Running on Grass

In this Friday Happy Hour episode, Logan and Ea’Mon break down the latest USDA Cattle on Feed report — the first year-over-year increase in 18 months — and what it actually signals for producers. They dig into whether the numbers reflect real herd rebuilding or mostly drought-forced liquidation hitting feed yards across the country.

The conversation covers the pressure of ground beef pushing toward $7 per pound at retail, consumer sentiment, and whether high prices are sustainable in the face of diesel costs and broader economic strain. They also share what they’re seeing on the ground with regional drought conditions, from the Sandhills to Wyoming and eastern Colorado, and discuss how it’s affecting stocking rates, grazing plans, and early liquidation decisions.

On the marketing side, they talk about shifting more toward barn sales versus video, building valuable partnerships (including genetics), and practical moves they’re making with replacements and heifers. The episode wraps with an honest look at cow herd strategy — when to retain, sell, or position for potential expansion in this high-price environment, and why some experienced voices are calling for higher highs ahead.

If you’re trying to make sense of the current market signals while managing drought and planning your own herd, this one’s for you.

Chapters:

• 00:00 – Introduction & Friday Happy Hour Teaser
• 02:15 – USDA Cattle on Feed Report: First +2% Increase in 18 Months
• 04:00 – Drought-Forced Liquidation vs. Real Herd Rebuilding
• 07:00 – Ground Beef at $7/lb – Is It Sustainable?
• 11:35 – Drought Pressures & Regional Conditions on the Ground
• 19:45 – Super El Niño Outlook & Long-Term Market Implications
• 39:30 – Marketing Shifts: Barn Sales, Video Sales & Strategic Partnerships
• 45:15 – Cow Herd Strategy: Retain, Sell, or Expand?
• 54:50 – Key Takeaways & What We’re Watching Next

The conversation covers topics such as weather and precipitation, ranching and cattle management, the impact of AI on the workforce, AI applications in agriculture, AI and job displacement, and the adoption of AI in agriculture. The hosts discuss the effects of weather on ranching, the use of AI in cattle management, and the potential job displacement due to AI in various industries. The conversation covers a range of topics, from the revolutionary impact of Starlink on ranching operations to the significance of conservation easements and the management of land acquisition and cash flow. It also delves into the use of debt as a tool for expansion and the rapid evolution of technology in the agricultural industry.

Takeaways

• Weather conditions impact ranching and cattle management.
• AI has the potential to revolutionize agriculture and workforce management. Starlink's impact on ranching operations
• The significance of conservation easements

Chapters

• 00:00 Weather and Precipitation
• 08:09 Impact of AI on Workforce
• 18:47 AI and Job Displacement
• 25:01 Adoption of AI in Agriculture
• 30:11 Revolutionizing Connectivity with Starlink
• 41:50 The Significance of Conservation Easements
• 53:02 Debt as a Tool for Expansion

The conversation covers a range of topics including the passing of Ted Turner, management styles, hiring, beef prices, ranch operations, drought impact, and labor challenges. The hosts also discuss the ecological component of ranch operations, the use of bison meat, and the impact of drought on crop production. The conversation covers a range of topics including ranch management, employee stories, hiring processes, operational freedom, meeting structures, beef market dynamics, and the impact of drought on the cattle industry. The hosts also discuss the role of the beef checkoff program and the upcoming USMEF meeting.

Takeaways

• Ted Turner's passing has implications for ranch operations and management styles.
• Labor challenges and the impact of drought on ranch operations are significant concerns. Ranch management involves daily operations, employee stories, and hiring challenges.
• Operational freedom and employee involvement are key to successful ranch management.
• Meeting structures and frequency play a crucial role in effective communication and decision-making.
• The beef market is influenced by factors such as drought, imports, and government intervention.
• The impact of drought on the cattle industry is significant, leading to lower cattle numbers and potential long-term effects.
• The role of the beef checkoff program and the upcoming USMEF meeting are important for understanding market dynamics and industry trends.

Chapters

• 00:00 Impact of Drought on Ranch Operations and Beef Prices
• 14:01 Labor Challenges and Drought Planning
• 19:17 Changing Work Culture and Operations in Ranching
• 24:30 Hiring Processes and Operational Freedom
• 33:30 Role of the Beef Checkoff Program and USMEF Meeting

The podcast covers a range of topics including the future of Tyson's poultry and beef operations, the impact of plant closures on the beef industry, reflections on life and purpose, the impact of wildfires on ranchers, market trends and selling strategies, and the role of capitalism in agriculture. The conversation delves into economic factors, government intervention, community support, market predictions, and the future of the industry. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by generational ranchers, the origins and legacy of the ranch, historical land purchases, the complexities of leasing land, building relationships with landlords, ranching stories and mishaps, book discussions on Goggins and Undaunted Courage, and management styles and employee relations.

Takeaways

• The impact of Tyson's shift to poultry on consumers and the beef industry
• The resilience and challenges faced by ranchers in the face of wildfires Generational challenges in ranching
• Legacy and origins of ranching
• Land value and historical purchases
• Challenges of leasing land
• Building relationships with landlords
• Ranching stories and mishaps
• Book discussions: Goggins and Undaunted Courage
• Management styles and employee relations

Chapters

• 00:00 The Future of Tyson's Poultry and Beef Operations
• 07:05 Ben Sasse's Interview and Reflections on Life (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcT9O5Sjmd0)
• 19:00 Market Trends and Selling Strategies (https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1LxRNjVtWZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr)
• 24:38 Generational Challenges in Ranching
• 30:17 Family History and Ranching Beginnings
• 36:17 Building Relationships with Landlords
• 41:45 Ranching Stories and Mishaps
• 48:44 Management Styles and Employee Relations

The conversation covers a range of topics related to ranching and cattle management, including calving methods, cover crops, cattle prices, and hay logistics. Each chapter delves into the specific details and challenges of these themes, providing valuable insights for ranchers and cattle producers. The conversation delves into livestock management, feed costs, summer plans, cost differences, and the impact of weather and moisture on operations. It also explores the costs and gains in livestock management, providing valuable insights into the challenges and strategies of ranching operations.

Takeaways

• Calving Methods
• Cover Crops and Forage
• Cattle Prices and Market Trends
• Hay and Feed Logistics Livestock Management
• Cost Analysis

Chapters

• 00:00 Hay and Feed Logistics
• 18:42 Livestock Management and Feed Costs
• 25:11 Impact of Weather and Moisture on Operations

The conversation covers topics such as grassland resilience, beef demand, cattle industry, El Nino's impact on drought conditions, and the corn and soybean market. The discussion explores the resilience of grasslands in Nebraska, the performance of beef demand compared to the S&P 500, the impact of El Nino on agriculture, and the challenges faced by the corn and soybean market. The conversation covers the quality of feed and grazing conditions, feed management and utilization, snowpack and water source, challenges and opportunities in farming, technology and grazing management, market volatility, and fertilizer costs. It highlights the impact of weather on farming, opportunities for cover crop grazing, and the diversification in farming operations.

Takeaways

• Beef demand outperforms S&P 500
• Impact of El Nino on agriculture Diversification in farming operations
• Impact of weather on farming
• Opportunities for cover crop grazing

Chapters

• 00:00 Grassland Resilience
• 09:19 Cattle Industry and Beef Demand
• 17:18 El Nino and Drought Conditions
• 23:46 Quality of Feed and Grazing Conditions
• 32:00 Snowpack and Water Source
• 38:38 Technology and Grazing Management

The podcast episode features a discussion between Logan Pribbeno and Eamon O'Toole, focusing on their ranch operations, collaborative ranching, differences in ranching practices, and watering practices. The conversation highlights their unique approaches to ranching and the importance of water management in their respective operations. The conversation delves into optimizing cattle watering systems, observing cattle behavior around water sources, insights from Jordan Levi's interview, perspectives on calving and cattle management, business strategies and market trends, and looking ahead to future market trends. The discussion emphasizes efficient water management, the impact of market conditions on cattle feeding, and the importance of intelligent capital in the industry.

Takeaways

• Collaborative ranching involves a mutual exchange of cattle between ranchers for winter and summer grazing.
• Differences in ranching practices, such as horseback vs. four-wheelers, reflect the unique geographical and operational characteristics of each ranch. Efficient water management is crucial for optimizing cattle behavior and grazing patterns.
• Market conditions and intelligent capital play a significant role in the cattle industry's success.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 05:45 Differences in Ranching Practices
• 26:52 Optimizing Cattle Watering Systems
• 35:33 Insights from Jordan Levi's Interview
• 45:35 Business Strategies and Market Trends

In our debut episode, two working ranchers sit down for honest talk about what’s hitting operations right now. We cover the current drought conditions and how it’s affecting grass and stocking rates, riding the all-time high cattle markets, key takeaways from the Levi Jordan interview, and what the recent JBS Greeley plant reopening means for cattle prices and producers like us.

Real rancher dialogue, no fluff, just practical insights from the pasture.