The Rural Dispatch

Behrens & Co

Welcome to The Rural Dispatch, the podcast that delivers honest conversations from the fields, the highways, and the home front. I'm your host, Aly Behrens - headquartered in rural Iowa, I help run a trucking company that specializes in hauling livestock nationwide.  I was born and raised in small-town-Iowa and I’m passionate about rural communities and the people who help them thrive. Since becoming a mom, I’ve taken a step away from my own career in finance and into a behind the scenes role in our second-generation family business. I’m proud to help continue the legacy of hard work and dedication that built this business. I’m building a life with a multi-faceted business owner who also holds the title of truck driver, cattle feeder and dispatcher, all while we both work together to manage office operations, oversee business development, and bring the next generation along to show them the ropes, just like their grandpa did with their dad.   If you’re anything like us, you wear a lot of hats in your operation. This podcast is for people like you: hardworking men and women in the rural trucking, livestock and business communities who are juggling all the things every day. Whether it’s running loads, managing a herd, staying compliant, or handling the bookkeeping, we know the challenges you face because we’ve lived them.  In our weekly episodes, I’ll bring you a mix of my own experiences as I navigate the ins and outs of these industries, stories with my better half, Smoke about the lessons we’ve learned throughout our time in this business, and interviews with experts who tackle the pain points we all probably face at one time or another. From trucking to livestock production to rural entrepreneurship, this show is here to equip you with the tools, resources and a supportive community to help you thrive. Whether you’re in the cab of a truck, out checking cattle, or sitting at your kitchen table, we hope you’ll tune in and find value in conversations that speak your language. No matter your role in the industry, there’s something for everyone here.  Buckle up, friends, there's lots to come. If you enjoy an episode, it would mean the world to us if you would share it with a friend. Keep up with us between episodes on our socials, at Behrens and Co., or subscribe to our email list on our website to receive new episodes directly to your inbox every Wednesday. Thanks for being here. We'll talk soon.

  1. Navigating Cattle Prices & Trucking Hurdles 50 Episodes Later

    22 AVR.

    Navigating Cattle Prices & Trucking Hurdles 50 Episodes Later

    Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! In this milestone 50th episode of The Rural Dispatch, Smoke and Aly sit down for a real time conversation about what's happening across cattle country right now. From baby calves to fat cattle, they let you know what they're seeing and how they're navigating things. The trucking side brings its own challenges, and Smoke is letting you know what's causing him the most stress right now.  Take a look back at some of the episodes that stand out the most out of the last 50, and don't forget to share your favorites with someone else who might enjoy the stories that have been told over the past year.  Tune in for honest conversations from rural America, as always. Thanks for being here.  Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link:  https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.  Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

    29 min
  2. Life Rolls On: Turning Adversity into Purpose for the Trucking Community

    8 AVR.

    Life Rolls On: Turning Adversity into Purpose for the Trucking Community

    Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! In this episode, JR Joy shares about the setbacks, lessons, and resilience it takes to keep going when you get knocked down. We talk about overcoming adversity, finding purpose after a life-changing accident, polishing your craft, and why giving back to those navigating difficult times has become such an important part of his life.  Learn how the Life Rolls On truck show got started and mark your calendars to join us there in June 🚛 LIFE ROLLS ON TRUCK SHOW at the Tyson Events Center June 19-20, 2026 in Sioux City, Iowa. It's just $50 to enter a truck, spectators are FREE, and all proceeds support the children and families at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals of Nebraska.  Want to record an episode at the show? Shoot us an email at behrensandco@gmail.com to get on our schedule!  Follow Para Polishing on Facebook and TikTok Follow Life Rolls On, a Show for the Kids on Facebook Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link:  https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.  Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

    54 min
  3. Inside Iowa Agriculture: What the Secretary of Ag Wants You to Know

    25 MARS

    Inside Iowa Agriculture: What the Secretary of Ag Wants You to Know

    Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! This week Aly sits down with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig for a conversation that breaks down what's really happening in Iowa agriculture. We talk about his personal ties to agriculture and the programs his office oversees - from Choose Iowa, to conservation efforts, and Farm Bill priorities, and what he sees as the biggest wins and challenges in Iowa ag today.  With Iowa Ag Week in full swing, we talk all about what it is, why we celebrate, and how everyone can get involved. Mike also explains what he wishes more people understood about agriculture, how he views the future of the industry including his advice for keeping the next generation engaged in farming and rural life, and how the America250 celebration ties into agriculture's story. Our conversation closes with thoughts on community and the importance of addressing mental health in the ag industry. This episode offers a clear, relatable look at the issues shaping modern agriculture in Iowa.  Follow on X | @IADeptAg @MikeNaigIA @ChooseIowa Follow on Facebook | @IADeptAg @MikeNaigIA @ChooseIowa Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link:  https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.  Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

    52 min
  4. Leadership, Failure & Faith with Adam Steen

    25 FÉVR.

    Leadership, Failure & Faith with Adam Steen

    Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, Aly sits down with Adam Steen, a candidate for Governor of Iowa, for a real conversation about leadership, work–life balance, failure, faith, and the lessons that come from both winning and losing. Adam shares how his background in business and his role overseeing state operations shaped the way he thinks about problem solving, responsibility, and integrity, along with why he believes now is the right time to step into public service. This episode is about getting to know the person behind the campaign and what kind of character and leadership it actually takes to serve a state like Iowa. Learn more about Adam | Home - Adam Steen for Governor Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link:  https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.  Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

    36 min
  5. Trucking Stories & Racy Escapades

    11 FÉVR.

    Trucking Stories & Racy Escapades

    Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! ⚠️ Explicit content warning: This episode is not suitable for most children. This week Mark Toms joins Smoke & Aly for a no holds barred trip down memory lane. From their trucking escapades, the worst of the worst truck drivers, and strip club shenanigans, to their present-day status as Disney dads, nothing is off limits.  Buckle up for the kinds of stories you can only tell years down the road.  Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link:  https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.  Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

    50 min
  6. From Farm Kid to Full-Time Entrepreneur Building a Custom Business

    21 JANV.

    From Farm Kid to Full-Time Entrepreneur Building a Custom Business

    Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! In this episode, Aly sits down with Luke Quandt, owner of Quandts Coatings to talk about what it really looks like to bet on yourself. Luke grew up on a farm and started engraving in his spare time out of his house. After years of working on hog barns, he made the leap to go all in on his side hustle, and six years later hasn't looked back.  Luke shares how his passion for quality craftsmanship has turned into a way to help other small businesses stand out, whether it's creating custom pieces for their teams, client gifts, or branded signage. He has a knack for bringing visions to life.  Make sure you check out Quandts Coatings and follow along on Facebook to see what he creates next. Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link:  https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.  Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

    32 min
  7. Using What You Know to Grow: How an Iowa Farm Family Built a Diversified Ag Business

    14 JANV.

    Using What You Know to Grow: How an Iowa Farm Family Built a Diversified Ag Business

    Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! In this episode, Aly and Smoke sit down with Austin and Mady Blair, owners of ABC Beef, to talk about what it really looks like to diversify a family farming operation while raising three young kids. We dig into how they’ve used what they already knew to build multiple income streams, including their direct-to-consumer beef business. They share how the idea started, what it took to get up and running, the struggles they've faced, and where they hope to take things in the future. Austin and Mady also walk us through their hog operation and how it has evolved over the years, including how a devastating fire in their sow unit changed the way they do things. We talk about the day-to-day of raising livestock, plus what goes into managing cattle alongside it all. We dive into their decision to put up a deep pit slatted barn for cattle, why they chose that route, and what they’ve liked about it so far.  Throughout the conversation, they share their “why” and how important it is to bring their kids along for every part of farm life. There’s never a shortage of things to do, and they open up about their biggest weakness — wanting to do everything themselves instead of hiring help. This episode is a real, honest look at modern farm life, entrepreneurship, and building a business that supports multiple generations. Find the ABC Beef on Instagram & Facebook Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link:  https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.  Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

    55 min

Bande-annonce

Notes et avis

À propos

Welcome to The Rural Dispatch, the podcast that delivers honest conversations from the fields, the highways, and the home front. I'm your host, Aly Behrens - headquartered in rural Iowa, I help run a trucking company that specializes in hauling livestock nationwide.  I was born and raised in small-town-Iowa and I’m passionate about rural communities and the people who help them thrive. Since becoming a mom, I’ve taken a step away from my own career in finance and into a behind the scenes role in our second-generation family business. I’m proud to help continue the legacy of hard work and dedication that built this business. I’m building a life with a multi-faceted business owner who also holds the title of truck driver, cattle feeder and dispatcher, all while we both work together to manage office operations, oversee business development, and bring the next generation along to show them the ropes, just like their grandpa did with their dad.   If you’re anything like us, you wear a lot of hats in your operation. This podcast is for people like you: hardworking men and women in the rural trucking, livestock and business communities who are juggling all the things every day. Whether it’s running loads, managing a herd, staying compliant, or handling the bookkeeping, we know the challenges you face because we’ve lived them.  In our weekly episodes, I’ll bring you a mix of my own experiences as I navigate the ins and outs of these industries, stories with my better half, Smoke about the lessons we’ve learned throughout our time in this business, and interviews with experts who tackle the pain points we all probably face at one time or another. From trucking to livestock production to rural entrepreneurship, this show is here to equip you with the tools, resources and a supportive community to help you thrive. Whether you’re in the cab of a truck, out checking cattle, or sitting at your kitchen table, we hope you’ll tune in and find value in conversations that speak your language. No matter your role in the industry, there’s something for everyone here.  Buckle up, friends, there's lots to come. If you enjoy an episode, it would mean the world to us if you would share it with a friend. Keep up with us between episodes on our socials, at Behrens and Co., or subscribe to our email list on our website to receive new episodes directly to your inbox every Wednesday. Thanks for being here. We'll talk soon.

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