The Cattle Coach Show

Kolten Thigpen

Everything show cattle! We will talk about everything we love from management in the show ring to the pasture, but most importantly how to make money doing it! Hear from industry leaders who have broke through the impossible financial barriers to live the dream as full time stockman. Learn more at www.cattle-coach.com. Resources: www.bullnanza.com www.expresslivestockgenomics.com

  1. hace 5 días

    The Truth About EPDs Nobody Talks About

    🐂 Bullnanza Stud Services: https://bullnanza.com🎓 Cattle Coach Academy: https://cattlecoachacademy.comEPDs are one of the most talked-about tools in the cattle industry — and one of the most misunderstood.Some cattlemen make every breeding decision based on EPDs. Others ignore them completely. The truth? The best breeders usually land somewhere in the middle.In this episode, we break down what Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) actually are, how breed associations calculate them, what accuracy scores mean, and why blindly chasing numbers can create problems in your herd.Whether you're new to registered cattle, buying your first herd sire, or trying to better understand bull sale catalogs, this episode will help you make more informed breeding decisions.In this episode, we discuss:• What EPDs actually measure and how they're calculated• Why EPDs are breed-specific and can't be compared across breeds• The difference between birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, and other common EPDs• How accuracy scores work and why they matter• The hidden limitations and weaknesses of EPD data• Why environmental factors can dramatically affect performance• The danger of making breeding decisions based solely on numbers• How commercial cattlemen can use EPDs to improve profitability• Why every breeding goal comes with tradeoffs• Finding the "sweet spot" instead of constantly chasing extremesThe biggest lesson: EPDs are a tool — not a crystal ball. The most successful breeders combine data, phenotype, management, environment, and real-world experience to make breeding decisions that fit their operation.🐂 BULL OF THE DAY — Mr. BrightsideFeatured bull from Big House Show Cattle. Mr. Brightside is a proven Charolais sire known for producing calves that come easy at birth, perform in the pasture, and compete at a high level in the show ring. With a reputation for calving ease, growth, and eye appeal, he's become a trusted option for cattlemen looking to add quality without sacrificing practicality.Call the office at (405) 377-8037 or visit Bullnanza.com to learn more.⏱ TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Why EPDs are so controversial01:20 — What EPD actually stands for02:19 — Who uses EPDs and how they're created04:43 — Understanding birth weight and weaning weight EPDs06:11 — The honor system behind cattle data07:29 — What EPD accuracy scores really mean08:18 — Why EPDs aren't exact predictions09:22 — Real-world example: Florida vs. Ohio genetics11:48 — How commercial cattlemen use EPDs13:42 — Why breeding goals are different for every operation15:07 — The dangers of chasing extremes17:00 — Finding the ideal balance in your herd19:21 — Final thoughts on using EPDs wisely🔔 If you raise, buy, sell, or breed cattle, subscribe for weekly content covering cattle genetics, breeding strategies, herd management, ranching tips, and real-world lessons from the pasture.

    21 min
  2. 16 jun

    I Got Run Over By A Heifer...

    🐂 Bullnanza Stud Services: https://bullnanza.com🎓 Cattle Coach Academy: https://cattlecoachacademy.com I got run over by a brand-new heifer — and it was 100% our fault. Here's what happened and what every cattle owner needs to learn from it.Within 20 minutes of unloading a yearling heifer, she buried her head in my stomach, picked me up off the ground, and ran me over in front of my 8-year-old son. My hip and thigh lost a solid patch of skin to a rubber mat. My boy was in tears — not because he was hurt, but because he thought I was.But here's the truth: we set up every single condition for that wreck to happen. And if you own, buy, or handle cattle — this video could save you, your kids, or your animals from a bad day.In this episode, we break down:Why new cattle will almost always be at their worst the moment you unload themThe exact mistakes we made that triggered a flight response in a otherwise calm heiferWhy small children working cattle creates a natural threat response in animalsWhat no sorting equipment, a roll-up door, rain, and a 2.5-hour solo trailer ride have in common (hint: it's a recipe for disaster)The #1 rule our operation runs by when it comes to cattle safety and employee safetyWhy you should never blame the animal — and what to do insteadThe biggest lesson: If you end the day and your animals are safe and your people are safe — you won. Everything else is just details to fix next time.🐂 BULL OF THE DAY — Loving SizeFeatured bull from Horned Livestock and Wage Rogers' cattle-loving line. Triple clean. Red blaze Basse. Already sired a Grand Champion at Houston Livestock Show. Known for calving ease, color versatility, and working well on heifers without sacrificing quality. Call the office at (405) 377-8037 or visit bonanza.com to learn more.⏱ TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Why I'm wearing all these Band-Aids01:10 — The setup: new heifer, two boys, and a barn02:00 — She's not going through that door03:00 — I step in front of her to protect my son04:00 — The aftermath — and why my 8-year-old was screaming07:30 — Breaking down every mistake we made09:35 — Teaching my kids why this was our fault, not hers11:00 — The #1 rule of cattle safety on our operation12:00 — Final thoughts + how to avoid this in your herd🔔 If you raise, buy, or sell cattle — subscribe for weekly content on cattle handling, ranching tips, herd management, and real stories from the operation.

    13 min
  3. 2 jun

    Why Hard Work Is Destroying Your Family

    Most people spend their lives asking, “What’s the next step?”But what if that’s the wrong question?In this episode, Kolten sits down with John and Sarah Hudgins for a powerful conversation about vision, purpose, family, leadership, and what it really means to build a life worth living.John shares the lessons he's learned through ranching, entrepreneurship, coaching, marriage, and raising a family—including how discovering a clear vision transformed the way he approached business, relationships, and personal growth. From chasing NFL dreams and building a world-renowned Brahman cattle operation to helping families navigate difficult transitions, John explains why most people are focused on the wrong things and how purpose can change everything.Sarah brings a unique perspective as a former ICU nurse, wife, mother, and partner in a family built on faith, sacrifice, and intentional living. Together, they discuss the realities of balancing ambition with family, overcoming burnout, strengthening a marriage through life's challenges, and why success means very little if it costs you the people you love most.Whether you're a rancher, entrepreneur, parent, or someone simply trying to figure out your next chapter, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about where you're headed—and why.In this episode:• Why having a clear vision changes every decision you make• The difference between vision and purpose• How John transformed his leadership and management style• Building teams by leveraging strengths instead of fixing weaknesses• The challenges of balancing work, marriage, and family• What success really looks like after achieving your biggest goals• Why fulfillment only comes through serving others• Lessons learned from 20 years of marriage• Raising children with intention and strong values• The future of the family ranch and legacy planningIf you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about what comes next, this conversation is for you.🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs, ranchers, and people building meaningful lives.#Purpose #Leadership #Marriage #Family #Entrepreneurship #PersonalGrowth #Vision #Faith #Ranching #Success

    1 h 14 min
  4. 27 may

    The Family Ranch Crisis That Changed His Entire Life

    What happens when the family ranch you thought would last forever suddenly starts falling apart?In this episode, Kolten sits down with John and Salina Locke for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had yet about family, legacy, ranching, identity, and personal transformation.John opens up about the painful season when his family’s multi-generational ranch operation nearly split apart — forcing him to rebuild not only the business, but himself. What followed was years of growth, hard conversations, mindset shifts, and discovering a completely new purpose.This episode goes far beyond cattle.It’s about:• Family business struggles• Learning how to change and grow• Breaking old patterns• Leadership under pressure• Building a shared vision for your future• Purpose, identity, and legacyWhether you ranch, run a business, lead a family, or simply feel stuck in life, this conversation will challenge the way you think about change.“You can’t change people… but people CAN change.”CHAPTERS:00:00 – Why people resist change03:15 – The family ranch crisis begins07:50 – Starting over with almost nothing10:40 – How Ranching For Profit changed everything15:00 – Helping families navigate conflict & vision22:00 – Why most people never truly change27:30 – Finding purpose through Vision Flight37:45 – Building a shared vision for your familyIf this episode encouraged you, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs it.#Ranching #FamilyBusiness #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #Legacy #CattleRanching

    40 min
  5. 19 may

    Why Most Show Steer Families Lose Money

    🔗 Bullnanza Stud Services: https://bullnanza.com/🎓 Cattle Coach Academy: https://cattlecoachacademy.com/🔥 Why do so many show steer families lose money?Is raising a show steer a business… or just the most expensive hobby in agriculture?In this episode of The Cattle Coach Show, Kolten gets brutally honest about the financial reality of the show steer industry. From jackpot shows and major wins to feed bills, hotel costs, and expensive expectations, this conversation breaks down why so many families struggle financially — and how to think about your operation differently.Here’s the truth: if you’re treating your show steer project like a business, you can’t run it like a hobby. But if it is a hobby for your family, that’s okay too — as long as you’re honest about what lane you’re in.This episode is for parents, juniors, breeders, traders, and anyone trying to figure out if showing steers can actually make money… or if the cost is simply part of the experience.🎙️ In This Episode:• Why most show steer families lose money• The difference between a hobby and a business• Why expensive cattle don’t guarantee banners• The hard truth about winning in the show ring• Expectations, risk, and the cost of competition• How to think smarter about your show steer operation⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Is showing steers a business or hobby?01:20 Know your lane: hobby vs business03:10 Why expensive steers don’t guarantee wins04:25 The hardest part about the show steer business06:20 Why families spend so much money showing cattle07:05 How to stop losing money in show steers08:45 Final thoughts👇 We want to hear from you:Who in the show cattle industry do you think runs a truly successful business? Drop a name in the comments. We may bring them on the podcast.#ShowSteers #CattleCoach #ShowCattle #StockShow #Steers #Livestock #Agriculture #CattleIndustry

    9 min
  6. 12 may

    This Is Why Your Cattle Program Isn’t Improving

    🐂 Bullnanza Stud Services: https://bullnanza.com🎓 Cattle Coach Academy: https://cattlecoachacademy.com Are you doing things with intention… or just because that’s how they’ve always been done? In this episode of The Cattle Coach Show, Kolten dives into one of the most important mindset shifts in the cattle business: questioning everything. From feeding routines and show cattle prep to commercial cattle management, breeding decisions, and even faith, this conversation challenges the idea of blindly following tradition without understanding the why behind it. Because here’s the truth: success doesn’t happen on accident. Whether you're trying to win in the show ring, improve your operation, or simply become better at what you do, being intentional matters. 🎙️ In This Episode:• Why “we’ve always done it this way” can hold you back• The mindset shift that separates intentional cattlemen from reactive ones• Why questioning things is not disrespectful — it’s humility• Show cattle feeding strategies and preparing for change at shows• Commercial cattle examples that challenge conventional thinking• How intention compounds success over time• Why knowing your why matters more than copying someone else ⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Why you should question everything02:00 Intentional feeding and show cattle prep04:10 “You can’t climb a mountain on accident”06:15 Questioning faith, tradition, and truth08:10 The real reason for changing feeding routines13:00 Commercial cattle examples and challenging habits15:00 The power of intentional repetition18:00 Final encouragement 👇 Question of the Day:What’s one thing in your cattle operation that you’ve never questioned… but probably should? Like, subscribe, and share if this episode challenged the way you think. We’re all trying to get better — and sometimes growth starts with asking better questions.

    19 min
  7. 28 abr

    Show Cattle vs Commercial… The Truth Nobody Agrees On

    Are show cattle actually hurting the real-world cattle industry… or is that just noise?This episode breaks down one of the most argued topics in the cattle world — show vs commercial.You’ve heard it before: “that show stuff is backwards.” But is it really?We get into what each side actually values, where the disconnect comes from, and why both worlds might be right… depending on how you define a “good cow.”If you’ve ever questioned fertility, function, flush vs breed back, or how money really gets made in this industry — this one’s for you.🎯 In This Episode:The real difference between show, commercial, and seedstock cattleWhy some cattle work in one world… and completely fail in anotherThe fertility debate: flush vs breed backWhy “good” cattle isn’t as simple as people make itHow $10,000 calves change the entire conversationThe role of embryo transfer in bridging the gapWhy the commercial side sees things completely differentlyThe biggest misconception judges and producers make💡 The Bottom Line:A “good cow” isn’t universal.It’s defined by what works in your operation — and what makes you money.🤝 Connect & Learn More:Cattle Coach Academy: https://www.cattlecoachacademy.comBullnanza Stud Services: https://www.bullnanza.com💬 Let’s Talk:Do you think show cattle are helping or hurting the industry?Or are they just two completely different games?Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇#CattleCoach #ShowCattle #CommercialCattle #CattleIndustry #StockShow #LivestockMarketing

    18 min

Acerca de

Everything show cattle! We will talk about everything we love from management in the show ring to the pasture, but most importantly how to make money doing it! Hear from industry leaders who have broke through the impossible financial barriers to live the dream as full time stockman. Learn more at www.cattle-coach.com. Resources: www.bullnanza.com www.expresslivestockgenomics.com

También te podría interesar