Join host Shaye Wanner as she delves into the inspiring journey of Todd and Taylor Stegall and Callie Barber, who are revolutionizing school lunches by introducing local beef into the system. Discover the challenges and triumphs of sourcing locally, the impact on students, and the benefits for the local economy. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction by Shaye Wanner [01:30] Todd Stegall on his passion for cattle ranching [04:00] Callie Barber discusses the logistics of local beef in schools [07:15] The USDA inspection process explained [10:00] Community support and collaboration insights [13:00] Challenges and triumphs in local food sourcing [16:00] Final thoughts and call to action Key Highlights: Todd Stegall shares his passion for cattle ranching and the importance of quality beef. Callie Barber discusses the logistics and benefits of integrating local beef into school programs. Insights into the USDA inspection process and its role in local food sourcing. The importance of community support and collaboration in local food initiatives. #LocalBeef #SchoolLunch #CattleRanching #USDA #SustainableFood #CommunitySupport Don't miss this insightful episode! Subscribe now and leave a review to support our mission of bringing quality content to your feed. Happy ranching! Ready for more ranching conversations? Join the Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19PZX3xByi/ Learn more about the Stegall Ranch ➡️ https://www.stegallcattle.com/ 

Join Shaye Wanner in a compelling conversation with Lamar Steiger as they delve into consumer perceptions and buying patterns in the beef industry. Discover insights from Lamar’s unique experiences as both a rancher and a retail consultant.

Join host Shaye Wanner on the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast as she chats with Patrick Jones from the Noble Research Institute about strategies for ranch profitability. Learn how to set realistic financial goals, manage overhead and direct costs, and avoid common accounting pitfalls to ensure your ranch thrives. Learn more about Noble: https://bit.ly/3DD7uG0 Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 02:15 - Meet Patrick Jones 05:30 - Setting Financial Goals 10:45 - Understanding Overhead Costs 15:20 - Direct Costs and Common Mistakes 20:00 - Resources and Courses for Ranchers 25:30 - Patrick's Reflections and Advice   Hashtags: #RanchProfitability #CattleConversations #SustainableRanching

Are you ready to make more confident bull-buying decisions that truly move your ranch forward? In this episode, Shaye Wanner visits with Marty Ropp of Allied Genetic Resources to discuss how commercial cow-calf producers can leverage genomics through the Right Bull program to select bulls that align with their goals and cows. Marty shares how precision mating, large-effect genes, and genomic compatibility are revolutionizing herd improvement—saving time, reducing risk, and increasing uniformity and profitability. Whether you’re buying one bull or managing hundreds, this episode will help you understand how to turn genetics into ROI.

In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, host Shaye Koester-Wanner reconnects with Casey Fanta, seedstock manager at Wulf Cattle, to explore how the beef industry is evolving—especially when it comes to online bull sales. Casey shares how COVID-19 accelerated their transition to digital auctions, the value of customer relationships, and how the beef quality landscape has changed over the years. From open houses to impulse buying, you’ll get a deep look at the pros, cons, and practicalities of selling bulls online.

Jon Biermacher joins to explore the critical economic decisions ranchers face—particularly around culling cows. Jon dives into the financial trade-offs, market signals, and resilience that define today’s beef producers. Discover why cull cows can significantly impact ranch revenue and what ranchers need to consider before keeping open cows. This is a must-listen for producers wanting to make smarter, margin-driven decisions in a volatile market.

What if fencing your pastures no longer required posts, wires, or constant upkeep? In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, Shaye Wanner talks with Gary Tiller about virtual fencing technology and its game-changing potential for the cattle industry. From grazing efficiency and labor savings to better land utilization and improved quality of life for ranchers, Gary outlines how Merck Animal Health is shaping the future of livestock management with the SenseHub Vence product.

In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, host Shaye Wanner chats with Arlie Reeves about her family’s journey raising Wagyu cattle. From the breed’s rich history to marketing premium beef and correcting industry misconceptions, Arlie shares valuable insights for ranchers, consumers, and anyone curious about the future of high-quality beef. Learn how consumer demand, direct-to-consumer sales, and proper animal husbandry all play a role in building a resilient Wagyu operation.

In this solo episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, Shaye Koester-Wanner addresses a feeling many ranchers know all too well—feeling behind. She explores why that mindset exists, how it relates to the entrepreneurial nature of ranching, and how shifting your perspective can lead to greater satisfaction and measurable progress.

Shaye Wanner and Mark Johnson discuss the practice of creep feeding in cattle management. They explore the advantages and disadvantages of creep feeding, its impact on calf weight gain, and the factors influencing its profitability. The conversation also delves into the importance of selecting the right ration for creep feeding and the potential of creep grazing as an alternative. Mark emphasizes the need for producers to evaluate their specific circumstances and market conditions to determine the viability of creep feeding in their operations.

In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, host Shaye Wanner sits down with Dave Specht, a leading voice on generational ranching and family business continuity. Together, they dive into the complexities of ranch succession planning, emphasizing the importance of long-term goals, financial transparency, and the often-overlooked influence of matriarchs in agriculture.

In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, host Shaye Wanner sits down with Jason and Candice, alongside Maika from Ambrook, to unpack the realities of diversified ranching, the power of precise bookkeeping, and how financial clarity is reshaping ranch businesses. From navigating multiple enterprises to earning consumer trust, this conversation is packed with insights for modern ranchers committed to growth, profitability, and transparency. Whether you’re running a multi-faceted operation or just looking to better understand your numbers, this episode sheds light on how tools like Ambrook can offer ranchers more control, confidence, and clarity. Get 1 month of Ambrook FREE: ambrook.com/casualcattle

Are wedding venues and AirBNBs really a good way for ranchers to make more money? In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, host Shaye Wanner sits down with Jason Wrich to explore how ranchers can diversify their income through alternative revenue streams like event hosting, Airbnb, and direct-to-consumer beef sales.

Why is mental health in agriculture still hard to talk about? In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, Shaye Wanner talks with Bridgette and Lauren from the Rural Well Podcast about breaking generational cycles, building support systems, and encouraging therapy in rural communities. From signs of strong mental health to understanding generational trauma, this episode offers tools, stories, and real talk for farmers, ranchers, and anyone passionate about supporting mental health in ag.

Fertility is the foundation of profitability in any cow-calf operation—and in this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, Shaye Wanner is joined by Jennifer Koziol to talk about everything producers need to know about bull fertility. They break down the importance of breeding soundness exams, the difference between subfertility and infertility, and how genetics, nutrition, and stress affect a bull’s ability to perform.

In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, Shaye Wanner talks with Kelly Sanders and Taylor Garcia from Westway Feed Products to break down the real benefits of liquid feed in the beef industry. From improving cattle nutrition to supporting better ranch management, this conversation tackles everything from urea safety and cost savings to optimizing calf growth. If you’re curious about feed safety, supplement strategies, and boosting profitability on your ranch, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast, host Shaye Wanner speaks with Dr. Bob Weber about the upcoming Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) convention. They discuss the importance of encouraging the younger generation to return to ranching, the role of BIF in the beef industry, and the significance of networking at such events. The conversation also highlights the Young Producer Symposium, which aims to engage young ranchers in discussions about entrepreneurship, transition planning, and advocacy. Additionally, they explore the impact of AI and machine learning on ranching practices, as well as the logistics of the BIF convention and the value of attending. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 02:19 Encouraging the Next Generation in Ranching 05:14 Understanding the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) 11:05 The Importance of Networking at BIF 14:38 Young Producer Symposium Overview 22:23 Key Topics at the BIF Convention 34:38 The Role of AI and Machine Learning in Ranching 39:00 Tours and Event Logistics 42:10 Final Thoughts and Call to Action BIF https://bit.ly/42tg9Du Performance Beef https://hubs.la/Q03cBlb50 Vigortone Mineral https://bit.ly/3Xe6EGr Noble Research Institute https://bit.ly/3DD7uG0 Connect with the Shaye https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/ #ranching #farming #beefcattle #beefgenetics #cattlebusiness

In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, host Shaye Wanner talks with Devlon Ford of the Noble Research Institute about the fundamentals of grazing management, cattle management, and regenerative ranching. They cover the importance of understanding carrying capacity, stocking rate, and stock density to ensure sustainable and profitable ranching practices.

From classroom visits to conversations in the grocery store, Kathy discusses how personal stories and everyday interactions help bridge the gap between ranchers and consumers. Learn how advocacy has evolved and why even small efforts can shape the future of ranching.

host Shaye Wanner sits down with Thaddeus Tharp, an experienced ag lender with deep roots in agriculture and beef production. They explore the critical role of relationships in ag lending, the importance of financial management, and key risk management strategies for cattle producers.