The Future of Beef Show

From virtual fences to real-time herd data, ranching is entering a new era—and Andrew Fraser is helping lead the shift. In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, Andrew joins Jim Johnson, Dr. Jessica Sperber, and Ian Wheal to explore how smart collar technology is transforming the way cattle are managed on pasture. As President of Halter Inc., Andrew shares how a simple idea—a collar for cows—has evolved into a powerful system for controlling grazing, tracking behavior, and unlocking better decision-making for producers. This conversation goes beyond the technology itself to focus on real-world impact. From reducing labor demands and eliminating the need for extensive fencing to improving pasture utilization and enabling more flexible grazing systems, Andrew explains why virtual fencing is gaining traction across beef operations in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. The episode also dives into the growing role of data in ranching—from tracking animal movement and health to the future potential of measuring feed efficiency at the individual cow level. Along the way, the group discusses how AI is being applied in practical ways, why labor and succession are critical challenges, and how technology can make ranching more sustainable, scalable, and attractive to the next generation. What You’ll Learn: How virtual fencing works and how cows are trained to respond to sound cues Why pasture management is the foundation of productivity and profitability How smart collars provide real-time visibility into animal location and behavior The potential to measure feed intake and efficiency in grazing systems • How technology can reduce reliance on fencing and lower infrastructure costs Why labor savings and staff retention are key drivers of adoption How behavioral data can improve animal health monitoring and decision-making The role of AI and machine learning in practical, on-farm applications Why flexibility in grazing systems can unlock better land and herd performance Links: Future of Beef Show: www.futureofbeef.com Learn more about Halter: www.halterhq.com Read more from Drovers: www.drovers.com Learn more about Breedr: www.breedr.co Learn more about Corteva Agriscience: www.rangeandpasture.com Learn more about Whole Cottonseed: https://wholecottonseed.com/

Sustainability has become one of the biggest conversations shaping the future of agriculture—and few people have a clearer global perspective than Justin Sherrard, our first guest from Australia. In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, Justin joins hosts Jim Johnson, Dr. Jessica Sperber, and Ian Wheal to explore how the beef industry fits into the broader sustainability conversation. Drawing on his experience with the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and years analyzing global protein markets, Justin explains why cattle remain essential to feeding a growing population while working within environmental limits. What You’ll Learn: Why cattle still play a critical role in feeding a growing global population How the beef industry is addressing sustainability and methane emissions Why engaging with critics and stakeholders is necessary for agriculture The importance of data in telling the beef industry’s story How consumer perceptions influence the way beef is marketed Why sustainability improvements often align with better productivity and profitability The role producers play in advocating for the future of beef Links: Future of Beef Show: www.futureofbeef.comLearn more about the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef: https://grsbeef.org/ Read more from Drovers: www.drovers.comLearn more about Breedr: www.breedr.coLearn more about Corteva Agriscience: www.rangeandpasture.com

Managing grass, cattle, and the land drives more of beef production than ever — and few people know it better than Dr. Jeff Goodwin. In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, Dr. Goodwin breaks down why grazing management sits at the center of modern cattle production. From regenerative grazing and soil carbon to linking cattle genetics with pasture quality, he shows how planning, adaptability, and system-level thinking boost profitability while supporting long-term sustainability. Whether you manage a small ranch or a large operation, these strategies demonstrate how smart grazing decisions can pay off for both the land and the bottom line. What You’ll Learn: • Why regenerative grazing isn’t slowing down — and what it means for producers • How ecosystem services like soil carbon, water, and wildlife habitat follow good grazing practices • The importance of system-level thinking: managing grass, cattle, and the environment together • How planning and adaptability drive long-term success on ranches Links:Future of Beef Show: www.futureofbeef.comLearn more about the Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management: https://cgrm.tamu.edu/ Read more from Drovers: www.drovers.comLearn more about Breedr: www.breedr.coLearn more about Corteva Agriscience: www.rangeandpasture.com

Genetic progress is only as valuable as the profitability it creates, and few people understand that connection better than Marty Ropp, founder and executive officer of Allied Genetic Resources. In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, Marty joins hosts Jim Johnson, Dr. Jessica Sperber and Ian Wheal to discuss how data, genomics, and collaboration are reshaping the business of beef genetics. From lessons learned in the pork and dairy industries to the future of service-driven breeding programs, Marty shares what it takes to help producers capture more value across the entire supply chain. What You’ll Learn: How Allied Genetic Resources built a network to support genetic improvement across the beef industry Why connecting genomic data to real-world profitability is the next frontier • What the beef sector can learn from pork and dairy’s approach to efficiency and consistency The importance of collaboration and feedback between breeders, feeders, and packers How service, education, and transparency drive long-term genetic success Links: Future of Beef Show: www.futureofbeef.com Follow us on Facebook - Instagram - TikTok Connect with Marty Ropp: www.alliedgeneticresources.com Read more from Drovers: www.drovers.comLearn more about Breedr: www.breedr.co Learn more about Corteva Agriscience: www.rangeandpasture.com

12. Ranching Advocacy with Tucker Brown Ranching isn’t just about raising cattle—it’s about telling the story of where beef comes from and why it matters. Few do that better than Tucker Brown of R.A. Brown Ranch in Texas. In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, Tucker shares how he’s using humor, transparency, and digital storytelling to connect consumers with the people behind their food. As a sixth-generation rancher, he’s bringing fresh energy to ranching advocacy while still grounded in the values that built his family’s operation. What You’ll Learn: - Why advocacy matters for the next generation of ranchers - How Tucker uses storytelling to connect with consumers and urban audiences - The role of humor and authenticity in building trust - Ways producers can amplify their own voices to support the beef industry - Why transparency and openness are powerful tools for ranching’s future Links: Future of Beef Show: www.futureofbeef.com Follow us on Facebook - Instagram - TikTok Connect with Tucker Brown: instagram.com/tuckerbrownrab/ Learn more about R.A. Brown Ranch: https://www.rabrownranch.com/ Breedr: www.breedr.co Farm Journal: www.farmjournal.com Corteva Agriscience: www.rangeandpasture.com

Welcome to the 10th episode of The Future of Beef Show: Feedyard Health with Dr. Dan Thomson.From the feedlot pen to the packer line, every decision made around cattle health ripples through performance, profitability, and public trust. In this foundational episode, Dr. Dan Thomson—a PhD nutritionist, DVM, and managing partner at PAC—joins Jim Johnson, Dr. Jessica Sperber, and Ian Wheal to map the entire lifecycle of animal health and welfare in modern beef systems.With decades of feedlot consultation experience and influence on industry standards from McDonald’s to Cactus Feeders, Dr. Dan shares what it really takes to build a connected, resilient health system: early data capture, strong veterinary relationships, consistent animal handling, and a shift from reactive treatments to proactive management. From vaccine timing and calf colostrum to labor shortages and AI-driven health tags, this episode connects dots across cow-calf, backgrounding, and feedyard stages in ways few others can.What You’ll Learn:How feedyards can reduce death loss with early detection and low-tech fixesWhy trust and acclimation are essential to spotting disease before it’s too lateThe truth about antibiotic stewardship—and how to manage use without sacrificing careHow technology (from wearable tags to AI) enhances, not replaces, human expertiseWhat “whole lifecycle” animal health really means—and how it pays offLinks:🌐 Visit the show page at www.futureofbeef.com🐄 Learn more about PAC at www.pacdvms.com📱 Explore the award-winning Breedr App at www.breedr.co💻 Connect with Drovers: www.drovers.comFor more stories about advancing animal health, diagnostics, and sustainability across the beef supply chain, visit www.futureofbeef.com.

Welcome to the 8th episode of The Future of Beef Show: Connected Calf Health with Dr. Taylor Engle.What if the best way to raise healthier, better-performing calves didn’t start with treatments, but with trust—trust in your environment, your protocols, and your team? In this forward-looking conversation, we’re joined by Dr. Taylor Engle of Four Star Veterinary Services to explore how producers can improve calf health outcomes by rethinking everything from birth to bunk.Dr. Engle draws on her unique background across swine, poultry, and beef production systems to break down calf health into manageable, practical steps. From pre-birth cow care to the critical first 60 days of a calf’s life, she reveals why environment and communication are just as important as vaccines—and why treating symptoms without context often does more harm than good.Whether you’re managing beef-on-dairy calves across multiple phases or fine-tuning your cow-calf operation, this episode is full of real-world advice and refreshing honesty. It’s a masterclass in proactive, connected care.What You’ll Learn:Why calf health starts before birth and how maternal conditioning impacts outcomesHow environment and management shape lifetime performance more than genetics alonePractical strategies for beef-on-dairy systems and high-touch calf careWhen and how to use antibiotics and vaccines—judiciouslyThe power of cross-sector communication in building trust and market valueLinks:🌐 Visit the show page at www.futureofbeef.com 🔬 Learn more about Dr. Taylor Engle’s Four Star Veterinary Services at www.4starvets.com 📱 Explore the award-winning Breedr App at www.breedr.co💻 Connect with Drovers: www.drovers.comTo explore more success stories, get early access to tools, and claim your free Breedr trial, head over to www.futureofbeef.com. Better calf health starts with better connection—and it starts here.

Welcome to the sixth episode of The Future of Beef Show: Data-Driven Carcass Insights with Dr. Dale Woerner. In this episode, host Jim Johnson, alongside co-hosts Dr. Jessica Sperber and Ian Wheal, welcomes Dr. Dale Woerner—a leading meat science researcher at Texas Tech University—for a candid discussion on one of the most overlooked yet pivotal issues in the beef industry: carcass yield accuracy. Dr. Woerner breaks down how outdated grading systems and the industry’s reluctance to adopt new technologies like X-ray vision are costing producers dearly. From heavier cattle not translating to higher red meat yields, to the critical gaps in how we measure carcass value, this episode reveals how the right data can transform not just pricing—but profitability. 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 current yield assessments are "grossly inaccurate" and hurting producers. 2️⃣ How fatter cattle don't always mean more red meat—and what that means for the bottom line. 3️⃣ The role of advanced imaging and data in creating a more equitable beef supply chain. Links: 🌐 Visit the show page at www.thefutureofbeef.com 🔬 Learn more about Dr. Woerner’s research at Texas Tech 📱 Explore the award-winning Breedr App at www.breedr.co 💻 Connect with Drovers: www.drovers.com

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 💻 Connect with Drovers: ⁠⁠www.drovers.com⁠

Welcome to the third episode of The Future of Beef Show: Genetics 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 Drovers: ⁠www.drovers.com 🔥 Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share! Leave us a comment with your thoughts and stay tuned for more insights on the future of beef production.

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: Check out our Website - ⁠www.thefutureofbeef.com⁠ Connect with Drovers: ⁠www.drovers.com Explore the Breedr App:⁠ www.breedr.co⁠ The 808 ranch: ⁠www.the808ranch.com⁠ Learn more about Prime Pursuits: ⁠www.primepursuits.com