American Cattlemen Podcast

Elanco Animal Health Optimizing Cattle Health

Welcome back to another episode of 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 Dr. M. Wayne Ayers, Senior Technical Consultant Veterinarian for Elanco Animal Health. In this episode, Dr. Ayers and Dustin will dive into optimizing cattle health and the return of investment on dewormers for your cattle. 
Dr. Ayers emphasizes that nutrition is the foundation of every successful cattle operation. He explains that adequate protein, energy, and mineral intake are essential not only for reproduction and colostrum quality, but also for immune function. He introduces the concept of fetal programming or epigenetics, noting that poor nutrition during late gestation—such as when cows graze dry, low-quality forage—can have irreversible negative effects on calf performance and future reproductive capacity. He suggests that today’s strong prices create an ideal opportunity for producers to test new technologies and refine their health and nutrition protocols.
The conversation then turns to building resiliency in cattle health. Dr. Ayers stresses the importance of a sound mineral program and achieving proper body condition scores at calving to support high-quality colostrum, which he calls the most important factor in a calf’s life. He discusses vaccinating cows to prevent abortions and scours, and ensuring colostrum is rich in antibodies. For calves, he recommends planning ahead for branding, turnout, and eventual weaning by considering parasite and fly control, including strategic deworming and the use of fly tags to protect both cows and calves and preserve weaning weights.
Weaning is described as the most stressful period in a calf’s life due to separation, nutritional changes, commingling, and shipping. Dr. Ayers advocates for vaccination strategies that include boosters at weaning, coccidiosis control, and the use of feed additives like rumen modifiers to improve feed efficiency and daily gain.
Elanco Animal Health Optimizing Cattle Health
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Cason's Pride & Joy Simmentals 11th Annual Bull 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 Denny Cason, Owner of Cason's Pride & Joy Simmentals. In this episode, Denny and Gale will dive into the Cason's Pride & Joy Simmentals 11th Annual Performance Bull sale, held on March 7th, 2026, at 1PM CST, at the farm located in Albia, Iowa.
The Cason Family has been in the seedstock business for a long time; they have stood the test of time and have a strong vision for the future. Performance has always been a priority, and this offering is no different. Alongside their steady focus on performance, they monitor strong genetic profiles while maintaining ideal phenotypes.
Denny explains that their program is built to mirror the conditions and management of commercial producers. Located in southeast Iowa in fescue country, their cows graze from early May on fescue pastures, supported by a strong mineral program and well-maintained forages. He emphasizes running cattle under practical, real-world conditions while doing the “detail work” on genetics and performance so that commercial buyers can profit from the bulls they purchase.
Denny reflects on starting in the Simmental business in the mid-1970s and watching the breed evolve. He is particularly pleased with the last couple of decades, noting improvements in calving ease, flexibility in frame size, and the power of modern DNA tools and EPDs. He believes the breed is well positioned to add value to nearly any commercial herd.
The offering for this year’s sale includes 62 herd bull prospects, featuring advantage-age and fall bulls as well as yearlings. Denny highlights sire groups such as Eagle, Proclamation, and Bold Ruler combinations, describing the bulls as functional, sound, and uniform, with strong growth and maternal traits. He points out a subset of “true heifer bulls” that meet his strict criteria for calving ease and birth weights.
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Pleasant Hill Farms Annual Spring 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 sits down with Corbin Cowles, Owner of Pleasant Hill Farms. In this episode, Corbin and Gale will dive into the Pleasant Hill Farms 31st Annual Spring Production Sale, held on February 28th, 2026, at 12:30PM CST, at the Pleasant Hill Farms Sale Facility, in Rockfield, Kentucky. 
Pleasant Hill Farms is a family-run operation. The farm is a purebred Angus and Simmental operation located in South Central Kentucky. The operation's roots trace back to Gil's great-grandparents who purchased the original farm in 1920. Their goal is to breed cattle that blend genetics, phenotype, and performance superiority into a product that is sought after by purebred and commercial beef producers alike.
Corbin explains that his parents began marketing genetics through public auctions before he was born, and the operation has since grown to about 230 production-age females, roughly two-thirds Angus and one-third Simmental. He emphasizes a long-standing philosophy of blending eye-appealing phenotype with strong, data-backed genetics, targeting cattle that work for both purebred and commercial beef producers. A core belief at Pleasant Hill is that feminine cows make masculine bulls, and the program is designed to produce stout, durable, performance-oriented herd sires supported by a strong maternal base.
He describes foundational Angus genetics from influential programs such as Leachman, Gardiner, Sitz, Schaff Angus Valley, Ellingson, and Musgrave, combined through AI and embryo transfer. Selection focuses on growth, maternal traits, carcass merit, and balanced genomic indices. On the Simmental side, the offering is dominated by progeny of LCDR Anthem and LCDR Patriot, bulls that have brought consistency, growth, carcass quality, and improved genomic profiles while maintaining sound structure and maternal quality.
The upcoming sale features approximately 80 registered, performance-tested Angus and Simmental bulls, 20 registered cow–calf pairs drawn from the heart of the Georgina and Jewel-based cow families, and 12 high-quality open commercial yearling heifers sourced from a long-time customer using Pleasant Hill bulls. Corbin also includes a single Charolais bull from his own small terminal-focused project.
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Lyman Livestock 14th Annual Bull 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 Eric and Clay Lyman, Co-Owners of Lyman Livestock. In this episode, they will dive into the Lyman Livestock 14th Annual Bull Sale, held on February 28th, 2026, at 1PM MT, in Salina, Utah.
Lyman Livestock is a fifth-generation ranching operations based out of Central Utah, Run by three brothers, Eric, Kevin, and Mike-and their children. The kids are taught ranching activities at a young age. Their wives are integral to the operation, assisting with meals, feeding, clerical work, and bull sale information.
Eric and Clay describe how the family transitioned from general farming and commercial cattle into registered seedstock roughly 25 years ago, with growth accelerating over the past decade. They emphasize a collaborative family culture where disagreements happen but remain minor, and the brothers and their children function as a close‑knit team. 
Their cattle are run in multiple, demanding environments, including high‑arid desert near Canyonlands National Park, spring ground near Yuba Lake, and high‑elevation summer pastures between Montpelier, Idaho, and Cokeville, Wyoming. Cows must calve unassisted, travel long distances for water and forage, and perform across varied terrain and elevation. This zero‑tolerance approach ensures only functional, durable cattle remain in the herd.
Bull selection starts with structural soundness: feet and legs capable of handling rocks, high elevations, and long working lives. Only after structure do they consider EPDs, focusing on calving ease, stability, and weaning performance. Given the prevalence of high‑altitude grazing in the West, they have been committed to PAP testing for around 25 years and have built a cow herd proven to handle high‑altitude disease.
They further enhance genetic predictability through intensive DNA testing. Working with Allied Genetic Resources and DataGenie, all sale bulls receive 100K genomic tests, increasing EPD accuracy. They use simplified badges such as G+, ACE, and ATM to help buyers quickly identify all‑around sires, heifer‑safe calving ease bulls, and terminal growth and carcass sires. The sale will feature 134 PAP‑tested Simmental and SimAngus bulls, including standout sons of the widely regarded GW Medicine Man, reflecting strong consistency, length, rib, and eye appeal throughout the offering.
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Voss Angus 11th 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 Brent Voss, with Voss Angus. In this episode, Brent and Gale will dive into the Voss Angus 11th Annual Production Sale, held of February 28th, 2026, at the Voss Sale Facility, in Dexter, Iowa. 
Rooted in hard work and family values, Voss Angus has been dedicated to raising high-quality registered Angus cattle since 1995. Their focus is on superior genetics, maternal strength, and exceptional nutrition to deliver cattle that help producers grow successful herds. At Voss Angus, quality and integrity come first—and they stand behind every animal they sell.
The Voss Angus breeding philosophy emphasizes fertility, longevity, structural soundness, and easy fleshing as non‑negotiable traits, noting that while EPDs are useful, many of the most critical qualities in a productive cow do not have formal numbers attached. Brent then stresses that the program is built to elevate commercial customers’ profitability through cattle that breed back, stay sound, and raise high‑quality calves under real‑world conditions.
Brent and Gale will then walk through the sale offering, starting with bulls. Brent highlights sire groups such as Throttle, Renovation, President, Harvester, Anthem, Rainfall, Panther, Scale House, Dexter, Robust, Rock, Arrowhead, Riptide, Hollywood, and Next Gen, repeatedly returning to themes of muscle, structural correctness, docility, and consistency. Several matriarch cows and donor females, including influential Chloe and Panther‑line females, are identified as cornerstones of the program. Brent also describes the depth and quality of the female offering, including multiple Chloe daughters and other donor families, positioning the sale as a strong opportunity both for established herds and new entrants to Angus seedstock.
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Eblen Simmentals 2026 February Bull 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 Scott Eblen and Kadee Calhoun, with Eblen Simmentals. In this episode, they will dive into the Eblen Simmentals 2026 February Bull Sale, held on February 28th, at 1PM CST, located at the farm in Bridgewater, Iowa. 
The Eblen Simmental breeding program was originally established by Doug Eblen in the late 1970's and early 1980s. It is currently operated by Scott Eblen and his daughter, Kadee Calhoun, who have continued to develop and expand the herd. The operation runs both a cattle program and a row crop farm. Their bulls are known for high performance, with some gaining nearly 4.5 pounds per day.
Scott and Kadee describe a family-centered operation where multiple grandchildren are present and involved. They hope these youngsters will become the next generation of help and carry forward the cattle legacy. That family atmosphere shapes their approach to cattle: practical, hands-on, and focused on producing bulls that will go out and work for commercial cattlemen.
Scott explains the Eblen Simmental breeding philosophy as starting with structural correctness and function. He prioritizes sound feet, good structure, and strong maternal traits. While EPDs and performance data are tracked, he insists cattle cannot be selected on numbers alone; the bull’s physical structure, growth, and overall presence must match what is on paper. The bulls are developed on a sensible ration that keeps them in good working condition rather than pushed to excessive fat, so they transition well to real-world ranch environments.
The 2026 February bull sale offering includes just over thirty-five purebred Simmental and SimAngus yearling bulls, spanning late 2024 to early 2025 birth dates. Scott highlights influential sire groups, including a Lover Boy son that combines calving ease, growth, and maternal strength; a powerful bull from a respected South Dakota outfit; and a Wheatland Man of War son whose impact is evident in a large share of the sale bulls. He also notes a Guardian son used on heifers, whose calves exhibit both power and strong dispositions.
Docility is a consistent theme. Scott and Kadee emphasize that quiet, easy-handling bulls still go out and work hard, and that temperament is carefully culled on their operation. Visitors and repeat customers have commented that this is among the most powerful, consistent sets of bulls Eblen Simmentals has ever assembled, making the 2026 February sale an especially important opportunity for commercial producers seeking structurally sound, growthy, and user-friendly bulls.
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Stone Gate Farms 56th 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 Caleb Cannon, Owner of Stone Gate Farms. In this episode, Caleb and Gale will dive into the Stone Gate Farms 56th Annual Production Sale, held on February 23rd, 2026, at the farm in Flemingsburg, Kentucky. 
For five generations, the family has been rooted in agriculture, with Angus cattle at the heart of their operation. In 1952, the Cannon Brother's purchased three registered Angus heifers and joined the American Angus Association, begging the breeding philosophy that still guides Stone Gate arms today: a commitment to producing efficient, predictable seedstock for the commercial cattle industry.
Caleb explains that Stone Gate develops breeding bulls to work in real-world environments. Cows are managed with the same limited, realistic inputs a typical commercial producer would use. There are no creep feeders; weaning weights and production records reflect what the cows themselves produce. Bulls are weaned off the cow, placed on a 12% protein ration through their yearling data collection, ultrasound scanned for carcass traits such as IMF and ribeye, then “slowed down” and hand-fed daily. This close daily interaction allows the family to monitor feet, health, and especially docility, culling anything that does not meet their standards. Disposition and structural soundness are emphasized in both sire selection and herd management.
The sale offering includes 53 eighteen‑month‑old bulls described as a highly consistent, stout, long‑topped, good‑footed group with strong performance ratios and pedigrees stacked for fertility, longevity, and maternal strength. Caleb highlights specific lots, such as Lot 1, an Aztec son from a high‑ratio, highly productive cow family, and other lots that balance calving ease, growth, and carcass merit. He notes a thoughtful mix of genetics that gives repeat buyers fresh options and new buyers a strong foundation.
In addition, the sale features 12 registered fall pairs, all cows with heifer calves at side and bred back, many to cornerstone sires in the Stone Gate program. Caleb emphasizes these three‑in‑one packages as rare opportunities, suitable both for established herds and for people wanting to start with high‑quality Angus females backed by proven production.
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2S Angus Land & Cattle 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 Juston Mitchell, Owner of 2S Angus Land & Cattle. In this episode, Juston and Gale will dive into the 2S Angus Annual Production Sale, held on February 27th, 2026, at the ranch in Seneca, Missouri. 
At 2S Angus, breeding and herd management decisions are based on the core principles of producing Elite Seed-Stock genetically designed to be leading cattle operation in SW Missouri. An elite breeding program takes years of discipline and at 2S Angus they strive to move forward on a daily basis. Sparing no expense of time, money or energy when they set up their breeding and select our groups.
2S Angus emphasizes maternal strength and functional, profitable cattle for commercial producers, particularly in fescue country. Juston stresses that while he aims to raise nationally recognized, elite Angus, the foundation is a powerful commercial bull program supported by a consistent, proven cow herd. He focuses on females that are productive at four to five years of age and older, with many remaining in the herd into their teens. Traits such as phenotype, structural correctness, udder quality, feet, fertility, hair shedding, disposition, and longevity are non-negotiable. Culling is intense, and females or high-dollar purchases that do not work in the environment are moved on.
Juston highlights several key donor cows and cow families that anchor the program, including H4, 2-002, J38, and daughters of influential sires like T220, Reno, and others. He walks through feature bulls and females in the sale, noting consistent phenotype, depth of body, strong tops, sound feet, and calm dispositions. Sire groups mentioned include Jumpstart, Heat Seeker, Intuition, Jordan, Craftsman, Hometown, Capone, Monumental, Rangeland, and Alternative, each chosen to complement the cow herd’s strengths and maintain functionality and performance.
The sale will offer 55 18‑month‑old bulls and five elite heifers, representing the top of the 2S Angus program, with a straightforward customer-focused guarantee and the option to participate in person at the ranch or online through DVAuction.
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Economic Implications of Providing Aggressive Treatments in Cattle

Welcome back to Cattlemen & Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health, powered by American Cattlemen Media. Just ahead, hosts Dr. Shynia Peterman and Gale McKinney chat with Dr. Eric DeVuyst and Dr. Cheryl DeVuyst, owners of DeVuyst Ranch about the Economic Implications of Providing Aggressive Treatments in Cattle. 
Cheryl and Eric have a background in production agriculture and focus on their work. Cheryl's specialization is agricultural finance, while Eric's is farm and ranch management. In addition to currently serving as Vicec-Chair of the Cattlemen's Beef Board, Cheryl is an advisor to the Oklahoma Collegiate Cattlewomen and works to help develop young leaders in the beef industry. She was named the Oklahoma Cattlewoman of the Year in 2024. Eric has focused on research and Extension projects that impact the profitability of agricultural operations. Some of his research includes the economics of genotyping in cattle operations, management of cow-calf operations, and feedlot profitability.
The conversation begins with an overview of the current cattle market, where tight supplies and strong consumer demand for beef are driving record prices. Weather-driven forage availability, especially the easing of drought in parts of the Great Plains versus persistent dryness in western regions, is shaping whether the industry moves into an expansion phase. Eric and Cheryl emphasize that, regardless of market cycles, the single most important number for cow-calf producers to track is cost of production. Producers cannot control cattle prices, but they can influence their costs through stocking rate, feed management, and disciplined record-keeping.
Feed costs and land decisions emerge as critical drivers of profitability. Overstocking inflates feed bills and degrades grass, while chasing expensive land can create unsustainable financial pressure. Most U.S. cow-calf herds are small, often family-run operations with modest labor costs, but large operations may face tightening labor conditions. Instead of focusing solely on individual weaning weights, the guests recommend thinking in terms of pounds weaned per acre and favoring moderate-sized cows that allow higher stocking rates and better overall output.
Common economic mistakes include chasing the wrong EPDs, inadvertently selecting large, high-maintenance cows, and failing to keep or analyze detailed production records. Vaccination and basic health protocols are framed as “cheap insurance” rather than direct profit centers—producers may not see the absence of disease as a measurable return, but the financial hit from outbreaks is immediate and severe. University tools such as preconditioning budgeting models can help evaluate value-added programs, and research shows that bundled practices like vaccination, castration, dehorning, defined calving seasons, and sound genetics substantially increase the odds of premiums and profitability.
Economic Implications of Providing Aggressive Treatments in Cattle
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High Point Genetics 18th 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 sits down with Brian Oswald with High Point Genetics. In this episode, Brian and Gale will dive into the High Point Genetics 18th Annual Bull Sale, held on February 28th, 2026, at 1PM CST at the Harkens Hulls Ranch in Osceola, Iowa. 
High Point Geentics cowherd is managed under conditions that mirror commercial operations in the area, with cows primarily running on fescue and bluegrass pastures and with limited labor resources. The Oswald family has been in the bull business throughout Brian's lifetime, and it was through a friendship with the late Dick Bell that Brian's passion for Angus cattle originated.
Brian explains that High Point Genetics runs about 500 cows plus a 150-head cooperator herd, giving them a gene pool of roughly 650 registered Angus and SimAngus cows. They sell around 220 bulls annually, mostly to commercial cattlemen in the surrounding region. Their philosophy centers on a common-sense, balanced approach to genetics. They prioritize cattle with added body length, a tick more frame, strong growth, structural correctness, and eye appeal—traits that help calves sell well at the sale barn, perform in the feedlot, and hang heavier carcasses.
Brian walks through key sire groups, including calving ease bulls, crossover bulls that start on heifers and later move to cows without sacrificing performance, and higher-powered cow bulls. He highlights standout individuals such as sons of Connealy High Point, the high-profile sire Eternity, Mercury, and multiple Angus and SimAngus lines like North Star, Growth Fund, Galactics, Big Country, and Texas Teas.
High Point Genetics
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