American Cattlemen Podcast

Pig Brig Trap Systems Cattle Con 2026

Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast and our series at Cattle Con 2026. Just ahead, we have Kaid Panek and he chats with Aaron Sumrall, with Pig Brig Trap Systems. 
Feral hogs pose a widespread and often underestimated threat to agriculture, livestock production, and broader natural resources across North America. Aaron explains how feral hogs impact virtually everyone who relies on food, fiber, or land, regardless of whether they see pigs locally. He emphasizes that the belief that cold climates or northern regions are protected is dangerously misleading, noting that several Canadian provinces already have established feral hog populations that can move southward.
A major driver of feral hog expansion is not natural migration but illegal transportation. The scattered “freckles” on hog distribution maps are clear evidence that pigs are being hauled across state lines and released, often to create local hunting opportunities. Once on the landscape, their adaptability, intelligence, and reproductive capacity enable populations to establish and grow quickly. While common myths overstate their ability to have three litters per year, their reproduction is still extremely high compared to other large mammals, especially when they benefit from good nutrition intended for domestic livestock.
Economically, feral hogs cause significant damage to crops, pastures, hay equipment, and stocking capacity. Studies in states like Texas and Oklahoma have estimated hundreds of dollars in damage per pig per year, and those figures are likely increasing as agricultural land shrinks and commodity values rise. Land fragmentation and inconsistent management between neighboring properties create sanctuaries where hogs can avoid pressure and then move out to damage surrounding lands.
Aaron argues that effective response requires accurate information, early action, cooperative landowner efforts, and supportive policy that removes financial incentives around feral hogs. He describes Pig Brig’s role as both educational and practical, offering research-based net trap systems that are lightweight, adaptable to difficult terrain, and suitable for users ranging from small producers to national programs. By integrating trapping with other tools like shooting and dogs, and by aligning wildlife agencies, soil and water conservation groups, and private landowners around shared goals, he believes feral hog populations can be meaningfully reduced before they become unmanageable in new regions.
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Jorgensen Land & Cattle

Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast and our series at Cattle Con 2026. Just ahead, we have Kaid Panek and he chats with Jamie Wolf and Cody Jorgensen, with Jorgensen land and Cattle. In this episode, they will dive into Jorgensen Land & Cattle and their philosophy on raising top of the line cattle. 
Cody explains that he is a fourth-generation member of the family business, with the fifth generation already involved. He traces their breeding philosophy back to his grandfather in the early 1950s, who was an early adopter of performance testing. Using handwritten “cow cards,” his grandfather tied calf, weaning, and yearling data back to individual cows and used that information to make disciplined, maternal-based selection decisions. This foundation evolved into what they now call the Mother Lode breeding philosophy, emphasizing trouble-free, high-quality cows as the basis for strong bulls.
Cody describes their “Smart Bull” concept, where Angus bulls are developed and leased for two consecutive breeding seasons in a five-state area before returning to Jorgensen. After reconditioning and semen evaluation, those bulls are then marketed into the southern United States. This system ensures buyers receive fully tested, mature bulls proven under real-world conditions, particularly important in challenging environments.
Jamie outlines their advanced genomic work under Ideal Beef Genetics. Partnering with Zoetis, they built a proprietary evaluation backed by more than 60 years of performance data. They then collaborated with AgBoost to convert complex EPD and genomic information into an easy-to-read 1-to-10 scoring system, visualized as trait “wheels” for maternal, heifer bull, and terminal indexes. This helps both new and experienced bull buyers quickly match bulls to their specific goals.
The Jorgensen team extends this genomic testing to commercial customers’ females, then consults with them on replacement selection and optimal bull choices, positioning the relationship as a true partnership. They also assist with marketing calves through collaboration agreements with various feedyards. Looking ahead, they highlight their annual yearling bull sale each April and their Mother Lode female sale each November, and mention that they offer embryos and pheasant hunting experiences tied to the ranch.
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Caraway Red Angus Annual Production Sale

Welcome back to Genetics & the Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media. Just ahead, we have Gale McKinney, he's the owner of American Cattlemen Media, and he sits down with Jon Caraway, Owner of Caraway Red Angus. In this episode, Jon and Gale will dive into the Caraway Red Angus Ranch 2026 Annual Production Sale, held on March 21st, 2026, at 1PM CST, at the Darr Feedlot Bull Development Center, in Cozad, Nebraska. 
At Caraway Red Angus, they take pride in heritage and commitment to quality. Their family has been raising Red Angus cattle for Generations, ensuring that each bull sold meets their high standards.
Generations of Jon’s family have been involved with the breed, and the ranch focuses on ensuring that every bull offered for sale meets their rigorous standards of performance and reliability for commercial cattle producers.
Jon explains that their operation is a true family effort. He grew up in Minnesota, while his wife is originally from Nebraska. After serving 23 years in the military, Jon retired in 2021. At that time, his father-in-law, who did not have a successor for the ranch, offered Jon and his family the opportunity to take it over. They moved the cattle south about five years ago, with the goal of creating a life where their children could ranch without needing multiple jobs, something Jon himself had to juggle while previously working full-time for the National Guard and running cattle in Minnesota.
This is more than just a one-day sale; it is an ongoing program that has been built to serve commercial cattlemen over the long term. The setting at the Darr Feedlot Bull Development Center further reinforces that the bulls have been managed with careful development in mind, providing buyers with animals that are ready to go to work while still being set up for longevity. The sale is portrayed as a chance for repeat and new customers alike to tap into a program that values integrity, data-driven decision-making, and customer success.
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2 Bar Angus 10th Annual Bull Sale

Welcome to Genetics & the Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media. Just ahead, we have Gale McKinney, he's the owner of American Cattlemen Media, and he chats with Steve and Laura Knoll, Owners of 2 Bar Angus. In this episode, they will dive into the 2 Bar Angus 10th Annual Bull Sale, held on March 18th, 2026, at 1PM CDT, at the Hereford Vet Clinic, Hereford, Texas. 
At 2 Bar Angus, they take pride in heritage and commitment to quality. Their family has been raising Angus cattle for generations, ensuring that each bull sold meets their high standards.
Steve explains that 2 Bar Angus began roughly 28 to 29 years ago and has always operated as a family enterprise. From the start, their core business has been raising bulls for commercial cattlemen. He emphasizes that the bulls are the centerpiece of the program, while females are treated as a byproduct of that effort, although many of those females still turn out to be particularly valuable in their own right. The guiding philosophy is straightforward: produce bulls that help commercial customers make money and stand up to practical ranch conditions year after year.
Steve describes how they prioritize low birth weight combined with strong growth, aiming to balance calving ease with performance. Carcass merit is also a key objective; they work to build in as much carcass quality as possible so customers can capture added value further down the production chain. At the same time, he stresses that cattle must remain structurally sound and adapted to their environment. The cows need to breed back regularly, deliver a live calf each year, and have the maternal instincts to raise that calf successfully. Common-sense functionality underpins every selection decision.
Gale and Steve also touch on the family dimension of the ranch. Steve notes that he and Laura have two sons and two daughters, with one son and one daughter still actively involved in the operation. Aside from one hired hand, the ranch is essentially a family-run outfit, with day-to-day work and long-term decisions handled by the family.
 
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701X Cattle Con 2026

Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Dustin Hector, he's the Director of Business Development for American Cattlemen Media, and he sits down with Chip Kemp, Chief Strategy Officer for 701X, Cattle Con 2026. 
Chip frames the bull as a ranch’s “most important employee,” noting that producers invest heavily in him but historically have had little real-time insight into his activity, health, or location. With 701X devices, producers can continuously monitor bulls and other cattle, knowing where they are, when they are mounting cows, and when early signs of health issues emerge—often before they are visible to the human eye.
The conversation broadens to the role of technology in ranching. Chip acknowledges the nostalgia for earlier, simpler times but compares modern tech adoption to choosing a cab tractor over an old Ford 8N: once the benefits are clear, most people would not go back. He stresses that skepticism often stems from past overpromises by “charlatans,” and contrasts that with 701X’s engineering-first, ranch-informed approach that actually delivers on what it claims.
Dustin and Chip emphasize that good technology allows producers to be proactive instead of reactive. Examples include integrated water monitoring, calving alerts, and stress or no-movement alerts that can prevent death loss or losses from breeding inefficiencies. Chip shares a story of an alert that allowed a family member with physical challenges to save a calf from a dangerous waterway, turning what would have been a loss into preserved value for the operation.
Throughout, Chip returns to the idea of “technology enhancing tradition.” The goal is not to replace hands-on animal husbandry, but to use data and smart tools to allocate time and labor more efficiently, support multi-generational continuity, and help small family outfits remain viable and competitive in a modern marketplace.
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Pollard Farms 27th Annual Spring Sale

Welcome back to Genetics & the Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media. Just ahead, we Gale McKinney, he's the owner of American Cattlemen Media, and he chats with Jeremy Leister, Ranch Manager of Pollard Farms. In this episode, Jeremy and Gale will dive into the Pollard Farms 27th Annual Spring Bull & Female Sale, held on March 18th, 2026, at 12PM CT, at Pollard Farms in Waukomis, Oklahoma. 
At Pollard Farms, their goal is to produce bulls with superior growth and carcass traits, ensuring customers benefit from the increased value of heavy calves and the substantial grid premiums achieved.
The Pollard Farms program is built around customer service and long-term profitability for buyers. Pollard Farms strives to produce Angus cattle that combine phenotype, structural soundness, and elite EPD profiles, with a particular focus on growth and carcass traits that allow customers to capture premiums on heavy, high-quality calves. Jeremy emphasizes that they are not chasing a single niche; instead, they are using the tools and technology of the American Angus Association, along with carefully selected AI sires and top-end Angus females, to create cattle that work in a wide variety of commercial environments.
The sale is front-loaded with long-age bulls ready for heavy service, including powerful, structurally sound brothers in the first two lots that combine eye appeal with strong numbers. The offering includes sire groups by several prominent AI sires that bring together marbling, performance, and balance.
On the female side, the sale includes first-calf heifer pairs carrying young, fresh genetics, along with proven four- to six-year-old spring-calving cows and a group of fall-bred cows and heifers. Jeremy explains that this variety is intentional, giving buyers the opportunity to start a herd, rebuild numbers, or add quality females in whatever combination fits their program. He also outlines buyer-friendly terms such as breeding soundness exams, breeding-season guarantees, and volume incentives, all designed to support customer success.
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2K Cattle Enterprises 28th Annual Sale

Welcome back to Genetics & the Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media. Just ahead, we have Gale McKinney, he's the owner of American Cattlemen Media, and he sits down with Kelsi Retallick, Co-Owner of 2K Cattle Enterprises. In this episode, Kelsi and Gale will dive into the 2K Cattle Enterprises 28th Annual Performance-Tested Bull & Female Sale, held on March 15th, 2026, at 1PM CDT, at Bloomington Livestock Exchange, in Bloomington Wisconsin. 
At 2K Cattle enterprises, they take pride in heritage and commitment to quality. Their family has been raising Angus cattle for generations, ensuring that each bull sold meets their high standards.
The 2K Cattle philosophy is to avoid extremes and instead build cattle that combine maternal strength, structural soundness, longevity, fertility, and strong growth with an eye on carcass quality and marbling. The goal is for customers to raise calves that get up, grow quickly, and push down the scales, while still producing replacements that make productive, long‑lived cows.
Kelsey also outlines how their broader business model ties together a farm‑to‑table system. The family finishes many of their own cattle, supplying a butcher shop and a steakhouse she opened a couple of years ago. This vertical integration allows them to see firsthand how their genetics perform all the way to the plate, reinforcing the focus on carcass merit alongside maternal traits.
This year's offering includes 54 yearling Angus bulls and 21 elite bred Angus females. Kelsey reviews the strength of the sire groups represented: Clarity sons from proven donor cows, Kindreds noted for calving ease with frame and pounds, Bedfords with eye appeal and mass, and Top Gun bulls that combine calving ease with performance and are suitable for heifer use. Additional sire lines such as Connealy Comrade descendants, Rise Above, and Growth Fund contribute to a deep, uniform set of bulls that have performed well since weaning and present consistent quality across the pen.
On the female side, Kelsey highlights Lot 55, a lead-off bred female out of an Everelda cow purchased from Deer Valley and flushed multiple times with excellent results. This female calved at the end of December and is raising a promising calf by Baldridge Heat Seeker. The broader group of bred heifers were carefully developed and AI bred to sires like Heat Seeker and Boyd Bedrock, and Kelsey expresses strong confidence in their quality, udders, and future production. All bulls have passed reproductive soundness exams and are sold with a first season breeding guarantee, and the family is committed to working with buyers on trucking and logistics to ensure a smooth sale experience.
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Isa Beefmaster

Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead we have Dustin Hector, he's the director of business development for American Cattlemen Media, and he sits down with Lorenzo Lasater, President of Isa Beefmaster. 
Lorenzo is an Entrepreneurial CEO with 24 years of experience in building, branding, and marketing inside a wide range of businesses, ranging from business printing, retail packaging for manufacturers, hunting and retail, and food service. He is also a 5th-generation rancher and the current president of Isa Beefmaster based in San Angelo, Texas.
The Beefmaster breed emerged as a three-way composite: roughly half Bos indicus and half Bos taurus, from Brahman-type crossed on native Herefords, later adding Shorthorn. Lorenzo explains that this structure gives Beefmasters high built-in heterosis and underpins their reputation for adaptability, fertility, longevity, and efficiency in grass-based systems. Central to the program is the Lassiter philosophy of the “six essentials”: fertility, weight, conformation, hardiness, disposition, and milk production. These traits are selected in balance to maximize economic efficiency rather than aesthetics.
Lorenzo describes how Isa Beefmaster markets its genetics through an annual fall bull sale, spring private-treaty bull sales, bred females and open heifers, and a growing international business in semen and embryos, especially in tropical and desert regions. A direct-to-consumer ranch-to-table beef business launched by his son has provided a way for local customers to experience their product firsthand.
He emphasizes the breed’s adaptability to both heat and cold, with cattle performing from Texas to Montana and even Alaska, while noting their “sweet spot” remains the southern half of the United States and other grass-based, lower-input environments. Looking to the future, Lorenzo is optimistic yet realistic about challenges such as access to land, rising costs, and succession. He stresses the importance of maintaining economic balance in the cattle while modernizing for today’s beef industry and preserving the family’s multi-generational legacy and deep connection to land and livestock.
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Pfaff Angus 2026 Annual Bull Sale

Welcome to Genetics & the Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media. Just ahead, we have Gale McKinney, he's the Owner of American Cattlemen Media, and he chats with Rex Pfaff, Owner of Pfaff Angus. In this episode, Rex and Gale will dive into the Pfaff Angus 2026 Annual Bull Sale, held on March 11th, 2026, at 1:30PM CT, at the Pfaff Angus Ranch, in Fairfax, South Dakota.
At Pfaff Angus, they take pride in heritage and commitment to quality. Their family has been raising Angus cattle for Generations, ensuring that each bull sold meets their high standards. 
Rex has been farming and ranching since 1978 and has been in the registered Angus business for about two decades. Prior to that, he focused on stock and feeder cattle and learned that pounds of gain are what drive profitability. That philosophy now underpins his breeding program: producing bulls that help commercial cattlemen raise good, high-performing cattle that sell well and bring repeat buyers and premiums on the grid.
Rex describes his approach to cattle selection as strongly rooted in eye appeal and functional correctness. If there is a weakness or “hole” in a cow, he chooses sires that can fill that gap. He emphasizes that buyers of feeder cattle want good, uniform cattle, and when they like what they see, they come back and often pay a premium. On management, he notes that while the cattle are not pampered, he does believe in keeping them in good condition and living by the principle that if you take care of your cattle, they will take care of you.
The offering for the March 11th, 2026, sale includes 44 yearling bulls, highlighted by sons of Bullseye Significant, Eternity, Huffman Bedford, 4M Blockade, and proven herd sires used as cleanups. There are also eight two-year-old bulls primarily from his daughter’s fall herd, giving buyers slightly older, gentle bulls ready to cover cows. In addition, the sale features 10 open heifers out of home-raised cows and cleanup sires, positioned as high-quality females suitable for both established and beginning cattle operations. Six bred cows, largely late calvers ranging from first-calf heifer to nine years old, are offered for the first time as Paff Angus tightens its calving window.
Rex outlines that bulls are fully worked, vaccinated, semen checked, and essentially ready to go to work.
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Berwald Red Angus 4th Bull & Female Sale

Welcome back to Genetics & the Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media. Just ahead, we have Gale McKinney, he's the owner of American Cattlemen Media, and he chats with Seth Leachman and Austin Berwald, with Berwald Red Angus. In this episode, they will dive into the Berwald Red Angus 4th Annual Bull & Female Sale, held on March 11th, 2026, at 1PM CST, at the farm, Toronto, South Dakota. 
Berwald Red Angus has built their program around a select group of genetics from some of the most well established and successful programs in the breed. With these base genetics they have gone into a very intensive ET and AI program to mass produce the kind they like and know will work for their customers. Their main goal in all of this is to build a cow herd of very maternal females that can produce progeny with growth and carcass merit.
Seth explains that he joined Austin about four and a half years ago, when Austin was transitioning from quietly building his Red Angus herd to hosting a full production sale. From the beginning, the goal has been to develop a superior cow herd based on a small number of elite cow families, using intensive embryo transfer and artificial insemination. They now implant 500–600 embryos per year, which accelerates genetic progress by shortening the generation interval and rapidly turning top young females into donor cows. The bulls in the sale largely trace back to just a handful of influential cows, creating consistency and uniformity throughout the offering.
The 2026 sale will feature around 125 bulls, including Red Angus, black Red Angus gene carriers, and some Simmental-influenced cattle. Seth and Austin highlight several standout sire lines, such as Berwald Destiny 3138, whose first sons and daughters sell this year, and high-impact sires tied to prominent cow families like J-Lo 007 and the 0018 cow. They emphasize structural soundness, especially foot quality, a priority shaped by Austin’s dairy background and years spent scrutinizing feet and leg structure. Carcass merit is another focus, with one lead bull posting exceptionally high marbling and ratio figures.
In addition to bulls, the sale includes registered open heifers drawn from the very top of the replacement pen, many of them direct daughters or full sisters to leading herd sires and donors. Austin and Seth stress that these are females they would happily retain themselves. The program also offers a strong group of commercial open heifers, representing the same cow families and genetic base as the registered cattle.
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