Progressive Cattle Podcast

Tyrell sits down with John R. Erickson, author of the beloved Hank the Cowdog book series, for a meandering and insightful conversation about the animals we live and work with, recovering after wildfires, and educating the public about livestock agriculture. Then David, Carrie, Paul and Fredric debate the merits of including vegetables in your Thanksgiving dinner.

Join Kristin Torres, Executive Director of Meetings & Events at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association as she discusses CattleCon 2025 and the meetings and events that make up the premier industry event. CattleCon 2025 will take place in San Antonio, Texas, February 4-6, 2025. This episode is sponsored by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

In this Progressive Cattle Podcast episode, David visits with Kent Bacus, Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the National Beef Cattle Association at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference about trade negotiations with Canada, and Tyrell visits with Charley Martinez with the University of Tennessee about a study using AI and tracking eye movement to gauge interest in what genetic information producers are looking at in bull sale catalogs. Also, the podcast crew shares their favorite Halloween costumes and experiences.

Join the whole Progressive Cattle crew – David, Paul, Tyrell, Carrie and Abby - as they enjoy the Cassia County Fair in Southern Idaho. They speak with Ryan Udy about the experiences of being a junior exhibitor at the county fair and all the fun that comes with it. Abby interviews Elliott Dennis, from University of Nebraska - Lincoln, as they compare the cattle market in 2024 vs. 2014 and discuss how producers can make the decision to cull, maintain or expand this fall.

Tyrell visits with Mark Thallman from the USDA's Meat Animal Research Center about the merits and drawbacks of implementing terminal crossbreeding systems. Then, the Noble Research Institute's Josh Gaskamp joins Carrie to chat about how educational opportunities for producers to better their land for long-term profitability. Finally, join the gang as they discuss the joys of county fair season, weigh in on what tattoo Paul should get (and where), and debate the viewing value of various Olympic sports.

Texas A&M professor David P. Anderson visits with David Cooper to review how many operations in the beef livestock industry have been lost or consolidated in the most recent USDA Census report. And to preview the Progressive Cattle 2024 Beef Statistics poster that went out to readers, the editor crew tests their knowledge of beef production and cattle inventories in the U.S. and worldwide. Listen in to see how you fare against the so-called experts.

Join hosts Tyrell Marchant, Paul Marchant and Abby George on this episode of the Progressive Cattle podcast where you’ll not only hear Paul’s charming New York accent and how he became a pioneer in the cattle business, but also a discussion on bull turn-out and the differences around the country. Tyrell interviews Frank Mitloehner, from UC Davis, as they talk about sustainability and the industry’s relationship with the public when it comes to these issues. Additionally, Carrie discusses all things mental health and resources available for farmers and ranchers with Jessica Cabrera of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

For the first time, we welcome Progressive Forage’s Joy Hendrix to the podcast studio, as she visits with Katie Raver from Rock River Laboratory for a regional analysis of forage quality and what to keep in mind for the 2024 growing season. Then Tyrell and Elanco’s Frank White discuss the results of a recent study analyzing the benefits of monensin products in a cow-calf setting. Finally, don’t miss out on an absolutely riveting conversation on the perils of importing exotic wildlife testicles from overseas.

The podcast team is back in the studio for two interviews you don’t want to miss. Lee Leachman of Leachman Cattle Co. shares with Tyrell his insight on genetic profit data that has been a foundation for his seedstock herd. And David visits with David Anderson, Texas A&M ag economist, on beef demand index strength in 2024, and profit goals with today’s high cattle prices.

Calves are the future, regardless of your performance goals. Calf health, beginning on day one, plays a significant role in growth and development. Raising calves isn’t always easy – requiring special care and attention to detail. In this episode, David Mathes with DBC Ag Products, shares his tips for raising healthy, fast-growing calves. David discusses how to stay in front of calf health with proactive calf care. Here is the episode breakdown: 0:42 – David introduces himself3:05 – Favorite part of working with beef ranchers5:10 – One thing you see overlooked with calves6:16 – Biggest challenges he sees on farms9:30 – Managing the many variables of calf raising13:30 – Uncovering hidden calf costs14:50 – Calf health and future performance18:00 – Antibiotics requiring veterinarian prescriptions19:25 – Advice for calf raisers20:40 – Where to learn more This episode is sponsored by DBC Ag Products.

In the third and final segment of our coverage from the NCBA national convention, the team previews the March issue of Progressive Cattle. Abby visits with Elanco's Wayne Ayers about improving conception rates with the proper vaccine strategy. Then Tyrell sits down with Mark McCully to discuss the American Angus Association's Industry Insights survey and what benefits that data can have for American producers. Finally, Carrie talks with veterinarian Brandon Treichler about developing a crisis management plan and how that can protect ranches and the people who make them so special.

Welcome to the second of three episodes of our coverage of NCBA 2024. In this episode, Tyrell Marchant visits with Jeff Heldt, Beef Technical Lead with Selko USA, discussing if your inputs doing what you think they are when it comes to nutrition and feed expenses. Carrie Veselka discusses research conducted by Don Close, Chief Research and Analytics Officer with Terrain, on topics surrounding population demographics as it relates to growing the U.S. beef demand and market. Lastly, Abby George talks with Kimberly Vonnahme, Zoetis, about developmental programing and the cow’s health effect on their calf.

Welcome to the first of three episodes of our coverage of NCBA 2024. In this episode, Carrie Veselka visits with Rob Cook, president of the National Grazing Lands Coalition on strategies to improve grazing, Abby George discusses the impact and management of BVDV with George Perry of Texas A&M University, and Tyrell Marchant talks prenatal cattle nutrition with Ted Perry from Purina Animal Nutrition.

Progressive Cattle editor Tyrell Marchant visits with Ken Odde from Kansas State University about his work on the newly formed Genetic Merit Pricing Task Force and how he thinks genetic data will impact how cattle are bought, sold and raised in the future. Then, Tyrell sits down with Justin Derner from USDA-ARS at the Range Beef Cow Symposium to discuss what producers can do to make sure their pasture is doing everything it can for their cattle, and vice versa. Finally, David, Carrie, Abby and Tyrell preview the February issue of Progressive Cattle and share their recipes for fighting off the winter blues.

In this podcast episode, Progressive Cattle editor Carrie Veselka speaks with Kara Lee, Director of Producer Engagement at Certified Angus Beef, to discuss direct to consumer marketing and the CBA Ranch to Table program. Editor Abby George meets up with Russ Daly, South Dakota State University Extension Veterinarian, at Range Beef Cow Symposium to talk about herd health planning and steps producers can take to protect their cow herd. Also, don’t miss a preview of the January issue, celebrate winter solstice with Paul, David and Abby, and hear where a few members of the Progressive Cattle team hope to travel to in 2024.

In this podcast episode, we sat down with Dr. Chris Reinhardt with Zinpro to discuss the importance of trace mineral nutrition to optimize cattle health and performance. Keeping cattle healthy and performing to their full potential is key to ensure productivity and profitability in your herd. Learn how partnering with Zinpro will help improve profitability and set your herd up for success for generations to come. This episode is sponsored by Zinpro. Zinpro® is committed to the longevity and success of cattle operations. With the most knowledgeable team and more than 50 years of working within the beef nutrition space, we are delivering nutrition solutions that equip producers to reach higher levels of performance and profitability with their cattle.

David and Paul visit with Dr. Ron DeHaven, former chief veterinarian and administrator at the USDA-Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, to look back on 20 years since the first case of BSE back in December 2003. If now’s the season when you and the family enjoy Christmas movies, be sure to join the entire Progressive Cattle Podcast team in a cinema rating discussion about the best and worst in Christmas movies.

In this podcast episode, Managing Editor David Cooper sits down with Jay Theiler, executive vice president of AgriBeef, and discusses the opening of a new packing plant in Jerome, Idaho, and the supply and demand dynamics that make or break a packing plant. Also, catch a preview of the November issue, and find out what the podcast crew considers must-haves for Thanksgiving dinner. What are your ride-or-die Thanksgiving favorites?

The October podcast goes to Denver, Colorado, for the Red Angus annual conference where David Cooper interviews Rick Funston and Jordan Shockley. Funston, a reproductive physiologist with University of Nebraska-Lincoln, explains numerous factors toward efficiency in repro rates, heifer selection and reproductive success. Shockley, an ag economist with University of Kentucky, highlights what’s the spin on carbon credit sell-offs, and how livestock producers should be prepared (and careful) when approached about selling them. And don’t miss the discussion by Paul, Tyrell, David and Carrie about the good, the bad and the ugly of Halloween candy.

Carrie Veselka visits with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Ag Economist David Anderson and Rick Machen with the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management at the 2023 Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course. Dr. Anderson gives a brief outlook of what’s ahead in the beef and cattle markets in the near future, and Carrie and Dr. Machen explore the major points of a panel discussion he participated in along with Donnell Brown of RA Brown Ranch, Austin Brown of Brown Ranches, Shalene McNeil with NCBA and Ron Gill as moderator – all focused on the question, “What will the cattle industry look like in 40 years?”