In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Bray Haven, executive vice president of Cattlemen’s Congress, as the countdown continues to the 2026 event in Oklahoma City. With entries now closed and the show less than a month away, Haven says the picture for planning purposes is becoming clear. “It always sneaks up on us quick,” Haven said. “You get to the end of the year, then people start showing up right after the new year, so we’re excited to welcome people back to Oklahoma City.”

Haven notes that entry numbers for the sixth annual Cattlemen’s Congress show encouraging momentum. “Our entries were up, actually, for the first time since 2022,” he explained, adding that the show has held steady in recent years at around 8,000 to 9,000 head. For 2026, entries came in “right around 8,200,” signaling renewed growth after several stable years.

That growth is spread across much of the show. “Sixteen of the 25 breeds had an increase over their average number that they’ve had at Cattlemen’s Congress,” Haven said. He believes that kind of across-the-board improvement “really speaks volumes to the support that we’ve gotten and to the buy-in that we’ve gotten from the seedstock industry.”

Haven credits the success of Cattlemen’s Congress to listening closely to exhibitors from the very beginning. “When we started, we took a lot of input from folks who showed at all of these shows,” he said. “We tried to accumulate all of the best and really just keep the exhibitor in mind.” He added that focusing on efficiency, customer service, and marketing opportunities helps maximize “not only their time and their dollar, but their overall experience.”

A new addition for 2026 is the Wagyu breed, which Haven says is debuting with strong interest. “We added the Wagyu breed and they had really strong numbers — about 50 entries,” he said. Haven emphasized that giving a new breed a platform matters long-term. “When we do that, it really elevates their whole program, not just the people that are there, but the breed as a whole.” The sixth annual Cattlemen’s Congress runs January 4 through January 14, 2026, in Oklahoma City.

The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.

The post Entries Strong for 2026 Cattlemen’s Congress- Set to Begin January Fourth first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.

In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Casey Jentz, Chief Operating Officer of the American Angus Association, who reflects on a standout year for the breed and the programs driving producer profitability. Jentz stepped into the COO role earlier in 2025 after years as a regional manager, and he says the Angus breed closed its fiscal year on an exceptionally strong note. “We had a tremendous year with registrations, our business was good. Our members are doing good,” he told us, adding that sales across the country “have been record sales here for the last year.”

Jentz highlighted not only the Association but the four key entities under the broader Angus umbrella—Certified Angus Beef, Angus Genetics Inc., the Angus Foundation, and Angus Media. He said all four ended the year in the black. “All the entities were in the positive… we’ve done a lot of business throughout the industry,” he noted, pointing to strong performance in advertising, genetic services, and the continued momentum of Certified Angus Beef.

A major bright spot came from commercial programs—especially Angus Link, which Jentz oversees as part of his COO responsibilities. “We had a record year there, signed up almost 290,000 head of Angus Link calves,” he said. When premiums were totaled, those enrolled cattle earned “over a $20 per hundredweight premium across the board,” creating measurable value for commercial producers who invest in high-quality registered Angus bulls.

When asked about the mood among breeders and cattlemen nationwide, Jentz emphasized optimism. “The mood is really good… those Angus cattle have really brought a premium in the marketplace,” he said. He reaffirmed that profitability for commercial cattlemen leads to profitability for purebred breeders as well, adding that programs helping producers capture premiums “really differentiate them in the marketplace.”

Looking down the road, Jentz said the Association is excited about growth in genomic tools—particularly the GMAX Advantage product from AGI. “I think… that is a program you’re going to see ramp up here, especially in the next three to five years,” he said, pointing to its value in identifying the most productive replacement females. He also praised the strength of the Angus junior program, noting, “I am a product of that junior program… I don’t know that there’s a better way to raise your kids.”

The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.

The post Jentz Highlights Record Year for American Angus first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.

In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Dr. Nancy Jackson, chair of the Federation of State Beef Councils, who explains the structure, purpose, and grassroots strength behind the Federation. Dr. Jackson, a Mississippi veterinarian and cattle producer, notes that many folks struggle to understand how the Federation fits within NCBA. As she puts it, “It is tough because as a Federation… we still have cattle producers as our base focus,” while NCBA separately manages the policy and lobbying work.

Dr. Jackson emphasizes that the Federation maintains its own identity even though it operates within NCBA’s building. “It is voluntary, the Federation—that’s why it’s called a Federation—is separate from NCBA,” she says. Each state with a Qualified State Beef Council invests checkoff dollars into the Federation, which she says helps “make a much stronger way of utilizing that checkoff dollar and leveraging it.” Hundreds of volunteers keep the system moving, with Jackson highlighting that “nationwide, there’s over 700 board members” serving on state beef councils.

One of Jackson’s major responsibilities as chair is serving on the Beef Operating Committee, the group that allocates the national 50 cents of each checkoff dollar. She calls it “the very hardest part” of her role, explaining that the committee’s 20 members—half from the Federation and half from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board—must make “the extreme difficult decision of how to budget for the national 50 cents.” She acknowledges the process can be confusing, but stresses that it is transparent and producer-driven.

Jackson is especially proud of how her home state of Mississippi has benefited from Federation-funded resources. She points to recipe photography, nutrition research, and educational toolkits, saying, “We don’t have a photographer or a communications person in our office, but as a member of the Federation, we have access to that.” She also highlights successful e-commerce beef promotions with national retailers, noting her state saw “a 56-to-1 return on our investment.”

When asked about critics who claim the checkoff is influenced by packers or controlled by NCBA, Dr. Jackson pushes back firmly. “We are transparent,” she says, referencing publicly available investor reports and third-party evaluations of return on investment. She often reminds producers of the value of export work alone, saying, “It’s almost $400 a return on export value, that’s huge, $400 per animal.” For Jackson, the grassroots, volunteer-driven nature of the Federation is the true picture of how checkoff dollars are handled.

The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.

The post Dr. Nancy Jackson Explains the Power of the Beef Federation first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.

In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Laurence Williams, beef-on-dairy specialist for Purina, who says the rapid rise of beef-on-dairy has reshaped both the dairy and beef sectors. Williams notes that while these cattle have been around for a while, the industry has reached a turning point. “These cattle have been here. Now we’re making them better,” he says, adding that with the native beef herd “as soft as it is,” more attention is being placed on beef-on-dairy animals. Today they make up “15% of the fed kill,” and Williams says they are proving to be “really good cattle when you get them to harvest.”

Williams explains that improved genetics have been a game-changer as dairies moved away from simply using leftover semen without long-term goals. “Early on, folks were emptying out their semen tank of whatever was left,” he says. But as calf supplies tightened and value became clearer, the industry shifted. “When we realized how much value there is in these beef-on-dairy cattle… all of a sudden there’s a focus on, let’s make them better,” he adds, pointing to both genetics and management as major drivers of improvement.

Genetically, the combination of dairy base traits and high-quality beef sires has created a more valuable end product. “If you’re feeding Holsteins, you’re going to get some marbling… Put great beef genetics on top of those dairy cows, and that’s just gotten better,” Williams says. The result is an animal that “is going to marble” and produce more red-meat yield, making them competitive with many native beef animals.

Purina has stepped in on the nutrition side, recognizing that these crossbred calves must be raised differently to reach their full potential. Williams says Purina ran extensive trials to develop specialized formulas for neonatal beef-on-dairy calves. “Different genetically, you need to feed them differently,” he explains. He adds that these calves need more nutrition than typical dairy-raising systems provide because “they’re just bigger, heartier cattle” with greater muscularity that must be supported early in life.

Looking ahead, Williams believes the industry’s next big step is aligning supply chains to protect value from birth to harvest. “It becomes a people business,” he says. Getting dairies, calf nurseries, and feedlots coordinated is key to ensuring these cattle are raised for maximum performance. “These things are great value. We should be talking about how we make them better,” Williams emphasizes, underscoring the importance of cooperation as beef-on-dairy continues to grow.

The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.

The post Purina’s Laurence Williams on the Rapid Rise of Beef-on-Dairy Cattle first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.

In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays continues his conversation with Hannah Thompson-Weeman, president and CEO of the Animal Agriculture Alliance, who emphasizes the importance of being seen in a positive light before controversy arrives. Weeman stresses that producers cannot afford to be passive or reactive when criticism surfaces. Instead, she urges livestock operators to get ahead of misinformation and build trust early within their communities.

Weeman says, “One of the most important things that we can do is be proactive… so that people know who you are, they understand your perspective on the issue, and they know to call you when it comes up.” She encourages producers to engage through social media, local organizations, farm tours, and conversations with media—anything that builds relationships before issues take root. “It’s a lot harder to defend than it is to be proactive,” she adds.

When it comes to staying ahead of activist pressure, Weeman underscores the value of unified efforts. “There’s strength in numbers,” she says, advising producers to lean on strong state associations like those in Oklahoma. She notes, “If you’re not at the table, you’re not part of the conversation,” urging livestock operators to amplify their voices through commodity groups and Farm Bureau engagement.

Weeman also warns that animal-rights organizations try to divide animal agriculture by claiming they only target certain sectors. She points out, “They’re trying to pit the industry against itself… but trust me, if you are producing animals for food… they’re going to get to you eventually.” She explains that activist groups openly strategize about portraying “all animal agriculture as cruel and wrong,” regardless of farm size or management style.

Hays and Weeman also discuss a tactic that has been used in recent years- efforts to influence faith-based communities.  Weeman says that has been one area that anti animal ag groups like PETA and HSUS (now the Humane World for Animals) have tried to exploit- hoping to have church goers believe that eating meat does not line up with their spiritual beliefs. Up to to this point- Weeman says they have not gained much traction with such arguments.

She also encourages livestock producers to safeguard their operations through strong farm security protocols. “The number one thing is to be beyond reproach,” she says—doing the right thing in animal welfare, sustainability, and community relations. Still, she cautions producers to protect themselves: “You need to make yourself a harder target… applying a level of scrutiny to anyone who could access information or physically access your facility.”

The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.

The post Farm Security and Proactive Messaging Essential for Livestock Producers first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.

In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Hannah Thompson-Weeman, president and CEO of the Animal Agriculture Alliance, who sheds light on the growing, well-funded movement working against modern animal agriculture. Weeman emphasized that many activist groups aren’t interested in improving welfare or sustainability but in eliminating animal agriculture entirely. As she put it, “For these organizations, it’s not about welfare. It’s not about sustainability, they just don’t believe [animal agriculture] has a place in the food system.”

Weeman detailed the Alliance’s extensive monitoring work, noting that the movement is expanding both in influence and financial strength. She highlighted the organization’s recently released Animal Activist Group Web, explaining that “just the 40 or so most active brought in $865 million in income in their most recent tax filings,” a nearly 10% increase from the prior year. While not all of that money goes directly into anti-ag campaigns, she said a “significant amount” is funding legislative and corporate pushes aimed at banning key production practices.

Some of this funding comes from well-known emotional advertising, but Weeman warned that large private foundations are also pumping “$10 million in operating funds, $100 million for certain campaigns” into efforts that target livestock producers. She pointed to Prop 12 as a key example of how these dollars translate into major policy battles and noted that several groups are now working intensely to prevent its repeal, despite industry concerns about the measure’s real-world impacts.

A growing trend, Weeman said, is the emergence of new Washington, D.C.–based organizations attempting to present themselves as farmer-focused groups despite having ties to national activist networks. She explained that groups like “Americans for Family Farmers” and “American Meat Producers” are “trying to position themselves as representatives of the broader animal agriculture community” even though they do not represent mainstream livestock organizations such as NPPC, the Pork Board, or Farm Bureau. These groups often seek to use the public’s trust in farmers to advance activist-driven policy goals.

Weeman closed by urging producers to pay close attention to the messaging and affiliations behind these organizations, especially online. Many groups appear “innocuous” at first glance, she warned, adding, “It takes a couple clicks to see what’s going on.” The Alliance maintains profiles on more than 260 such groups to help producers understand who is truly aligned with modern, science-based animal agriculture—and who is working against it.

The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.

The post Animal Ag Alliance Highlights Threats to Animal Agriculture first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.

In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Dr. Cheryl DeVuyst, vice chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion Board and head of agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University’s Ferguson College of Agriculture. DeVuyst, who also operates a cow-calf operation near Morrison with her husband, says her commitment to serving on the CBB comes from a lifelong connection to the cattle industry. “The beef industry is so important in the state of Oklahoma… and the producers across the country deserve what we can do for them to build demand for their product,” she says, adding, “I grew up on a dairy farm, so I have been in the cattle industry really my whole life.”

DeVuyst says she’s especially passionate about education, noting the checkoff’s growing emphasis on providing accurate, science-based information to young people. She highlights work with the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, which brings urban science educators onto farms and ranches. “There’s so much misinformation out there,” she explains. “We want them to have the truth… not information that might be biased.” By giving teachers firsthand knowledge in areas like genetics, methane, and sustainability, she says students learn that beef is nutritious, environmentally beneficial, and produced by “upcyclers.”

The flagship “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.” campaign remains a major focus, DeVuyst notes, especially as consumer buying habits shift. “People still want beef,” she says, but many are moving from restaurants to retail and choosing more roasts or ground beef. That’s where recipes and digital engagement matter. “A good roast in the crock pot or a great casserole is always good information for them to have,” she says, emphasizing the value of chef-created meals and nutrition-focused social media content that makes beef approachable and practical for families.

International marketing is another major pillar, and DeVuyst says serving on the board has given her a deeper understanding of how U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) stretches checkoff dollars across the globe. “That $7.9 million of checkoff dollars that goes to USMEF… they are actually able to use that to gather more dollars from the government to be able to have a larger impact,” she explains. With offices in 16 countries, USMEF staff can quickly adjust to market disruptions and develop new products that add value to cuts Americans don’t use as often. “I personally have never had a liver burger,” she says, “but there’s a premium on them in other countries.”

Ultimately, DeVuyst says the consistency, taste, and nutrition of U.S. beef keep global customers coming back. “They want it no matter what price we have on it,” she says. As vice chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion Board, she remains committed to ensuring producer dollars continue building demand both at home and abroad.

The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.

The post How the Beef Checkoff Drives Demand: Insights from Cheryl DeVuyst first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.

In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Mike Jennings, regional sales manager for SmartLic, who explains why fall and early winter mark one of the most critical windows of the year for cattle nutrition. Jennings says the season brings “a sharp decline in forage quality,” just as cows enter late gestation and their nutritional needs climb. He emphasizes that once forage goes dormant, “the protein as well as the mineral content goes down and will no longer supply the daily needs of the animal without supplementation,” making tools like SmartLic or Feed in a Drum protein tubs valuable for maintaining body condition.

Jennings stresses that protein is especially vital in this period, calling it “one of the most limiting nutrients” and the primary fuel for rumen microbes. He explains that protein provides the nitrogen needed for microbial growth so cattle can “efficiently digest the fiber in their diet,” which is particularly important when grazing “low-quality standing or fed forages.” By maintaining healthy rumen activity, producers help cattle unlock more of the energy still present in dormant forage.

When asked about strategy, Jennings says producers have several options for adding protein, but he believes a high-quality SmartLic tub is the most efficient when standing forage is available. With tubs ranging “anywhere from 12 to 40%,” he notes that producers can simply “drop it in the pasture” and trust cattle to meet their needs. He adds that SmartLic formulas “contain the needed trace mineral and vitamins for this time of year,” delivering a complete supplement package.

Jennings also highlights how proper supplementation can actually save money. Self-fed tubs mean nutrition is available “24/7,” eliminating daily feeding trips, extra equipment, and labor costs. “If you can control the intakes to your supplement program, you can also control the cost to the producer,” he says, all while improving forage utilization—what he calls “one of our most valuable resources” in cattle production.

Research backs up SmartLic’s approach, Jennings says, pointing to trials showing that even “three-quarters to a pound” of supplement intake can significantly impact rumen microorganism activity. Thanks to high-quality molasses, premium ingredients, and a patented continuous manufacturing process, SmartLic delivers “a more nutrient dense product than others in the marketplace today.” And because it’s a true free-choice system, cattle consume “very little, but often,” maintaining optimal rumen function around the clock. For producers wanting more information, Jennings directs them to newgensupplements.com to connect with local dealers.

The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.

The post Why Fall Or Early Winter Protein Supplementation Matters for Cow Herds first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.

In today’s beef buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays continues his conversation with John Stika, president of Certified Angus Beef, who discussed the brand’s long history, global reach, and current market challenges and opportunities. Stika noted that Certified Angus Beef (CAB), founded in 1978 was the first USDA-certified branded beef program, and has established itself as the gold standard when it comes to branded beef. International growth has been a major part of that success since CAB entered overseas markets in 1990. Despite recent global disruptions, Stika emphasized that the brand’s momentum remains strong.

Stika explained that international sales faced headwinds this past year due to “tariffs and price and currency exchange rates and closed markets,” which caused some decline. Still, he pointed to bright spots: “Aside from Mexico, which last year grew by 32%, we were up in every other Latin American market… we were up in more than half of [the 77] countries” where CAB is sold. He stressed that the strategy remains consistent—drive quality and demand so CAB is positioned for accelerated growth when global conditions stabilize.

Tight U.S. cattle supplies continue to pose challenges for CAB’s procurement team. Stika acknowledged the strain, saying tight numbers make it tough to ensure every partner receives the product they need. But he also emphasized that these are “great times for producers” who raise Angus cattle. More importantly, Stika highlighted a powerful trend: record-setting quality. “There may be fewer cattle out there, but more of them fit our brand than ever,” he said, pointing to CAB’s all-time high acceptance rate of 37.6%. He predicted the national annual average will surpass 40% before long.

Reflecting on how far the industry has come, Stika recalled that acceptance rates once hovered near 5%. Even in 2006, he said, it was only “14%.” Today, CAB carcasses make up “22 to 24% of all fed cattle harvested in the U.S.” He described the progress as an “amazing transformation” benefiting both Angus breeders and the beef industry as a whole. At today’s higher prices, Stika said it’s clear that long-term investments in quality have paid off: “Now we’ve got a product that consumers want, and they’re willing to pay these record high prices.”

Looking ahead, Stika also addressed the Made in the USA labeling initiative set to expand in early 2026. CAB supports transparency and consumer choice, he said, adding: “We are advocates for consumers having all the information that they want… and are willing to pay for.” While some CAB-producing plants will be positioned to use the label and others may not, Stika emphasized that the brand is ready to respond as consumer demand becomes clearer. CAB will support supply chain partners who adopt the label and help them market it effectively.

The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.

The post John Stika Shares CAB Updates on International Sales, Quality Trends, and Made in USA Labeling first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.

In today’s beef buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with president of Certified Angus Beef, John Stika, who discussed the brand’s strong performance during the most recent fiscal year, which ended in September. He said the company wrapped up “our third best year in our 47-year history,” noting that results exceeded expectations. CAB moved an impressive volume of beef, reaching “1.235 billion pounds of Certified Angus Beef with the highest prices we’ve seen,” a result he attributes to product improvement and continued consumer enthusiasm.

Stika emphasized how dramatically beef quality has improved in the past decade. He explained that, years ago, the industry assumed cattle would grade “2 to 3% Prime, and that’s just the way the good Lord made them.” Today, however, he noted that Prime levels have climbed to “12 to 13%,” and the market now produces “more Certified Angus Beef than we do Select product.” He credited genetics, days on feed, and management, stating that consumer dollars “have really pulled our industry toward that direction.”

Consumer demand remains exceptionally strong, even as prices rise. Stika remarked, “It’s amazing how much we’re willing to pay for something we enjoy,” and acknowledged that the industry has long wondered where the consumer’s spending limit lies. Although he believes we may be getting closer to that threshold, he said, “we’ve not found that line yet,” pointing out that Certified Angus Beef Prime was the brand’s fastest-growing category this year.

Stika also highlighted the impressive performance of top-tier cattle producers, who are achieving Prime percentages far above industry averages. While national grading sits around 12%, some producers send in groups that are “80% Prime, maybe 90% Prime,” with “almost no Selects.” He emphasized that this is the result of intentional genetic improvement, adding, “economic signals work and producers have definitely paid attention to them.”

Stika outlined CAB’s marketing focus going forward. Because the brand’s role is to “create demand,” CAB is investing heavily in education and training, including the use of its “8000-square-foot culinary center” in Wooster. The company is prioritizing the promotion of Certified Angus Beef ground beef, expanding Certified Angus Beef Prime, and developing more value-added products suitable for today’s labor-strapped market. As Stika put it, these items “really can add value to the menu, or in the meat case,” making them a key part of CAB’s strategy.

The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.

The post Certified Angus Beef’s Latest Fiscal Year Sees Highest Prices Ever as Consumers Pay for Quality first appeared on Oklahoma Farm Report.