Herd Yard

Bryce Wright of Wright Cattle LLC joins the Herd Yard Podcast to talk about his lifelong connection to the cattle industry and how cattle marketing has evolved from traditional sale barns to an increasingly connected online marketplace.

Bryce shares what makes the sale barn experience so special, why relationships and trust remain at the heart of the cattle business, and how producers can use technology without losing the community that has always defined the industry. He also discusses his focus on bred heifers, bred cows and pairs, including how careful breeding, synchronization, pregnancy checking and creating tighter calving windows can create a more marketable product.

The conversation also gets into the challenges facing the next generation of cattlemen, advice for young producers looking to get started, mistakes to avoid when marketing cattle, and where Bryce sees opportunities in today's cattle market. Above all, Bryce emphasizes that doing things right, being honest about what you're selling, and building relationships can pay dividends over the long run.

On the Herd Yard Podcast, Paul talks with Old Three Wagyu founder Kerr Taylor; Kenner Taylor, Vice President of the Rowland Taylor Family Office; and Emily Searle, Genetics and Sales Manager.

They discuss how Old Three Wagyu has spent more than a decade building a 100% Fullblood Black Wagyu program for the seedstock and beef markets. Emily explains how carcass results, genetic data, and tenderness testing guide their breeding decisions. The team also explores the difference between Fullblood and F1 Wagyu, the need to help consumers understand what they’re buying, and the opportunities they see for the industry.

Throughout the conversation, Kerr, Kenner, and Emily return to a shared goal: producing exceptional cattle while building relationships that help other breeders succeed for generations.

Today on the Herd Yard Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Leon Leishman of Sandhills Performance Wagyu. We talk about his lifetime in the cattle business, how more than 40 years as a veterinarian shaped his breeding program, and his work developing polled Wagyu genetics. We also discuss balancing marbling with growth and maternal traits, why nutrition matters, and the value of finding a good mentor. Whether you’re raising Wagyu or just getting started in cattle, Leon has plenty of experience and practical advice to share!

Paul Rogers speaks with TJ Carlisle of Circle C Ranches, a four-ranch cattle operation spanning Colorado’s high country and eastern plains. TJ oversees the ranches with his team, managing Angus cattle in the high-altitude regions and Wagyu and F1 cattle on the plains.

TJ shares how he grew up ranching in Wyoming, initially pursued diesel mechanics, and ultimately returned to agriculture because of his passion for caring for livestock and stewarding the land. His education in agribusiness and experience working on ranches from Florida to Hawaii taught him the importance of learning from others, building a strong network, and remaining open to new ideas.

The conversation covers Circle C’s approach to cattle marketing. The ranch uses auction barns, video sales, and private-treaty transactions, but its long-term goal is to develop trusted relationships with repeat buyers. TJ sees Herd Yard’s commission-free marketplace and nationwide network as a potentially valuable way to make those connections. After comparing the $432 annual membership with traditional sales commissions, he considers the price reasonable.

TJ explains that Circle C measures success by more than cattle prices. The operation prioritizes:

• Investing in employees and their families
• Supporting rural communities
• Practicing responsible land and animal stewardship
• Improving soil, grass, water, and wildlife resources
• Producing safe, high-quality beef
• Remaining profitable through careful planning and risk management

They also discuss the challenges of wolves in Colorado, grazing cattle on Forest Service and BLM allotments, and using virtual-fencing technology to manage cattle more efficiently across open mountain ranges.

TJ closes by emphasizing mentorship, hard work, curiosity, and adaptability. His advice to younger producers is to remain open-minded, ask questions, research decisions carefully, and avoid the limiting mindset of “we’ve always done it that way.”

In the first episode of the Herd Yard Podcast, Paul Rogers sits down with Bryan Milburn of Milburn American Wagyu to discuss his family’s five-generation cattle operation and its transition from Angus to Wagyu.

Bryan explains how Milburn American Wagyu developed its “Super Momma” program by focusing on maternal strength, fertility, soundness and quality genetics. They also explore the growing opportunity in F1 Wagyu crosses, misconceptions about finishing Wagyu cattle, the value of Australian performance data and what young producers must do to remain competitive.

The conversation also touches on Argentine beef imports, the future of American Wagyu and how Herd Yard is helping producers market cattle and frozen genetics directly to buyers without commissions on private-treaty sales.