Cattlemen’s Call Podcast
Business & Finance
About
Montana rancher and broadcaster Lane Nordlund hosts this monthly “coffee talk” style podcast focusing on the producers in the beef industry. Learn and laugh together with the stories of cattlemen and women from across the country. We all have stories to tell; we all have successes and failures; we all work with family and it’s always great to talk about what is going on in the beef industry across the country.
Episodes
- Navy SEAL Veteran Became a First-Generation Rancher
Greg Putnam, a Montana cattle producer who co-owns Little Belt Cattle Co. shares how his experiences in the armed forces led him to a career in beef production and aligned with the hard work necessary to succeed. His current project involv…
- How NCBA Defends U.S. Cattle Producers
Lane Nordlund sits down with NCBA CEO Colin Woodall and Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane for a conversation on NCBA’s producer-led policy process and its role in fighting back against regulatory overreach, protecting…
- Understanding Livestock Risk Management: LRP, PRF and More
Whether managing a herd of 10 or 10,000 head, there are ways to mitigate risk in price, weather and market volatility. Clay Burtrum, Farm Data Services, is breaking down risk management programs like Livestock Risk Protection; Pasture, Ran…
- How Wine Glass Ranch Became the 2025 ESAP National Winner
Learning a new way to ranch; it requires risk, but it also helps the ranch grow and realize new opportunities. Jeff and Logan Pribbeno of Wine Glass Ranch, the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award Program National winner, explain their pro…
- Choosing the Right Genetics for Better Results w/ Troy Rowan
Troy Rowan with the University of Tennessee, dives into genetic innovations and research, examining the potential for producers to tailor EPDs to their environment, forage quality and animal health protocols. Better genetic predictions hel…
- Building a Ranch that Endures
Operating in the rugged mountain country of Los Angeles County, cattleman Mike Williams faces the same challenges producers encounter across the West — water scarcity, forage pressure, labor shortages and market fluctuations. He talks cand…
- Strong Cattle Demand w/ a Tight Supply: CattleFax Update w/ Randy Blach
Higher prices in the cattle industry are the result of cattle producers increasing the quality of our product, with 84% of fed cattle grading Choice or higher and 12% grading Prime today. However, herd expansion is occurring at a very slow…
- Late Winter Precipitation and Spring Weather Patterns w/ Matt Makens
Atmospheric Scientist Matt Makens returns to the show following his presentation at CattleCon, bringing an in‑depth look at the spring weather outlook for producers. Matt breaks down the latest trends in moisture patterns, temperature shif…
- From the Ground Up: Forage and Hay for Cattle Success
Innovation is driving efficiency for the everyday cattle producer, and forage plays a crucial role in the cattle herd’s success. Scott Birker shares how his partnerships have shaped new ideas and solutions in baling and forage equipment to…
- Virginia Cattleman Gene Copenhaver Leads NCBA
Gene Copenhaver took the reins as NCBA President after CattleCon 2026. He and his son Will join the podcast and share how they’ve worked together to transition majority ownership of Copenhaver Brothers Farms to Will and how they partner to…
- Maddux Cattle Company Herd Dispersal
Maddux Cattle Company, located in southwest Nebraska, was homesteaded in 1886 and has grown in the last 140 years and now sustains about 2,500 cows and 5,000 yearlings. In 2026, the Maddux Cattle Co. is dispersing their mature bred cow her…
- Meeting in Music City!
With CattleCon 2026 just around the corner, Feb. 3–5, in downtown Nashville — we’re taking a look at some of the standout highlights heading to Music City. In this episode, we preview what’s ahead with Grammy-nominated songwriter and keyno…
- Keep Cattle Moving: The Secure Beef Supply Plan
We’re tackling a critical topic for every cattle producer: business continuity and biosecurity during a disease outbreak. Joining us are Dr. Julia Herman, DVM and beef cattle specialist at NCBA, and Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle, DVM with Pre…
- Predators and Policy: Ranching and Regulation in the Age of ESA Reform
In this episode, we bring together voices from both the ranching and the policy front. Joining us are California cattle producer, Rick Roberti, and Kaitlynn Glover, executive director of Government Affairs for NCBA and the Public Lands Cou…
- Trending Now: From Commodity to Quality
The high demand for beef continues, and consumers are seeking a high-quality product. Beef producers have been answering that call, as is evident in the upward trend of beef quality grades, specifically Prime and Choice. Paul Dykstra, with…
- Missouri Farm Blends Legacy and Innovation
Although Missouri isn’t known for being the home of vineyards and wineries, Windy Wine Company and KK Farms Red Angus are shaking up the narrative. Ken Keesaman and his son Kody operate a Red Angus herd, selling bulls locally and around th…
- It Takes a Village – How Partnerships Improved These Operations
The climate, forage species and desired cattle type vary greatly for these three producers who are 2025 ESAP Regional Winners. Mike Wilson, Whispering Hills Farm in Kentucky; Jack Smith, Smith Family Farms in Iowa; and Logan Pribbeno, Wine…
- Where the Wild Things Graze
Whether it’s migrating birds, elk and deer, large predators or invasive species, these three cattlemen have spent decades adapting their management plans to coexist and promote the health of wildlife along with their cattle. Gregory Gardne…
- Matt Makens Talks Weather Patterns, Cattle Comfort and Screwworm
Matt Makens returns to the show to talk about weather patterns that changed from his spring outlook and created unexpected moisture in different regions of the country this spring and summer. He also discusses his Cattle Comfort Index, a t…
- King Ranch Institute: Building Leaders for Ranching’s Future
On this episode, host Lane Nordlund visits with Dr. Rick Machen, Executive Director of the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, and graduate Garrett Stribling. They share the Institute’s mission of preparing future ranching leaders,…
- Get Back to Doing What You Love Without Pain
Cattle producers know what it’s like to push through pain to get the job done, finish chores, feed and take care of their family. And Rachel O’Grady has personal experience with overcoming extreme pain to pursue her goals. Now she helps ru…
- Colin Woodall & Ethan Lane Talk One Big Beautiful Bill
With the recent passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall and Senior Vice President Ethan Lane dive into the important pieces of this bill for cattle producers including tax provisions. They examine Congress’s work on d…
- Special Episode: The Threat of New World Screwworm
The New World screwworm has become a topic of discussion amongst cattle producers in the last few months as the pest has moved into Mexico. NCBA, state affiliates and USDA have partnered, working to prepare for this potential threat. In th…
- Larry Primeaux: Game Warden, Guardsman and Cattleman
Larry and Ellie Primeaux, first-generation cattle farmers in Mississippi, balance full-time careers with raising Angus and Brangus cattle. Larry, a dedicated game warden and K-9 handler with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisherie…
- Forestry & Forage: A New York Cattleman’s Story
Brett Chedzoy of Angus Glen Farms in Watkins Glen, New York, shares how his family built a successful grass-fed cow-calf operation practicing agroforestry and silvopasture. As the 2024 ESAP Region I award winner, Brett discusses sustainabl…
- How Can the Industry Improve Carcass Measurements?
Accuracy is important to move the industry in the right direction and cattle size and frame have changed significantly, but the yield grading system hasn’t changed since the 1960s to match them. We need new technology and new grading algor…
- Gina Tran: Bridging Cultures in the Cattle Industry
Gina Tran grew up in Orlando, Florida, without any agriculture experience or family connection. However, her introduction to agriculture in the FFA classroom transformed the trajectory of her thinking and education. Gina went on to earn an…
- Heifer Development Farm Shines with Sustainable Practices
Minnesota cattle farmers Rachel Gray and her son Nick Grundmeier share about their unique heifer development program. Little Timber Farms has come a long way since its dairy farming days, and now their innovative practices include seeding…
- Before Disaster Strikes: Key Preparations
We are breaking down what farmers and ranchers need to do to prepare for an emergency on their operation – whether it’s a flood, a wildfire, an equipment accident or a foreign animal disease outbreak J.J. Goicoechea and Kip Wills are on th…
- The Collaborative Edge: Transforming Feedlots Through Combined Recommendations
Tune into a practical discussion between veterinarians and nutritionists delivering practical perspectives on optimizing feedlot performance through combined recommendations. This conversation with TELUS Agriculture’s Drs. Kee Jim, Matt Ma…
- Downey Ranch: Stewards in the Flint Hills
Barb Downey and Joe Carpenter with Downey Ranch were honored as the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award National winners. Hear how their family navigates transition planning with their two daughters, how they initiated rotational grazing…
- Third Party Verification Programs
We are diving into different verification programs and what opportunities are available for cattle producers. Cattle producer Nancy Jackson, DVM, of Southern Cross Farm, Clint Berry with Superior Livestock, and John Saunders, CEO of IMI Gl…
- Moisture, Temperature, and Extreme Weather – What 2025 Has in Store
Beef cattle farmers and ranchers are preparing for spring 2025 and all that comes with it — calving and planting. Meteorologist Matt Makens once again joins the podcast to highlight the weather challenges in the months ahead, namely dry co…
- Nebraska’s Buck Wehrbein Shares His Journey to Become NCBA President
Buck Wehrbein has decades of experience feeding cattle, learning and growing from great mentors, and participating in NCBA leadership. Buck and his wife, Sandy, talk about their experiences living in Texas, raising a family on a feedyard a…
- Protecting Your Herd: The Secure Beef Supply Plan
Biosecurity has been getting a lot of attention recently. With foreign animal diseases like foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) making headlines, understanding the role that producers, veterinarians, transporters, and state and federal agencies i…
- Building a Better Future for Rural Veterinary Practices
In this episode of the Cattlemen's Call Podcast, host Lane Nordlund speaks with Dr. Rosslyn Biggs from Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Wyatt Catron, a practicing veterinarian in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Ar…
- Beef for Backpacks: Feeding Wyoming's Future
On this episode of Cattlemen’s Call, we’re diving into the impactful Beef for Backpacks program, a collaborative effort led by Wyoming First Lady Jennie Gordon, the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, and 307 Meat Company. This inspiring initiative…
- Edutainment on the Range: Tucker Brown’s Influence in Agriculture
Lane Nordlund chats with Tucker Brown of R.A. Brown Ranch about blending family ranching with a growing social media presence. Tucker shares how he uses platforms like Instagram and TikTok to educate and entertain audiences, connecting con…
- Combat to Cattle: Veteran Rancher Max Krupp
Max Krupp served our country in the armed forces to protect Americans, and now he serves his community by raising grass finished, natural beef in Texas. Max describes how military leadership shaped him and how those skills transfer to his…
- Producers Emphasize Loyalty During Hurricanes
Producers in the Southeast who have been hit by the recent hurricanes, Helene and Milton, are set back at least a month in their cattle production timelines. Florida cattlemen Alex Johns and Dale Carlton share what producers are experienci…
- Genetic Decisions Impact More Than Just the Final Product
Dive into genetics with us on this episode as we talk with Kyle Caires, an Angus producer in Maui, Hawaii. Kyle emphasizes the importance of knowing your environment, whether you’re on the mainland or the Hawaiian Islands. He explains how…
- Developing Leaders in Your Employees with Sam Cossio
“You learn from the people that you lead.” Sam Cossio grew up in Mexico and moved to the U.S. as a teenager where he then worked for 20+ years in the cattle feeding industry. Sam has a unique story to tell and has insight on labor challeng…
- Of The West with Jessie Jarvis
Bringing job seekers and employers together in the Western clothing and lifestyle industries is a passion for Jessie Jarvis, founder of Of The West. Jessie is an ag advocate who balances owning a business and raising a family, including tw…
- Prepare Yourself for the Return of La Niña
We welcome back a familiar face, Atmospheric Scientist Matt Makens. Matt explains his upbringing in an agricultural family that led to his passion for weather and appreciation how weather reporting can assist cattle producers. He talks abo…
- Chuckwagon Cooking with Kent Rollins
We are taking it back to the Old West this episode with Kent Rollins, chuckwagon cooking expert. Kent grew up helping his father tend cattle in Oklahoma and his passion for cooking took off when he spent time in the Gila Wilderness of New…
- Colorado Ranchers Turn Beef Entrepreneurs
Cameron and Deborah Fitch have established a 30-30-30-10 philosophy when it comes to the quality of the beef they are putting on plates in their restaurants and selling to their consumers. Fitch Ranch sees all segments of the supply chain…
- Understanding the Value of Export Markets
We are getting into the weeds…or maybe the stalks… of the relationship between corn growers and cattle producers. These two industries rely on one another and make great partners to provide nutritious food for worldwide consumers. Our gues…
- Calling All Campers, Cowboys and Cowgirls
Brookhill Ranch is stewarding the next generation of young leaders through a summer youth camp focused on fun, connection and Christ while also raising Hereford cattle near Hot Springs, Arkansas. Combining camp activities and cattle raisin…
- The Consequences of Your Cattle’s Diet
All cattle nutrition choices have a consequence whether it’s good or bad. Dusty Abney, cow-calf nutritionist, knows the costs and opportunities for profitability when it comes to proper nutrition for your herd. Abney reminds us to use accu…
- The Next Generation is Saddling Up
Cattlemen and women in our nation’s agricultural institutions are grabbing opportunities in the industry by the horns and taking initiative to start their careers in the livestock industry. This generation is the future of beef production…