American Cattlemen Podcast

Badgerland Bull Sale March 8th

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 Brad Johnson, Owner of Johnson Family Cattle. In this episode, Brad and Gale will dive into the Badgerland Bull Sale held on March 8th, 2026, at 1PM CDT at Marda Angus Farms, in Lodi, Wisconsin.
The 4th Annual Badgerland Bul sale, where top-quality Angus and Red Angus Producers come together for an elite offering at Marda Farms. This year's sale features outstanding genetics from Marda Angus, Johnson family Cattle, Hornung Red Angus, and Miller Farms Shorthorns, showcasing a powerful set of herd sire prospects from their 2025 calf crops. These bulls are built to be sound, functional, and ready to go to work - bred with today's cattlemen in mind and designed to add value to any program.
These producers came together several years ago after realizing their similar philosophies and the complementary nature of their programs, shifting from selling bulls private treaty to the joint Badgerland sale designed to better serve a broader commercial and purebred customer base.
Brad explains that the foundation of their breeding programs is a commercial mindset. Each outfit is directly involved in the commercial cattle business, whether through feeding cattle, freezer beef programs, or running commercial cow herds. This practical experience shapes their focus on cattle that perform in the pasture, feedlot, and ultimately on the plate, emphasizing soundness, longevity, and a high-quality eating experience for consumers.
The offering consists of approximately 40 Angus and Red Angus bulls, along with one Shorthorn bull and two standout fall heifer prospects. On the black Angus side, Brad highlights the BA Seven Oaks Bold Ruler sons for their impressive phenotype, muscle, body capacity, and structural correctness, followed by Gettysburg sons known for calving ease and strong maternal potential, and Great Lakes sons with a proven, high-value pedigree. On the Red Angus side, Brad describes this year’s group as their best to date, including three full brothers by Resonate out of a key donor cow, praised for calving ease, eye appeal, and overall balance. Horning Red Angus contributes bulls backed by a powerful cow herd, focused on growth and consistent maternal strength.
Miller Farms adds a well-made Shorthorn bull, and the two fall heifers—one a Blackcap Maiden daughter and the other a Ruby female—are described as donor-quality, with strong EPDs, elite pedigrees, and the flexibility to excel as both show prospects and breeding females.
Brad also stresses that the bulls are developed with longevity in mind, grown on forage-based diets in large traps to promote sound feet, good semen quality, and long-term functionality.
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TyCo Industries Cattle Con 2026

Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead, we kick off our series at Cattle Con 2026 with Kaid Panek, and he chats with Tyler and Cody with TyCo Industries.
Tyler explains that their roots are in construction, beginning around 2011 with projects such as building feedlots and dairies. That background in designing and constructing cattle facilities gave them a deep understanding of cattle flow, safety, and what ranchers need in both permanent and portable systems. An important turning point came when they had the opportunity to buy out R.L. Wilson, recognized as the original portable panel maker. Although they were based in Clovis, New Mexico and Wilson was in Cherokee, Oklahoma, a local dealer helped connect them, leading to the acquisition and an expansion of their product line into portable corrals. 
From there, Tyco began developing equipment such as the Ranch Boss and the Load Boss. The Load Boss bolts under a standard set of portable corrals, allowing cattle to be loaded into a semi on one side while simultaneously backing up and loading a stock trailer on the other. The system is modular and designed to integrate with existing corrals, making it flexible and highly efficient in real working conditions.
The Ranch Boss XL builds on that concept, combining a portable corral system, the load-out capability of the Load Boss, and a full-featured chute setup in the front, including palpation gates and a bud box configuration in the rear. This design allows cattle to be worked out the front and loaded out the back, enabling ranchers to pull into an open pasture and handle tasks like sorting, working calves, or weaning in one compact system.
Tyler emphasizes that all of this came through trial, error, and constant refinement. They regularly take equipment to local ranchers, invite feedback, and tweak designs based on real-world use. Flowability of cattle is a central concern; systems must encourage cattle to move naturally, avoiding the frustration and danger of poorly designed setups. Drawing on experience from older, unsafe facilities and more advanced feedyard designs, they aim to build equipment that is safer, more efficient, and mindful of budget constraints. Even though some systems are expensive, they argue that combining multiple pieces into one integrated unit can save labor, setup time, and equipment costs in the long run, positioning Tyco as a one-stop solution for modern cattle operations.
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GG Genetics & Mars Angus Production Sale

Welcome back to Genetics & the Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media. Just ahead, we have Aaron McKinney, he's the field editor for American Cattlemen Media, and he sits down with Mason Fleenor, Owner of GG Genetics. In this episode, Mason and Aaron will dive into the GG Genetics & Mars Angus Performance with Superior Taste Bull & Female Sale , held on March 5th, 2026, at Ida Grove, Iowa. 
Mason Fleenor, the owner of GG Genetics, traces the operation’s origins back to the purchase of red heifers in Montana in 1986 and describes how the business has evolved into a performance-driven Angus program. He highlights his family’s involvement and stresses the importance of bringing younger generations into the cattle business. A recurring theme is stewardship: teaching youth to manage cattle, land, and resources while maintaining profitability in a demanding industry.
The core of the conversation focuses on genetic selection for efficiency and carcass traits. Mason explains his emphasis on high marbling, low dry matter intake, and overall growth, describing how the program uses tools like Grow Safe units and partnerships in Mexico to measure intake and validate performance of cleanup bulls. He goes into detail on the sire group, especially an ABS bull, Dave Sue Ever Clear, praised for low intake, moderate frame, and consistency. Mason notes his satisfaction with the uniformity, EPD profiles, and real-world functionality of the bulls in this year’s offering.
The sale itself will feature 52 yearling Angus bulls, one two-year-old bull, 13 bred heifers, and 10 open heifers, including females sourced from the Broken Chain Ranch in Montana. Mason discusses calving ease, birth weight, maternal quality, and how weather and management influence cattle performance. He also describes logistics such as shipping, the importance of experienced auctioneers, and the availability of online bidding through Superior Livestock Auction. The conversation closes by inviting listeners to learn more about the program and consider the offering as a resource for improving efficiency, carcass quality, and long-term herd direction. 
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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.
For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com.
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