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Working Ranch Radio Show

Justin Mills

Providing thought provoking information and resources for Ranchers that have a desire to be Responsible, Adaptive, and Profitable. From cows, to land, to people, and technology... issues every ranching business deals with. Hosted by Justin Mills, a 5th generation Wyoming Rancher.
A production of Working Ranch Magazine.

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27 episodes
weekly
Avg 54 min
English

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#272
Saturday · 54 min
Ep 272: Beyond the Hide: Making Better Decisions with Genomics w/ Dr. Kirk Ramsey and Dr. Kelsey Luebbe
The replacement heifers you keep and the bulls you buy today are building your herd for the next cattle cycle. So how can genomic testing help you make those decisions with more confidence? Today Dr. Kirk Ramsey and Dr. Kelsey Luebbe with Neogen join us to discuss practical uses for genomics in commercial cow-calf operations. From selecting productive, longer-lasting females and identifying which bulls are doing their job to understanding the value your calves can carry into the feedlot. Plus, we look at the economics of testing and how to turn the results into better management decisions. #WorkingRanchRadio #Ranching #CattleGenetics #Genomics #CowCalf #ReplacementHeifers #BullSelection #CowLongevity #BeefCattle #Neogen #IgenityBeef
#271
October 31 · 54 min
Ep 271: Another Year in the Herd: Value or Added Cost? w Randy Saner & Shannon Sand
With replacement females costing what they do today, what’s another productive year worth from a cow already in your herd? University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension educators Randy Saner and Shannon Sand join us to explore when that extra year adds value—and when it doesn’t. From replacement costs and young cows leaving the herd too soon to feed expenses and the productivity of older cows, we look at the factors that help determine whether keeping her another year will pay. Link to: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Beef Cow Replacement Forecast 2026-2027 #WorkingRanchRadio #Ranching #BeefCattle #CowCalf #CowLongevity #ReplacementHeifers #HerdManagement #RanchProfitability #NebraskaExtension
#270
October 17 · 54 min
Ep 270: How Are Today's Cattle Numbers Reshaping Our Industry's Infrastructure? w/ Dr. Stephen Koontz
Historically low cattle numbers are creating challenges throughout the beef industry, but what does that mean for the infrastructure needed to feed and process those cattle? Dr. Stephen Koontz, agricultural economist at Colorado State University, joins us to examine how reduced cattle supplies are affecting feedlot capacity, packing plant operations, and competition within the industry. We discuss the economic pressures facing both sectors, potential changes ahead, and whether the industry will need to adjust to a smaller cattle herd over the long term. Plus, what could these structural changes mean for cow-calf producers, and what should ranchers be considering as they make decisions for the future of their operations. #WorkingRanchRadioShow #CattleIndustry #CattleMarkets #CattleNumbers #CowCalfProducers #BeefIndustry #FeedlotCapacity #MeatPacking #CattleEconomics #Ranching #StephenKoontz #ColoradoStateUniversity
#269
October 10 · 54 min
Ep 269: The Value of a Calf Goes Beyond the Price
As the fall calf marketing season moves forward, where does the cattle market stand, and what should producers be considering? Bailey Ballou with Superior Livestock joins us to discuss current market fundamentals, feed costs, calf prices, and marketing strategies, including the value of weaning and vaccination programs. Then, Dr. Mitch Blanding with Zoetis discusses the importance of herd health, from protecting the developing fetus to preventing and managing bovine respiratory disease. Plus, Tim's Two Cents highlights Zoetis' Born of the Bond documentary and the importance of supporting rural veterinarians, and Don Day joins us with our weekly weather update. #WorkingRanchRadioShow #CattleMarket #SuperiorLivestock #Zoetis #CattleMarketing #CalfPrices #HerdHealth #BovineRespiratoryDisease #BeefCattle #Ranching #CowCalfProducers #BornOfTheBond #RuralVeterinarians #TimsTwoCents #DayWeather
#268
October 3 · 54 min
Ep 268: What’s True vs. What’s the Truth? w/ Chad Conard
Are the numbers and talking points we hear across the cattle business really telling us the whole story? This week, Chad Conard joins me to challenge some commonly repeated narratives—from the aging rancher and shrinking cow herd to beef production and imports—and look at the context behind the numbers. Plus, Cameron Cody with Harper Industries talks DewEze bale beds, feeding equipment and the Butler brand. #WorkingRanchRadioShow #CattleIndustry #BeefIndustry #Ranching #CattleProducers #DewEze
#267
September 19 · 54 min
Ep 267: The Life You Planned, The Path You Take w/ Glen Waters
The life you planned in agriculture may not be the life you ultimately live—and that doesn’t mean it turned out wrong. Glen Waters, cattle sales specialist with Purina Animal Nutrition, joins us to share how growing up with cattle helped shape his career in the industry, why staying involved in cattle production today gives him a valuable perspective when working with ranchers, and why he’s optimistic about the next generation in agriculture. Then we change gears and turn our attention to Washington as Justin Tupper, president of the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, gives us an update following his recent trip to D.C., including the latest movement on the Farm Bill, recent actions involving the cattle industry, and other conversations taking place in Washington that could impact cattle producers. #WorkingRanchRadioShow #WorkingRanch #Ranching #CattleIndustry #BeefIndustry #Agriculture #RanchLife #CattleProducers #PurinaAnimalNutrition #NextGenerationAg #AgCareers #FarmBill #USCattlemen #Cattlemen #AmericanAgriculture
#266
September 12 · 54 min
Ep 266: When Rebuilding Isn’t About Going Back w/ Kyle Farmer
Sometimes the toughest years force us to rethink the way we manage our ranches. Northern California rancher Kyle Farmer joins us to share how a devastating wildfire changed the way he looked at rebuilding and ultimately led him to become an early adopter of virtual fencing. We’ll talk about how that technology has changed his approach to grazing, water and infrastructure development, fire mitigation, and even how he uses his time on the ranch. It’s a conversation about looking beyond the way things have always been done and considering what might better prepare our ranches for the future. #WorkingRanchRadioShow #Ranching #VirtualFencing #Halter #GrazingManagement #Wildfire #RanchManagement
#265
September 5 · 54 min
Ep 265: Cattle Market Reality Check + Don Day Fall-to-Spring Forecast
The cattle market has backed off its summer highs, but is some perspective in order? Kyle Shobe with Superior Livestock joins us to recap the Big Horn Classic, discuss where the calf market stands today, and look at the outside forces creating uncertainty. Plus, meteorologist Don Day joins us for our annual long-range weather outlook, taking us from fall through winter and into spring as El Niño takes control of the forecast. #WorkingRanchRadioShow #CattleMarket #BeefMarket #CattlePrices #CalfMarket #SuperiorLivestock #BigHornClassic #Ranching #CowCalf #BeefIndustry #ElNino #WeatherOutlook #LongRangeForecast #RanchWeather #DonDay
#264
August 29 · 54 min
Ep 264: Building a Commercial Cow That Pays Her Way w/ Trey Patterson & John Maddux
What does the commercial cow that actually pays her way look like? Trey Patterson (Padlock Ranch) and John Maddox (Maddux Cattle Company) join us to discuss building a cow for the long haul—balancing fertility, genetics, management and production without losing sight of profitability. We’ll look at why maximizing performance isn’t always the answer, the value of heterosis, and how to build a cow that fits your environment and your operation. #WorkingRanchRadioShow #CommercialCattle #CowCalf #BeefCattle #Ranching #CattleGenetics #Heterosis #CowHerd #BeefProduction #RanchManagement #CattleProducers #CommercialCow #RanchProfitability #BeefIndustry
#263
August 15 · 54 min
Ep 263: Cattle Markets: Still Defying Gravity w/ Trent Stewart
Coming off the Video Royale sale in Winnemucca, where does the cattle market stand as we head toward the fall calf run? This week, Superior Livestock’s Trent Stewart looks at what the summer sales are telling us, what buyers are paying for, and how weight, delivery date and rising feed costs could impact marketing decisions. Plus, why he says this market is still “defying gravity” and why 2028 may be the year to watch. #WorkingRanchRadioShow #CattleMarket #CattlePrices #BeefCattle #CowCalf #FeederCattle #SuperiorLivestock #VideoRoyale #CattleMarketing #Ranching #BeefIndustry #LivestockMarketing
#262
August 8 · 54 min
Ep 262: Should She Stay? Rethinking Cull Cow Decisions w/ Dr. Ron Gill
Should today's record cattle market change the way you make culling decisions? This week, Texas A&M's Dr. Ron Gill discusses which culling principles should never change, where the current market may justify a different approach, and the traits that lead to a more profitable, longer-lasting cow herd. Plus, in a lightning round of real-world scenarios, Dr. Gill weighs in on which cows stay, which ones go, and why. Also, Don Day explains why this El Niño may have more in common with weather patterns from the 1950s than more recent El Niño events—and what that could mean for our long-range outlook. #WorkingRanchRadio #CowCalf #BeefCattle #Ranching #CullCows #CowHerd #HerdManagement #CommercialCattle #CowLongevity #CattleManagement #ReplacementHeifers #BeefIndustry #RanchLife #Profitability #TexasAgriLife
#261
August 1 · 54 min
Ep 261: Data Centers: What Rural America Needs to Know w/ Tony Pipa
Data centers are becoming a bigger part of the conversation across rural America, but what do they actually mean for the communities where they're built? Tony Pipa with the Brooking Institution is our guest as we discuss what's driving the rapid growth in data centers, the opportunities they may bring, and the legitimate concerns surrounding water, power, land, jobs and long-term economic impacts. We also look at what rural communities should be asking before making decisions that could shape their future for decades. #DataCenters #RuralAmerica #ArtificialIntelligence #RuralDevelopment #Agriculture #Ranching #Energy #WaterResources #EconomicDevelopment #WorkingRanchRadioShow
#260
July 18 · 54 min
Ep 260: Something Feels Different in the Cattle Market w/ Clint Berry
Has the cattle market found its new normal? Superior Livestock representative Clint Berry joins us to discuss what the recent Week in the Rockies sale is telling us, why he remains bullish on the long-term outlook for the beef industry, and what producers should be thinking about as they prepare to market this year's calf crop. Plus, Purina beef nutritionist Dr. Elizabeth Belew shares practical strategies to help position your herd for next year's success, and meteorologist Don Day has your long-range weather forecast. #WorkingRanchRadio #WorkingRanchMagazine #CattleMarket #BeefIndustry #SuperiorLivestock #WeekInTheRockies #CowCalf #CattleProducers #Ranching #LivestockMarketing #RiskManagement #BeefNutrition #Purina #Weather #Agriculture
#259
July 11 · 56 min
Ep 259: When Protein Pays with Dr. David Lalman
As summer progresses, forage quality can begin to decline long before the pasture looks like it's running out. That subtle change can impact intake, digestion, weight gain, body condition, and ultimately your bottom line. Oklahoma State University professor Dr. David Lalman joins us to discuss when late-summer protein supplementation makes economic sense, which classes of cattle stand to benefit the most, and how producers can evaluate whether the return on investment is worth the added input. Whether you're dealing with drought or simply managing maturing forage, this conversation offers practical insights to help you make more informed grazing and supplementation decisions. #WorkingRanchRadio #WorkingRanchMagazine #Ranching #CowCalf #Cattle #Livestock #RanchManagement #BeefProduction #GrazingManagement #ProteinSupplementation #ForageQuality #CattleNutrition #PastureManagement #DroughtManagement
#258
July 4 · 53 min
Ep 258: Beyond Screwworm: What's Next for the Cattle Industry Featuring Jared Wareham & Chelsea Good
Screwworm has dominated headlines across the cattle industry, but what happens after the initial crisis? Jared Wareham (Horizon Venture Management) and Chelsea Good (Good & Associates) join us to examine where the industry stands today—from the economic impact of a closed Mexican border and changing cattle markets to the latest technology being deployed to combat screwworm. We also explore the longer-term implications that may emerge from today's response, including shifts in beef production, processing, and global competition that could influence the U.S. cattle industry for years to come. #WorkingRanchRadio #WorkingRanchMagazine #Screwworm #CattleIndustry #BeefIndustry #CowCalf #CattleMarkets #BeefProduction #Livestock #Ranching #AnimalHealth #AgTech #USDA #CattleProducers #BeefBusiness
#257
June 27 · 54 min
Ep 257: What the Corn Belt Classic Is Telling Us with Bailey Ballou
The first major summer video auction is in the books, and the results from Superior Livestock Auction's Corn Belt Classic are providing an early look at where the calf market may be headed this fall. Bailey Ballou joins us to discuss the fundamentals continuing to support historically strong cattle prices, what buyers are rewarding in today's market, and how health programs, genetics, and demand are influencing premiums. Plus, we break down the sale region by region across the country to see where the strongest markets emerged and what those results could mean for your operation. #WorkingRanchRadio #WorkingRanchMagazine #SuperiorLivestock #CornBeltClassic #CattleMarket #CattlePrices #CowCalf #Ranching #LivestockMarketing #BeefIndustry #CattleProducers #Agriculture
#256
June 13 · 54 min
Ep. 256: Two Technologies Reshaping Ranch Management
Technology is changing ranching—but only if it leads to better decisions. This week, Shane White of Ceres Tag discusses wearable livestock technology and how data on feed efficiency, fertility, and grazing behavior may reshape cattle management. Then Gabe Wight of HerdAdvisor joins us to tackle one of ranching's biggest challenges: getting records entered and using them to improve marketing, culling, breeding, and profitability. Two technologies. One goal: helping ranchers make better decisions. #WorkingRanchRadio #ranching #cattle #cowcalf #livestock #agtech #precisionlivestock #cattlemanagement #grazingmanagement #ranchmanagement #beefproduction #agriculture
#255
June 6 · 54 min
Ep 255: What Happens When Nobody Talks About the Land? w/Sonja Howle
A historic amount of American farm and ranch land is changing hands—and for many families, the biggest challenge isn't the legal paperwork. It's having the conversations that need to happen before the paperwork is ever signed. Today, land transition strategist Sonja Howle joins us to discuss the growing wave of agricultural land transitions, why so many families find themselves unprepared, and how understanding your family's values and vision for the land can shape better decisions for future generations. Plus, later in the show, why one cattle nutrition expert with Lallemand Animal Nutrition says, “yeast is not yeast is not yeast,” and what that means for getting more performance from your forage. #workingranchmagazine #WorkingRanchRadio #ranchlife #ranching #beef #cattle #livestock #cowcalf #BeefCattle #CattleManagement #Ranchers #AgPodcast #RuralAmerica #Agriculture #FamilyRanch #LandTransition #FarmTransition #SuccessionPlanning #FamilyLegacy #WorkingLands #LandStewardship #AgLand #RanchManagement #ForageManagement #CattleNutrition #Probiotics #GutHealth #ForageUtilization
#254
May 23 · 54 min
Ep 254: Three Ranchers. One Question. The Worst Way to Spend $50,000.
If you had an extra $50,000 to invest into your ranch today… what’s the smartest way to use it? In part two of this special roundtable discussion, Zach Hopson, Dallas Mount, and Paul Foster discuss the worst ways to spend money, when equipment actually makes sense, paying down debt versus keeping cash available, and how ranchers are beginning to use AI and technology to improve decision-making, grazing management, and overall business efficiency. A practical conversation about deploying capital, managing risk, and building a stronger ranch business while cattle markets remain strong. Plus, a conversation on the first and only intranasal BRD vaccine offering protection against IBR, BRSV, PI3, Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica... and it's safe to use in calves 1 week of age and older. #workingranchmagazine #WorkingRanchRadio #ranching #ranchlife #cowcalf #cattle #livestock #ranchbusiness #ranchprofitability #agtech #virtualfencing #AIinAgriculture #riskmanagement
#253
May 16 · 54 min
Ep 253: Three Ranchers. One Question. $50,000 to Invest.
If you had $50,000 to invest into your operation today… where would it go? Today is part 1 of a 2-part conversation with three ranchers from different operations answer the exact same question. Zach Hopson from East Texas, Dallas Mount from Eastern Wyoming, and Paul Foster from Northern Wyoming each bring a different perspective shaped by their own environments, business structures, land access, risk tolerance, and long-term goals. From cattle trading and infrastructure development… to water projects, labor efficiency, diversification, working capital, and preparing the next generation… this conversation becomes much bigger than simply “how to spend $50,000.” It’s a practical, honest discussion about priorities, profitability, resilience, and building operations that can survive long-term. #workingranchmagazine #WorkingRanchRadio #ranching #ranchlife #cowcalf #cattle #livestock #beef #cattlemanagement #ranchprofitability #grazingmanagement #agbusiness #customgrazing #RanchingForProfit

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