Episodes
 Today, it's the start of a three-part series of episodes as we look back over 2023 and bring to you highlights from the top 12 shows.  Today we'll start at number 12 and work down the number 9th ranked show of the past year.  Plus, the Captain, Tim O'Byrne will be in for "T2Cents" and Meteorologist Don Day gives us the weather outlook for the next couple of weeks. #workingranchmagazine #workingranchnation #justinmills.wyocowboy #ranchlife #ranching #dayweather #weather #agweather #beef #cows...
Published 12/16/23
Today, two interviews.  First with Dr. Chris Reinhart as we talk about the importance of a mineral program not only for the vitality of your cows and their offspring, but how that plays out in the maturity of those young heifers that may one day be in your herd. Then a sit down with two ranchers, Niels Hansen from Wyoming and Ron Cerri of Nevada as we discuss several topics like Foot and mouth Disease, Public Lands, and "Are we starting to see our industry step back and start to come together...
Published 12/09/23
An extremely informative conversation with the respected and revered industry consultant Dr. Nevil Speer.  We’ll cover an array of subjects from the current cattle market to why the delay in heifer retention and his thoughts on what will shape our industry in the year(s) to come.  These are just a few of the topics we cover in the in depth conversation. #workingranchmagazine #workingranchnation #justinmills.wyocowboy #ranchlife #ranching #dayweather #weather #agweather #beef #cows #livestock...
Published 12/02/23
It’s important that we stay in touch with the activities and decisions being made in Washington DC that effects our industry… such as the latest announcement on fresh beef imports from Paraguay.  Lia Biondo and Jess Peterson with the US Cattlemen’s Association join us to provide insight on several topics like the new House Speaker Johnson.  How will he be for the cattle industry as well as the ability to collaborate within both his party and the House as a whole?  And, what’s the future of...
Published 11/25/23
Less than two months of the year are remaining so finishing strong and planning for 2024 is going to be key in having a successful year ahead... and reducing the chances of not doing something that could be a costly financial mistake.  Ranching Consultant, Allan Crockett is back with us as we discuss why and how we can be proactive in analyzing the finical picture of our ranch for this year as well as our projections for the coming year.  Plus, two questions he'll ask that we need to consider...
Published 11/11/23
Feed and/or Supplement is one of the bigger line items in a ranch budget.  So, what if we took a little time to put some thought behind our feeding program in an effort to save money.  Dr. Mark Johnson, from Oklahoma State University Extension is my guest as he shares with us what we can do to make sure we are being both efficient and effective with our feeding program.  He’ll work through a scenario that will show us how we can evaluate our feed costs on more than just the price per ton, but...
Published 11/04/23
New show with updated weather, but going to re-run the main interview... if you want to know why, listen in. The financial picture for ranchers this year and potentially for a few years is going to look a lot different than has for a while.  Mary Jo Irmen, Farm/Ranch Strategy Expert and Author is back as she offers some strategy, considerations, and cautions on managing these potential profits.  We’ll also discuss Operating Loans, which are now at a 20 year high for interest rates, and what...
Published 10/28/23
The financial picture for ranchers this year and potentially for a few years is going to look a lot different than has for a while.  Mary Jo Irmen, Farm/Ranch Strategy Expert and Author is back as she offers some strategy, considerations, and cautions on managing these potential profits.  We’ll also discuss Operating Loans, which are now at a 20 year high for interest rates, and what you may want to consider. We all want to take full advantage of the highs in this next Cattle Market Cycle,...
Published 10/21/23
Today we cover several topics.  First, the story from Denise Loyning (L-W Cattle Company) is using software that helps them efficiently develop their young bulls.  From tracking feed, both inventory and what is fed, to also health records with their veterinarian.  Then, RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger will join us to talk about a new risk management tool for Cow Calf Producers.  And finally I’ll recap how the Fall Run Calf Market is progressing as we review early October numbers and then Don...
Published 10/14/23
Tim Sheehy is a former Navy Seal turned businessman and rancher that shares his story of what provoked him to start from ground zero with a ranch (Little Belt Cattle Company) in Montana and start raising and selling branded beef products.  We’ll also discuss his concern about protecting and enhancing our food supply chain and why that’s important, his view on Country of Origin Labeling… and I might also mention, he’s running for a US Senate Seat for Montana. Plus, maintenance plans as you...
Published 10/07/23
After a strong summer Cattle Market will it hold through into the Fall Run?  Clint Berry, Marketing Representative for Superior Livestock is back as we assess this past summer's market and what that is telling us as we look ahead to the Fall Run.  What does it look like on the steer market?  On the heifers, will there be high demand or still a sell off?  And what about this bred cattle market? #workingranchmagazine #workingranchnation #justinmills.wyocowboy #ranchlife #ranching #dayweather...
Published 09/30/23
You might think that with these record cattle prices you can afford to buy some things or add to your operation.  But, before you do that, you’re going to want to listen through today’s show.  Dallas Mount, with Ranch Management Consultants, is my guest as I’ll have him expand more on his recent Profit Tips Newsletter titled… Don’t Screw Up The Windfall Profits.  We’ll discuss some of the common mistakes that can be made when are not strategic with additional profits.  And... If you’re like...
Published 09/23/23
This time of the year brings about the fall work of our cows.  Activities like shipping yearlings, pre-conditioning, weaning, and preg checking… there’s just a lot going on.  So how can we do all this and keep the stress level down in our cattle? Steve Cote is back with us to talk about some of the low stress practices we can do to keep our animals in the right frame of mind.  We’ll start with approaching the corrals with the cattle, how to reduce the pressure they feel at the gate, and one...
Published 09/16/23
We can breed for efficiency, but that doesn’t make your cows efficient… they can only work with the resources that are available.  Ted Perry, Director of Beef Technical Services with Purina joins us as we discuss the value of a mineral program in the nutrition of our cows that allows them to be efficient with the resources they have; whether that’s their feed, their environment, or their genetics.  Should a mineral program be seasonal or annual and why?  And the three “Abilities” of a...
Published 09/09/23
Virtual Fencing... Can it work?  Is it cost effective? Researchers from Oklahoma State University (Dr. Ryan Reuter, Dr. Laura Goodman, & Alayna Gerhardt) join me as we talk about their project in looking at the viability of Virtual Fencing for ranchers.  What are the benefits that it offers and what have been the challenges as this technology emerges.  And will get into the cost benefit analysis of virtual fencing, as we compare it to other forms of controlling animal...
Published 09/02/23
In ranching there are just some things we cannot control.  For example, our markets and weather.  So far, the markets are looking pretty good, but what about the weather for this fall and winter?  Meteorologist Don Day joins us for the entire show as he walks us through his outlook for the next 4-8 months.  We’ll take an overall look at what will be affecting our weather pattern and then we’ll break it down by region across North America. El Nino is looming large ahead of us.  What’s does...
Published 08/26/23
Managing a ranch in today’s industry is different that it was for the previous generations... and it continues to change.  So, what are the skills a manager needs on today’s ranch?  Rick Machen with the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management is my guest as he shares with us three umbrella areas that are critical for Ranch Managers. If you have aspirations of being a ranch manager, either for your family ranch or someone else; your currently in a management position; or an owner, today’s...
Published 08/19/23
Your Legacy… it’s what you leave behind when you leave this world.  What’s that going to look like? Will your legacy be muddled with your estate and family in disarray and your children not speaking to each other, or will it be a blessing? Dan Childs, with the Noble Research Institute, is my guest as we go through seven considerations in the succession planning of your ranch or estate. It’s all the ingredients you may want to consider if you want your "Legacy" to be a blessing rather than a...
Published 08/12/23
Today… An update on industry issues that you might want to be in the "know" on. Russell Nemetz with the Western Ag Network joins me to discuss the hot topics that were on the table of the Cattle Industry Summer Business in San Diego.  Among the topics, why the current administration is not accepting the Supreme Court's ruling on the WOTUS.  Also, who's in control of the inspection and regulation of synthesized meat, the push to see reform of the Endangered Species Act, and we’ll end on a high...
Published 08/05/23
The principles that Bud Williams brought to the forefront of our livestock industry have motivated many ranchers to learn and adopt these practices in their own operations.  Today we talk with Steve Cote as we specifically focus on the most important part of getting a herd to move is how they get started.  Plus, will talk through what we can being doing in the winter months to help train cattle to move better, herd quitters, and, how we can make the approach and entry into the corrals happen...
Published 07/29/23
Capital Gains Taxes… it’s a subject that is a part of the conversation in ranching families when there is a desire to divest of ranch land.  And if the land is sold outright, it leaves the seller liable for Capital Gains Taxes. This is where Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code comes in.  Dal Houston, attorney from Alva, OK is my as we go through the details of using a 1031… but even more than a way to defer capital gains, it can be an Investment Tool.  Plus, the history and the future...
Published 07/22/23
In our primary education we had report cards.  It was a method that could tell us if we were on track, where we were falling short, and monitored our progress.  The BQA Audit serves in that capacity for our industry as it evolved out of an era over 30 years ago in which consumer demand was in the tank.  So the industry took the bull by the horns (so to speak) and began issuing a BQA Audit every five years. Today we review the results of the latest audit.  From the positives to the areas...
Published 07/15/23
If your ranch struggles with profitability… maybe it’s time to consider the difference between Ranching Principles versus Ranching Practices.  Dallas Mount, Owner of Ranch Management Consultants is my guest as we discuss the danger to the lifespan of your operation when focusing on the “Practices” keeps you from adapting to changes in the industry.  But change can be tough considering our fear of failure.  Principles over Practices.... it’s not necessarily a new idea, but it is revolutionary...
Published 07/08/23
To become one of the largest horse sales in the west… what does that take?  Jann Parker, manager of the BLS Horse Sale in Billings, MT is my guest as we discuss how they handle the issues that can arise specifically when it comes to selling horses, how do they provide assurance to buyers , what has made BLS an exceptional "Loose Horse Sale Market", what’s hot in the market today, how have they adapted to changes over the years, and what does the future look like in the horse sale...
Published 07/01/23
To fully understand our domestic cattle markets, we need a grasp on the Global Beef Supply. Brett Stuart, with Global AgriTrends, is my guest as we talk world beef supply numbers.  What countries are driving US Beef exports and why Plus, we’ll address why there are beef imports from other countries and some concerns on imports.  Finally, why the long term forecast for global beef supplies sheds a positive light on the future for our cattle prices. Link:  Global AgriTrends Newsletter...
Published 06/24/23