Verlene McCorkle shares her experiences of being a 4H and FFA Mom for three kids that exhibited market steers at the county Fair. Listening to her experiences are a combination of brutal honesty and humor. Every parent that is considering their child exhibiting cattle at the local level should listen.

Dr. Wes Patton is a retired Animal Science professor, having taught for 35 years at California State University, Chico. Since retirement, Wes and his wife Jane have devoted their time to breeding high quality Dexter cattle and Dorper Sheep. This episode is targeted for the animal scientist and anyone interested in raising a rare beef breed.

Kris Gudel owns and operates Ranchers Direct, selling livestock supplement (mineral) and veterinary supplies. Gudel has 15 plus years experience being in the supplement industry, and that is evident in this episode. Additionally, Kris and his wife Casey own Gudel Cattle Company, an Angus and Sim-Angus seed stock operation. In this episode Kris talks mineral and how to manage your annual mineral needs.

In this episode of the Calf Tour Podcast, we welcome Galen Fink of Fink Beef Genetics, breeders of Angus and Charolais cattle. From Fink Beef Genetic's website: "One cow, $4,000, no owned land, and two jobs was the start of Fink Beef Genetics in 1977. Innovation, nontraditional, unique, and outside-the-box thinking has forged us on for 35 years. Now in 2016, we will market approximately 700 bulls. A 99.9% artificially inseminated herd for 35 years, one of the largest embryo transplant programs in the United States, and a networking of all segments of the cattle industry, plus old-fashioned cow sense has driven this family-owned operation since 1977. We have never waited for things to happen. If we see a need, we do it only if we feel it is in the best interest of our customers. Fads are not part of our program… long-term results are. When you call Fink Beef Genetics, you will talk to one of us." Galen and Lori are genuine, self-made people that have been very strategic in building their business. Throughout the show, Galen talks about customer experience and the importance of not trying to reinvent the wheel, but always using proven genetics. Join me for a enlightening and honest conversation about the challenges of the beef industry, genetics that work and how anyone can still make it in the beef industry. Explore more about Fink Beef Genetics at http://www.finkbeefgenetics.com

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The first guest for the Calf Tour podcast is Mr. Shane Strickler, owner and operator of Strickler Livestock located in Orland, California. Throughout the show, Shane discusses his production model of raising Simangus seed stock and show genetics. Shane is a 25 year producer of beef cattle and in the past has specialized in the production and sales of club calves for youth exhibitors in California. Along with extensive knowledge of seed stock genetics, Shane is also a 17 year veteran pharmaceutical salesman for Boehringer Ingelheim, and provides some professional insight into that aspect of production. You can find more about Strickler Livestock by visiting www.showsteers.com

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