Podcasts
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
Wieser Concrete With Dan McKinney
Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Gale McKinney, He’s the owner of the American Cattlemen, and he sits down with Dan McKinney, Ag Sales Rep with Wieser Concrete. With 60 years of family ownership, Wieser Concrete has established itself as a versatile concrete manufacturer serving commercial, residential, and agricultural markets. The conversation centered on underground manure storage systems, which have become increasingly popular among both dairy and beef producers.
Dan explained the comprehensive process of creating these storage solutions, including precast walls, floors, and specialized dry cast slats with exceptional durability. These underground pits offer significant advantages over traditional storage methods, including better nutrient retention, reduced real estate requirements, and improved environmental management. For cattle operations, these controlled housing environments provide numerous benefits. Cattle experience improved comfort, with dry living conditions that promote better hoof health. The underground storage systems minimize odors and environmental impact, making them neighbor-friendly and compliant with agricultural regulations. The concrete used in construction features self-consolidating techniques with added fiber, ensuring uniform strength and longevity. Dan highlighted the growing trend of beef producers adopting controlled housing, noting the efficiency gains in cattle weight gain and overall farm management. While initial investment costs are higher, producers can recoup expenses through improved operational efficiency over time. The systems work for various cattle operations, from dairy to beef, with adaptable designs that can accommodate different management styles. Wieser Concrete’s product range extends beyond manure storage, including bunker silos, feed bunks, cattle guards, grain storage, water tanks, and specialized cattle foot baths. The company’s commitment to engineering quality, NRCS approval, and customer service has been key to its 60-year success. The podcast concluded by promoting an upcoming open barn event where interested producers could learn more about Wieser Concrete’s innovative agricultural solutions.
For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast, please visit: www.americancattlemen.com.
American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By:
QualiTech
Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Dustin Hector, he’s the director of business development for the American Cattlemen Media Group, and he sits down with Joshua Jendza with QualiTech. Joshua brings extensive experience in animal science, having worked in both large and small companies after completing his graduate degrees from Purdue University and a post-doctorate at the University of Minnesota. 
The conversation centers on QualiTech and their garlic-based products, specifically Feed Buds and Bio Edge Defend. Joshua explains that these products leverage the natural sulfur compounds found in garlic to provide multiple benefits for livestock. The garlic-derived products offer protection against external parasites like flies, ticks, and lice, as well as potential mitigation of internal parasites. The products are particularly appealing to producers because they are natural, cost-effective, and can be easily added to free-choice minerals.
Bio Edge Defend represents an evolution of their garlic product, incorporating fennel oil to address heat stress in animals. Joshua highlights research showing fennel’s ability to interact with neuro-endocrine nerves, potentially reducing stress and improving animal performance during high-temperature periods. The product aims to mitigate the secondary stressors caused by heat, such as immune responses and oxidative stress.
Looking toward the future of animal nutrition, Joshua predicts significant breakthroughs in methane emission reduction for cattle. He envisions developing strategies that can convert energy typically lost as methane into usable meat products, creating a win-win scenario for producers and consumers. Interestingly, their research has shown that garlic may play a role in this process by inhibiting methane-producing microbes in the rumen, though currently not economically viable at scale.
The podcast provides insights into innovative, natural approaches to animal health and nutrition, showcasing QualiTech and their commitment to developing science-backed, environmentally conscious solutions for livestock producers.
For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast please check out the website: www.americancattlemen.com
Sponsors:
AgSights With Betty Jo-Almond
Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Gale McKinney, He’s the publisher of the American Cattlemen, and he sits down with Betty Jo-Almond with AgSights. Betty Jo-Almond, with a background in animal science and genetics, shared her journey from growing up on a beef farm to working with AgSights, an organization focused on making data capture along the food supply chain more efficient and valuable.
AgSights offers four distinct services: Bio Track, Bio Links, Processor Links, and Genetic Services, all designed to help farmers and ranchers make more informed decisions. The organization’s core philosophy centers on simplifying record-keeping, leveraging technology, and providing meaningful insights that can improve farm profitability.
The cooperative’s approach is unique, as clients own the company and directly influence its development. By taking a consultative approach, AgSights helps producers transition from manual record-keeping to digital systems, making data collection and analysis more accessible and useful. Their genetic services include evaluations across all breeds, helping commercial herds make more strategic breeding decisions.
One of AgSights’ most innovative offerings is Bio Links, an inventory and sales solution for small to medium-sized businesses. This system allows producers to track products from pasture to plate, providing detailed information about animal management and helping businesses tell their product’s story to consumers.
The organization emphasizes the critical connection between farm data and end-product quality. By linking on-farm records with processing information, they help producers understand how factors like health challenges can impact meat quality and ultimately, profitability.
Throughout the podcast, Betty highlighted the importance of data-driven decision-making in modern agriculture. AgSights aims to transform how farmers collect, interpret, and utilize information, providing tools and insights that can help livestock producers improve their operations and create higher-value products.
For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast, please visit: www.americancattlemen.com.
American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By:
Gelbvieh and Balancer Cattle
Gelbvieh and Balancer Cattle have led the way in providing commercial cattlemen with genetic capabilities to increase weaning weight and improve their profitability. Learn more in this episode of the American Cattlemen Podcast!
What a great interview with an exceptionally gracious guest, Mr Harold Bertz, Executive Director of the American Gelbvieh Association.
“Harold recently served as the Chief Operating Officer of the American Royal in Kansas City. He previously worked for the Red Angus Association of America for nearly ten years, focusing on increasing the acceptance of Red Angus cattle among commercial cow-calf producers and feedlots. The Burt’s family farm, located near Mayview, Missouri, has been in the family for seven generations. He and his wife Melissa are also involved with her family’s farm near Parker, Kansas. They have two grown children who are active in the beef industry. Harold, welcome to the American Cattlemen podcast.”
Please note that Harold and Melissa have family roots that run seven generations deep in Cattle Production History, a testament to their strong background in serving producers.
Harold and I discussed numerous topics, ranging from the origins of the Gelbieh breed in the USA to the strong genetic influence Gelbieh has through the Balancer genetic line. Harold provides detailed insight for commercial producers in the area of heterosis and genetic improvement.
I find the Gelbvieh Association’s dedication to its youth program particularly interesting. Harold understands that maintaining and fostering a strong youth program is one key to the cattle industry’s future.
“Yeah, I think that’s a constant battle for all of us in agriculture. Especially here in the beef industry. And, you know, I believe we’ve discussed the youth quite a bit. I think they do a tremendous job of telling our story. We have one of our contests in podcasting, and the youth create a podcast. And I think that, you know, I know the story that that my son is able to tell his peers about what he does on the farm and ranch is far superior to what I’m what I’m telling so I I think we’ve, we’ve done a good job in agriculture of creating a group of folks, a group of youth that are now becoming adults and active in the industry, that do a tremendous job of sharing our story. I don’t think we can rest on that. I think we need to keep pushing forward and continue developing, making every generation better, because you’re right. There is a small percentage of people who participate in the hands-on aspect of production agriculture. I think that that we have to be constantly aware, constantly moving, and be extremely agile as an industry, to keep telling that story and to keep pushing again what a quality protein we are and how much care and thought goes into creating that wonderful experience that they have, whether it’s at their home or their favorite restaurant.”
I hope you take a few minutes and listen to this episode—excellent insights from one of our industry’s leaders. Check out my interview with Harold Berz, Executive Director of The American Gelbvieh Association!
For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast please check out the website: www.americancattlemen.com
American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By:
Lallemand Animal Nutrition
Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Dustin Hector, he’s The Director of Business Development for the American Cattlemen Media group, and he sits down with Dr. Kipp Karges with Lallemand Animal Nutrition. 
Dr. Kip Karges, a leading expert in ruminant nutrition with over 25 years of experience, shares insights into optimizing herd performance during challenging environmental conditions. With recent rainfall alleviating drought conditions in West Texas, producers face unique opportunities and challenges in managing their pastures and cattle nutrition. Dr. Karges emphasizes that green grass isn’t always synonymous with optimal nutrition. The rapid grass growth can lead to increased lignin development, which significantly reduces forage digestibility and challenges the nutritional needs of modern high-producing cattle herds.
The discussion centers on the importance of fiber digestibility, an often-overlooked component of cattle nutrition. Dr. Karges, with Lallemand Animal Nutrition, describes nutrition as a “nutrient pie” where energy carbohydrates represent the largest slice. To maximize this energy potential, producers must focus on stimulating rumen microorganisms through strategic supplementation. Key nutritional strategies include incorporating degradable protein, which acts as a “gas pedal” in the rumen, and utilizing probiotics like Levucell SC. These tools can improve forage digestibility by breaking down fiber structures and enhancing microbial fermentation. The live yeast probiotic works by attaching to fiber bundles, creating openings that allow microorganisms to more effectively digest nutrients. As producers look toward late summer and early fall, Dr. Karges recommends developing a flexible nutrition program. This involves considering early weaning options, evaluating supplementation needs, and implementing strategies to optimize forage utilization. By understanding the complex interactions between grass quality, rumen microbiology, and nutritional supplementation, cattle producers can enhance herd performance and resilience. The podcast provides a comprehensive overview of advanced nutritional management techniques, offering producers practical insights into maintaining cattle health and productivity during challenging seasonal transitions.
For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast, please visit: www.americancattlemen.com.
American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By:
Smarter Cattle
Smarter Cattle is a record-keeping software designed to make ranch management simpler and efficient.
I am so thrilled to know that the cattle industry is in the hands of a new generation of ranchers and industry professionals with exceptional skills!
Oaklee Trapp is a cattlewoman, entrepreneur, and founder of Smarter Cattle, a record-keeping software designed to make ranch management simpler and efficient. She’s from Tremont, Utah, where she lives and works on her family’s ranch. Oakley earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from Utah Tech University, where she also played four years of Division I softball. The idea for smarter cattle was born in an entrepreneurial class at Utah Tech, where she pitched the concept in a Shark Tank-style project, and has taken off ever since. Today, she’s passionate about helping fellow ranchers streamline their operations with the tools built by ranchers, for ranchers.
Oaklee offers excellent feedback, information, and solutions to enhance your cattle business.
“Yeah, it’s, I honestly can’t stress it. Stress it enough like you’re talking about, you know, everybody has the little red book or a notebook that’s floating around in their truck a console full of papers, and a lot is riding on those things that could could blow away when you open the door or get lost or you never have it when you need it. So, having a centralized location is more than just necessary. You know, it’s it’s essential on a lot of different operations as well, from from the family operation, like I’m on here today, where it’s me, my dad and my sister, um, it always seems like we’re we weren’t in the right truck, where, where all the records were, or we were in different locations. And I needed to know something, so now, in that situation, we all have access, and we can pull it up on our phones at any time and look at it. We don’t have to be together.”
Oaklee was a great interview, and you will soon tell by listening that she is passionate about her product. Give this one a good listen, you won’t be disappointed!
For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast please check out the website: www.americancattlemen.com
Sponsors:
Vermeer Hay Products
Welcome back to another episode of the American Cattlemen Podcast. Today, Dustin chats with Boyd Quinley, the Regional Manager for the Southwest Region for Vermeer. Boyd will share his vast experience about Vermeer, its company history, and some key milestones they have reached.
Boyd will then discuss his background in rodeo and transition to Vermeer, highlighting the company’s focus on efficiency and innovation. Boyd then emphasized the importance of efficiency in hay production, noting that larger cutting and raking equipment can help producers manage unpredictable weather conditions. Boyd notes the current positive trends in the cattle industry, citing low beef cow inventory and high profit margins for cow-calf producers. Boyd will then share some of his insights on low beef cow inventories, record profit margins, and the challenges that producers are facing today. He also details Vermeer’s product offerings, including round balers, mixer wagons, and manure spreaders, emphasizing their role in enhancing productivity and efficiency. The conversation provided valuable perspectives on agricultural trends and technological advancements in modern ranching, and we hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did.
For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast please check out the website: www.americancattlemen.com
Sponsors:
Red Angus Cattle are Angus Cattle
It was a great learning experience to sit down with Tom Brink, the CEO of the Red Angus Association of America. Join us on your favorite platform to listen to the wisdom of one of the cattle industry’s great minds.
Tom Brink is a prominent beef industry figure known for his extensive experience and expertise in the Red Angus breed. He has held significant leadership roles in various organizations, including Cattle-Fax, the American Gelbvieh Association, and JBS Five Rivers Feeding, LLC. Brink’s work has been instrumental in advancing the quality and profitability of Red Angus cattle. As the CEO of the Red Angus Association of America, he aims to bring the breed to the forefront of the beef industry, leveraging his industry knowledge and innovative thinking to drive success. Brink holds three degrees from Kansas State University and is firmly committed to genetic excellence and value-added programs for Red Angus breeders.
Tom and his wife have four children and six grandchildren. They reside in Brighton, Colorado, where Tom enjoys hiking, biking, and reading books and articles on various topics.
In this interview with Gale McKinney, Publisher of American Cattlemen Media, Tom covers several topics in a casual, fast-paced discussion. Tom is a passionate leader who leads an outstanding team at Red Angus. We were particularly intrigued by Tom’s insights on Sustainable Beef LLC – a new rancher-led beef processing plant slated to open in April 2025 in North Platte, Nebraska, that will implement the innovative grid. Notably, the grid is unique in equally rewarding Red Angus, black Angus, and smoky cattle. “This grid pricing system could have a ripple effect throughout the industry, starting with the feeder calf market,” Brink explained. “Backgrounders and feedlots supplying cattle to Sustainable Beef can confidently pay the same amount for Red Angus and black-hided feeder cattle, knowing they will be rewarded equally for quality.”
Twin Rivers Media produces the American Cattlemen Podcast.
For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast please check out the website: www.americancattlemen.com
Sponsors:
