Wagyu beef has a reputation for being expensive, intimidating and only meant for special occasions but Evan Carter of The Meat Dudes is here to challenge that idea. After discovering Wagyu through his Seattle restaurants, Evan and his team have built a platform around making Wagyu more approachable and helping consumers understand where it comes from, how it is produced and how to cook it. He also shares what The Meat Dudes are doing to connect ranchers and consumers through education, cooking and their developing Wagyu Map.

Links:

The Meat Dudes: https://themeatdudes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themeatdudes/

The Meat Dudes Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/61UsaxCkLX4a222nvBuV04

CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/
CattleUSA App IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cattleusa/id1673147759
CattleUSA App Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edgarmcbee.cusamobile&pcampaignid=web_share
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CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/
Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/
Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Showboatmediaco
The Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/

Key Takeaways:

• Wagyu is a spectrum that includes full-blood, F1 and other genetic combinations
• Not every Wagyu cut is an expensive $70–$200 steak
• Lesser-known cuts can offer an affordable way for consumers to experience Wagyu
• Education can help consumers understand the differences between Wagyu products
• American-raised Wagyu is a legitimate part of the growing U.S. Wagyu industry
• Consumers increasingly want to know where their beef comes from and who raised it
• Using more of the whole animal can create additional value for Wagyu producers
• Chefs and consumers have an opportunity to discover cuts beyond ribeyes and tenderloins
• The Meat Dudes are working to connect ranchers, chefs and consumers through education
• Growing Wagyu demand could create new opportunities throughout the beef industry

Chapters:

01:24 How the Meat Dudes Discovered Wagyu
03:45 Why Consumers Are Buying Wagyu
05:00 Wagyu Is More Than a $200 Steak
07:32 Making Wagyu More Approachable
10:00 The Cuts Consumers Are Missing
12:23 Creating a Premium Beef Experience
15:31 Connecting Ranchers and Consumers
18:00 The Wagyu Map and Consumer Education
19:37 Where the Wagyu Industry Is Headed
24:35 Why Consumers Should Eat More Beef

Evan Carter, The Meat Dudes, Wagyu, Wagyu beef, American Wagyu, full blood Wagyu, F1 Wagyu, Wagyu genetics, Wagyu cattle, Wagyu production, Wagyu industry, Wagyu beef prices, affordable Wagyu, Wagyu cuts, Denver steak, Bavette steak, skirt steak, Wagyu ribeye, premium beef, specialty beef, beef industry, cattle industry, beef producers, cattle producers, consumer beef demand, beef consumers, meat education, Wagyu education, meat education, beef marketing, beef branding, beef quality, premium beef market, niche beef market, Wagyu Map, ranch to consumer, beef traceability, American beef, specialty cattle, beef cuts, meat industry, The Meat Dudes podcast

Today on the Cattle USA Daily Podcast, Shellie Jacobucci joins your host Lauren Moylen for a conversation about the people who will shape the future of agriculture. From 4-H and FFA to mentorship, advocacy, technology and hands on learning, Shellie shares why investing in young people goes far beyond livestock projects and why the skills they build today will follow them into adulthood and their careers. With new technology and innovative ideas coming from young agriculturalists, there is plenty of reason to be excited about where the industry is headed.

Links:

Connect with Shellie: https://www.facebook.com/sjacmartin

CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/
CattleUSA App IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cattleusa/id1673147759
CattleUSA App Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edgarmcbee.cusamobile&pcampaignid=web_share
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamedia
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/
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CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/
Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/
Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Showboatmediaco
The Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/

Key Takeaways:

• 4-H and FFA give young people hands-on experience and valuable life skills
• Agriculture offers many career paths beyond traditional production
• Young agriculturalists are already using technology to solve industry challenges
• Mentorship gives young people opportunities they cannot get from a classroom alone
• Good advocacy starts with listening to understand instead of simply responding
• Young people need to learn how to respectfully handle disagreement and constructive criticism
• Producers can make an impact by mentoring even one young person in their community
• Agriculture needs volunteers who are willing to invest their time and knowledge
• Social media can help producers share agriculture’s story when used thoughtfully
• Success and failure both provide valuable lessons for the next generation

Chapters:

02:47 Why Youth Matter in Agriculture
04:42 Innovation From Young Agriculturalists
06:25 The Life Skills 4-H and FFA Build
08:09 Why Record Keeping Matters
11:18 Teaching Young People to Advocate
12:23 Learning to Disagree Respectfully
16:05 Different Paths Within Agriculture
17:13 The Need for More Volunteers
19:19 Why Hands-On Learning Matters
21:16 Technology and Agriculture’s Future
24:25 Learning to Ride the Highs and Lows
25:58 Getting Involved in 4-H and FFA

Shellie Jacobucci, Cattle USA Daily, 4-H, FFA, youth in agriculture, younger generation, agriculture, cattle industry, agriculture education, agricultural leadership, mentorship, youth mentorship, agricultural advocacy, ag advocacy, young farmers, young ranchers, future of agriculture, cattle producers, livestock projects, hands-on learning, agricultural technology, ag technology, social media and agriculture, agriculture communication, volunteerism, rural communities, leadership development, life skills, livestock judging, agricultural education, Colorado agriculture, cattle industry future

Madison Book, a therapist and agriculture focused wellness professional from western Kansas, joins Lauren for a real conversation about the pressures producers carry, why “just work harder” isn’t always the answer, and how agriculture can become better at supporting one another. From knowing when to slow down to recognizing when a neighbor may need help, Madison shares practical ways producers can take care of themselves and the people around them.

Links:

Connect with Madison:

Sagebrush Wellness

Phone: 785-699-7737

Creative Connections with Madison: https://www.creativeconnectionswithmadison.com/

Phone: 785-434-3389

CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/
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CattleUSA App Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edgarmcbee.cusamobile&pcampaignid=web_share
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CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/
Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/
Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Showboatmediaco
The Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/

Key Takeaways:

• Asking for support can be a sign of strength rather than defeat
• Working harder is not always the solution when stress continues to build
• Checking on a neighbor may require asking the question more than once
• Support can happen through a phone call, coffee, church, a drive or simply showing up
• Small moments of connection can make a difference during isolated seasons
• Slowing down and noticing your surroundings can help your body come out of a heightened stress response
• Simple daily habits like eating, drinking water and walking can help producers function better
• Taking care of yourself should be treated like maintaining livestock, equipment and the operation

Chapters:

01:25 The Pressure Producers Carry
04:30 Why “Just Work Harder” Isn’t Always the Answer
07:18 Asking the Question: Are You Okay?
10:20 Showing Up for Your Neighbors
13:15 Building Connection in Agriculture
16:30 Understanding Your Nervous System
19:05 Simple Ways to Slow Down
22:00 Food, Water and Taking Care of Yourself
25:15 A Reminder Every Producer Needs

Madison Book, Cattle USA Daily, agriculture, cattle producers, cattle industry, ranchers, farmers, agriculture wellness, rural communities, producer stress, farm life, ranch life, agriculture community, rural support, producer wellbeing, working harder, asking for help, supporting neighbors, rural connection, nervous system, stress management, self care, agriculture lifestyle, farm stress, ranch stress, mental health awareness, agricultural community, Sagebrush Wellness, Creative Connections, western Kansas, cattle ranching, farming, rural America

After 20 years of serving in the Army, Joel Heinsroth found another way to serve his country, through agriculture. A fourth generation farmer and now a rancher in southwest Oklahoma, Joel comes on the Cattle USA Daily Podcast to share his journey from growing up on a diversified family farm to serving in Iraq, transitioning out of the military and building his own cattle operation. He also discusses the Farmer Veteran Coalition, the connection between military service and agriculture, community involvement, and why succession planning should be a priority for every family operation.

Links:

Connect with Joel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-heinzeroth-a4a133189/Farmer Veteran Coalition: https://farmvetco.org/

CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/
CattleUSA App IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cattleusa/id1673147759
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CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/
Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/
Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Showboatmediaco
The Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/

Key Takeaways:

• Military skills like hard work, dedication and teamwork can transfer directly into agriculture
• Agriculture can give veterans a new sense of purpose and continued service
• Building a ranch requires community, networking and a clear business plan
• Veteran organizations can provide resources, training, grants and valuable connections
• Small family farms and ranches depend heavily on strong local communities
• American agriculture has an important role in serving and feeding the nation
• Producers should use good years to prepare financially for difficult ones
• Estate and succession planning can help protect the future of a family operation
• Building a successful next generation takes more than simply wanting the ranch to continue
• Looking ahead and planning for the next five years can help operations stay prepared

Chapters:

00:51 – Growing Up on an Iowa Farm
02:11 – From Farm Kid to Army Officer
04:17 – Finding His Way Back to Agriculture
07:31 – The Farmer Veteran Coalition
11:05 – Serving America Through Agriculture
14:02 – The Importance of Community
16:50 – The View of American Agriculture
20:56 – The Succession Planning Lesson

veteran agriculture, farmer veterans, military veterans, Army veteran, Army service, military service, agriculture veterans, veteran rancher, veteran farmer, serving America, American agriculture, agriculture and veterans, Farmer Veteran Coalition, veteran farming, veteran ranching, cattle rancher, cattle ranching, cattle operation, cow calf operation, commercial cattle, Oklahoma rancher, Oklahoma agriculture, Iowa farm, family farm, family ranch, family farming, succession planning, estate planning, farm succession, ranch succession, agricultural business planning, five year business plan, farm financial planning, ranch financial planning, agricultural community, rural communities, cattle producers, cattle industry, beef industry, food supply, American food supply, agriculture leadership, regenerative agriculture, cattle farming, Cattle USA Daily

Beef prices are high, supplies are tight, and the U.S. herd has not fully entered a rebuilding phase, yet beef demand remains remarkably strong. In this episode, livestock economist Abbi Groves joins Lauren to break down what is happening across the beef industry, starting with the booming meat snack category and the consumer trends behind it. They also dive into heifer retention, the outlook for herd rebuilding, beef-on-dairy, cattle supplies and what continues to drive consumers to buy high-quality beef even at record prices.

Links:

Connect with Abbi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbigail-groves/

Meat Snack Growth: https://www.cobank.com/knowledge-exchange/proteins-promise-for-meat-snack-growth

CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/
CattleUSA App IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cattleusa/id1673147759
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CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/
Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/
Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Showboatmediaco
The Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/

Key Takeaways:

• Meat snack sales have grown nearly 50% in four years and surpassed $4.4 billion
• Protein, health, convenience and simple ingredients are driving meat snack demand
• More than $8 billion has been invested in animal protein processing
• The beef herd is between continued liquidation and true rebuilding
• Heifer retention could tighten beef supplies before the herd grows
• Meaningful herd growth may not show up until 2028
• Beef-on-dairy is adding high-quality cattle to the beef system
• Strong beef demand continues despite record prices
• Consumers are changing cuts but still finding ways to buy beef
• Genetics, feeding and management have helped build today's high-quality beef

Chapters:

00:00 – Meet Abbi Groves
01:56 – The $4.4 Billion Meat Snack Market
05:13 – Meat Snacks and Processing Investment
07:47 – What Consumers Really Want
09:48 – Why Meat Snacks Are Here to Stay
12:05 – Where Are We With Herd Rebuilding?
16:19 – Understanding Beef-on-Dairy
19:36 – Beef-on-Dairy and Producer Profitability
22:06 – Why Beef Demand Remains Strong
24:18 – What Consumers Are Buying

Abbi Groves, CoBank, livestock economist, beef demand, consumer demand, beef industry, cattle industry, beef prices, cattle prices, beef supply, cattle supply, herd rebuilding, heifer retention, beef cow herd, beef cattle, beef producers, cattle producers, ranchers, beef-on-dairy, dairy cattle, beef genetics, beef quality, meat demand, meat snacks, beef jerky, meat sticks, protein demand, animal protein, meat processing, beef processing, cattle economics, livestock economics, beef market, cattle market, beef outlook, cattle outlook, consumer trends, protein trends, meat snack sales, food trends, convenience foods, high-protein foods, beef consumption, beef purchasing, cattle markets, agricultural economics, livestock markets, U.S. beef industry, Cattle USA Daily

What happens when you add seaweed to a cattle diet? Dr. Juliana Ranches, assistant professor and beef extension specialist at Oregon State University, joins Lauren on Cattle USA Daily to break down her research into methane emissions, grazing cattle, soil carbon and the surprising role seaweed could play in the future of cattle nutrition. Her research takes a holistic look at the entire grazing system, with the goal of finding supplementation strategies that don't just reduce methane emissions, but can also improve cattle efficiency, productivity and the return for producers.

Links:

Juliana at OSU: https://anrs.oregonstate.edu/directory/people/juliana-ranches

369: The Damage Wildfires Are Doing to Your Cattle with Dr. Juliana Ranches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80YSOplynVU

CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/
CattleUSA App IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cattleusa/id1673147759
CattleUSA App Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edgarmcbee.cusamobile&pcampaignid=web_share
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamedia
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CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/
Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/
Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Showboatmediaco
The Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/

Key Takeaways:

• Much of the methane research has focused on feedlot and dairy cattle
• Rangelands may have the ability to act as carbon sinks
• Juliana's research takes a 360-degree approach to grazing systems
• Forage quality and seasons can influence cattle emissions
• Seaweed may reduce methane and improve energy efficiency
• Pacific dulse is being studied as a potential cattle supplement
• An early trial saw about a 9% methane reduction in 21 days
• Cattle showed no issues consuming the seaweed in the initial trial
• Researchers want the supplement to provide benefits beyond methane reduction
• Soil carbon is another key piece of the research
• The goal is a cost-effective supplement that benefits cattle, producers and the environment

Chapters:

00:00 – Juliana Ranches Returns to Cattle USA Daily
02:12 – Understanding Methane From Grazing Cattle
04:17 – Taking a 360-Degree Approach
07:48 – Why Are Cows Eating Seaweed?
10:00 – Growing Seaweed for Cattle Supplementation
12:04 – The Role of Soil Carbon
13:26 – What Would Success Look Like?
15:46 – Early Results From the Seaweed Trial
17:35 – The Bigger Conversation Around Methane
19:36 – What Producers Need to Know

Juliana Ranches, Oregon State University, cattle research, cattle nutrition, beef cattle nutrition, cattle efficiency, cattle supplementation, seaweed cattle supplement, seaweed for cattle, Pacific dulse, cattle methane, methane emissions, carbon emissions, carbon sequestration, soil carbon, carbon sinks, grazing cattle, grazing research, rangeland research, forage quality, cattle grazing, cattle production, beef industry, sustainable cattle production, cattle sustainability, feed efficiency, cattle nutrition research, beef extension, cattle producers, ranchers, livestock research, methane reduction, grazing management, pasture management, rangeland management, forage management, cattle supplements, cattle performance, cattle health, cattle productivity, cattle science, beef production, agricultural research, livestock nutrition, Oregon cattle, cattle sustainability research

Rain can make or break a grazing or haying operation, but are you protecting your operation when rainfall falls short? Samantha Cozza-Wright is back on the Cattle USA Daily Podcast to break down PRF, or Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Protection, often called rain insurance. She explains how coverage works, how producers can structure it around historical rainfall patterns, what the numbers can look like, and why PRF could be an important tool when making strategic decisions for the year ahead.

Connect with Samantha:Email - [email protected] Phone - 785-940-5533

Links:

CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/
CattleUSA App IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cattleusa/id1673147759
CattleUSA App Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edgarmcbee.cusamobile&pcampaignid=web_share
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamedia
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CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/
Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/
Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Showboatmediaco
The Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/

Key Takeaways:

• PRF insures 90% of average historical rainfall within a specific 17-by-17-mile grid
• Coverage is based on rainfall rather than actual hay production, forage yield or the amount of grass produced
• Producers can structure coverage across two-month intervals and increase coverage during historically drier periods
• PRF coverage levels range from 70% to 90%, with 90% potentially providing more opportunities for a payment to trigger
• Historical data can be used to look back 10–20 years and help producers determine how to structure their coverage
• PRF is government subsidized, with the top coverage level receiving a 51% subsidy
• A Northwest Kansas grazing example showed insurance paying more than the producer paid in premiums in eight of the past 10 years
• Producers can use PRF payments to help offset costs such as buying hay or dealing with reduced forage during dry periods
• Payments are triggered automatically when rainfall falls below the insured percentage of the historical average, without a traditional notice-of-loss form
• Coverage is highly location-specific, making it important to run a quote based on the producer’s actual operation and historical rainfall patterns

Chapters:

00:51 – What Is PRF and How Does Rain Insurance Work?
03:36 – How Coverage Is Structured
05:49 – A Real-World Northwest Kansas Example
08:00 – Understanding Historical Loss Ratios
10:01 – When PRF Pays More Than You Put In
12:00 – Grazing Acres vs. Haying Acres
15:20 – How Payments Are Triggered
17:00 – Getting a Quote for Your Operation
18:30 – Why Producers Should Understand PRF

PRF insurance, Pasture Rangeland and Forage Protection, rain insurance, drought insurance, cattle insurance, ranch insurance, livestock insurance, pasture insurance, rangeland insurance, forage insurance, cattle producers, ranchers, cattle operations, grazing acres, haying acres, hay production, rainfall insurance, rainfall coverage, cattle industry, cattle ranching, drought risk, forage management, risk management, agricultural insurance, farm insurance, cattle business, Samantha Cozza-Wright, Cattle USA Daily

The beef industry is entering a new era of genetics, technology and data, and Greg Ruehle of the Red Angus Association of America joins Lauren on the Cattle USA Daily Podcast to break down what that could mean for cattle producers. From the challenges to the growing use of genomic tools, Greg explains how producers can use better data to make more informed genetic decisions. He also dives into emerging research on red meat yield that could change how the industry evaluates cattle and sends signals of value back through the beef supply chain.

Links:

Connect with Greg and his team: https://redangus.org/staff/greg-ruehle/

Red Angus Association of America: https://redangus.org/

CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/
CattleUSA App IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cattleusa/id1673147759
CattleUSA App Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edgarmcbee.cusamobile&pcampaignid=web_share
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamedia
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CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/
Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/
Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Showboatmediaco
The Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/

Key Takeaways:

• Red Angus genetics offer both strong maternal characteristics and highly sought-after carcass traits, including marbling and quality
• Hide color has historically influenced cattle marketing, but new grids and data-driven evaluation are creating more opportunities to recognize cattle based on performance
• Genomic tools allow producers to evaluate maternal and carcass traits together rather than having to choose between different genetic outcomes
• Data is most valuable when producers can turn it into practical decisions that improve their operations and the broader breed
• The current yield grading system is outdated, creating an opportunity for new technology to more accurately measure the actual composition and value of a beef carcass
• New red meat yield research using CT scanning could help the industry better distinguish bone, fat and lean meat and ultimately improve how cattle are valued
• More precise data could eventually allow cattle to be targeted toward the specific endpoint where they can create the most value, from high-quality beef to lean-meat markets and replacement females

Chapters:

00:00 – Meet Greg Ruehle
03:36 – The Role of Red Angus in the Beef Industry
06:49 – The Challenge of Hide Color
10:58 – How Genomics Are Changing Genetic Selection
13:23 – Turning Data Into Better Decisions
17:34 – The Current Yield Grading System Is Outdated
20:18 – How Red Meat Yield Could Change Cattle Selection
26:11 – The Future of Technology in Beef Production
29:06 – Greg’s Advice for the Next Generation

Red Angus, Red Angus genetics, Red Angus Association of America, cattle genetics, beef cattle genetics, cattle breeding, genetic selection, genomic testing, genomics, EPDs, cattle traits, maternal traits, carcass traits, carcass quality, marbling, cattle technology, cattle data, cattle innovation, beef industry technology, cattle breeding technology, yield grading, yield grade, cattle valuation, beef carcass value, red meat yield, lean meat yield, beef carcass composition, CT scanning cattle, cattle research, beef industry research, cattle producers, commercial cattle, seedstock producers, beef cattle industry, cattle industry future, cattle selection, economically relevant traits, Greg Ruehle

The cattle behind professional rodeo have a story of their own. Tara Hill of Hill Rodeo Cattle joins us today on the podcast to give an inside look at the roping cattle industry and how the closure of the U.S.-Mexico border has changed the way rodeo stock contractors source cattle. The Hill family has supplied the NFR team roping steers for many years and will once again provide cattle for the National Finals Rodeo this year. Tara explains the scramble to replace Mexican roping cattle, the differences between native and Mexican steers, and what it takes to prepare cattle for the biggest stage in team roping.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/hillrodeocattle/

CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/
CattleUSA App IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cattleusa/id1673147759
CattleUSA App Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edgarmcbee.cusamobile&pcampaignid=web_share
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CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/
Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/
Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Showboatmediaco
The Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/

Key Takeaways:

• The closure of the Mexican border forced rodeo stock contractors to completely rethink how they source ready-to-rope cattle
• Mexican roping cattle are often older and more heavily handled, making them particularly valuable for team roping and rodeo
• Native U.S. cattle have helped fill the gap, but there are not enough ready-to-rope cattle to meet demand across the industry
• The border closure has affected more than cattle supply, creating ripple effects for truck drivers, cowboys, veterinarians, inspectors and other agricultural workers
• High cattle prices and tight supplies have made it increasingly difficult for team ropers and stock contractors to purchase practice cattle
• Reopening the border could restore an important part of the cattle supply chain while creating additional economic activity across the Southern U.S.
• Imported cattle are purchased and raised by American ranchers and feedyards, making cattle trade an important part of the U.S. cattle industry
• Border inspections have long been part of the cattle import process, with additional measures now being used to address New World screwworm concerns
• The border closure has changed the way cattle move through the U.S. supply chain and highlighted how interconnected the commercial, rodeo and broader cattle industries are

Chapters:

00:00 – Meet Tara Hill and Hill Rodeo Cattle
03:44 – How the Border Closure Changed Their Business
05:00 – The Difference Between Native and Mexican Roping Cattle
08:00 – Finding Enough Practice Cattle
10:01 – Preparing Cattle for the NFR
11:00 – How NFR Steers Are Selected
13:29 – What Border Inspections Look Like
17:58 – The Economic Impact of Mexican Cattle Imports
25:27 – Why Bringing Cattle Across the Border Matters

Mexican cattle imports, cattle imports, U.S.-Mexico cattle trade, cattle border closure, cattle border reopening, cattle trade, cattle industry, U.S. cattle industry, Texas cattle industry, cattle supply chain, cattle shortage, cattle supply and demand, cattle market, cattle prices, cattle producers, American ranchers, Southern cattle industry, cattle transportation, livestock trade, U.S. beef industry, cattle production, cattle economics, USDA cattle inspection, New World screwworm, cattle health inspections, Mexican cattle, cattle from Mexico, rodeo cattle, roping cattle, team roping cattle, NFR cattle, NFR steers, practice cattle, rodeo stock contractors, National Finals Rodeo

When you think about the U.S. cattle industry, Pennsylvania probably isn’t the first state that comes to mind. Amanda Butterfield joins Lauren today on the Cattle USA Daily Podcast to share what beef production looks like in western Pennsylvania, how she and her husband built a first-generation operation to more than 100 brood cows, and why the Eastern U.S. deserves a bigger place in the cattle industry conversation. Amanda also dives into Pennsylvania’s unique production environment, the challenges of farming near growing populations, the recent changes to the state’s beef processing infrastructure, and Beefing Up Backpacks, a program providing beef sticks to food-insecure children while creating a new market for beef.

Links:

Beefing up Backpacks: https://www.pabeef.org/education/pennsylvania-beef-foundation/beefing-up-backpacks

Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-butterfield-62561a77/

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The Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/

Key Takeaways:

• Pennsylvania plays a significant role in the U.S. beef industry despite being outside the traditional cattle belt
• First-generation farmers can build successful operations by seeking out mentors, using available resources and being willing to learn
• Intensive grazing allows Pennsylvania producers to make efficient use of smaller, more fragmented pieces of farmland
• Agriculture near large population centers faces unique challenges from development and high land values, but also has opportunities to connect directly with consumers
• Beef producers can create new demand for beef while serving their communities through programs like Beefing Up Backpacks
• The future of agriculture depends on opening the door for people who did not grow up on farms and giving them opportunities to learn and belong

Chapters:

01:03 – From Suburban Girl to Pennsylvania Cattle Producer
03:10 – The Eastern Side of the Beef Industry
03:59 – What Makes Pennsylvania Agriculture Different?
07:39 – Building a First-Generation Farm
11:29 – The Challenges of Starting From Scratch
13:26 – Pennsylvania’s Role in the Cattle Industry
14:31 – Changes to Pennsylvania’s Beef Processing Industry
17:32 – Farming Near a Growing Population
18:19 – Land Prices, Development and Agriculture
21:00 – Beefing Up Backpacks
23:33 – Creating Demand for Beef While Feeding Kids
25:10 – The Next Generation of Agriculture

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