Introduction: Welcome back to the Beef Brief! In our first episode of the new year, host Sara Cover and Greater Omaha's head cattle buyer Dustin Schaaf dive into the tumultuous events of 2025 that shaped the cattle market. From supply shortages to fluctuating prices, this episode offers valuable insights for cattle producers and consumers alike

As the year draws to a close, many agricultural producers find themselves contemplating tax planning strategies to optimize their finances for the upcoming year. In this insightful episode of the Beef Brief, host Sarah Cover welcomes Tyler Hohenstein, a renowned Ag accountant, to share valuable strategies and tools that can help producers navigate the complexities of year-end tax planning.

Welcome to The Beef Brief, Greater Omaha’s podcast, where we bring producers practical insight to support their operations and strengthen the beef supply chain.

In this episode, host Sara Cover sits down with Eric Smith, cattleman and calf-stocker from Reform, Alabama, and owner of Xtra Ranch. Together, they break down Livestock Risk Protection (LRP)—what it is, why it matters, and how it can help safeguard producers against market volatility.

Whether you’re new to LRP or looking to better understand how it fits into your risk-management strategy, this conversation offers a clear, producer-focused look at one of the most important tools available in today’s cattle market.

In this episode of The Beef Brief, host Sarah Cover sits down with Jara Settles, General Counsel and VP of Risk Mitigation at the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA). Jera shares her journey from growing up on a Nebraska cow-calf operation to leading government and industry affairs for the nation’s primary trade association representing livestock marketing businesses. Together, they dive into the role of livestock callers, the challenges they face, and how LMA is working to strengthen their jobs—and the industry—by making them more efficient.

This episode of the Beef Brief features Montana rancher and auction market owner Joe Goggins as he reflects on the Common Ground Summit held earlier this year in Denver. What started as a conversation among agricultural stakeholders has grown into a grassroots movement, with cattle producers across the country signing on to protect the future of family farms and ranches. Joe shares how the campaign is gaining traction at auction markets and online, and why standing together on shared priorities gives producers a stronger voice in shaping the industry’s future.

On today's podcast, Sara talks with Ty Rosenberry about the Vence virtual fence technology from Merck Animal Health. Sensehub Vence is a virtual fencing livestock management system for cattle. It controls cattle movement, manages grazing, creates virtual fences to dictate grazing behavior, and monitors animal location and movement. To learn more, visit https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/species/cattle/vence

Join us on the Beef Brief Podcast as we sit down with Dustin Schaaf, Head Cattle Buyer for Greater Omaha Packing Co., Inc., to unpack the latest trends in the beef industry. Dustin and Sara delve into rising beef prices, the supply constraints driving market dynamics, and how producers are managing today's challenges.Tune in for an in-depth look at the beef market's future!

Guest: Nicole Steiner, Agriculture & Farm Succession Planning Attorney, Wright & Moore Law Co. LPA

In this episode of The Beef Brief Podcast, we sit down with Nicole Steiner, an attorney specializing in agricultural law and farm succession planning. Nicole brings valuable insight into one of the most critical—and often most overlooked—aspects of running a successful farm or ranch: what happens next.

Nicole shares real-world strategies for ensuring your legacy continues across generations, from preparing legal frameworks to navigating family dynamics. Whether you’re a seasoned producer or just beginning to think about transition planning, this episode offers practical guidance that can help protect your operation’s future.