Opponents of mandatory country-of-origin labeling often argue that consumers don't care where their beef comes from and won't pay more for a U.S. product. But Good Ranchers Founder and CEO Ben Spell has built one of America's fastest-growing meat companies around a different belief: that consumers value knowing where their food comes from.

In this episode of the R-CALF USA Roundup, we explore consumer demand for U.S. beef, the importance of truthful country-of-origin labeling, and why trust, transparency, and supporting American ranchers continue to matter in today's marketplace. Blending business, faith, agriculture, and food policy, this conversation offers a unique perspective on the role consumers play in strengthening American agriculture.

Learn more about Good Ranchers here: https://www.goodranchers.com

Watch Ben at the 2026 R-CALF USA Convention here: https://youtu.be/bKuxYgOOwH4?si=6H6NcMdMheJNpbQE 

We’re joined by Lance Neilson a cattle producer from Alberta, to talk about what’s happening in Canada right now around the government’s efforts to expand livestock traceability requirements and how that translates to American producers. This isn’t just a Canadian or American issue. It’s a parallel fight and  the outcome will come down to whether producers are willing to speak up, or let someone else decide.

This episode was recorded in March 2026. At this time, the proposed traceability changes discussed are currently halted pending further engagement with producers.

Local processors, cleaner beef, a fairer cattle market, and tech that cuts labor and waste. We sit down with Gary Hendricks of NSC Beef Processing to talk beef technology and how small-scale plants can revive rural economies.

For more information visit: https://nsc-beef.com/

On this episode, we take a deep dive into mandatory country of origin labeling and the fight to get it included in the Farm Bill. Joining us is R-CALF USA President Dave Hyde and Vice President Eric Gropper to discuss how loopholes in the current ‘Product of USA’ label hurt American ranchers, impact consumer trust, and threaten our nation’s food security. 

This episode is sponsored by America’s Hot Barn Report https://hotbarnreport.com/ and https://www.primeriskmanagement.com/.

The New World Screwworm is one of the hottest topics in the cattle industry right now and it has the potential to affect way more than just producers in the border states. On today's episode, Dr. Lora Bledsoe joins us to take a deep dive into what screwworm is, lessons from past outbreaks, how producers can prepare, and what a new infestation could mean in today's consolidated, politically charged industry.

Sponsored by https://riskassociatesinc.net/

Disclaimer: This conversation was released on August 1, 2025. At the time of release, the Mexican border remains closed. This is a fast-moving issue, so please keep in mind some details may change by the time you listen to this episode.

From vertical integration and climate scoring to growing corporate control over genetics, data, and market access, Brian Palmer is sounding the alarm on where the cattle industry is headed. In this episode, we discuss how policies labeled as “sustainability” could change cattle and beef production from the top down, making it harder for smaller producers to stay independent and creating an industry that we may no longer recognize.

This episode is sponsored by Tri-State Livestock News and Wild Ass Soap.

What benefits the world economy vs the American economy more: trade policy and tariffs or free trade? The United States is now billions of dollars into an agricultural trade deficit amid all-time record imports. The new administration seems to be taking trade head on and tariffs are front and center. So we sat down with the tariff guy himself Charles Benoit to discuss tariffs, free trade and how they relate to agriculture and related industries.

This episode is sponsored by South Dakota Stockgrowers Association and Prime Risk Management.

SHOW NOTES:

https://prosperousamerica.org/tariffs-for-revenue-and-protection-the-u-s-treasury-has-a-plan/

https://prosperousamerica.org/free-trade-agreements-have-damaged-u-s-agricultural-trade-performance/

https://prosperousamerica.org/u-s-faces-record-agricultural-imports-worst-trade-deficit-in-history/

https://youtu.be/Whv85IxOIJk?si=eYeBOwiZsl5wRrZM

https://youtu.be/o9aPRMTzOkg?si=QyYireQ5wwMC0lZ3 

Debunked: https://www.prageru.com/video/whats-not-fair-about-free-trade

Eating a lot of red meat is bad for you, according to most health professionals, not to mention what environmentalists have to say. The carnivore diet is changing that narrative so we had Dr. Shawn baker on to talk all things carnivore and our broken food and health systems.

This episode is sponsored by Ritchey Livestock ID www.ritcheytags.com and Grossenburg Implements www.grossenburg.com

SHOW NOTES

https://carnivore.diet/dr-shawn-baker-md/

https://www.amazon.com/Carnivore-Diet-Shawn-Baker/dp/162860350X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+carnivore+diet&qid=1621208600&sr=8-1

The USDA’s electronic eartag mandate has been a red hot topic the past year. And like years past, we at R-CALF USA are fighting back each and every day to put a halt to it. Right now we are pushing back in Congress and in the courts. In October we filed another lawsuit to stop this issue once and for all, so we sat down with our attorney on this case, Kara Rollins, to give you all the details on this important issue. 

This episode is sponsored by Tri State Livestock News and Pitchfork Supply.

Show Notes:

https://nclalegal.org/case/ranchers-cattlemen-action-legal-fund-united-stockgrowers-of-america-et-al-v-u-s-department-of-agriculture-secretary-thomas-vilsack-animal-and-plant-health-inspection-service-administrator-micha/

The Corporate Transparency Act was passed into law under most people’s radar, and many, including R-CALF USA, have raised concerns about its impact on small business owners and rural America. On today’s episode, we sat down with Phillip Taylor and Bobby Clayson to discuss our joint lawsuit fighting back to stop the Corporate Transparency Act from being forced down the throats of all Americans and threatening the existence of small producers and small businesses. 

This episode is sponsored by Risk Associates and Ag West Feeds. For more information visit https://riskassociatesinc.net and https://www.facebook.com/agwestfeeds/

Show notes: 

https://homesteadliberation.org/cta-lawsuit

https://www.r-calfusa.com/ranch-group-joins-lawsuit-challenging-corporate-transparency-act/