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. Jul 15

    More Money Doesn't Mean Easy Money: Inside Today's Trucking & Cattle Business

    Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! This week Aly & Smoke catch you up on what's been happening around Behrens & Co.  We kick off this episode with a trip down memory lane, sharing some insights to how Smoke got here, including the Show Pony (could pass as a show truck) and White Lightning (definitely not a show truck).  From there, we shift into what's happening in our businesses across the livestock industry. We discuss how trucking has been so far this summer, how Smoke is keeping trucks moving despite recent and upcoming packing plant closures, and what those changes mean for livestock transportation and livestock producers alike.  We also touch on video sale season, sharing what we're seeing in feeder cattle numbers, today's prices, and our two cents on buying cattle in this market. We wrap things up with recent mishaps we've had selling cattle.  Whether you're hauling livestock, buying cattle, feeding cattle, or just trying to keep up with what's happening in rural America, we hope you enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at life in our businesses. As always, not every day can be a good one, but there's never a shortage of stories. Thanks for tuning in.  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!

    More Money Doesn't Mean Easy Money: Inside Today's Trucking & Cattle Business
  2. Jul 1

    From Quebec to Texas: Custom Building the American Dream

    Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! Some people restore trucks. Others build them from scratch. Danny Prevost does something entirely different. This week Aly and Mark sit down with Danny Prevost, owner of Frosty Frog Custom, whose one-of-a-kind creations have earned attention across the trucking industry. From fully functional refrigerators built to look like semi trucks to custom mailboxes, go-karts, tractors, cars, and other handcrafted pieces, Danny has found a way to turn steel, imagination, and countless hours in the shop into functioning works of art. Originally from Quebec and now based in Texas, Danny shares how his journey led him from Canada to the Lone Star State, how Frosty Frog Custom got its start, and why every project is a chance to push the limits of creativity. Whether you’re a truck enthusiast, appreciate skilled craftsmanship, or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind people who build extraordinary things, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Follow Frosty Frog Custom on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok to see what he creates next! 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!

    From Quebec to Texas: Custom Building the American Dream
  3. May 6

    Hope & Hardship in Agriculture: How Disappearing Family Farms Impact Every American

    Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! Family farms are the backbone of rural America, but the reality isn't always what it seems from the outside. In this episode, Brian Reisinger unpacks what's really happening across American agriculture and why it matters far beyond the farm.  Brian grew up on his family's farm in Wisconsin before stepping into a career in journalism and public policy, giving him a dual perspective on farming firsthand and the systems shaping today's ag economy.  We talk through the deeper history behind the pressures facing family farms, what's changed through generations, and why many producers today are operating in an entirely different environment than those before them.  We dig into what's at stake for every American, from food security to long-term stability of our supply chain if current trends continue. At the same time, we highlight the resilience of farm families that keeps them moving forward even when times are tough.  Perhaps most importantly, we have an honest conversation about mental health in our rural communities - why it matters, why it's often overlooked, and what resources are out there.  Finally, we talk solutions. What can YOU do, whether you're a farmer, consumer, or ag professional, to support the future of family farms.  Whether you're involved in agriculture or simply want to better understand the system that feeds this country, this episode delivers a clear picture of what's really going on.  Links & Resources Land Rich Cash Poor *affiliate link Farmer Angel Network National Farmer Mental Health Alliance Follow Brian: Website | Facebook | X | LinkedIn 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!

    Hope & Hardship in Agriculture: How Disappearing Family Farms Impact Every American

Trailer

5
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

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.

You Might Also Like