In this episode of the Rooted Agritourism Podcast, host Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen speaks with her father, JT Weber, about their experiences in value-added agriculture and the beef industry. They discuss the evolution of their family business, from dairy farming to focusing on elite genetics in Angus and Sim Angus cattle. JT shares insights on the intricacies of raising club calves for show, the importance of muscle, skeletal width, and other attributes in cattle, and his journey from South Dakota State University to becoming a successful cattle buyer and auctioneer. They also touch on topics such as the impact of drought on cattle supply, the controversy around grass-fed versus grain-fed beef, and the vital role of family support in achieving their business goals. The episode provides a deep dive into rural entrepreneurship and agritourism, emphasizing direct-to-consumer sales and adding value to agricultural products.

00:00 Introduction to Rotted Agritourism

00:19 Meet the Special Guest: My Dad

01:28 Dad's Journey in Agriculture

03:48 The Beef Industry and Club Calf Business

08:40 The Evolution of Our Business

17:15 Connecting with Ranchers and Seed Stock

19:34 Understanding the Beef Industry: Ranchers vs. Feeders

20:15 The Process of Finishing Cattle

22:06 The Debate on Grass-Fed vs. Grain-Fed Beef

24:39 Pricing and Market Trends in the Beef Industry

27:12 Challenges and Opportunities in Cattle Ranching

28:54 Order Buying and Building Customer Relationships

31:18 Rapid Fire Round: Insights and Personal Reflections

34:25 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

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