Episode 26: The Gap Between Function and the Show Ring

-Full video episode available on YouTube-

What happens when the traits rewarded in the show ring drift away from the traits that keep cattle productive in the pasture?

In this episode, Patrick Powers is joined by Grant Vassberg and John Atkinson to discuss Grant’s recent trip to Thailand, where he judged cattle and got a firsthand look at how show ring priorities influence breeding decisions.

The experience sparked a broader conversation about how selection pressure shapes cattle populations over time. When breeding decisions begin to prioritize appearance, trends, or marketing, the traits that matter most in the pasture such as fertility, efficiency, structural soundness, and longevity can slowly fall out of focus.

From there, the discussion widens to examples from around the world including the Philippines, Brazil, and Australia, where industry incentives and breeding trends have pushed cattle in very different directions. Again and again, the same pattern appears. When selection pressure moves away from biological function, producers often end up compensating with more inputs, more management, and lower overall fertility, ultimately draining profit from the operation.

At its core, this episode explores the growing gap between what is rewarded in the show ring and what actually works in real production environments.

Watch the full video episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/1m3iNCWaVMg

Check out Bos Sires:
https://www.bossires.com/

If this episode made you think differently about function, fertility, or how selection pressure shapes cattle, share it with someone who is open to questioning the status quo.

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Episode 25: Panama’s Fertility Paradox with Roderick Murray

-Full video episode available on YouTube-

What happens when a country selects cattle for trophies instead of calves?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Roderick Murray to unpack hard numbers, hard lessons, and a practical path back to fertility and profitability on grass. Drawing from herd-level observations and long-term production data, we discuss why birth rates have remained stuck between 35 and 60 percent, why age at first calving has stretched past 42 months, and why steers often take more than three years to finish, even as nutrition and management improved.

Roderick explains how a 1990s push for larger frames and heavier carcasses, reinforced by show ring culture and a government backed sire program, unintentionally selecting for later maturity, contributed to cattle that struggle outside high input systems. The result has been declining fertility, calving challenges, udder issues, and animals that perform well on paper but fall short under real pasture conditions.

We also talk about what is changing. Research and producer herds in Panama are re evaluating local Creole genetics for early maturity, fertility, and adaptation, then using thoughtful crossbreeding, including Nelore, to improve reproduction and calf vigor without increasing inputs.

The solution is not always imported. Often, it is already adapted to the environment and available right in your backyard.

If you care about cattle that work where they live, this conversation offers data, perspective, and a clear look at how incentives shape outcomes.

Watch the full video episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/SCPLPJD5t48

Connect with Dr. Roderick Murray:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roderickagm

Check out Bos Sires:
https://www.bossires.com/

If this episode made you think differently about fertility, genetics, or how incentives shape outcomes, share it with someone who is open to questioning the status quo. These conversations spread one producer at a time.

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Episode 24: Matching Cattle to Country with Matt Robbins 

What if the fastest path to profit is choosing cows that match your weather, then letting grass lead the schedule? We sit down with Matt Robbins to unpack how his family left hay dependence, heavy inputs, and misaligned genetics behind and built a resilient, profitable herd for hot, humid Arkansas.

Matt explains why management and genetics have to move together. We dive into a Mashona-led composite built for heat, humidity, and parasites, paired with a 45-day breeding season and Zietsman’s two-three standard that selects for true fertility under pressure. On the ground, ultra-high-density grazing includes about four moves a day at up to a million pounds per acre. This approach drives uniform utilization, deeper rest, stronger stockpiles, and fewer days feeding hay. We talk practical numbers from cow size to supplemental protein costs, and how rotating by recovery, not the calendar, keeps forage quality and animal performance aligned.

This conversation tackles myths head-on. We discuss why EPDs fade across environments, how warm-season forage often labeled “poor” can support excellent production with the right cattle, and where a one-time amendment can ethically and profitably jump-start a tired pasture. The unexpected wins are everywhere. Soils become spongier, native grasses return, drought resilience improves without destocking, and wildlife and water quality benefit as the land breathes again. If you’re curious how to run more cows on the same acres, reduce inputs, and buy back your time with a tight calving window, this is your playbook.

Connect with Matt Robbins:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobbinsRanch1961/

Check out Bos Sires:
https://www.bossires.com/

If this episode made you think differently about cattle, land, or management, share it with someone who is open to questioning the status quo. These conversations spread one producer at a time.

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We keep the main feed focused and intentional. For the raw, unfiltered conversations, find Shooting the Bull on Patreon.

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 Episode 23: Small Acreage, Big Results with Joseph Klotz 

What if a 12-acre ranch could outlast drought, dodge input spikes, and still raise fertile, gentle cattle that pay their way? That is the story Joseph Klotz tells from Seely, Texas, a rancher who proves you do not need a thousand acres or a show banner to build a profitable, resilient herd. We dig into how his family’s weekend Brahman operation shaped a lifelong filter: if a cow cannot calve, rebreed, and stay sound without help, she does not stay.

Joseph breaks down his three F’s: function, fertility, and friendly, and shows why moderate-frame cows can deliver more pounds per acre with less risk than giant frames ever could. He walks us through the pivot to regenerative grazing: tighter rotations, long rest, and three years with no synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, or wormers. The results are tangible and repeatable: deeper roots, more earthworms, cooler soil, minimal flies, and grass that carries through dry spells while neighbors feed hay.

We also explore the move to Red Brahman for dual-purpose advantages, the reliable tenderness and flavor of calves raised on forage and mama’s milk, and the power of strict culling for soundness and temperament. On the business side, Joseph shares a practical approach to profitability: track cost per exposed cow, leverage direct-to-consumer beef, and use old-school, low-cost tools from pickup stock racks to a modified rotary mower to keep margins wide and debt light. Mentorship, windshield time, and a relentless “what and why” mindset tie it all together.

If you are curious about regenerative ranching, Brahman cattle, small-acreage profitability, or how to build soil while selling beef people love, this conversation delivers field-tested insights without fluff. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a spark, and leave a review to help more producers find smarter, saner ways to ranch.

Connect with Joseph Klotz and Klotz Farms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joseph.klotz.79 

Bos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/klotzfarms

Check out Bos Sires:

Website: https://www.bossires.com/

Bos Sires Catalogs: https://www.bossires.com/sale-catalog-2

Support the Podcast:

If these conversations help you see cattle and land differently, follow or subscribe so you do not miss the next one.

Join us on Patreon for Shooting the Bull — real producers, real talk.
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What happens when a poet comes home to rebuild a family dairy with grass, genetics, and a bison herd as his calendar? Ben Gotschall invites us inside Holt Creek Jerseys, a ranch dairy in the Nebraska Sandhills that treats milk like a seasonal food and manages cows by the rhythm of the prairie, not the demands of a spreadsheet.

We dig into what true seasonal milking does for flavor, nutrition, and quality of life. Calving is timed to the spring flush. Cows are dried off in winter. Once-a-day milking gives families their evenings back. And suddenly June milk tastes like a different food than January milk. It is the kind of system that forces decisions to be proven in pasture, not on paper, and rewards the stockman who pays attention.

Ben breaks down the genetics that actually matter in a grass-only dairy. His milking herd is entirely A2A2. He selects for Kappa casein BB to boost cheese yield and beta-lactoglobulin BB to raise butter output. Jerseys bring efficiency and butterfat, while beef-on-dairy crosses shorten finishing time and bridge the gap between dairy and grass-fed beef markets. Roles within the herd are clear. Milk cows produce nutrient-dense food and breed back within a tight spring window. Nurse cows raise two calves to weaning and must wean 100 percent of their body weight. It is selection pressure that rewards fertility, calm disposition, graze-full minds, and cows that work with the landscape instead of against it.

We also take an honest look at genomic numbers. Ben uses testing when it serves a purpose but warns against chasing indexes that inflate production at the cost of fertility and longevity. He leans on linebreeding to anchor functional traits and raises bulls out of his best cows to prove them on grass. Along the way he explains why dairy grazing is the master class for beef graziers, why low-stress design is worth every minute of planning, and why the milk itself becomes a reflection of the land.

If you care about nutrient-dense food, resilient cattle, and building a life with more margin and fewer inputs, this conversation offers a grounded blueprint for doing dairy differently.

If this episode resonated, share it with someone who is ready to rethink how milk, meat, and grass can work together. The principles matter anywhere. The land responds to those who listen.

Connect with Ben Gotschall and Holt Creek Jerseys:

Website: https://holtcreekjerseys.com/

Clover Cove Ranch: https://clovercoveranch.com/

Bos Sires Page: https://www.bossires.com/bengotschall

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship: https://www.dga-national.org/

Midwest Graziers Instructional Course: https://www.mgic-professional.org/

Check out Bos Sires:

Website: https://www.bossires.com/

Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)

Support the Podcast:

If these conversations help you see cattle and land differently, follow or subscribe so you do not miss the next one.

Join us on Patreon for Shooting the Bull — real producers, real talk.
 https://www.patreon.com/bossirestalk

Episode 21: Grazing School with Charlie Totton, Courtney Tyrrell & Bart Carmichael 

Think you know what your cattle will eat? Watch that certainty crumble when ten heifers meet a “weedy” paddock and turn it into beef and soil armor.

We sit down with Charlie Totton and Courtney Tyrrell, along with educator and rancher Bart Carmichael, to unpack the South Dakota Grassland Coalition 2025 Grazing School, a producer-led, hands-on training where students measure forage, set residue goals, build 24-hour paddocks, and come back later to see if the math holds.

Day one challenges assumptions and teaches grazing math to calculate forage consumption.  Day two explores alternatives across calving, nutrition, and herd health. Day three ties it all together into a written action plan you can take home and actually use.

The conversation gets specific: how to size paddocks based on measured forage, why leaving 1,000 to 2,500 pounds of residue builds soil structure, and how palatability shifts with growth stage and density. Then we test water. Using rainfall simulators and ring infiltration tests, the difference between living polycultures and compacted monocultures shows up in clean infiltration versus muddy runoff. With roughly 27,000 gallons per acre per inch of rain at stake, building organic matter becomes a practical water strategy, not a buzzword.

“Recovery” replaces “rest.” “Forbs” replace “weeds.” And “armor” replaces “litter,” reshaping the language that shapes the land.

We also get real about labor, genetics, and drought. Cattle are the tool, trampling, salivating, cycling nutrients, when directed with clear goals and daily moves. Trigger dates help you de-stock before the feed bill owns you, and the right cows—deep, thick, mobile, calm—perform on stockpiled forage without expensive inputs. The Tottons share how intensifying on 10 percent of their ranch during peak growth lets the other 90 percent recover, stretching grazing into winter and reducing both labor and input expenses.

Add mentorship, networking, and producer-led instruction, and you get a system that works in South Dakota, Arizona, or the Northeast, because principles scale even when practices change.

If this one hit home, share it with someone who’s ready to look a little closer at their own country. The real work starts when you slow down, measure, and listen. The land’s not broken. It’s just waiting on better stockmen.

Connect with Courtney Tyrrell and Charlie Totton:

Website: https://www.tottonangus.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tottonangus/

Bos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/tottonangusranch

Connect with Bart Carmichael and Principled Land Managers:

Website: https://www.wedgetentranch.com/

Bos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/wedge-tent-ranch

Website: https://www.principledlandmanagers.com/

Check out Bos Sires:

Website: https://www.bossires.com/

Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)

Support the Podcast

If these conversations help you see cattle and land differently, follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next one.

Join us on Patreon for Shooting the Bull — real producers, real talk.
https://www.patreon.com/bossirestalk

 Episode 20: Preserving a Legacy with Watt Casey Jr. of Casey Beefmasters 

What does it take to build cattle that pay their way without props? We sat down with Watt Matthews Casey Jr. of Casey Beefmasters to trace a 77-year line of selection grounded in the Six Essentials—fertility, weight, conformation, hardiness, milk, and disposition—and a ruthless commitment to real-world performance. From a closed herd since 1967 to breeding seasons as short as 25 days, Watt explains how discipline, data, and respect for nature create cattle that thrive on grass, breed on time, and stay gentle under pressure.

We walk through the origin story tied to Tom Lasater, the politics of early breed associations, and why multi-sire breeding keeps the focus on herd-level outcomes over pedigree hype. Watt details his selection program: culling light bulls at weaning, measuring testicles early and again at yearling, and requiring calves to gentle to hand. Scanning is done on forage, not feed, yielding honest IMF and ribeye insights that surprise technicians used to “puffed-up” numbers. The results show up where it matters—tight calving windows, repeat buyers, and cattle that ship well from Texas heat to Idaho winters.

Drought strategy, no-hay economics, and heterosis round out the playbook. In lean years, the ranch uses pellets strategically to preserve a closed herd that can’t be rebuilt at auction; in normal years, it’s grass and minerals, full stop. Customers see the “big pop” when unrelated genetics meet, capturing hybrid vigor bred under hard filters. Along the way, Watt shares global reach, candid customer quotes—“so gentle they’re a nuisance”—and a clear moral frame: be a good steward to cattle and land, measure honestly, and keep pressure where it counts.

If you care about functional efficiency, fertility, disposition, and grass-based genetics, this conversation is a masterclass in sustainable ranching. Listen, share with a friend who values real-world cattle, and leave a review to help more producers find the show.

Connect with Watt Casey and Casey Beefmasters:

Website: https://caseybeefmasters.com/home.php

Bos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/casey-beefmasters

Check out Bos Sires:

Website: https://www.bossires.com/

Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)

Support the Podcast

We keep the main feed clean, but if you want the raw, unfiltered conversations, check out our second podcast Shooting the Bull on Patreon. If you like what we’re doing, that’s also the best place to show your support. 

Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bossirestalk

 Episode 19: Generations of Stewardship with George Kempfer 

What happens when cattle are expected to perform in one of America's most challenging environments? They either adapt or fail. At Kempfer Cattle Company, five generations of ranching experience have created herds specifically designed to thrive where others can't survive.

George Kempfer takes us inside his family's operation, where nearly 3,000 mother cows demonstrate the power of purposeful breeding and disciplined selection. Unlike operations that pamper their breeding stock, Kempfer cattle must prove themselves under real-world conditions. "Why should we give our registered herd better care than our commercial cattle?" George asks. "How are we going to make our commercial cows better if we don't put more pressure on the seedstock cattle?"

This philosophy has produced remarkably efficient, fertile herds that perform on grass with minimal inputs. The Kempfers' crossbreeding program showcases the transformative power of heterosis, creating females that breed dependably, raise heavy calves, and demonstrate exceptional longevity. Their purebred Brahmin operation, started in 1978, complements their commercial focus by producing bulls specifically adapted to Florida's tropical environment.

George offers hard-earned wisdom for new producers: focus on quality genetics from reputable breeders, seek proven cow families rather than chasing trends, and be prepared for markets to eventually turn. The current strong cattle prices make operations more forgiving than usual, but long-term success requires discipline and adherence to sound principles.

Perhaps most compelling is the Kempfer commitment to stewardship. "If you don't take care of the land, the land's not going to take care of us," George reflects. Their goal has always been to preserve and improve their operation for future generations - a lesson in sustainability that transcends breeding philosophies or market cycles.

Whether you're managing thousands of acres or just starting your herd, this conversation offers valuable insights into breeding efficient, adaptable cattle that can thrive in challenging conditions. Subscribe to Sustainable Stock for more conversations with cattlemen who are building resilient operations designed to stand the test of time.

Connect with George Kempfer and Kempfer Cattle Company:

Website: https://kempfercattleco.com/cattle/

Bos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/kempfer-cattle-company

Check out Bos Sires:

Website: https://www.bossires.com/

Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)

Support the Podcast

We keep the main feed clean, but if you want the raw, unfiltered conversations, check out our second podcast Shooting the Bull on Patreon. If you like what we’re doing, that’s also the best place to show your support. 

Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bossirestalk

Episode 18: Docile Brahmans?!? with Grant and Nicole Vassberg of Kallion Farms

What happens when a breeder decides to push back against everything the cattle industry holds sacred? Grant and Nicole Vassberg of Kallion Farms have been doing exactly that with their bold approach to Brahman cattle.

For 15 years, Kallion has carried the label of “black sheep” in the Brahman world - systematically breeding away from the stereotype of wild, infertile cattle and toward docile, fertile animals that thrive on grass alone. The shift started when Grant, as a college freshman, quietly reversed his father’s breeding direction. Those same cattle went on to impress the consultants who once dismissed them.

In 2010, Kallion ran 900 head. Grant implemented a ruthless, common-sense culling program: every cow had to deliver a calf each year, problem free. He began radically reshaping the herd by rewarding the genetics that had long gone unrewarded. After five years, only 33 of the original 900 females were still in production. Today, the results are clear. Their herd is so docile that Nicole, who grew up in San Antonio with no agricultural background, can work them by herself. A stark contrast to her first experience at another ranch where she wasn’t even allowed to step out of the truck.

Traveling abroad confirmed what they suspected. While American breeders chase EPDs and show ring success, ranchers in places like Honduras are struggling with 40% calf crops from imported U.S. genetics. That realization led Grant back to the principles of Lasater, Bonsma, and Zietsman - ideas Kallion had been proving on their own pastures.

Their pursuit of functional cattle helped spark the creation of Bos Sires, a cooperative of like-minded breeders committed to genetics that perform in the real world. As Nicole puts it, their mission is about “exposing the truth of what’s going on in the industry” and “giving younger ranchers a fighting chance to build their legacy.”

Ready to challenge everything you thought you knew about cattle breeding? Subscribe now to hear more stories of ranchers returning to time-tested principles that create cattle that thrive in the real world.

Connect with Grant/Nicole and Kallion Farms:

Website: https://kallionfarms.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kallionfarms

Bos Sires: https://www.bossires.com/kallion-farms

Check out Bos Sires:

Website: https://www.bossires.com/

Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)

Support the Podcast

We keep the main feed clean, but if you want the raw, unfiltered conversations, check out our second podcast Shooting the Bull on Patreon. If you like what we’re doing, that’s also the best place to show your support. 

Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bossirestalk

Episode 17: Soil to Steak with Steve Campbell

Forgotten wisdom meets modern ranching challenges in this fascinating conversation with Steve Campbell, a seasoned cattle coach who helps producers improve everything from soil health to cattle selection. Campbell shares the profound concept of the "Solo Cup Cow" – a simple yet powerful visual guide that reveals why cattle conformation matters far more than most realize.

Campbell takes us deep into the hidden world of cattle fertility, explaining why modern selection practices have created a crisis for many operations. "When we did the space race, we went from frame four and a half to seven... We gave up fertility for growth," he explains. This shift has had devastating consequences, as fertility accounts for roughly 40% of ranch profitability according to research he cites.

The discussion weaves through practical selection methods anyone can use – from observing hair coat shedding patterns to understanding the significance of vertical ribs in bulls. Campbell's approach bypasses industry jargon and complex EPDs, focusing instead on visual indicators that reveal an animal's true genetic potential. "The more fertile cow is going to look like she's walking downhill on level ground," he notes, while "the more fertile bull will look like he's walking uphill on level ground."

Perhaps most compelling is Campbell's explanation of how soil health directly influences cattle performance and ultimately human health. He advocates for improving soil biology as the foundation for nutrient-dense forages, which lead to healthier, more productive animals that require fewer inputs. His insights on using Brix measurements to evaluate plant quality and his practical advice on mineral supplementation offer immediate action steps for listeners.

Whether you're a commercial producer looking to reduce input costs, a grass-finisher seeking better quality, or simply someone concerned about the nutritional value of beef, this episode delivers eye-opening perspectives that challenge conventional thinking. 

Connect with Steve Campbell:

Website: https://www.tailormadecattle.com/

Steve's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Steve-rb1zf/videos

Check out Bos Sires:

Website: https://www.bossires.com/

Bos Sires Catalog: International New Bos Sires Catalog (English)

Support the Podcast

If these conversations are helping you think differently about cattle breeding and land stewardship, be sure to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.

To go deeper, join us on Patreon-where we host Shooting the Bull, our unfiltered podcast focused on honest conversations with producers from across the cattle industry.

Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bossirestalk