Progressive Cattle Podcast

The Progressive Cattle Podcast team discusses the current price market for regular fuel and diesel fuel in the U.S. and how it could affect producers around shipping season. Then David Cooper visits with GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis Patrick De Haan about all the factors creating a record spike in diesel production. The editors also introduce what’s developing with the ag producer panel offering feedback to the Progressive Cattle team.

In this episode, CERES TAG’s Global Commercial Manager Siobhan Smith sits down with Midwest US Sales Lead Matthew Randerson to discuss how technology and data are shaping the future of the cattle industry.

Drawing on their experience in the Australian and US cattle industries, Siobhan and Matthew explore how innovation has always played a role in improving cattle production, from genetics, reproduction and feed technology through to the practical use of the data and technology that’s available to ranchers today.

The conversation focuses on the opportunity to use technology to improve animal efficiency, productivity and profitability, while also supporting the long-term sustainability of the land cattle producers depend on.

The episode highlights how utilising CERES TAG insights into animal behavior, pasture feed intake and reproduction can help ranchers make better decisions around herd selection, productivity and the future sustainability of their operations.

Episode Highlights

• 1:07 — Background in the cattle industry, using technology to improve productivity and profitability, and the role of innovation in building on the knowledge of previous generations.
• 4:06 — Exploring carrying capacity, stocking rates and feed efficiency, and how CERES TAG technology helps ranchers monitor and optimise animal efficiency.
• 6:30 — The benefits of direct-to-satellite technology, with no reliance on cell service or infrastructure, reducing costs, improving scalability and supporting ranchers managing leased or remote ground.
• 8:55 — What agricultural data really looks like, how CERES TAG provides detailed automated herd insights, and how ranchers can turn that data into faster, more informed management decisions while saving valuable time.
• 13:40 — Using CERES TAG data to validate genetics and phenotypes, providing measurable evidence of traits such as calving ease and helping support the performance numbers represented in EPDs.
• 15:20 — How data can reveal changes ranchers cannot see from the ground, enabling faster responses to issues such as grazing patterns, water stress and pasture utilisation while identifying simple, cost-effective management opportunities.
• 20:55 — Understanding ROI from agricultural technology and why collecting data is only the first step, with the real value coming from turning insights around feed efficiency, reproductive performance and pasture utilisation into actionable decisions.

This episode is sponsored by CERES TAG.

CERES TAG is a direct-to-satellite livestock monitoring technology that turns animal data into actionable insights. The smart ear tag automatically captures information on cattle location, behaviour, reproduction and pasture feed intake, giving producers greater visibility over their animals and how they are utilising available resources.

By turning individual animal activity and performance into measurable data, CERES TAG helps producers make more informed decisions around herd management, feed efficiency, productivity and profitability, wherever their cattle are.

Progressive Cattle Editor Tyrell Marchant visits with Erik Kalsta from Western Landowners Alliance about the 2026 wildfire season and how producers can work with each other and government agencies to improve the land for livestock and wildlife. Then the crew gets philosophical about the cattle cycle, county fairs and a new school year.

PrimeVAC™ preconditioning programs by Merck Animal Health offer a comprehensive mix of products and protocols that will help get your calves off to the best start. Join us as Dr. Chris Thomsen from Merck Animal Health sits down with Progressive Cattle to discuss the benefits of preconditioning with PrimeVAC™.

This episode is sponsored by Merck Animal Health.

In this episode, Dr. Greg Eckerle, technical service manager with Novonesis, breaks down the classifications of eubiotics into individual product categories and defines expectations.

This episode is sponsored by Novonesis.

The Progressive Cattle Podcast team visits with Patrick De Haan of GasBuddy on those dynamics facing ranchers with diesel prices and ongoing challenges with imported crude oil; and Greg Eckerle of Novonesis on the nutritional and mineral considerations producers should remember when feeding cattle during the hotter summer days. Finally the team discusses what they enjoyed watching people come to the U.S. for the World Cup.

Progressive Cattle editor Tyrell Marchant checks in from the Beef Improvement Federation Symposium in Boise, Idaho. He is joined by Neogen's Kirk Ramsey and Victor Pedrosa to discuss how genomic tools can enhance cattle and ranch sustainability; then University of Idaho's John Hall and Kansas State University's Bob Weaber share the inner workings of bringing together so many of the industry's great minds and voices at the symposium. Finally, the Progressive Cattle crew waxes patriotic as the reflect on the U.S.'s 250th birthday.

The cattle market is rewriting the record books, but where do we go from here?

Bailey Ballou with Superior Livestock Auction joins Progressive Cattle to discuss current market trends, buyer behavior, value-added premiums and what producers should be thinking about as Superior's Summer Run approaches. Plus, hear why relationships, reputation and marketing still matter in today's high-priced environment.

This episode is sponsored by Superior Livestock Auction.

Since 1987, Superior Livestock Auction has been the pioneer and leader in video livestock marketing. With a network of more than 400 representatives and the nation’s largest buyer base, Superior helps cattle producers market their livestock through competitive nationwide auctions. By selling cattle directly from the ranch, producers benefit from true price discovery, reduced stress and shrink, and access to buyers from across the country. Each year, Superior markets more than 1.7 million head of cattle, connecting ranchers and buyers through trusted relationships and innovative technology.

Don’t miss this episode as NCBA Chief Executive Officer Colin Woodall chats with Managing Editor David Cooper on multiple key issues the industry is now facing, including high beef demand, when the border can open to Mexican cattle, and U.S. preparation for the possible arrival of New World screwworm. Hear how Paul Marchant plans to adopt fenceless grazing technology this summer, and if June is really the biggest month for weddings.

CattleZen™ is a new cattle stress management tool designed to help producers maintain calmer, healthier beef and dairy cattle. It’s a proprietary blend of maternal bovine-appeasing substance and a calming pheromone that, when applied just above the muzzle, stimulates a calming effect. This patented blend of two pheromones delivers fast-acting and sustained calming through the animal’s sensory system to help cattle stay calmer during common stressors such as weaning, vaccination or transportation. CattleZen also enhances cattle welfare and improves safety for both animals and handlers. Its easy, single-site application features a higher-concentration, lower-volume dose for strong detection and consistent results. 

This episode is sponsored by Solvet.