Cattlemen’s Call Podcast

Greg Putnam, a Montana cattle producer who co-owns Little Belt Cattle Co. shares how his experiences in the armed forces led him to a career in beef production and aligned with the hard work necessary to succeed. His current project involves collaborating with local producers, restaurants and businesses to provide high-quality beef for consumers. Greg has a passion for ensuring his community has access to local food and for giving opportunities to veterans to develop skills and find employment upon finishing their military careers.

#NavySEAL #FirstGenerationAg #BeefProducer #Veteran

Lane Nordlund sits down with NCBA CEO Colin Woodall and Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane for a conversation on NCBA’s producer-led policy process and its role in fighting back against regulatory overreach, protecting property rights and grazing access, and strengthening animal health protections. Colin and Ethan highlight the importance of face‑to‑face engagement with lawmakers in D.C. as one of the most effective ways to ensure producers’ voices are heard.

Together, they underscore NCBA’s commitment to standing up for U.S. cattle producers by advocating for practical policies and defending against detractors who want to put producers out of business.

#Ranching #Cattlemen #AgPolicy #NCBA #FarmBill #CattleProducers #WashingtonDC #Grazing

Whether managing a herd of 10 or 10,000 head, there are ways to mitigate risk in price, weather and market volatility. Clay Burtrum, Farm Data Services, is breaking down risk management programs like Livestock Risk Protection; Pasture, Rangeland and Forage; and Weaned Calf Risk Protection. Clay walks through the differences between these programs and considerations for producers using these tools to protect their herd. There are options for everyone, and Clay encourages listeners to explore new programs for beginning farmers/ranchers and veterans.

Hear from experts at Elanco about protecting against parasite and animal health risk, too. https://www.elanco.com/us

#RiskManagement #FarmRisk #LRPInsurance #PRFInsurance #CattleMarkets #AgBusiness

Learning a new way to ranch; it requires risk, but it also helps the ranch grow and realize new opportunities. Jeff and Logan Pribbeno of Wine Glass Ranch, the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award Program National winner, explain their progressive way of thinking on their operation in the Sandhills of Nebraska. Jeff Pribbeno, mentored by his grandfather, encouraged Logan to spend 10 years off the ranch before returning to add value and a bring different perspective. Logan spent a career in Silicon Valley where he learned how large businesses manage equity, cash flow and management structure, all tools that help him on Wine Glass Ranch today.

Troy Rowan with the University of Tennessee, dives into genetic innovations and research, examining the potential for producers to tailor EPDs to their environment, forage quality and animal health protocols. Better genetic predictions help producers select the animals that will perform best for their goals and at the heart of the discussion is a focus on the commercial cattle producer. If you’re interested in where genetic selection is headed — and how a more ecosystem‑guided approach can transform productivity — this episode offers a clear, practical look at the path forward. In addition, hear a conversation from our friends at Trans Ova Genetics and learn more at https://transova.com/.

Operating in the rugged mountain country of Los Angeles County, cattleman Mike Williams faces the same challenges producers encounter across the West — water scarcity, forage pressure, labor shortages and market fluctuations. He talks candidly about how “survival mode” keeps many ranchers reactive instead of proactive, and how shifting to make time to focus on better financial systems and margins is essential to finding more consistent profitability. Mike is an advocate of low‑stress stockmanship and how small, continuous improvements compound into major gains.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Ambrook. (www.ambrook.com)

Higher prices in the cattle industry are the result of cattle producers increasing the quality of our product, with 84% of fed cattle grading Choice or higher and 12% grading Prime today. However, herd expansion is occurring at a very slow pace, and Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax, reminds producers that the market could be volatile in 2026, so adopting risk management strategies is critical.

We also sat down with Dr. Kip Karges from Lallemand to talk about the importance of fiber digestibility, how it impacts the rumen’s efficiency and therefore, calf growth. Learn more at https://www.lallemand.com/en/

Atmospheric Scientist Matt Makens returns to the show following his presentation at CattleCon, bringing an in‑depth look at the spring weather outlook for producers. Matt breaks down the latest trends in moisture patterns, temperature shifts, and spring weather forecasts, emphasizing the critical need for late‑winter precipitation after a dry December and January.

He also explains why much of the western U.S. will rely on end‑of‑season storms to support rangeland and crop conditions, and what producers need to know as we transition into a Neutral ENSO phase with promising indications of El Niño development later this year.

This episode delivers essential, science‑based guidance to help you plan for spring.

This show is brought to you by John Deere (https://www.deere.com/en/).

Innovation is driving efficiency for the everyday cattle producer, and forage plays a crucial role in the cattle herd’s success. Scott Birker shares how his partnerships have shaped new ideas and solutions in baling and forage equipment to help his family save time and labor, giving Scott more time to focus on his family and the future of their multi-generational farm in Iowa. From the ground up, Scott’s hay and forage success lead to the success and quality of his cattle. Together, Scott and Kaylene Ballesteros are on the show talking about evaluating return on investment on equipment as they make lasting decisions. Learn more at https://www.deere.com/en/.

Gene Copenhaver took the reins as NCBA President after CattleCon 2026. He and his son Will join the podcast and share how they’ve worked together to transition majority ownership of Copenhaver Brothers Farms to Will and how they partner to make business decisions. Gene is excited for his year leading NCBA, especially as he sees young cattlemen and women who are eager to get involved in beef production and step into leadership, and one of his goals this year is to support the next generation. The Copenhavers are dedicated to their family and supporting other family operations across the country. This episode is brought to you by John Deere (https://www.deere.com/en/)