Welcome to a special 3oz portion episode of The Future of Beef Show: Calving with Dr. Taylor Engle.

In this special "3oz Portion" episode, host Jim Johnson is joined by co-hosts Dr. Jessica Sperber and Ian Wheal for a focused conversation with Dr. Taylor Engle, diving deep into best practices for calving season—from nutrition and data collection to health preparedness and genetic planning.

Dr. Engle shares insights from the frontlines of calving management, offering practical strategies to ensure healthier calves, more productive cows, and better long-term herd performance. Whether you're a seasoned producer or just starting to capture calving data, this episode is full of actionable tips to enhance your operation’s success.

As always, you’ll find additional resources and tools at TheFutureofBeef.com, including a 6-month free trial of the award-winning Breedr app.

What you will learn in this episode:

1️⃣ Why collecting data at birth sets the foundation for profitability.

2️⃣ How to prepare for calving season from a health, nutrition, and logistics standpoint.

3️⃣ Tips on using colostrum, scoring calf vigor, and tracking maternal performance for better genetics.

Links:

🌐 Visit the show page at www.thefutureofbeef.com

🐂 Learn more about calving best practices and genetics at www.breedr.co

📱 Explore the award-winning Breedr App at www.breedr.co

Welcome to the fourth episode of The Future of Beef Show: Genomics with Nick Jorgensen. In this episode, host Jim Johnson, alongside co-hosts Dr. Jessica Sperber and Ian Wheal, sits down with Nick Jorgensen, CEO and CFO of Jorgensen Land & Cattle, to explore how genomics and cutting-edge data tools are shaping the future of sustainable beef production. Nick shares how his family operation has evolved into one of the most innovative beef and seedstock producers in the U.S., leveraging soil health, genetic selection, and business diversification to stay resilient and profitable. As always, you’ll find additional resources and tools at TheFutureofBeef.com, including a 6-month free trial of the award-winning Breedr app. What you will learn in this episode: 1️⃣ How genomics can enhance profitability and environmental sustainability. 2️⃣ Why data, genetics, and long-term thinking are essential for ranch success. 3️⃣ Lessons from one of America’s most progressive multi-generational ranch operations. Links: 🌐 Visit the show page at www.thefutureofbeef.com 🐂 Learn more about Jorgensen Land & Cattle at www.jorgensenfarms.com 📱 Explore the award-winning Breedr App at www.breedr.co

Welcome to the third episode of The Future of Beef Show: Genetics & Profitability with Troy Marshall.

In this episode, host Jim Johnson, along with co-hosts Dr. Jessica Sperber and Ian Wheal, sit down with Troy Marshall, Director of Commercial Industry Relations at the American Angus Association to discuss how genetics can shape smarter breeding decisions and maximize profitability in the beef industry.

As always, you’ll find additional resources and tools at TheFutureofBeef.com, including a 6-month free trial of the award-winning Breedr app.

What you will learn in this episode:

1️⃣ How genetics and data-driven decisions can help ranchers improve herd performance and profitability.

2️⃣ The role of breed associations in supporting commercial producers with better genetic tools.

3️⃣ How smaller and mid-sized ranchers can adopt new technology to stay competitive and increase returns.

Links:

🌐 Visit the show page at www.thefutureofbeef.com

🐂 Learn more about the American Angus Association at www.angus.org

📱 Explore the award-winning Breedr App at www.breedr.co

💻 Connect with American Cattlemen at www.americancattlemen.com

Welcome to the second episode of The Future of Beef Show: Beating the Bell Curve with John Schroeder. In this episode, host Jim Johnson, along with co-hosts Dr. Jessica Sperber and Ian Wheal, sit down with John Schroeder, General Manager of Darr Feedlot to discuss managing cattle individually to maximize performance and profitability.

As always you’ll find additional resources and tools at the futureofbeef.com, including a 6 month free trial of the award-winning Breedr app.

What you will learn in this episode:

1. How individual animal tracking can drive better decisions on ranch

2. how ranchers can interact with feed yards to improve returns for everyone and have their cattle in demand

3. New insights and metrics you can use to improve your feed yard or ranch

Links: Visit the show page at www.thefutureofbeef.com⁠

Learn more about Darr Feedlot at www.darrfeedlot.com

Explore the award-winning Breedr App at www.breedr.co⁠

Connect with American Cattlemen at ⁠www.americancattlemen.com⁠

Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Future of Beef podcast! In this episode, host Jim Johnson, along with co-hosts Dr. Jessica Sperber and Ian Wheal, sits down with Lamar Steiger, owner of 808 Ranch and founder of Ranch to Retail, to explore how the beef industry is evolving through supply chain collaboration, data-driven management, and stronger producer partnerships.

Lamar shares his experience working with Walmart’s Prime Pursuits program to create a more transparent and connected beef supply chain. From tales of growing up on his family's ranch to leading large-scale supply chain innovations, Lamar discusses how producers can benefit from working together instead of staying isolated.

We also dive into key challenges like inconsistency in cattle quality, the role of digital technology, and the power of communication between producers, feed yards, and retailers.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

-Why data sharing and transparency are essential for modern beef production

-How Lamar helped Walmart create a connected beef supply chain

-How to improve consistency and performance with the right partnerships

-The critical role of consumer trust and how producers can meet those expectations

-Why "we jump from one thing to another like a junior high girl in fashion" needs to change

Key Quotes

"We're fiercely independent. We jump, like, we jump from one thing to another like a junior high girl in fashion." – Lamar Steiger

"In God we trust. Everyone else, bring data." – Ian Wheal

"Grocers want to look the consumer in the eye and truthfully say they know where that beef came from." – Lamar Steiger

Links

Here are key resources to help you learn more about what was discussed in this episode:

Join the Academy - ⁠www.thefutureofbeef.com⁠

Connect with American Cattlemen: ⁠www.americancattlemen.com⁠

Explore the Breedr App:⁠ www.breedr.co⁠

The 808 ranch: ⁠www.the808ranch.com⁠

Learn more about Prime Pursuits: ⁠www.primepursuits.com

The Future of Beef Show is THE place to connect with the people and ideas shaping the future of the cattle industry.

Hey, folks! I’m Jim Johnson from the Brands and Barbed wire podcast, and I’m inviting you to join Ian Wheal, Jess Sperber, and I for The Future of Beef Show. Produced in partnership with American Cattlemen and Breedr.

Together with an inspiring lineup of guests, we’ll share stories from the forefront of modern beef production - and show you how technology and data can make all the difference - while staying true to the values that define our industry.

Most importantly, we’ll help you figure out how to adopt these practices in a way that works for your operation, whatever it’s size.

Ready to lead the charge? Saddle up and subscribe to The Future of Beef Show!

www.TheFutureofBeefShow.com

www.AmericanCattlemen.com

www.Breedr.co

Welcome to the fifth episode of The Future of Beef Show: Succession with Alan Hojer.

In this episode, host Jim Johnson, alongside co-hosts Dr. Jessica Sperber and Ian Wheal, sits down with Alan Hojer—succession expert and advocate for legacy ranching families—to explore one of the most emotional and vital topics in the beef industry: succession planning.

Alan brings over a decade of hands-on experience helping agricultural families navigate the complexities of generational transition. From guiding honest conversations over coffee to building long-term, values-based succession plans, Alan emphasizes that true legacy is not just about assets—but about giving the gift of knowledge, clarity, and time.

As always, you’ll find additional resources and tools at TheFutureofBeef.com, including a 6-month free trial of the award-winning Breedr app.

1️⃣ Why successful succession is more about communication than contracts. 2️⃣ How early planning and transparency preserve both business and family bonds. 3️⃣ Real-world advice on navigating emotions, expectations, and leadership transitions.

🌐 Visit the show page at www.thefutureofbeef.com 🐂 Learn more about Alan’s mission to “Keep Farmers Farming” 📱 Explore the award-winning Breedr App at www.breedr.co