Casual Cattle Conversations

casualcattleconversations
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Casual Cattle Conversations is the podcast for beef cattle producers and ranchers to explore new ideas and hear stories that will help them improve their current management practices. Shaye Koester - Wanner connects listeners to other cattle producers and beef industry experts to discover what management practices, industry trends, current events and inspiring stories are impacting today’s beef cattle industry.

  1. 6d ago

    3 Transition Planning Tips You Won't Want to Forget

    In a solo episode of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast, host Shaye Wanner shares her background growing up on a ranch that evolved into a registered Red Angus seedstock operation and now living on her husband’s centennial family farm, to frame three key transition planning tips.   First, she urges producers to honestly ask whether they truly want to be on the family farm or would rather farm/ranch independently while staying close to family, noting legacy isn’t limited to land ownership and that not all family members work well together. Second, she advises financially planning for the unknown by saving and working with bankers and financial professionals even without a clear transition timeline, since taking over must still be a sound business decision. Third, she emphasizes, “You don’t get to change what’s not yours,” encouraging respect for older generations and clarity about one’s current role.  Join Rising Ranchers Here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/risingranchers Catch more conversations like this one and learn more at https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/   00:08 Welcome and Ways to Connect  01:45 My Ranching Background  05:20 Three Tips Overview  05:41 Family Farm or Nearby  10:01 Plan for the Unknown  13:27 You Cant Change It

  2. Jul 6

    Which Technologies Pay Off for Ranchers

    Today on the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast, Shaye Wanner talks with ag tech consultants Chelsea Good (Good & Associates) and Jared Wareham (Horizon Venture Management) about how cow-calf producers can decide which technologies are worth adopting. They stress that many tools enter agriculture from outside the industry and may be “solutions looking for a problem,” so ranchers should evaluate technology like a toolbox and demand ROI, especially in an asset-rich, cash-poor business.  Examples include mismatched expensive tags for sale barns versus value-based traceability programs, strategic uses of GPS and estrus-detection tags (often for herd bulls or specific heifer programs), virtual fencing’s geography-dependent economics, and emerging biometrics, camera applications, and gene-edited pest control. They also discuss digital recordkeeping and payment systems as adoption challenges without policy drivers, and encourage producers to share pain points and explore tech that supports long-term generational sustainability. Catch more conversations like this one and learn more at https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/  Learn more about Chelsea and Good & Associates here: https://www.goodandassoc.com/  Learn more about Jared and Horizon Venture Management here: https://www.horizonventuremanagement.com/   00:00 Tech That Pays Off 01:09 Meet Chelsea and Jared 04:40 Picking Tech by ROI 09:50 AI Is Not Magic 11:50 Genomics Fit and Value 14:39 Virtual Fencing Reality 17:09 Smart Tags and GPS 28:14 Cameras and Computer Vision 37:40 Gene Editing and Pests 43:17 Digital Records and Payments

  3. Jun 29

    Hair Shedding the Secret to Higher Weaning Weights and Conception Rates

    Today, Shaye Wanner interviews Jamie Courter, a University of Missouri assistant professor and genetics extension specialist, about research and producer use of cattle hair shedding scores. Corder explains hair shedding’s link to heat stress—especially in the Southeast with endophyte-infected fescue—and summarizes findings that earlier-shedding cows wean heavier calves, including Simmental data showing hair shed score 1 cows weaned calves 45 pounds heavier than score 5 cows.   She describes the 1–5 scoring system, typical shedding pattern, and recommends scoring the whole herd on the same day when variation is greatest, noting bulls shed earlier and younger cows score higher than mature cows within a year. She discusses recent genomic work suggesting shedding relates more to changing daylight than temperature, notes variation exists within all breeds, and points listeners to University of Missouri Extension publications for scoring guidance and research details.  Catch more conversations like this one and learn more at https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/  Learn more about hair shedding research at https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g2049  Sign up for the upcoming RancherMind with Jasper here: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranchermind-events   00:51 Jamie’s background  01:37 Why hair shedding matters  03:39 Research results and economics  05:02 Daylight vs temperature genetics  08:37 Scoring timing and method  11:39 Bulls calves and age effects  16:47 Consistent scoring observers  17:48 Across breeds and selection  21:49 Culling signals and resources

  4. Jun 22

    How to Protect Profit During Drought

    Today on Casual Cattle Conversations, Shaye interviews Devlon Ford, a regenerative ranching advisor at the Noble Research Institute, about managing drought in cattle operations. Ford explains drought-stress indicators producers should watch for, including forage color and condition, lack of rainfall, and cattle manure consistency as a signal of declining forage protein.   Reactive options discussed include early weaning, strategic destocking (culling old, open, ornery, and poor performers while considering market profitability), and carefully analyzing the costs of purchasing hay or supplements. He also suggests subdividing pastures to increase stock density, improve grazing uniformity, and extend recovery time. Proactively, Ford emphasizes calculating carrying capacity and setting stocking rate below it, using rainfall trigger dates for destocking decisions, avoiding overgrazing to protect soil cover and biology, and using flexible enterprises like stockers/custom grazing during high-forage years.  Learn about carrying capacity and stocking rate with Devlon: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/casual-cattle-conversations-podcast-shownotes/devlon-ford   Catch more conversations like this one and learn more at https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/   00:00 Drought Reality Check  01:54 Meet Devlon Ford  02:36 Spotting Drought Stress  04:24 Early Weaning and Selling  05:24 Destocking for Profit  06:09 Feeding and Hay Economics  10:11 Grazing Tactics in Drought  13:10 Plan Ahead for Drought  13:37 Carrying Capacity Basics  17:43 Overgrazing Costs  20:21 Flexible Enterprises and Emotions  24:40 Cull Lists and Records  27:26 Final Field Reminders

  5. Jun 15

    How to Reduce Overwhelm on the Ranch

    Today on the Casual Cattle Conversations Podcast, Shaye interviews Jasper Oeltjen of Heritage and Horizons about why ranchers feel overwhelmed financially, mentally, and operationally, and how those areas intertwine. Jasper shares her background in education, IT strategy, and a 14-year cow-calf operation, describing how constant hustling led to plateauing and reactive decision-making that created domino effects in nutrition, calving, labor, medications, margins, and relationships.   They discuss how unavoidable hard seasons are easier to navigate with a foundation of goals, clear expectations, and defined roles. Jasper outlines a four-phase “road trip” framework: set shared long-term goals, map the route with shorter targets, define day-to-day tactics and metrics aligned to goals, and proactively anticipate issues (like aging cows or replacement needs) to avoid “construction.” She also explains helping producers clarify goals via conversation and four focus categories: optimize, innovate, maintain, or grow.  Start Building a More Intentional Operation 👇 https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ranchermind-events Learn more about Noble here: https://bit.ly/3DD7uG0     Catch more conversations like this one and learn more at https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/     00:59 Meet Jasper Oeltjen  02:32 From Hustle to Strategy  04:06 Reactive Decisions Dominoes  07:10 Financial and Operational Strain  10:23 Relationships and Tough Seasons  12:48 Root Causes Goals and Roles  17:34 Four Phase Planning Framework  20:56 Finding Your Real Goals  26:06 Keep It Simple and Take Action  29:10 Rancher Mind Series Invite

  6. Jun 8

    How to Monitor Water Quality for Beef Cattle

    Today, Shay interviews NDSU Extension Livestock Environmental Stewardship Specialist, Miranda Meehan about how cattle water quality affects intake, performance, abortions, central nervous system disorders, and death. Meehan explains how geology influences salts, sulfates, TDS, nitrates, and phosphorus in springs, ponds, creeks, and wells, with drought concentrating minerals and increasing risk; she also notes regional concerns such as higher nitrates in the Southern Plains.   She recommends testing at least a week before turning cattle into a pasture and more often during drought, using simple screening tools like handheld TDS meters and sulfate strips, then submitting samples for lab panels (pH, sulfates, TDS, nitrates) when elevated. If water is unsafe, options include fencing off sources, hauling water (including possible ELAP/FSA assistance), and longer-term infrastructure like wells, pipelines, or rural water, while checking aquifer test data. They also stress monitoring for cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms, which can occur earlier or later in the year and can kill within 15 minutes, using visual checks and tools like trail cameras.   Learn more about what Vence could look like on your operation here: https://bit.ly/4kfWrCG   Learn more about Noble here: https://bit.ly/3DD7uG0   Catch more conversations like this one and learn more at https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/    00:41 Meet Miranda Meehan 01:05 Why Water Quality Matters 02:43 What Impacts Water Sources 05:11 How Often to Test 05:56 Easy Screening Tools 07:38 Reading Lab Results 09:47 Fixing Bad Water 11:50 Blue Green Algae Danger 13:56 Tech for Monitoring

  7. Jun 1

    Global Agriculture Challenges and Perceptions

    Today, Shaye welcomes back Nebraska rancher, Jaclyn Wilson to discuss how extensive international travel has shaped her ranch management and views of global agriculture. Wilson describes how travel began through the Nebraska LEAD program and expanded into regular international speaking and industry visits, leading to operational changes at home such as organized team planning with whiteboards and calendars and greater delegation. She contrasts U.S. open-pasture wintering with UK/Ireland winter confinement driven by mud and heavy clay soils, and shares a Netherlands example where turning cows out to grass becomes an agritourism event.   Wilson outlines Dutch regulations and subsidies tied to nitrates, water runoff, stocking limits, and methane, and questions measurement accuracy for emissions and carbon credits. From Kenya, she highlights corruption concerns, diverse agricultural tours, and a “My Tank” water project. She emphasizes U.S. beef efficiency and safety but notes persistent overseas perceptions about sanitation, traceability, confinement, and antibiotics, and encourages producers to stay aware of global concerns and opportunities, including genetics and investment abroad.  Learn more about what Vence could look like on your operation here: https://bit.ly/4kfWrCG  Learn more about Noble here: https://bit.ly/3DD7uG0  Catch more conversations like this one and learn more at https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/    01:24 Jaclyn’s Travel Bug Origins  03:29 Ranch Changes From Travel  05:35 Whiteboards And Planning  07:16 Winter Housing Culture Shock  10:16 Netherlands Dairy And Agritourism  12:00 EU Rules Subsidies And Nitrates  15:21 Methane Carbon And Measurement  17:52 Africa And Nuffield Journey  20:33 Kenya Corruption And Water  24:43 Water Links Every Country  25:48 Why Home Matters Most  28:08 US Beef Strengths And Perception  31:13 Genetics Trade And Open Minds

  8. May 25

    Maximize Grazing Resources with Virtual Fence

    On today's show, Shaye Wanner interviews Saskatchewan ranchers John and Deanne about using Vence virtual fencing on their 400 cow-calf commercial operation near the Bronson Forest. They explain how virtual fencing improves utilization on rough, boggy forest lease country where conventional fencing is difficult and expensive, while saving labor, supporting planned/rotational grazing, and helping soil health by controlling stock density and drift with back fences.  They describe added benefits like better monitoring for predation claims, reducing temporary electric fencing on rented land, and sorting groups (heifers, main herd, and open cows) using different virtual fences, achieving about a 95% success rate in a week. They discuss software tools like maps and heat maps, training protocols, cow-to-cow variation in responses, challenges with bull collar retention, collar loss rates improving with tighter fitting, and battery life lasting closer to six months than nine. Learn more about what Vence could look like on your operation here: https://bit.ly/4kfWrCG Catch more conversations like this one and learn more at https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/  01:01 Biggest Grazing Wins 02:42 Why Vence 03:30 Ranch and Region Overview 06:04 Secondary Benefits and Predators 08:24 Sorting Cows with Maps 13:31 Software Insights and Training 16:42 Heat Maps and Logging Changes 19:47 Bulls Learning Curve and Next Steps 24:10 Challenges Battery and Retention

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About

Casual Cattle Conversations is the podcast for beef cattle producers and ranchers to explore new ideas and hear stories that will help them improve their current management practices. Shaye Koester - Wanner connects listeners to other cattle producers and beef industry experts to discover what management practices, industry trends, current events and inspiring stories are impacting today’s beef cattle industry.

Information

  • Creator
    casualcattleconversations
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    289
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Casual Cattle Conversations

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