The Barnyard Broadcast

Welcome back to the Barnyard Broadcast! In this episode, hosts Alli and Mattie go over their top 5 breeding traits they look for in cattle and sheep! Please check out the links below for more information discussed in this episode. 

Please keep an eye out for our next episode!

New Episode Survey 

Helpful Links:

Udder Scoring: Cattle

Udder Scoring: Sheep

Foot Scoring: Cattle

Understanding EPDs

NSIP: National Sheep Improvement Program

Does your flock meet your performance expectations

Beef Confomation Basics

American Sheep Industry: Productivity Resources

Thumbnail Photo Credits: Mike Houtz PSU

Hello everyone, and thank you for tuning in to the Barnyard Broadcast! We're excited to welcome Michael Sherman, the newest member of the Penn State Extension Livestock Team. In today's episode, Michael discusses USDA and FSA programs available to farmers, including how to find these opportunities, navigate the application process, and what producers can expect when utilizing these resources. We hope you enjoy the conversation!

Michael Sherman Information 

Farm Storage Facility Loan

Farm Loan Programs

Beginning Farmer 

Farmers.gov

Service Center Locator

Livestock Forage Disaster Program

Livestock Indemnity Program

Guest Bios

Michael Sherman - Michael is excited to join Penn State Extension, assisting the Livestock Team in delivering programs to producers in northcentral Pennsylvania.  He comes to Extension after serving 24 years of federal service with the United States Department of Agriculture.  He began his career with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service as a commodity grader in southeastern Pennsylvania.  Then he accepted the position of Executive Director with the Lycoming County Farm Service Agency, serving for 17 years.  In his final 2 years with the USDA, he served as the Beginning Farmer Coordinator for Pennsylvania and the Outreach Coordinator. Michael graduated with a degree in Dairy and Animal Science from Penn State.  He owns and operates a purebred beef cattle operation in Lycoming County with his wife, Vanessa, and 3 sons (Owen, Dylan, and Weston).  Outside of agriculture, Michael is the varsity head coach for the Montgomery Soccer Team and an assistant coach for the Penn College Men’s Soccer Program.

Thumbnail Photo Credits: Brien Aho USDA

Hello everyone! Thank you for tuning into the Barnyard Broadcast! This is another installment of the Research Update. The focus of these episodes is to highlight the research being done at Penn State! Today, we have Alli Jobe to talk about her graduate research, which focused on beef cow production efficiency and maternal trait selection in Angus cattle. Stay for the whole episode to learn about an amazing new SURPRISE! 

Beef Cattle Short Course

Extension Beef Cattle Home Page

Please keep an eye out for our next episode!

Guest Bios

Alli Jobe- Alli Jobe grew up in Greensburg, PA, on a small cow-calf family operation. Since the age of five, she has been raising and exhibiting livestock, including cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. As an undergraduate at Penn State, she lived and worked at the Beef and Sheep Center, was active in the Block and Bridle Club and Collegiate Cattlewomen, and competed as a member of the 2023 Livestock Judging team. After graduating in 2023, she served as a Graduate Assistant with Dr. Tara Felix, Ph.D., and received her Master's Degree in May 2026. Her thesis focused on factors impacting cow-calf production efficiency. Alli has accepted a position as an Assistant Teaching Professor of Beef Production in Penn State's Department of Animal Science. Her responsibilities will include helping to develop a strong extension program in beef production and management, with a focus on small- to medium-sized beef producers. As an assistant teaching professor of beef production, she will teach undergraduate courses in beef management, breeding evaluation, and selection, and will coach the undergraduate livestock judging team. She will also develop a new course on livestock handling, including hands-on laboratories at the Animal Science farm facilities.

Thumbnail Photo Credits: Gordan Hawkins PSU 

Hello everyone! Thank you for tuning into the Barnyard Broadcast! In light of recent events, I have decided to do an episode on emerging issues, specifically the New World Screwworm. I hope this episode can provide education for everyone about the recent New World Screwworm outbreak. Thankfully, I have on the episode today Dr. Erika Machtinger and Dr. Tara Felix! Please see their bios and helpful resources below for more information about the New World Screwworm.

Please keep an eye out for our next episode!

Guest Bios

Erika T. Machtinger, PhD – Dr. Machtinger is an Associate Professor of Veterinary Entomology at Penn State, Penn State Extension Vector-Borne Disease Team Lead, and Director of the VectorED Network. Her research and Extension programs focus on ticks, flies, and other arthropod pests affecting animals and public health. A lifelong equestrian and active competitor in dressage and eventing, she combines scientific expertise with practical experience to advance vector-borne disease prevention and animal health.

Dr. Tara Felix-  Dr. Tara Felix is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science at Penn State University and the state Extension Beef Specialist. Dr. Felix joined Penn State University in 2016. She received her Master's in ruminant nutrition from the University of Florida and her PhD in feedlot nutrition and management from the Ohio State University. She served on the faculty at the University of Illinois prior to her appointment at Penn State. Her research emphasis is on ruminal metabolism in beef cattle fed grain-based diets. Since joining the faculty at Penn State, Dr. Felix has compared and contrasted the metabolism of Holstein and Angus steers. 

• USDA APHIS New World Screwworm Page 
• FDA NWS Information for Veterinarians 
• Understanding the New World Screwworm - Biology, Identification, and Prevention
• New World Screwworm Fact Sheet 
• Response Playbook: New World Screwworm 
• Pesticides for Control of New World Screwworm 
• The reemergence of the New World screwworm and its potential distribution in North America

Thumbnail Photo Credits: USDA 2026 

Hello everyone! Thank you for tuning into the Barnyard Broadcast! We were so lucky to have a few producers on for this episode to talk about how they sell retail or wholesale meat! The producers were Jason Scott from Scott’s Roasting, Jodi Gauker from Gauker Farms, and Rob Hess from Bow Creek Farm. Please check out their bios below! As always, if you have any questions about selling retail or wholesale meat or any other livestock topic, please reach out to your local livestock educator or visit extension.psu.edu. 

Please keep an eye out for our next episode!

Guest Bios

Jodi Gauker- Jodi Gauker is a Business Development Extension Educator for Penn State Extension based in Chester County. In addition to her education at Penn State and Texas A&M Universities and work experience, Jodi brings practical knowledge to her position - she and her husband, Lee, are the 9th generation to continue Gauker Farms in Fleetwood. Berks County. On the weekends, you may find her at a local farmers' market or teaching 10th-generation, Callie, all about life on the farm. Jodi is Chair of the PA Beef Council and a director of the Berks County Planning and PA Farm Link boards. She is a member of AgConnect’s Industry Partnership, Berks Southeast Cattlemen's Association, Penn State Stockmen's Club, Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture, and Berks Agricultural Resource Network.

Rob Hess- Rob Hess is a Pennsylvania cattle producer who, with his wife, Amy, operates Bow Creek Farm near Hershey, breeding Red Angus cattle and connecting consumers with locally raised beef through an on-farm store and restaurant partnerships.

Jason Scott- Scott's Roasting was started in 1995 by George and Brenda Scott. Their farm, Sylvan Acres Farm, is located in Bellefonte. 

Meat Calculator 

Hello everyone! Welcome to another episode of The Market Minute with Mattie! These episodes are smaller segments of the Barnyard Broadcast. It will give listeners an overview of the late March, early April numbers and insights into the current markets. If you want to access the reports referenced in this episode, please visit the links below! As always, please get in touch with your local Penn State Extension Livestock educator or visit our website at extension.psu.edu. Thank you for joining me for this month’s installment of the Market Minute with Mattie! 

Updated reports can be found on the USDA Market News website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/livestock-poultry-grain

This week's reports:

3/29/26 – 4/4/26 Pennsylvania Weekly Cattle Auction Summary

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Livestock Futures Settlement 4/8/26

New Holland Sheep and Goat Auction 4/6/2026

National Sheep Summary 4/3/26

New Holland Slaughter Hog Auction 3/31/26 

National Daily Hog and Pork Summary 4/7/26

Welcome back to a new season of the Barnyard Broadcast, which is Penn State Extension Livestock Team’s podcast! We are celebrating the new season with a brand-new segment titled the Research Update. The focus of this segment is to bring the research that is being done at Penn State University Park to all our livestock producers. Join us as we interview the people behind the research and hear all about their hard work!

Our first Research Update will focus on the research being done by Dr. Tara Felix and Ingrid L. B. Fernandes. Their published papers and bios are available below! 

The association of lung consolidation in beef × dairy cattle at weaning with feedlot growth performance, carcass characteristics, liver health, and liver microbiome diversity

The association of lung consolidation and respiratory pathogens identified at weaning on the growth performance of beef-on-dairy calves

Ingrid L. B. Fernandes - Ingrid has a degree in Animal Science with experience in beef cattle production, traceability, and management, with international experience in Wisconsin, USA. Currently, she is a Graduate Student at Penn State, studying beef x dairy crossbred cattle for meat production. Her studies bring more information on the long-term impacts of diseases in cattle. She believes that science drives industry improvement and that this must be done with ethics and purpose.

Dr. Tara Felix - Dr. Tara Felix is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science at Penn State University and the state Extension Beef Specialist. Dr. Felix joined Penn State University in 2016. She received her Master's in ruminant nutrition from the University of Florida and her PhD in feedlot nutrition and management from the Ohio State University. She served on the faculty at the University of Illinois prior to her appointment at Penn State. Her research emphasis is on ruminal metabolism in beef cattle fed grain-based diets. Since joining the faculty at Penn State, Dr. Felix has compared and contrasted the metabolism of Holstein and Angus steers.
 
 

Hello everyone! Welcome to another episode of The Market Minute with Mattie! These episodes are smaller segments of the Barnyard Broadcast. It will provide listeners with an overview of the end-of-October numbers and insights into the current markets. If you want to access the reports referenced in this episode, please visit the links below! As always, please contact your local Penn State Extension Livestock educator or visit our website at extension.psu.edu. Thank you for joining me for this month’s instalment of the Market Minute with Mattie! Tuned in for our next episode!

Updated reports can be found on the USDA Market News website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/livestock-poultry-grain

This week's reports:

10/12/25 – 10/18/25 Pennsylvania Weekly Cattle Auction Summary

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Livestock Futures Settlement 

New Holland Sheep and Goat Auction 10/21/2025

New Holland Slaughter Hog Auction 10/23/2025 

National Daily Hog and Pork Summary 10/23/2025 

National Sheep Summary - please reach out to Mattie Horchler ([email protected]) for copies of reports

Hello everyone! Welcome to another episode of The Market Minute with Mattie! These episodes are smaller segments of the Barnyard Broadcast. It will give listeners an overview of the beginning of September numbers and insights into the current markets. If you want to access the reports referenced in this episode, please visit the links below! As always, please get in touch with your local Penn State Extension Livestock educator or head over to our website at extension.psu.edu. Thank you for joining me for this month’s instalment of the Market Minute with Mattie! Tuned in for our next episode!

Updated reports can be found on the USDA Market News website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/livestock-poultry-grain

This week's reports:

8/24/25 – 8/30/25 Pennsylvania Weekly Cattle Auction Summary- PA weekly cattle auction summary sept 2.pdf

New Holland Sheep and Goat Auction 8/26/2025- New Holland Sheep and Goat Report August 25.pdf

New Holland Slaughter Hog Auction 8/28/2025- New Holland Swine Auction August 28.pdf

National Daily Hog and Pork Summary 5/23/2025- National Swine Summary August 29th.pdf

National Sheep Summary - please reach out to Mattie Horchler ([email protected]) for copies of reports

Hello! Thank you for tuning into the Barnyard Broadcast! On this episode, we will be chatting about forages and pasture management! Our guests today are Gabe Francisco, Erin Cuprinka, and Justin Brackenrich. Please check out their bios below! As always, if you have any questions about forages or pasture management or any other livestock topic, please reach out to your local livestock educator or visit extension.psu.edu. I will also link some of the resources that are available that were referenced in the episode!

The Penn State Agronomy Guide: https://extension.psu.edu/the-penn-state-agronomy-guide

Southern Forages: Modern Concepts for Forage Crop Management by C. S. Hoveland, Donald M. Ball, and Garry D. Lacefield

 When Weeds Talk by Jay McCaman

Guest Bios

Gabe Francisco - Gabe Francisco serves as the Livestock and Grazing Specialist for the Van Buren Conservation District and the Van Buren NRCS. A fifth-generation Michigan farmer, Gabe is also the owner of Thunderfoot Farms, a small pasture-based farm where he rotationally grazes a diverse array of livestock, including sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, rabbits, and two teams of oxen, alongside a draft horse. Thunderfoot Farms is Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) verified and holds the distinction of being the first "Certified Naturally Grown" farm in the state of Michigan for both its livestock and pastures. Gabe is also actively involved in several agricultural organizations, serving on the board of directors for the Michigan Sheep Producers, Michigan Family and Farm Food Systems, and the United States Texel Breeders Society. Additionally, Gabe is a co-founder of "A Common Pasture," a regional pasture-based pork producer's co-op in Southwestern Michigan.

Erin Cuprinka- Erin Cuprinka is a Penn State Extension Field and Forage Crops Educator based at the Mercer County Office. Erin grew up on a dairy farm and currently resides with her husband and three children on their crop farm. She has a BS in Biology from Penn State University and an MS in Agricultural and Extension Education from West Virginia University. In her previous employment, Erin worked extensively with start-up agricultural enterprises, conservation practices, and nutrient management. She is dedicated to promoting agriculture in the region and working to ensure the long-term sustainability and profitability of the region’s many viable farming operations.

Justin Brackenrich- Justin grew up in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, where he was involved in beef, sheep, and poultry production. Justin’s draw to agriculture came from his parents' work with the WV USDA NRCS and his involvement in his local FFA. After graduating from high school, he attended Potomac State College of West Virginia University, where he studied Animal and Nutritional Sciences and Agribusiness Management. He received his Bachelors of Science in Agriculture at West Virginia University in Animal and Nutritional Sciences. He then continued to receive a Master’s of Science in Plant and Soil Science with a focus on phosphorus management. Justin spent three years as a graduate student and researcher at WVU before joining Penn State in 2017. 

Photo credit: Gordon Harkins