We kick off 2026 with a forward-looking conversation on where the cattle industry is headed and how ranchers can position themselves for the year ahead. My guest is Jared Wareham, (website: Horizon Venture Management) a beef industry, ag-tech consultant and Southern Colorado rancher.  We discuss cattle markets, herd rebuilding, cost of capital, and what may be holding expansion back — without simply rehashing the same talking points. Instead, we focus on the factors influencing real-world decisions at the ranch level and how we, as producers, can think about managing risk, operations, and long-term profitability as we plan for 2026.

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This week we wrap up our two-part countdown of the Top Shows of 2025, highlighting the four conversations that stood out above the rest. These episodes focused on the fundamentals that shape real-world decisions on the ranch — from reexamining the true cost and scale of making hay, to revisiting key cattle market questions and what actually played out over the year. We also revisit a rare, multi-part discussion that challenged long-held beliefs about land, livestock, and stewardship, along with a practical framework for buying and selling cattle in a high-priced market. Together, these shows reflect the kind of thinking that helps producers stay disciplined and forward-looking in an uncertain industry.

Links to Show:

#4: Ep 226: Ten Reasons You Should Quit Making Hay

#3: Ep 232: Revisiting the Four Big Cattle Market Questions w Dr. Kenny Burdine

#2: Ep 201: Allan Savory – Part 1: Why Cows MUST be part of the Solution

       Ep 202: Allan Savory – Part 2: Climate Change, Fossil Fuels, & Holistic Management

        Ep 203: Allan Savory – Part 3: Pearls of Wisdom

#1: Ep 197: What Should You Be Selling and Buying in this Market w/ Wally Olson

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This week on the Working Ranch Radio Show, we kick off a two-part countdown of the Top Shows of 2025, highlighting some of the most meaningful conversations from the past year. In Part 1, we revisit shows ranked number eight through number five — discussions that challenged how we think about grazing management, calving-season decisions, long-term commitment in the cattle business, and what it takes to keep ranching viable amid labor, time, and generational pressures.  

Links to Shows:

#8: Ep 216: Tips for Successful Su Shows mmer Grazing w/ Dr. Allen Williams

#7: Ep 230: Rethinking Your Calving Window

#6: Ep 231: Markets, Mandates, and Mortality w/ Dr. Nevil Speer

#5: Ep 228: Doing More with Less: Precision Ranching with Chip Kemp

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As we start to wrap up the year, business coach and author Allan Crockett joins us to talk through something every producer is facing right now: noise. Whether it’s politics, market swings, social media, or industry in-fighting, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and drift off center. Allan breaks down how to separate what we can control from what we can’t, how our mindset and daily habits shape our decisions, and why unprocessed fear is often at the root of negativity. Together we look at practical ways to reset, think clearly, and step into 2026 with intention and focus.

Link: allancrockett.com | Click Here for link to Purchase Book

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In Part 2 of our in-depth look at virtual fencing, Justin continues the conversation with Theo Beaumont of Halter and Dallas Mount with Ranch Management Consultants to focus on how this technology performs in real-world ranching conditions. Theo explains what ranchers can expect when it comes to training cattle and managing different types of terrain, while Dallas adds perspective on carrying capacity, gross margins, and the economics that matter when evaluating whether virtual fencing fits an operation. If you’re considering this technology or simply curious how it’s being used across the West, this episode offers practical insight from two people working directly with producers.

Then we'll be talking with Tim & Rick Marlatt of TK Angus about their upcoming 46th Bull & Female Production Sale on December 15. (Link to Sale Catalog)

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We’re taking a straightforward look at virtual fencing — not as a sales pitch, but as an honest conversation about what the technology actually does, how it works on real ranches, and where it may or may not fit. We are joined by Theo Beaumont from Halter and Dallas Mount with Ranch Management Consultants to explore the practical side of this rapidly evolving tool and what producers should be thinking about as technology continues to reshape our industry. Then we shift gears with Paige Weiler from Ambrook to talk about year-end bookkeeping, reducing redundancy in your process, and making sure your numbers truly work for your operation heading into the new year.

Click for Link To Ambrook.

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The conversation around herd rebuilding has been brewing all year — but is it actually happening? Senior Beef Industry Analyst Lance Zimmerman with Rabo Research (Rabobank) joins me to break down what the data really says about heifer retention and the pace of this rebuild. We’ll look at how recent market disruptions and global trade chatter have shaped producer confidence, what the numbers reveal about the strength of the cow herd, and how long this upcycle could last. Then, we’ll wrap with a bit of Mark Twain wisdom that reminds us to stay humble and intentional as we plan for the future — in both our markets and our ranches.

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Earlier this year, Dr. Kenny Burdine from the University of Kentucky joined us to outline four key cattle-market questions for 2025. Now, as we close out the year, we circle back to see what’s been answered — from heifer retention and slaughter weights to competing proteins, trade, and tariffs. Then we shift gears to a question every rancher faces: whether to buy replacements or develop your own. Dr. Burdine walks us through the economics behind that decision and why using today’s strong market wisely can set the stage for the next decade of ranch profitability.

Later, Dr. Elizabeth Backes-Belew (Purina Animal Nutrition) discuss with us tips for rebreeding success and setting cows up for their next calf crop.

Link to: Cattle Market Notes Weekly

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From cattle expansion to succession planning and the future of the beef business — this week we dig into the big picture of where our industry stands. Industry consultant Dr. Nevil Speer is our guest as we discuss what current cow numbers are telling us, why some producers may be choosing to retire, and how a lack of succession planning continues to erode family ranches across the country. And in the midst of it all, Speer reminds us why there’s still plenty of reason for optimism — and why there’s never been a better time to be in the cattle business.

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When’s the right time to calve — and what’s it really costing you? Dr. Bob Larson with Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine joins us to talk through five key questions every rancher should ask when setting their calving window. From matching forage and labor to feed efficiency, to tightening up that calving period and improving breed-up rates — we dig into how timing affects everything from profitability to cow performance. Because in the end, it’s not just about raising calves… it’s about managing cows, costs, and profitability.

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