Welcome to the American Cattlemen Podcast, hosted by Gale McKinney, where information, entertainment, and the cow/calf industry come together. Whether talking to a country western entertainer, cow/calf producer, or industry professional, ACP promises a different ride than other podcasts.
Welcome to American Cattlemen’s Producer Profiles where Gale brings the business and lifestyle of the Cow/Calf industry together. Whether it’s the most recent production sale to your local county fair Gale brings you interviews with the grassroot folks of the industry.
Our audience is United States cow/calf producers and worldwide industry professionals derived from our extensive social media following of over 500,000 unique industry professionals. Each episode of the American Cattlemen Podcast will be promoted through our digital outlets and the American Cattlemen magazine and newsletter.
Previous Episodes
Previewing the 21st Annual Illini Elite Simmental and SimAngus Sale
Curt Rincker of Rincker Simmental and Corey Wilkins of Allied Genetic Resources join host Aaron McKinney for a preview of the 21st Annual Illini Elite Sale.
Curt and Corey discuss Rincker Simmental’s operation, cattle-breeding philosophy and the overall depth of this year’s offering. The sale features competitive, show-ready heifer calves, a deep set of AI-bred females, elite donor IR Miss Vienna G965, and cutting-edge pregnancies and embryos backed by proven Simmental and SimAngus cow families. 
Whether you are building a competitive show string or looking to strengthen the genetics in your breeding program, the Illini Elite Sale offers an outstanding opportunity to invest in high-quality females with a productive future.
The sale begins at 1:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, September 20, at the Rincker Sale Facility in Shelbyville, Illinois. Buyers can also watch and bid online through CCI.live.
Genetics & the Gavel is powered by American Cattlemen Media.
For previous episodes of Genetics & the Gavel, please visit: www.americancattlemen.com.
American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By:
Making Cattle Processing Easier: Matt Poindexter of Midnight Cattle Tags
In this episode of Cattlemen and Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health, hosts Kaid Panek and Dr. Shynia Peterman, DVM, sit down with Matt Poindexter of Midnight Cattle Tags to explore practical ways cattle producers and veterinarians can make processing cattle safer, faster, and more efficient. 
Matt’s background in the cattle industry has taken him from his family’s Missouri farm to an extraordinary experience helping develop beef cattle operations in Russia. After returning home, Matt became involved in backgrounding cattle and custom cattle tags before eventually helping launch Midnight Cattle Tags. What started as late-night tag printing and a desire to solve everyday problems has developed into innovative tools designed by people who actually work cattle.
A major focus of the conversation is Midnight Cattle Tags’ battery-powered ear tagger and tattooer. Matt explains how a hand injury originally inspired him to develop an easier way to apply cattle tags. Instead of repeatedly squeezing a traditional applicator, the battery-powered system allows operators to place tags with the pull of a trigger, reducing strain during long processing days.
The group also discusses cattle handling, workplace safety, efficiency, and the importance of developing a processing crew where everyone understands their role. Matt’s philosophy is simple: less is more. A smaller, experienced crew can often process cattle more calmly and efficiently while reducing unnecessary confusion around the chute.
Listeners also get a preview of products under development, including battery-powered syringes, ear notchers, chute-mounted coolers, and livestock management technology designed to improve medication tracking, inventory, billing, and communication with veterinarians.
Ultimately, this episode demonstrates how practical innovation can improve cattle processing for both animals and handlers. From reducing repetitive strain to improving workflow and animal handling, Matt, Kaid, and Dr. Shynia Peterman offer producers useful ideas for making the next processing day safer and smoother.
For Future or Previous episodes visit our websites:
Cattlemen and Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health Sponsored by:
Building a Career in the Cattle Industry: More Than One Road to Success
The cattle industry has always been built on hard work, relationships, and a willingness to adapt. But one thing I’ve learned over the years is that there isn’t just one way to build a successful career in agriculture. 
When many young people think about the cattle business, they picture owning a ranch, raising cattle, or perhaps becoming a veterinarian. Those are tremendous careers, but they represent only a small part of an industry that depends on talented people in dozens of different roles. That was one of the reasons I wanted to sit down with Corbitt Wall on a recent episode of Beef Unscripted.
Corbitt’s career is a perfect example of how opportunity often finds those who are willing to keep learning, build relationships, and say yes to new challenges. A fourth-generation cattleman, Corbitt has worked in the sale barn business, managed commercial cattle operations, served with USDA, and today has become one of the most respected livestock market analysts in the country through his work with DVAuction and as host of Feeder Flash.
What’s interesting is that none of those opportunities happened overnight. Like many successful people in agriculture, one opportunity led to another. Along the way, he developed skills that producers sometimes overlook—communication, market analysis, relationship building, and the ability to explain complex topics in ways people understand. Those skills have become every bit as valuable as understanding cattle. Today’s cattle industry offers opportunities that simply didn’t exist a generation ago. Digital marketing, video production, livestock photography, data analysis, genetic consulting, online auction management, precision livestock technology, nutrition, finance, media, and communications have all become essential parts of modern agriculture. The common thread isn’t necessarily what job you have. It’s whether you’re creating value for the people you serve.
Every day, producers across the country rely on Corbitt’s market commentary because they trust his ability to separate headlines from meaningful information. In an industry where decisions often involve thousands of dollars, that trust is earned one report at a time. Our conversation also reminded me that careers are rarely built exactly as planned. Most successful people in agriculture will tell you they didn’t follow a perfectly straight path. They took advantage of opportunities, learned from mentors, accepted new responsibilities, and continued growing throughout their careers.
That’s a lesson worth remembering, especially for young people entering agriculture today. If you’re willing to work hard, remain curious, and build relationships, there are more opportunities in this industry than ever before. Whether your future is raising cattle, marketing livestock, analyzing markets, managing technology, producing content, or helping producers make better decisions, agriculture needs talented people who care about its future.
The cattle business has room for people with many different talents. The key is finding where yours can make the greatest impact. I hope you’ll take the time to listen to my full conversation with Corbitt Wall on Beef Unscripted. We discuss his career journey, today’s cattle markets, the evolution of cattle marketing, and why he believes the future remains incredibly bright for those willing to invest in this industry.
Sometimes the best career advice doesn’t come from someone telling you what to do. It comes from hearing the story of someone who simply kept saying ‘yes’ to the next opportunity. That’s exactly what you’ll hear from Corbitt Wall.
For future episodes of Beef Unscripted check out our website!
Be sure to share with your friends and neighbors!
Linz Heritage Angus 10th Annual Production Sale
In this episode of Genetics & the Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media, host Aaron McKinney visits with Ben Weis, Ranch Manager at Linz Heritage Angus in Byars, Oklahoma. Ben previews the Linz Heritage Angus 10th Annual Production Sale, scheduled for September 18, 2026, at noon Central Time. 
This year’s offering marks an important milestone as Linz Heritage Angus adds an annual fall bull sale to complement its female sale. The offering features 40 age-advantaged, 18-month-old Angus bulls and 45 elite females selected for their genetic strength, proven pedigrees, structural quality and real-world performance. Raised primarily on grass with minimal concentrates, these bulls are developed to remain sound, go to work and hold up in demanding commercial environments. The females offer powerful genetics, impressive EPD profiles and valuable outcross opportunities for cattle producers looking to strengthen their cow herds. Ben also discusses the Linz Heritage Angus breeding philosophy, the depth of this year’s offering, featured lots, sale-day information, shipping options and online bidding through LiveAg.
Based at Blue Branch Ranch in Byars, Oklahoma, Linz Heritage Angus is a family-owned seedstock operation backed by generations of experience in the cattle, beef and restaurant industries. Its mission is straightforward: produce Angus cattle that help create cows that stay, steers that pay and consistently better beef. Join Linz Heritage Angus on September 18 for its 10th Annual Production Sale and this special bull and female offering.
For previous episodes of Genetics & the Gavel, please visit: www.americancattlemen.com.
American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By:
Charly Cummings on Auctioneering, Livestock Marketing & Better Beef
In this episode of Better Beef, host Kaid Panek sits down with Charly Cummings, one of the most respected voices in livestock auctioneering and the 2011 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion. From sale barns and production sales to his work with Superior Livestock, Charly has built a career around cattle, communication, and earning the trust of producers who place their livelihoods in his hands when sale day arrives. 
Charly shares how his journey began as a young Kansas kid learning the auctioneer chant from his uncle before attending the Worldwide College of Auctioneering. He explains that becoming a successful auctioneer requires much more than talking fast. A clear, recognizable chant is important, but professionalism, knowledge of the product, integrity, and the ability to command a room are equally essential. For Charly, those qualities form the foundation of an auctioneer producers and buyers can trust.
The conversation also explores Charly’s road to becoming a world champion. He discusses competing through state and national contests, the interview and live-auction portions of the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship, and how winning in 2011 transformed his career. With new opportunities came an intense travel schedule, forcing Charly to eventually learn one of the hardest lessons of his career: when to say no and make more time for his family.
Kaid and Charly also dive into the responsibility auctioneers carry on sale day. Every animal represents years of work, genetics, management, and financial investment. Charly explains why knowing the true value of the cattle, staying composed during “slick spots,” and treating every buyer with respect can make a tremendous difference. Those relationships often extend for years, turning customers and sale hosts into friends and family.
Finally, Charly shares his vision for better beef, emphasizing animal care, nutrition, veterinary health, safe handling, stewardship, genetics, technology, and continuous improvement. It’s a conversation about much more than auctioneering—it’s about cattle, family, integrity, rural communities, and the people committed to moving the beef industry forward.
For previous episodes of the Better Beef Podcast, please visit: www.americancattlemen.com.
American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By:
More Than Genetics: The Idea Behind Genetic Allies
When Chris Earl and John Wessel came up with the idea for Genetic Allies, they recognized something pretty simple: there is value in bringing good Angus breeders together.
Not just to sell cattle, but to share genetics, knowledge, and fellowship with others who have the same passion for the Angus business. 
The producers involved are accomplished cattlemen with their own programs, their own breeding philosophies, and their own ideas about where they want to take their cattle. Genetic Allies gives them an opportunity to bring some of their best genetics together, learn from one another, and enjoy the relationships that are such an important part of the cattle business.
That was really the conversation I wanted to have when I visited with Chris Earl of CK6 Consulting ahead of this year’s Genetic Allies Female Sale, September 12 at Edgar Bros Angus near Rockham, South Dakota.
Good Breeders Make Each Other Better
There is something to be said for surrounding yourself with people who are good at what they do.
Each of the producers involved with Genetic Allies has built a program of their own. They have developed cow families, made breeding decisions, learned from the ones that worked, and probably learned even more from a few that didn’t.
Bringing those producers together creates an opportunity to share some of that experience.
And when you get cattlemen like that together, the conversation naturally turns to cattle.
What worked?
What didn’t?
What cow families are you excited about?
What are you trying to build next?
Those conversations matter.
We have more genetic information available to us today than cattlemen could have imagined a generation ago. EPDs, genomic testing and other tools have given breeders tremendous ability to evaluate cattle and make breeding decisions.
But there is still value in experience.
There is value in looking at cattle with somebody who has spent a lifetime breeding them. There is value in talking about why a mating worked, why another one didn’t and what somebody is trying to accomplish with the next generation.
That knowledge gets shared when good cattlemen spend time together.
Bringing Different Genetics Together
The other thing I like about the Genetic Allies concept is that nobody has to give up the identity of their own program to participate.
Quite the opposite.
Each breeder brings something different to the table.
Different cow families. Different genetics. Different experiences. And sometimes a different way of looking at cattle.
For buyers, that creates an opportunity to evaluate genetics from several outstanding Angus programs in one place and decide what might complement the cattle they already own.
For the breeders themselves, it creates an opportunity to see what others are doing and perhaps discover genetics that can move their own programs forward.
That’s where the word Allies makes a lot of sense.
These producers can have their own programs and their own goals while recognizing that there is value in working together.
More Than a Sale
I’ve always thought some of the best conversations at a cattle sale happen before or after the cattle actually go through the ring.
They happen walking through the pens.
They happen leaning against a fence.
They happen over a meal when somebody starts talking about a cow family, a bull they used or a mating they are excited about.
That’s fellowship, and I don’t think we should underestimate its importance to this business.
The cattle business has always been built around relationships. Some last for a sale season. Others last for generations.
Genetic Allies creates another place for those relationships to develop.
Certainly, there is business being done. There are cattle to sell and genetics to evaluate.
But there is also an opportunity to spend an evening with people who share the same interest in good Angus cattle.
I think that’s an important part of what Chris and John envisioned.
Genetics, Knowledge and Fellowship
The 2026 Genetic Allies Female Sale will be held September 12 at 5:00 PM Central Time at Edgar Bros Angus near Rockham, South Dakota, with online bidding available through DVAuction.
There will be an outstanding set of Angus females and genetic opportunities to evaluate.
But my conversation with Chris reminded me that Genetic Allies is about something more than assembling cattle for a sale.
It’s about bringing outstanding Angus producers together.
Sharing genetics.
Sharing knowledge.
And enjoying the fellowship that comes from spending time with others who have the same passion for good cattle.
That’s a pretty good idea.
And it’s probably why Genetic Allies works.
For previous episodes of Genetics & the Gavel, please visit: www.americancattlemen.com.
American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By:
ADR Cattle Company Complete Angus Herd Dispersal
Because a complete herd dispersal is about more than selling cattle.
For anyone who has spent a lifetime building a cattle operation, there is history tied up in those cows. You remember where the cow families started. You remember the matings that worked—and probably a few that didn’t. You remember the cattle that helped move the program forward. 
And somewhere along the way, most of us probably begin assuming that somebody in the next generation will pick it up and keep going.
Sometimes they do.
Sometimes they don’t.
That can be difficult to accept, particularly in agriculture, where we tend to measure success partly by whether the next generation comes home and continues what we started.
I’m not sure that is always a fair measurement.
Our children and grandchildren have their own abilities, interests, and opportunities. The fact that their path may be different from ours doesn’t diminish what was built before them. Nor does it mean the previous generation did something wrong.
That was what I appreciated about my conversation with Albert.
There wasn’t bitterness about reaching this point. Certainly, there is emotion involved. How could there not be? But there was also a recognition that circumstances change, families change, and eventually every operation has to decide what comes next.
Sometimes good stewardship means continuing what previous generations built.
Sometimes good stewardship means recognizing when it is time to make a change.
For ADR Cattle Company, that change comes on September 16.
The cattle themselves will move on to new operations, and I suspect many of those cow families will continue having an influence for years to come. In that respect, the work Albert and his family put into the ADR program doesn’t disappear when the last animal goes through the sale ring.
It simply takes a different form.
I think there is a lesson in that for all of us involved in family agriculture.
We should absolutely work to bring the next generation into agriculture when that is what they want. We should give them opportunities, responsibility and eventually the freedom to make the operation their own.
But succession isn’t successful simply because the same family name stays on the gate.
Sometimes the next generation chooses another direction. Sometimes circumstances make the decision for us. And sometimes the right decision is knowing when it is time to close one chapter and begin another.
That can be hard.
It doesn’t mean it’s bad.
The ADR Cattle Company Complete Angus Herd Dispersal will be held Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in Dunlap, Iowa, with more than 450 head selling. Online bidding will be available through CattleUSA.com.
To hear my complete conversation with Albert Epperly, listen to this episode of Genetics & the Gavel, powered by American Cattlemen Media.
Take Care!
— Gale McKinney
For previous episodes of Genetics & the Gavel, please visit: www.americancattlemen.com.
American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By:
2026 South Dakota Angus Tour Heads to the Black Hills
The Black Hills will provide the backdrop for the 2026 South Dakota Angus Tour, set for September 15–17. Over three days, attendees will have the opportunity to visit Angus operations, see high-quality cattle and spend time with the breeders and families behind these programs. 
This year’s tour will give cattlemen an up-close look at Angus operations throughout the Black Hills region. Each stop offers an opportunity to see how different producers approach breeding, management and the development of Angus cattle suited to their individual operations.
For seedstock and commercial producers alike, tours such as this provide a chance to see cattle in their working environments and learn from the people raising them. Attendees can compare breeding philosophies and management practices while considering ideas that may be useful in their own operations.
The tour also provides an opportunity to connect with fellow cattlemen. In addition to visiting ranches and viewing cattle, attendees will have time to visit with breeders and other producers throughout the three-day event.
Rapid City will serve as the headquarters for the tour, with the Best Western Ramkota Hotel designated as the host hotel.
2026 South Dakota Angus Tour Details
Dates: September 15–17, 2026
Headquarters: Best Western Ramkota Hotel, Rapid City, South Dakota
Registration: South Dakota Angus Association
Contact: Justin Uhrig
Email: jhuhrig@gmail.com
Phone: 308-760-5615
For cattlemen interested in seeing South Dakota Angus genetics firsthand, exchanging ideas with other producers and experiencing the Black Hills, the 2026 South Dakota Angus Tour offers three days centered around cattle, operations and the people behind them. To hear more about this year’s tour, listen to the Genetics & the Gavel conversation with Justin Uhrig, powered by American Cattlemen Media.
For previous episodes of Genetics & the Gavel, please visit: www.americancattlemen.com.
American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By:
