In this episode of Smoke(less), we sit down with Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA, to talk about the 2026 beef crisis — and why the conversation isn’t just about price tags.

Bill breaks down how power and concentration in the beef system shapes everything from what ranchers earn to what consumers pay, the role imports and labeling play in the modern market, and why he believes food production belongs in the same conversation as other critical national interests.

If you care about BBQ, brisket, and the future of beef in America, this one will make you think.

Drop a comment with your thoughts — is the beef industry heading in the right direction, or are we watching a system crack in real time?