Beef Pros Podcast

Passionate about cattle and dedicated to improving the beef industry, JoJo Carrales oversees cattle operations for HeartBrand Ranch. A graduate of Texas A&M University in animal sciences he earned his Master’s in Animal Physiology before beginning his career with Texas A&M Extension. He joined the HeartBrand team in 2009 and manages the HeartBrand buyback program (link to page) and ranch personnel. His leadership has helped grow and develop the HeartBrand herd to where they are now proud to be able to offer high-quality seedstock to other breeders.

Bob Weaber’s nationally recognized extension programming has resulted in more than 145 publications and more than $13 million from 42 awards of grants and gifts for research and extension programming. Weaber’s extension program leadership has been recognized with MU Provost’s Innovative Extension Programming by New Faculty, the MU CAFNR J.W. Burch State Extension Specialist Award, and the Beef Improvement Federation’s Continuing Service Award.

Weaber grew up on a cow-calf operation in southern Colorado and went on to earn a BS in animal science followed by a Master of Agriculture degree in the Beef Industry Leadership Program at Colorado State University. He completed his doctoral studies in the Animal Breeding and Genetics Group at Cornell University. While there, he served as the Interim Director of Performance Programs for the American Simmental Association for three and a half years. Previously, Weaber was Director of Education and Research at the American Gelbvieh Association. Bob, his wife, Tami, and their young children, Maddie, Cooper and Wyatt, reside near Wamego, KS.

Bob Weaber’s nationally recognized extension programming has resulted in more than 145 publications and more than $13 million from 42 awards of grants and gifts for research and extension programming. Weaber’s extension program leadership has been recognized with MU Provost’s Innovative Extension Programming by New Faculty, the MU CAFNR J.W. Burch State Extension Specialist Award, and the Beef Improvement Federation’s Continuing Service Award.

Weaber grew up on a cow-calf operation in southern Colorado and went on to earn a BS in animal science followed by a Master of Agriculture degree in the Beef Industry Leadership Program at Colorado State University. He completed his doctoral studies in the Animal Breeding and Genetics Group at Cornell University. While there, he served as the Interim Director of Performance Programs for the American Simmental Association for three and a half years. Previously, Weaber was Director of Education and Research at the American Gelbvieh Association. Bob, his wife, Tami, and their young children, Maddie, Cooper and Wyatt, reside near Wamego, KS.

Chip Kemp brings a diverse background to the American Simmental Association ranging from selling insurance to working for IBP (now Tyson). As Director of Member and Industry Relations, Kemp works within public relations to support and promote ASA membership services, assist in programs designed to educate and encourage the integration of technology, work with ASA's Progress Through Performance program, along with many other responsibilities. 

At MU, Kemp coached Livestock Judging teams alongside various teaching responsibilities, including the coordination of the Animal Science Internship Program. During his tenure at Missouri, Kemp was the recipient of the state Department of Agriculture Livestock Leadership Award, the university's CAFNR Outstanding Advisor Award, and the Outstanding Educator Award, among others. 

Kemp graduated from the MU with a Masters of Science in Animal Science in 2001. Previously, Kemp had worked in beef merchandising for IBP Inc. in Amarillo, Texas, and as an instructor and manager of Muscle Foods Laboratory, a part of MU's Division of Food Sciences. As a youth, he worked on Gerloff Farms, an Angus seedstock operation, and is still associated with that operation.

Jim Johnson is the Beef Genetics Manager at Zoetis Animal Genetics. He was one of the first people to find the podcast on iTunes! Jim and his family live near Appomattox, VA.

Dr. Joseph Massey is the Co-Founder of DigitalBeef, LLC® and serves as the CEO. Dr. Massey has over 30 years of experience starting and retooling technology-based agriculture companies. Dr. Massey founded Granada Genetics, an embryo transfer company, in the late 70’s that became one of the world largest suppliers of embryos and embryo transfer services. Dr. Massey co-founded Genmark Inc., a DNA-based company that developed the first DNA parentage test for cattle and other animals which is still the basis of today’s parentage test. Dr. Massey has also served 8 years with the International Brangus Breeders Association where he assisted in the restructure of the association and launched the Genetic Performance Solutions (GPS). Dr. Massey can be reached via email at [email protected].