Herd Report

By Scott BeckBusiness Entrepreneurship

Herd Report episodes

February 06 Lemke Cattle Spotlight: Inside the February 13 Bull Sale in Lawrence, Nebraska
In this special Herd Report Spotlight Series episode, we’re on location with the Lemke family at Lemke Cattle ahead of their February 13, 2026 bull sale at the Lemke Sale Facility in Lawrence.
We walk through the cow herd, donor females, and the genetics behind this year’s offering—covering Red Angus, Angus hybrids, and age-advantaged bulls built for soundness, fertility, and longevity. Randy and Tanner share their breeding philosophy, why feet and udders come first, and how they balance phenotype with performance to produce cattle that work for commercial operations.
We also dive into sale details, volume discounts, online bidding options, and how Lemke Cattle continues to support programs like Beef in Schools through their Golden Boy fundraiser.
1 hr
February 04 Spotlight Series: Nagorske Brothers Angus and the Feb. 19 Bull Sale
On this episode of the Herd Report Spotlight Series, we sit down with Curt Nagorske of Nagorske Brothers Angus to preview the February 19, 2026 bull sale at the Kimball Livestock Exchange in South Dakota.
The conversation takes a detailed walk through the catalog, touching on fall bulls, spring yearlings, flush brothers, heifer bulls, and power bulls — along with honest insight into how Curt and his brother Mike evaluate cattle beyond just numbers.
In this episode:
How Nagorske Brothers builds cattle for longevity
Evaluating fall vs. spring-born bulls
Where EPDs help — and where they don’t
Why phenotype, feet, and structure still matter
Elite donor cows and flush opportunities
Sale-day logistics and bidding options
47 min
February 02 Spotlight Series: Sonderup Angus and the Feb. 24 Bull & Female Sale
On this episode of the Herd Report Spotlight Series, we sit down with Lori and Ashley Wagner of Sonderup Angus, a family-operated Angus program based near Genoa, Nebraska, ahead of their Feb. 24, 2026 bull and female sale.
The conversation traces the history of the herd, from 4-H beginnings to a rebuilt cow base centered on depth, thickness, maternal strength, and disposition. Lori and Ashley explain why phenotype still matters, how they use AI and ET responsibly, and what buyers can expect in this year’s offering.
In this episode:
The Sonderup Angus family story
Why maternal cows drive long-term success
Balancing show-ring appeal with real-world function
Bulls and females built for longevity and usability
Sale-day details and buyer expectations
43 min
January 29 Spotlight Series: Albrecht / Penz and the 15th Annual President’s Day Angus Sale
On this episode of the Herd Report Spotlight Series, we travel to Caddo, Oklahoma, to preview the 15th Annual President’s Day Angus Bull & Female Sale hosted by Penz Angus Ranch and Albrecht Ranch Angus.
Kelly Albrecht and Jeff Penz reflect on 15 years of selling together and explain how a disciplined, female-focused breeding philosophy has shaped one of the most respected sales in the region. The discussion highlights aged fall bulls, uniform sire groups, volume buying opportunities, and the pride behind an event that draws buyers from across the country.
In this episode:
Why females are the foundation of the program
How fall-born bulls add value for commercial herds
The advantage of consistency and uniformity
What buyers can expect in the 2026 offering
Sale-day logistics and bidding options
1 hr 7 min
January 29 Spotlight Series: Janssen Angus and the Feb. 7 Registered Bull Sale
On this episode of the Herd Report Spotlight Series, we sit down with Jon Janssen of Janssen Angus to preview the February 7, 2026 bull sale, held at the ranch in Earlham, Iowa.
Janssen Angus is built on five generations of seedstock lineage and a cow herd sourced entirely from Schaff Angus Valley families. The discussion dives deep into pedigrees, cow longevity, sire selection, and why disciplined breeding decisions are paying off in one of the strongest bull offerings the program has produced.
In this episode:
The Janssen Angus breeding philosophy
Why cow families drive long-term success
IVF and embryo transfer done with restraint
A sire-by-sire walk-through of the bull offering
Flush brothers, outcross bulls, and maternal power
Sale-day details and buyer expectations
1 hr 23 min
January 27 Spotlight Series: Kuck Ranch and the Feb. 10 Annual Production Sale
In this Herd Report Spotlight Series episode, we visit Kuck Ranch, a family-operated Angus operation based near Bertrand, Nebraska, known for producing quality Angus cattle built for real-world performance.
The Kuck family walks through their program philosophy, cow families, and what buyers can expect at their upcoming Annual Production Sale, highlighting cattle selected for fertility, structure, and long-term productivity.
In this episode, we cover:
The history and philosophy behind Kuck Ranch
What “quality Angus cattle” means in their program
Cow families and maternal strength driving the herd
Bulls and females offered in the 2026 Production Sale
What buyers should expect on sale day
59 min
January 23 Spotlight Series: Pilakowski Angus and the Feb. 9 Sandhills Bull Sale
On this episode of the Herd Report Spotlight Series, we visit Pilakowski Angus, a family-operated Angus seedstock program in Arthur County, Nebraska, ahead of their annual bull sale on Monday, February 9, 2026.
Mike Pilakowski and his son share what’s behind one of the deepest bull offerings they’ve ever produced. The conversation spans cow management, fertility, calving ease, flush brothers, and why running cattle tough in the Sandhills leads to long-term success.
In this episode:
Why cow longevity drives every breeding decision
How tough management improves breed-back rates
A catalog walk-through from calving-ease to power bulls
Proven older cows and the next generation of females
What to expect on sale day and how to prepare
44 min
January 21 Spotlight Series: Inside Babcock Angus and the Feb. 3 Bull & Female Sale
On this episode of the Herd Report Spotlight Series, we sit down with Kyle and Bill Babcock of Babcock Angus Ranch near Long Pine, Nebraska, ahead of their Feb. 3, 2026 bull and female sale, held at the ranch.
The conversation delivers a detailed, honest look at the cattle behind the catalog — from two-year-old bulls and fall sires to heifer-safe yearlings and elite donor females. The episode also highlights the impact of using home-raised sires like Goliath back in the herd and the philosophy guiding the program forward.
In this episode:
A breakdown of the 2026 bull offering
Goliath sons and next-generation herd sires
Fall bulls and flush brothers to watch
Spring yearlings designed for heifer use
Donor females and foundation cow families
Sale logistics and bidding options
1 hr 2 min
January 20 Spotlight Series: Inside Cline Angus and the Feb. 4 Bull Sale
On this episode of the Herd Report Spotlight Series, we sit down with RJ Cline, owner of Cline Angus, along with Carson Cooksley, a key member of the operation, ahead of the Feb. 4, 2026 bull sale.
The conversation spans the foundation of the program, the importance of proven cow families, and why fertility, structure, and longevity come before everything else. The episode also highlights how young producers are being brought into the operation and prepared to carry the program forward.
In this episode:
The Cline Angus breeding philosophy
Why cows drive long-term success
A preview of the 2026 bull offering
Selecting bulls for commercial environments
Sale details and viewing options
56 min
January 19 Spotlight Series: The Story Behind Koupal’s B&B Diverse
On this episode of the Herd Report Spotlight Series, we sit down with Matt Lowery, Ross Beeson, and Bud Koupal to talk about the rise of Koupal’s B&B Diverse and why the bull is gaining traction across the Angus breed.
The conversation covers why the partners invested in Diverse, how he’s performing in heifer and cow herds, and what they’re seeing from his calves in both registered and commercial settings.
In this episode:
The story behind buying and partnering on Diverse
What makes him a true outcross Angus bull
Early results from heifer projects and cow herds
Why consistency and fertility matter most
How Diverse is creating value beyond the catalog
This episode is a must-listen for cattlemen focused on female makers, calving ease, and real-world profitability.
A Herd Report production, in partnership with the Rural Radio Network.
24 min

About Herd Report

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Herd Report takes you inside the cattle industry for honest conversations with breeders, producers and industry leaders from across the country. Hosted by Scott Beck, guests discuss cattle genetics, breeding programs, herd management, marketing and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Angus, Simmental, Charolais, Hereford, Gelbvieh, Limousin, registered or crossbred—we simply enjoy talking about good cattle with the great people who make up this industry.