Summer 2025 has been busy so far! On June 20th and 21st, we had the honor of attending Beef & Greet in Bentonville, Arkansas—Moly Manufacturing and Jorgensen Land & Cattle brought this exclusive event hosted by The 808 Ranch. I interviewed folks like Larry Grand, V.P. of Gentics with Jorgensen Land & Cattle, as well as Lamar and Shari Stieger, the Founders of The 808 Ranch! Much of the discussion centered on the management of the beef supply chain and the ability of our industry to fill consumer demand. The Steigers are great people. Make sure and check out the article in this issue entitled “The 808 Ranch, Lamar and Shari Steiger: Dreams Come True”. 

Another great month visiting with Ranchers. We stopped by and saw Stuart Gilbert of Graystone Cattle Co., Ton Heidt with K7 Herefords, Landi McFarland with Hoover Angus, Garrett Wood of Crooked Creek Angus, and Nick Dwyer of Dwyer Cattle Services. The most enjoyable part of my job is visiting with producers at their farms or ranches. Great conversations with these outstanding seedstock producers. And as a reminder, the Fall Sale Season is fast approaching. Nick Dwyer was hard at work getting ready for his Next Generation Foundation Female Sale coming up on August 24th! 

We are announcing a new podcast, “Cattlemen & Veterinarians, A Partnership in Bovine Health! This podcast features Dr. Shynia Peterman with the Lyons Vet Clinic in Lyons, Kansas, as my co-host. Dr. Shynia and I bring you episodes providing information, ideas, and tips on a variety of bovine health issues, featuring some of the industry’s brightest animal health professionals. Our first episode was on external parasites in cattle operations. Lice, mites, ticks, flies, mosquitoes, and other pests can make a cow’s life miserable and cost you money! Our guest was Dr. Mark Alley. Dr. Alley is a managing veterinarian with the US cattle and equine Technical Services team at Zoetis. Make sure to find us on your favorite podcast platform! 

Final thoughts. As part of the announcement, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is releasing several farm security and national security policies strongly supported by America’s cattle farmers and ranchers in the Farm Security and National Security Action Plan. America is blessed to have hundreds of thousands of family farms and ranches producing beef right here at home,” said NCBA President and Nebraska cattleman Buck Wehrbein. “NCBA strongly agrees with Secretary Rollins that farm security is national security. We are pleased that USDA is protecting our family farms and ranches, scrutinizing foreign acquisitions to ensure they don’t threaten American agriculture, protecting U.S. agricultural research from foreign adversaries, and bolstering animal health programs to prevent a foreign animal disease outbreak.” The American Cattlemen strongly supports this action plan and looks forward to its implementation. 

We hope the remainder of your Summer is productive and safe! I hope to see you on the trail! 

TAKE CARE! 

Gale 

IN THIS ISSUE:

Hello everyone, and welcome to the July edition of American Cattlemen. It is a pleasure to share our recent experiences with you. My wife, Audra, and I had the distinct opportunity to attend the American Akaushi Convention in Kansas City last month. We conducted interviews with several leading producers, which will feature prominently in upcoming episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast.

Akaushi cattle, frequently heralded as the “Emperor’s Breed,” deserve special recognition. While all Akaushi cattle are classified as Wagyu, it is essential to understand that not all Wagyu cattle are Akaushi. The breed was introduced outside of Japan in the 1990s and has since gained global acclaim for its extraordinary marbling. This marbling is what gives Akaushi beef its melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich, buttery flavor. For those interested in learning more, I strongly encourage you to visit americancattlemen.com to access these insightful interviews.

During our journey to Kansas City, we also had the privilege of visiting five outstanding seedstock producers: Long Simmental (Rob Long), Eblen Simmentals (Scott Eblen), Nichols Farms (Ross Havens), Oswald Family Angus (Jamie Oswald), and High Point Genetics (Brian Oswald). We are incredibly grateful to these producers for their hospitality and valuable insights. Be sure to check out our social media pages for photos from these visits, which showcase some of the top producers of our industry.

The producers we met with shared an unwavering enthusiasm and a clear focus on improvement. They continuously asked, “How can we elevate our operations?” This forward-thinking perspective is particularly striking in the current landscape of record-high fat cattle prices and robust industry growth. It is promising to see such a commitment to advancement.

July also signifies the beginning of county fair season across the country, and I urge you to attend your local and state fairs. These events provide exceptional opportunities for producers and consumers to connect and build relationships.

Finally, as we observe Independence Day on July 4th, take a moment to reflect on the significance of our freedoms. We should never take our independence for granted, as many individuals around the world are not afforded the same rights. I wish you and your families a safe and joyful 4th of July celebration. God bless the United States of America! Best Regards, Gale

June has arrived, and with it comes the full swing of summer’s demands on cattle operations across the country. We know this season presents a unique set of hurdles, from getting the hay in and keeping pastures thriving to the ever-present challenge of managing when the skies stay stubbornly dry. It takes a special kind of determination and true grit to be a cattle producer, and we deeply respect the commitment you bring to your land and livestock daily.

This month’s issue of The American Cattlemen is packed with practical knowledge, tips, and insights from the industry to help you navigate the summer months. You’ll find valuable articles like Heather Smith Thomas’. “Smart Ways to Manage Cattle,” including the insights of some of the United States top producers. Don’t miss Jaclyn Krymowski’s piece, “Silent Profit Thieves: Managing External Parasites,” sheds light on often-overlooked threats to your bottom line. She gives us some tips on getting a pest management system beginning in your herd. For those considering an upgrade, Laura Nelson’s article, “Get Out of Defense Mode with Your Next Grazing Plan,” provides an offensive approach to some different grazing to maximize your pasture. Lastly, we have an article, “10 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Portable Scale System,” empowering you to make informed decisions for efficient management.

Make sure to check out www.americancattlemen.com for daily news and industry updates. I think you will find a recent story about the saga of Charles and Heather Maude, a South Dakota ranching family interesting.

Background

The Maudes were alerted by the United States Forest Service that fencing on their property blocked access to the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands and in good faith agreed to a survey of the property lines. After completing the survey, the Maudes lives were turned upside down by the Biden Administration. Where a simple civil dispute over 25 acres of federal land turned into a costly, invasive, and unnecessary criminal prosecution.

As you tackle the daily tasks of summer, from baling hay to rotating pastures and hoping for that much-needed rain, know that the entire team at The American Cattlemen wishes you the best. We hope for you lush pastures, healthy herds, and a smooth and productive summer. Your dedication fuels our industry, and we proudly stand alongside you.

Finally, if you want to stay informed about the latest sales, news, and industry leaders, be sure to check out “The American Cattlemen Podcast.” You can find it on most podcast platforms or our website at  americancattlemen.com/podcasts.

Thank you for being an AMERICAN CATTLEMEN, Take Care!