American Cattlemen Podcast

The DuVall family at Capitol Angus Ranch is preparing to welcome cattlemen to northeast Texas for its 2026 Bull Sale. Set for Saturday, November 14, near Whitehouse, the sale will feature 132 Angus bulls, with the cattle auction beginning at 1 PM Central. 
Tyler DuVall joins Aaron McKinney on Genetics & the Gavel to introduce the Capitol Angus program, discuss their breeding philosophy, and preview this year's offering. 
THE CAPITOL ANGUS PROGRAM 
The family's breeding goals center on good feet, correct structure, growth, and carcass quality. Capitol Angus emphasizes deep-bodied, thick-made bulls developed for use in commercial and seedstock herds. The ranch also uses the performance of previous progeny to help guide selection within its donor program. 
Capitol Angus is part of the family's Texas BeefHouse business, connecting its cattle program with a beef business serving customers beyond the ranch. 
THE 2026 OFFERING 
This year's catalog includes more than 55 sons of Rhoades Doc Dre, along with genetics from Kingston, Deadwood, Premium, Headstart, Guardian, and other sires. The interview gives Tyler an opportunity to walk through the offering and point buyers toward bulls and sire groups he wants to highlight. 
SALE DAY AT CAPITOL ANGUS 
The sale will be held at the ranch, with the sale facility located at 19682 FM 756, Tyler, Texas 75703. Cattle are available for viewing before sale day. Wes Tiemann is listed as the cattle auctioneer, and online cattle bidding is available through CCI.Live, SuperiorLivestock.com, and LiveAuctions.TV. 
A customer appreciation dinner and live beef auction follow at 5 PM Central. For information about the cattle offering, visit CapitolAngus.com or contact Tyler DuVall at 903-316-6225. 
Listen to the complete Genetics & the Gavel conversation for more on the family, the Capitol Angus program, and the November 14 sale.
 
For previous episodes of Genetics & The Gavel, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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Welcome to the American Cattlemen Podcast and our final episode in our series covering the 2026 American Wagyu Conference. Today, join Gale McKinney as he sits down with American Wagyu Association President Cade Nichols and Treasurer Roger Osinchuk for a conversation about association leadership, producer education, and opportunities across the cattle business.  
Roger shares his background as a large animal veterinarian in Vermont and discusses his involvement in a USDA-funded beef-on-dairy research project. Using Wagyu genetics with Holstein cows, the project examines feed efficiency and carcass quality, with plans to compare results against Angus dairy crosses. Cade explains how his experience managing ranches, leasing bulls, buying calves, and operating a preconditioning yard connects Wagyu genetics with commercial cattle producers.  
Together, Cade and Roger describe the association’s efforts to improve registration, simplify data submission, and turn carcass information into more useful breeding tools. They discuss the Helical platform, DNA verification, and expected progeny differences, explaining why better records can support informed decisions for operations of every size. Roger also shares an example from his cattle business illustrating how registration helped him negotiate a higher sale price.  
The conversation highlights youth involvement through the Heritage Fund and educational experiences that introduce young people to cattle production and beef quality. Cade and Roger emphasize the importance of encouraging the next generation while helping existing producers understand new technologies and management approaches.  
Looking ahead, they examine the challenges of promoting Wagyu genetics during a strong commercial cattle market. Topics include potential shortages of first-generation Wagyu crosses and breeding bulls, calf premiums, calving ease, bull longevity, and the importance of dependable buyer relationships. They also share their perspectives on how demand for premium beef could create opportunities for established ranchers and newcomers alike.  
Whether you raise commercial cattle, manage a dairy operation, or want to learn more about Wagyu, this episode offers perspectives on building value through genetics, education, and better information. Join Gale, Roger, and Cade for a discussion about strengthening the American Wagyu Association and preparing producers for the opportunities ahead. Hear how their experiences connect association priorities with everyday decisions on the ranch.
 
For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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Welcome to the American Cattlemen Podcast and our series on the 2026 American Wagyu Conference. Today, host Aaron McKinney visits with Tony Ostrad of Five Oaks Farm to explore the work behind premium Wagyu beef and the relationships that help bring it from farm to table. With more than two decades of Wagyu experience, Tony shares how a teenage summer job developed into a cattle operation built around quality, transparency, and trust. 
Tony traces his journey from working at a local feedlot to raising cattle of his own, eventually expanding into direct consumer beef sales. He explains why helping customers understand their purchases is central to the Five Oaks approach, particularly when distinguishing American Wagyu crossbreds from fullblood Wagyu. Their conversation explores differences in marbling, tenderness, flavor, and fat characteristics, along with the challenges of communicating those differences through labels and grading systems. 
Beyond beef quality, Tony discusses the practical traits he values in Wagyu cattle, including docility, fertility, longevity, and sound structure. He explains why his breeding decisions balance marbling with growth, carcass size, and overall functionality rather than focusing exclusively on a single trait. 
The discussion also examines how genetics, nutrition, mineral programs, cow condition, and stress management work together to influence performance. Tony emphasizes that producing exceptional beef requires consistent attention throughout an animal’s life, beginning before breeding and continuing through finishing. 
Looking ahead, Five Oaks Farm is exploring opportunities to support other producers through custom feeding, potential calving services, and guidance on developing their Wagyu programs. Tony describes partnerships rooted in communication and shared goals, helping cattle owners navigate decisions and identify management improvements that support their animals’ potential. 
He also outlines plans to expand beef sales, develop an on-farm shopping option, and continue investing in polled Wagyu genetics while gathering carcass data to evaluate results. 
Whether you raise cattle, are considering Wagyu, or simply want to better understand the beef you buy, this episode offers a producer’s perspective on building a premium product without losing sight of the people behind it. Listen as Aaron and Tony connect cattle management, customer education, and future opportunities for Five Oaks Farm and the broader Wagyu industry. 
 
For previous episodes of The American Cattlemen, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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At The Branch Ranch in Louisiana, the cow herd is where the conversation starts. Before a bull reaches the sale pen, the program considers the maternal qualities behind him along with his structure, fertility and individual performance. That approach gives us plenty to talk about with ranch manager Chris Koffskey on Genetics & the Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media. 
Tommie Rogers started The Branch Ranch in 1982 with six cows on land in Branch, Louisiana. His daughters became involved through 4-H, and the family spent years showing Brangus cattle. The operation moved to Mansfield in 1996 and later added its Island Plantation property near Natchitoches. Today, Mansfield remains home to the registered cow herd, while the Natchitoches location supports cattle development and breeding programs. 
Chris joins host Aaron McKinney to discuss the operation today, the thinking behind its breeding decisions, and what buyers can expect at the November 9 sale. The interview begins with the ranch's background before turning to the cattle and how they are developed. 
The catalog lists 150 Brangus and Ultrablack bulls, selected from a larger group for phenotype, structural soundness, fertility and maternal qualities. The bulls are developed on a high-forage ration in Bermuda grass pastures. The ranch also offers a bull and heifer development service for outside producers. 
More than 250 ranch-bred commercial females will sell after the bulls. The female offering includes fall- and spring-calving groups bred to Branch Ranch calving-ease Brangus bulls. 
The sale begins at 10:30 a.m. Central on Monday, November 9, 2026, at The Branch Ranch in Mansfield, Louisiana. Buyers can purchase online at BrangusAuctions.com. Find the catalog and bull videos at BranchRCattle.com, or contact Chris Koffskey at 979-224-8178. Listen to the episode for a closer look at the program before sale day.
 
For previous episodes of Genetics & The Gavel, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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Welcome back to the American Cattlemen and our series on the 2026 American Wagyu Conference. Today, Gale McKinney sits down with Jason Shepard, general manager of Genesis Enterprises, for a conversation about building better cattle, producing quality beef, and finding your place in the Wagyu industry.
Jason Shepard shares the ranching roots and management experience that shaped his approach to the cattle business, including more than twenty years with Express Ranches. He also introduces the people and purpose behind Genesis Enterprises, an Oklahoma operation founded by Steve and Betty Orr that combines registered Angus, Red Angus, and fullblood Wagyu cattle with a growing branded beef program. 
With more than 5,000 acres and approximately 1,000 mother cows, Genesis puts data at the center of its breeding decisions. Jason explains how evaluating females, selecting genetics, and collecting carcass information help the operation pursue improvements in beef quality, feed efficiency, growth, structure, and longevity. He also discusses using the MIJ camera to gather carcass data and guide future mating decisions. 
The conversation explores Genesis’ F1 Wagyu beef program and its plans to connect directly with consumers through beef shipped to their doors. For Jason, producing a desirable product goes hand in hand with understanding the families who buy it. Listening to customer feedback, building trust, and delivering a consistent eating experience are central to that effort. 
Gale and Jason also discuss why conferences, breeder relationships, and sharing performance data with the breed association matter. Those connections can help producers strengthen their own programs while contributing useful information to the broader Wagyu community. 
For anyone considering Wagyu cattle, Jason offers practical advice: identify your goals, research your market, and decide whether your focus belongs in branded beef, bulls, or breeding females. Each path calls for deliberate genetic choices and a commitment to continual improvement. 
The episode closes with a look at opportunities for new producers and the importance of involving young people in agriculture. Tune in for a producer’s perspective on pairing ranch experience with progress, stronger customer relationships, and a clear direction for the future of your cattle operation and the industry. 
 
For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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For the Quam family at Marda Angus Farms, the fall production sale means offering cattle they would be glad to keep. In their invitation to this year's sale, the family makes that point plainly: parting with quality females isn't easy, but putting their best forward gives buyers an opportunity to evaluate the program. 
Based in Lodi, Wisconsin, Marda's approach centers on sound, functional cattle that meet the needs of today's cattlemen. The emphasis is on females that can go to work in another herd, supported by established cow families and the breeding decisions behind them. 
The Astis, Blackbirds, Isabels, and Blackbird Ursas are among the families represented in this year's offering. Those names provide a starting point for a conversation about consistency, maternal value, and what the Quams look for as they select the next generation. The catalog also points to Marda's results at the Midland Bull Test and the Asti family's success in Angus PGS competition. 
On this episode of Genetics & the Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media, Aaron McKinney visits with Cody Quam of Marda Angus Farms about the people behind the cattle. The conversation begins with the family's involvement in the beef industry before turning to breeding philosophy, the female offering, and plans for sale day. 
Marda's 12th Annual Angus Production Sale will be held Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 5 p.m. Central at the farm, N706 Highway 113 in Lodi. The offering includes young females from the 2026 calf crop and bred heifers, alongside cattle from guest consignors. 
Cattle will be available for viewing beginning Friday afternoon. Saturday's meal starts at 4 p.m., and buyers who cannot attend can purchase online through CCI.live. Listen to the episode to hear more about the program and the offering.
 
For previous episodes of Genetics & The Gavel, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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At Henke Angus Farms, the cow herd guides the breeding decisions. The family’s approach starts with females that breed, stay sound, and remain productive, then builds performance and genetic value around those expectations. That thinking runs through this year’s Focused on the Female Fall Sale, set for November 4 at the farm east of Salisbury, Missouri. 
Charles Henke and his family put fertility and disposition high on the selection list. Foot quality matters, too.  The program collects information on udders and teats, feet, and hair shedding to help evaluate how cattle perform beyond the pedigree. The goal is to keep the numbers connected to what buyers can see in the pasture. 
In his catalog welcome, Charles describes a program that balances phenotype and genotype. Cattle need to be functional and productive while carrying genetic merit that can move a breeding program forward. For buyers evaluating replacements or their next herd sire, that makes the operation’s selection process a useful place to begin the conversation. 
On this episode of Genetics & the Gavel, Charles joins Aaron McKinney to discuss the family behind Henke Angus Farms, how the operation works today, and the philosophy behind the offering. It’s a chance to hear Charles explain what the family expects of its cattle and where the program is headed. 
The sale includes more than 75 females and more than 15 yearling and 18-month-old bulls, featuring progeny of Honcho and High Ground. It begins Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. Central at 27955 Woodson Ave, Salisbury, Missouri. Supper will be available after the sale. Buyers who cannot attend can watch and purchase online through DV Auction. For information about the cattle, contact Charles Henke at 660-676-6233 or Colin Henke at 660-414-0081.
 
For previous episodes of Genetics & The Gavel, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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A bull purchase is a decision a cattleman can live with for years. The calves he sires, the daughters kept in the herd, and the way those cattle perform all matter long after sale day. That is the kind of conversation we’re setting up with Russ Princ of Leachman Cattle on Genetics & The Gavel. 
Leachman’s breeding program centers on profitability for the producer. The operation puts emphasis on cattle that work in the cow herd and calves that perform beyond the ranch gate. Feed efficiency, fertility, and carcass quality are part of that effort, with performance information and genetic evaluation helping guide selection. 
Today, Leachman serves producers through bulls, females, semen, and data services. Its program includes Stabilizer genetics, along with Angus, Red Angus, and Charolais offerings. The operation’s reach extends across the United States and into international markets, bringing its breeding approach to producers working in different environments and production systems. 
As Sales Manager, Russ works across domestic and international sales, including live cattle, semen, embryos, and data services. He is also involved in Leachman’s beef-on-dairy business, where beef genetics play a role in the value and performance of calves coming out of dairy herds. 
For this episode, host Aaron McKinney will ask Russ what is happening at Leachman, where international opportunities are developing, and how he sees the beef industry. The conversation will also touch on Inherit Select and $Profit, giving Russ the opportunity to explain how producers can use those tools in their own programs. 
We’ll finish with a look at Leachman’s bull and female sales and what buyers should know as they evaluate the offering. Join us for Genetics & The Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen, and hear directly from Russ about the cattle, the information behind them, and the work going on at Leachman today. 
 
For previous episodes of Genetics & The Gavel, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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Welcome to the American Cattlemen and our series on the American Wagyu Conference. In this episode, we’ll explore the people, history, and opportunities shaping American Wagyu. Today.  Gale McKinney sits down with Adam Wackle, president of the American Wagyu Heritage Fund, and Pam Armstrong, the organization’s treasurer, to discuss preserving the breed’s past while investing in its future.  
Adam and Pam introduce the American Wagyu Heritage Fund and its mission to support education, youth scholarships, research, and historical preservation. They explain why gathering photographs, registration records, correspondence, and other documents matters, especially as firsthand accounts of the breed’s arrival in America become harder to capture.  
The conversation traces Wagyu’s American beginnings, from the first four bulls imported in 1975 to additional cattle arriving during the 1990s. Along the way, listeners hear about the pioneers who helped establish Japanese genetics in the United States and the challenges producers faced as international markets changed. Adam and Pam also discuss how those challenges encouraged creative marketing and helped shape today’s Wagyu beef businesses.  
For producers looking to better understand the breed, Adam and Pam address misconceptions about fullblood Wagyu and explain how those cattle differ from crossbred animals. They also share their perspectives on using Wagyu genetics in commercial programs, including considerations around birth weights, beef quality, and marketing goals.  
Beyond preserving history, the Heritage Fund is helping prepare the next generation through scholarships and support for junior educational camps. Adam and Pam highlight opportunities for young people to visit industry facilities, learn from experienced professionals, and build connections that can support their agricultural futures.  
The episode closes with practical guidance for new and aspiring Wagyu breeders: find trusted mentors, learn from multiple operations, and choose a production approach that fits your goals.  Whether your focus is seedstock, raising calves, or selling finished beef, understanding the breed’s history can help inform the path ahead.  
Tune in to learn how historical contributions, community support, and producer education are helping carry American Wagyu forward, and discover how breeders can contribute records, support fundraising efforts, and take part in preserving this distinctive cattle breed for future generations.  
 
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The Create a Vision Fall Female Sale gives cattlemen a chance to look at the females behind the Vision Angus program. Before sale day, Austin Vieselmeyer joins Aaron McKinney on Genetics & the Gavel to talk about the family operation in Amherst, Colorado, and the thinking behind the cattle they raise. 
Brent and Tina, Austin and Sarah, and Alex are the family behind Vision Angus. This conversation starts with their background and how the family works together today. From there, Austin shares the breeding philosophy that guides their decisions and what they want their cattle to do for the people buying them. 
The sale catalog describes a program built around functional, docile, fertile, and productive cattle. The family puts emphasis on sound structure, maternal strength, and females that raise calves efficiently and breed back early. They also encourage producers to think about their own environment, labor, marketing system, and production system when making breeding decisions. 
The offering includes cows, bred heifers, heifer calves, embryos, and pregnancies. Austin gives an overview of the offering and shares what buyers should know about the group of cattle selected for this sale. It is an opportunity to hear directly from Vision Angus and get familiar with the program before making sale plans. 
The Create a Vision Female Sale takes place Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Mountain at the Beef Barn of Vision Angus, 130 W Denver Street in Holyoke, Colorado. Complimentary lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. 
Sale cattle can be viewed at the ranch one mile north of Amherst and will be penned October 23 for easier viewing. Buyers who cannot attend can purchase online through SaleRing.Live, where lot videos are also available. 
For more information, visit visionangus.com or contact the Vieselmeyer family. Genetics & the Gavel is powered by American Cattlemen Media. 
 
For previous episodes of Genetics & the Gavel, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By:
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