The Future of Beef Show

Embryo transfer and IVF have become powerful tools for accelerating genetic progress in cattle—but selecting the right embryos remains one of the biggest challenges in reproductive management.

Canada and the U.S. are more intertwined in beef than most producers realize—and Ryder Lee is one of the people making sure that relationship works.

In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, Ryder joins hosts Jim Johnson, Dr. Jessica Sperber, and Ian Wheal to explore how Canadian cattle production mirrors—and differs from—the U.S. industry. Drawing on decades of experience from a cow-calf upbringing to leading the Canadian Cattle Association, Ryder breaks down the geography of Canadian feeding, the reality of cross-border cattle flows, and why traceability has evolved from a disease response tool into a competitive market advantage.

What You'll Learn:

• How Canadian cattle country compares regionally to the U.S.—from Alberta feedlots to Ontario's covered barns

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Red Angus is gaining ground—and Greg Ruehle is helping lead the charge.

In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, Greg joins hosts Jim Johnson, Dr. Jessica Sperber, and Ian Wheal to explore why the Red Angus breed is uniquely positioned at this critical moment in the beef industry. Drawing on his experience across breed associations, government affairs, and commercial beef production, Greg explains why record-low cattle supplies and surging consumer demand create a once-in-a-career opportunity—and how Red Angus intends to make the most of it.

What You'll Learn:

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From virtual fences to real-time herd data, ranching is entering a new era—and Andrew Fraser is helping lead the shift.

In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, Andrew joins Jim Johnson, Dr. Jessica Sperber, and Ian Wheal to explore how smart collar technology is transforming the way cattle are managed on pasture. As President of Halter Inc., Andrew shares how a simple idea—a collar for cows—has evolved into a powerful system for controlling grazing, tracking behavior, and unlocking better decision-making for producers.

This conversation goes beyond the technology itself to focus on real-world impact. From reducing labor demands and eliminating the need for extensive fencing to improving pasture utilization and enabling more flexible grazing systems, Andrew explains why virtual fencing is gaining traction across beef operations in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.

The episode also dives into the growing role of data in ranching—from tracking animal movement and health to the future potential of measuring feed efficiency at the individual cow level. Along the way, the group discusses how AI is being applied in practical ways, why labor and succession are critical challenges, and how technology can make ranching more sustainable, scalable, and attractive to the next generation.

What You’ll Learn:

Links:

Future of Beef Show: www.futureofbeef.com

Learn more about Halter: www.halterhq.com

Read more from Drovers: www.drovers.com

Learn more about Breedr: www.breedr.co

Learn more about Corteva Agriscience: www.rangeandpasture.com

Learn more about Whole Cottonseed: https://wholecottonseed.com/

In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, Vaughn joins Jim Johnson, Dr. Jessica Sperber, and Ian Wheal to explore how research, innovation, and systems thinking are shaping the future of beef. Drawing on his role leading global beef research at Alltech, Vaughn explains why the industry must focus on efficiency over trends, what we’ve learned from the methane debate, and where the next wave of innovation is heading.

From rumen microbiology and feed efficiency to soil health, nitrogen, and consumer perception, this episode connects the science inside the cow to the broader ecosystem—and ultimately to the future of the beef industry.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why efficiency—not trends—should drive sustainability in beef production

Links:

Future of Beef Show: www.futureofbeef.com

Read more from Drovers: www.drovers.com

Sustainability has become one of the biggest conversations shaping the future of agriculture—and few people have a clearer global perspective than Justin Sherrard, our first guest from Australia.

In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, Justin joins hosts Jim Johnson, Dr. Jessica Sperber, and Ian Wheal to explore how the beef industry fits into the broader sustainability conversation. Drawing on his experience with the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and years analyzing global protein markets, Justin explains why cattle remain essential to feeding a growing population while working within environmental limits.

What You’ll Learn:

Links:

Future of Beef Show: www.futureofbeef.com

Read more from Drovers: www.drovers.com

Record-high calf prices, tighter herds, and strong consumer demand—what’s next for U.S. beef? Patrick Linnell, Director of Market Research at CattleFax, breaks it all down.

In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, Dr. Goodwin breaks down why grazing management sits at the center of modern cattle production. From regenerative grazing and soil carbon to linking cattle genetics with pasture quality, he shows how planning, adaptability, and system-level thinking boost profitability while supporting long-term sustainability.

Whether you manage a small ranch or a large operation, these strategies demonstrate how smart grazing decisions can pay off for both the land and the bottom line.

What You’ll Learn:

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Managing grass, cattle, and the land drives more of beef production than ever — and few people know it better than Dr. Jeff Goodwin.

Breed associations have long played a foundational role in the beef industry—but their purpose, value, and responsibilities are rapidly evolving. Few people understand that transformation better than Brett Spader, President of the American-International Charolais Association.