American Cattlemen Podcast

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.  
 
For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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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.
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Welcome to the American Cattlemen Podcast and our series on the American Wagyu Conference, where we’ll have a conversation about premium beef, customer relationships, and the future of a family farming operation. Today, Gale McKinney sits down with Dustin and Brittany Borden and their sons, Easton and Briggs, to explore the history and vision behind Morris Stock Farm in the Texas Panhandle.  
Located near Gruver, Texas, Morris Stock Farm combines a custom feed yard, farming  operation, and a commitment to serving cattle owners of every size. Whether a customer brings  one animal for the family freezer or a larger group destined for market, the Bordens emphasize  that every relationship deserves attention and respect.  
Dustin explains how the operation helps producers feed, finish, and market Wagyu cattle by  connecting customers with buyers and planning ahead for harvest. The discussion also covers  age and source verification, maintaining chain of custody, and the records and audits that  support customer marketing goals. Brittany shares how these processes help preserve valuable  information as cattle move from the ranch through the feeding stage.  
Listeners will also hear about the farm’s feeding approach, including its use of corn and  sorghum silage as water availability shapes crop decisions. Dustin introduces Kobe Tech, the  operation’s proprietary feed additive, and discusses the marbling and carcass results the family  reports seeing in its cattle.  
Beyond the feed yard, the Bordens explain how their 4B Meats business connects their cattle  operation with consumers through local deliveries, shipping, gift boxes, and beef supplied to  school cafeterias. They also discuss selecting Wagyu genetics for marbling and growth in  crossbreeding programs.  
The episode closes with an honest look at generational transition. As Morris Stock Farm  approaches its hundredth anniversary in 2027, Dustin and Brittany reflect on preserving  experience, welcoming new ideas, and involving the next generation. Their story highlights the  planning, communication, and shared commitment required to carry a family business forward  while raising their boys with the values that make agricultural life meaningful.  
For producers interested in Wagyu feeding, beef marketing, or farm succession, this  conversation offers a personal look at building relationships and keeping a family operation  moving forward.
 
For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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A female sale gives cattlemen a chance to look closely at the cows behind a breeding program. For Roman Schooley and his family in Bloomfield, Iowa, their first Fall Elite Female Sale is an opportunity to offer females that have helped shape the herd, along with bred heifers that carry those breeding decisions forward. 
Schooley Cattle Company is offering cattle raised and bred at the operation. Roman describes the offering as the heart of the herd, with maternal ability at the center of the selection process. Sound feet, functional udders, and a disposition that makes cattle easier to work with are priorities he points to in the sale welcome. 
The proven female offering includes Schooley Miss E69 171J in the purebred division and Schooley Miss 823F  068H on the percentage side. Roman identifies both as important females in the program. The bred heifer division brings another part of the herd into the sale, with heifers that were pastured on fescue until late August. 
The work behind the offering involves the Schooley family and the crew caring for the cattle each day. Roman also emphasizes working alongside customers with their marketing needs. Allied Genetic Resources is assisting with sale marketing as the family prepares to welcome visitors to the ranch. 
On this episode of Genetics & the Gavel, Aaron McKinney visits with Roman about the operation today, the philosophy behind the cattle, and the decision to hold this first female sale. It is a chance to hear directly from the breeder before making sale plans. 
The sale takes place October 23, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Central at the ranch bull barns in Bloomfield. Visitors are welcome to view cattle before sale day, and complimentary lunch will be served. Online bidding and lot videos are available through DV Auction. Call Roman at 515-450-3685 to arrange a visit.
 
For previous episodes of Genetics & the Gavel, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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When I look at a bull sale catalog, I want to know what went into the cattle before they ever made it to the sale ring. The pedigrees and numbers matter, but so do the decisions being made at home. What are the breeders selecting for, and what do they expect those bulls to do once they leave? 
That is where we will start with Robert Scott on this episode of Genetics & the Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media. Robert is the owner and general manager of the Red River Beefmaster Performance Group and sale manager for the Red River Beefmaster Premium Bull Sale, coming up October 24 in Paris, Texas. 
The Red River Beefmaster Performance Group brings together cattle from several Beefmaster programs. Their stated breeding priorities include milk production, disposition, growth, fertility, structural soundness, and hardiness. Those are practical traits, and I want to give Robert a chance to explain how the group puts those priorities to work when selecting bulls for the sale. 
There is information behind this offering, too. The catalog includes feed test records, ribeye and intramuscular fat measurements, and EPDs. Each bull has undergone a breeding soundness examination, and the catalog outlines a 180-day fertility guarantee. We will talk about that preparation and what buyers should know before making their selections. 
We will also get into Robert's background in the cattle business, how the group came together, and what stands out about this year's offering. It is a chance to hear from the person helping bring the sale together and ask a few questions before sale day. 
The sale begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 24, at Paris Livestock Auction. Buyers can view cattle Friday and Saturday, and those who cannot attend can purchase online through DVAuction. For the catalog, visit redriverbeefmastersale.com or call Robert Scott at 469-667-7899. 
 
For previous episodes of Genetics & the Gavel, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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Winter readiness begins long before the first snowstorm. In this episode of the American Cattleman Podcast, host Dustin Hector welcomes Dr. Michelle Calvo-Lorenzo, chief animal welfare officer for Elanco Animal Health, to discuss how proactive cattle management supports animal comfort, health, and performance throughout the colder months. 
Drawing on her research background and years of experience working alongside livestock producers, Dr. Calvo-Lorenzo explains what happens when cattle experience cold stress. Temperature is only part of the picture. Wind, precipitation, wet hair coats, and poor environmental conditions can increase heat loss and make it harder for cattle to maintain normal body functions. Animals need adequate energy, hydration, and time to acclimate as conditions change.
The conversation highlights practical steps producers can take during the fall to prepare their herds. Maintaining good nutrition and body condition helps cattle develop insulating winter coats and enter the season healthier. Working with veterinarians and nutritionists can help producers prepare appropriate health protocols and adjust feeding plans when weather conditions increase energy requirements.
Reliable access to water remains essential, even when freezing temperatures require additional checks and ice removal. Windbreaks, shelter belts, protection from precipitation, and dry resting areas also help cattle conserve body heat and recover comfortably. Dr. Calvo-Lorenzo emphasizes that a thick winter coat loses its insulating effectiveness when wet, making environmental protection especially valuable.
Dustin and Dr. Calvo-Lorenzo also explore the importance of observing cattle behavior and evaluating facilities from the animal’s perspective. Changes in routines, shelter seeking, access to feed and water, slippery footing, and sharp edges can reveal opportunities to improve welfare and safety. Young cattle, sick animals, and those with poor body condition deserve particular attention.
Whether improvements involve small adjustments or larger investments, the goal remains consistent: cattle that are healthy, nourished, hydrated, dry, and acclimated. This episode encourages producers to recognize their animals’ needs, consult experts, and prepare before winter challenges arrive. Listen for practical insights into strengthening stockmanship and building a proactive approach to winter cattle care that fits your operation, supports your herd, and helps animals stay comfortable through changing weather conditions.
 
For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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In this episode of the American Cattleman Podcast, host Dustin Hector welcomes Tim Montague of Lost Creek Farm for a conversation about Red Poll cattle, breeding priorities, and the future of the breed. Drawing on more than 43 years as a veterinarian, Tim explains why he values cattle that consistently perform their jobs with minimal intervention. 
Tim shares his agricultural roots in West Tennessee and the unexpected encounter that introduced Red Poll cattle into his herd. What began as a trip to purchase barbed wire eventually led to buying heifers and a bull, incorporating Red Poll genetics into commercial cattle, and transitioning to a purebred operation.
Today, Tim and his wife focus on quality over quantity, raising cattle selected for fertility, soundness, maternal ability, longevity, and efficiency. He describes the Red Poll breed’s English origins as a dual-purpose animal developed for both milk and beef production. Naturally polled, moderately sized, and known for a gentle disposition, these cattle offer traits Tim believes can help producers address management challenges.
The discussion explores pasture efficiency, adaptability, calving ease, udder quality, and the importance of cows that maintain themselves while raising a calf year after year. Tim explains how Red Poll cattle fit grass-fed beef programs while also performing well when finished on grain. He highlights their potential contribution to commercial crossbreeding through maternal genetics, disposition, fertility, and hybrid vigor, along with opportunities to develop recipient cows for embryo transfer.
As president of the American Red Poll Association, Tim discusses promoting the breed, supporting breeders, attracting new producers, and introducing genomics into the registration process through collaboration with the Australian Red Poll Society. He also previews the association’s annual meeting and national sale in Lexington, Tennessee, encouraging listeners to meet breeders and evaluate cattle firsthand.
For producers considering purebred Red Poll cattle or adding their genetics to a commercial herd, this episode offers a breeder’s perspective on building functional cattle that combine manageable temperament, productive maternal traits, and beef quality with lasting value on the farm.
 
For previous episodes of Genetics & the Gavel, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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At Peterson Prime Angus Ranch in New Boston, Missouri, the female herd is at the center of the program. Doug and Kathy Peterson are the people behind the operation, with Jason DeVore serving as ranch manager. Their focus is Angus genetics with strong marbling, backed by the kind of cattle they want to put in front of fellow breeders. 
Doug puts the philosophy plainly in this year’s sale catalog: the best females produce the best bulls. Over the past 15 years, Peterson Prime bulls have gone to work in more than 21 states, reaching customers from California to New York, as well as Mexico. This fall’s female sale gives buyers a chance to bring some of the genetics behind those bulls into their own herds. 
The program’s emphasis on carcass quality shows throughout the offering, but the catalog also calls attention to phenotype. Doug highlights cattle that combine genetic data with the look and build he values. Leading the sale is PPA Grid Maker P314 ET, a female he describes as one of the best heifers they have raised. The offering also draws heavily from the FB 323 Athlete 996 cow family, including descendants of PPA Rito Athlete 996 P233. 
The 4th Annual Female Sale includes donor females, open heifers, pairs, pregnancies and embryos. That variety gives breeders several ways to add Peterson Prime genetics, whether they are interested in a live female or a mating for their embryo program. 
On this episode of Genetics & the Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media, Aaron McKinney welcomes Doug Peterson to talk about the operation, his breeding philosophy and this year’s offering. The online sale takes place Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 7 PM Central on CCI.live. Listen to the episode, look through the catalog and contact the Peterson team with questions about the cattle.
 
For previous episodes of Genetics & the Gavel, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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Pregnancy checking gives cattle producers more than a yes or no answer. It provides a reproductive report card that can help guide culling decisions, manage feed costs, and prepare for calving season. In this episode of Cattlemen and Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health, powered by American Cattlemen Media, hosts Kaid Panek and Dr. Shynia Peterman, DVM, welcome Elle Terhaar, CEO of ReproScan Technologies, for a conversation about pregnancy diagnosis in cattle.  
Drawing on her ranching background and experience teaching bovine reproductive ultrasound, Elle explains how pregnancy testing helps identify open cows, evaluate herd performance, and allocate resources effectively. The discussion compares heat detection, blood testing, rectal palpation, and ultrasound, highlighting how herd size, available labor, equipment, and timing influence which approach fits an operation. 
Elle shares what ultrasounds can reveal beyond pregnancy status, including fetal age, viability, twins, and, under the right conditions, fetal sex. She also explains why accurate results depend on training, understanding equipment limitations, and presenting cattle at an appropriate stage 
of pregnancy. Kaid shares an experience with incorrectly identified open cows, underscoring the importance of confidence and accuracy before making culling decisions. 
For producers and practitioners building their ultrasound skills, the conversation emphasizes practice, reviewing images, and confirming an open uterus rather than assuming a cow is open simply because a pregnancy is not immediately visible. Elle also explores fetal sexing, its potential value for seedstock operations and bred female marketing, and why this advanced skill requires experience and careful scheduling. 
The episode wraps up with considerations for a successful day at the chute. From cattle preparation and image quality to calm handling, secure restraint, and safe facilities, the hosts and Elle discuss ways producers and veterinarians can work together more efficiently. 
Whether you are planning your next herd pregnancy check, exploring ultrasound technology, or sharpening your reproductive management skills, this episode offers useful perspectives on turning pregnancy data into informed decisions. Tune in for a conversation focused on working relationships, better herd information, and an organized calving season. 
 
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When you’re looking through a sale catalog, it helps to know the people behind the cattle. On this episode of Genetics & the Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media, we’re headed to Nowatzke Cattle Company in Michigan City, Indiana, to talk about the family operation and its upcoming Fall Production Sale. 
The sale is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 9335 W 200 N in Michigan City. We’ll discuss the breeding philosophy, get an overview of this year’s offering and let our guest highlight cattle and cow families buyers should take a closer look at.
We’ll also cover sale-day arrangements and online participation through CCI for those who can’t attend.
Listen to the episode below to learn more about the Nowatzke program and this year’s sale. For the current catalog and sale information, contact Barry Nowatzke at 773-255-4684.
 
For previous episodes of Genetics & the Gavel, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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