discussion amongst cattle producers in the last few months as the pest has moved into Mexico. NCBA, state affiliates and USDA have partnered, working to prepare for this potential threat. In this episode, host Lane Nordlund sits down with NCBA CEO Colin Woodall and Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association First Vice President Stephen Diebel to discuss the issue as it stands t...

Larry and Ellie Primeaux, first-generation cattle farmers in Mississippi, balance full-time careers with raising Angus and Brangus cattle. Larry, a dedicated game warden and K-9 handler with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, brings his deep knowledge of local wildlife to their cattle operation. Ellie, a passionate 5th-grade teacher, integrates agriculture into the classroom, educating the next generation...

Brett Chedzoy of Angus Glen Farms in Watkins Glen, New York, shares how his family built a successful grass-fed cow-calf operation practicing agroforestry and silvopasture. As the 2024 ESAP Region I award winner, Brett discusses sustainable grazing, managing 100 paddocks across 500 acres, and using cattle to improve both land and legacy. From Argentina to upstate New York, their story displays stewardship, family, and forward think...

Accuracy is important to move the industry in the right direction and cattle size and frame have changed significantly, but the yield grading system hasn’t changed since the 1960s to match them. We need new technology and new grading algorithms to accurately measure carcass data and return profit to the producer. Professor Ty Lawrence with West Texas A&M University and James Henderson with the Bradley 3 Ra...

Gina Tran grew up in Orlando, Florida, without any agriculture experience or family connection. However, her introduction to agriculture in the FFA classroom transformed the trajectory of her thinking and education. Gina went on to earn an animal science degree from the University of Florida and work on numerous large ranches in Florida and Texas where she learned to rope, ride and so much more. Her passion for cattle farmers and r...

Minnesota cattle farmers Rachel Gray and her son Nick Grundmeier share about their unique heifer development program. Little Timber Farms has come a long way since its dairy farming days, and now their innovative practices include seeding with drone technology, rotational grazing, bore water, and bale grazing in addition to their genetic advancements. Rachel, her father, and her son Nick have made decisions that maximize the profit...

We are breaking down what farmers and ranchers need to do to prepare for an emergency on their operation – whether it’s a flood, a wildfire, an equipment accident or a foreign animal disease outbreak J.J. Goicoechea and Kip Wills are on the show giving advice ranging from how to prepare for a helicopter to land on your operation for a medical emergency to who should be the first points of contact when something unexpected happens. ...

Tune into a practical discussion between veterinarians and nutritionists delivering practical perspectives on optimizing feedlot performance through combined recommendations. This conversation with TELUS Agriculture’s Drs. Kee Jim, Matt May, and Breck Hunsaker covers critical market challenges, strategic calf procurement decisions, and the transformative role of data analytics in modern feedlot operations. The experts also explore ...

Barb Downey and Joe Carpenter with Downey Ranch were honored as the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award National winners. Hear how their family navigates transition planning with their two daughters, how they initiated rotational grazing and bale grazing, and their experience with GPS collars on their cattle. Through experimenting with different practices, Downey Ranch has found ways to save on input costs and time while dramatica...

We are diving into different verification programs and what opportunities are available for cattle producers. Cattle producer Nancy Jackson, DVM, of Southern Cross Farm, Clint Berry with Superior Livestock, and John Saunders, CEO of IMI Global and Where Food Comes From, talk through the importance of producers telling their stories and how tranparency impacts the entire supply chain. Saunders shares how these programs offer marketi...

Beef cattle farmers and ranchers are preparing for spring 2025 and all that comes with it — calving and planting. Meteorologist Matt Makens once again joins the podcast to highlight the weather challenges in the months ahead, namely dry conditions in many western parts of the country. As beef producers evaluate their ability to retain heifers and build up their herd numbers, much of those decisions are reliant on moisture, so liste...

Buck Wehrbein has decades of experience feeding cattle, learning and growing from great mentors, and participating in NCBA leadership. Buck and his wife, Sandy, talk about their experiences living in Texas, raising a family on a feedyard and their decision to return to Nebraska. Buck shares what he sees as challenges for the year ahead and where he sees opportunities for young producer...

Biosecurity has been getting a lot of attention recently. With foreign animal diseases like foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) making headlines, understanding the role that producers, veterinarians, transporters, and state and federal agencies is important if an outbreak occurs. Producers and experts on cattle health issues, Monte Bordner, Dr. J.J. Goicoechea, and Dr. Julia Herman are on the show discussing what the Secure Beef Supply Pl...

In this episode of the Cattlemen's Call Podcast, host Lane Nordlund speaks with Dr. Rosslyn Biggs from Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Wyatt Catron, a practicing veterinarian in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas. The conversation explores the critical role veterinarians play in rural livestock operations, the challenges of the veterinary profession, and solutions for addressing shortages in rural c...