American Cattlemen Podcast

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.
 
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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. 
 
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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.
 
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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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When you're looking for a bull, there's more to consider than the picture in the catalog. I want to know about the people behind the cattle, how those bulls have been raised and what the program is trying to accomplish. Those are the kinds of conversations I enjoy having on Genetics & the Gavel. 
For this episode, Matt and Cammie Burbank of Seedstock Plus are joining me to preview their Fall Bull & Female Sale. Before we get into the cattle, we'll give them a chance to talk about themselves, their family and how they got started in the beef industry. We'll also visit about their roles in Seedstock Plus and the philosophy behind breeding and raising cattle for the program.
The sale is Saturday, October 17, 2026, at noon at Joplin Regional Stockyards in Carthage, Missouri. The advertised offering includes 150 Balancer and Gelbvieh 18-month-old bulls, along with 30 commercial open heifers.
We'll spend some time on the bulls, how they've been developed and what buyers should know as they look through the offering. I've also asked Matt and Cammie to highlight a few lots and tell us what stands out about them. If you're looking to add females, we'll talk about the commercial open heifers, too.
We'll cover the practical side of sale day as well, including viewing the cattle, how the sale works and getting purchases home. If you can't be there in person, online bidding is available through DVAuction.
Join us for this episode of Genetics & the Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media. You can find more information about the sale at seedstockplus.com, and hear directly from Matt and Cammie as we take a look at what's coming to Carthage on October 17.
 
For previous episodes of Genetics & the Gavel, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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Two sales are coming up at Briggs Ranches’ Traylor Division in Bloomington, Texas, and we’re taking a closer look on Genetics & the Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media. The 49th Annual Tri-Star Sale begins Friday, October 23, 2026, at 5:00 PM, featuring registered Santa Gertrudis females. The offering includes genetics from Briggs Ranches, Harris Riverbend, Pitchford Cattle and San Jose Cattle Co.
On Saturday, October 24, the 23rd Annual Briggs Ranches Bull and Commercial Female Sale will offer 120 Brangus and Santa Gertrudis bulls and 250 commercial females.We’ll talk about the operation’s breeding philosophy, let our guest walk through the offering and highlight cattle buyers should take a closer look at. We’ll also cover the weekend arrangements and ways to participate.Listen to the episode below for more about Briggs Ranches and its upcoming sales. For catalogs and sale information, contact Joe Jones at 361-550-0994 or Tol Cawley at 936-581-1174.
 
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The Stevenson family at Basin Angus Ranch is preparing to bring another group of Angus females to Billings, Montana, for its A Lasting Legacy Elite Female Sale on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The sale begins at 11:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time at Billings Livestock Commission. On this episode of Genetics & the Gavel, Doug Stevenson joins Aaron McKinney to talk about the family's cattle operation, the breeding decisions behind the Basin program, and what buyers can expect from this year's offering.
THE BASIN ANGUS PROGRAM
Basin Angus is a family cattle operation in Montana with a breeding goal of combining strong maternal phenotype with superior data.During the conversation, Doug discusses the family's operation, the philosophy behind its breeding decisions, and the kind of cattle Basin is working to produce.
THE 2026 ELITE FEMALE SALE
The offering includes heifer calves from Basin's ET program and natural herd, young donor cows, bred heifers, and proven mature production cows. A herd bull prospect is also included.During the Genetics & the Gavel conversation, Stevenson walks through each portion of the offering and highlights the cattle he wants buyers to study before sale day.
SALE DAY IN BILLINGS
The sale will be held Saturday, October 17, at Billings Livestock Commission in Billings, Montana. Breakfast and refreshments will be available that morning, and the auction begins at 11:00 AM MDT.Cattle are available to view at Basin Angus Ranch headquarters near Reed Point through Thursday morning, October 15. They will be moved to Billings Livestock Commission Thursday afternoon and will be available there through sale time.
Videos can be viewed at BasinAngus.com or CCI.live. Buyers who cannot attend can register to watch and bid online through CCI.live. Listen to the complete Genetics & the Gavel conversation with Doug Stevenson for more on the Basin Angus program and its October 17 offering.
 
For previous episodes of Genetics & the Gavel, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By:
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