What will 2026 bring — and how much hinges on the timing of El Niño? Meteorologist Don Day joins us for our Extended Weather Outlook as we look at the remainder of winter, the setup for spring moisture, and what a building — but potentially “Goldilocks” — El Niño could mean for summer grass, storm tracks, and monsoon development. From snowpack concerns to regional precipitation trends, we walk through what producers across the country should be watching in the months ahead.

Plus, technology that promises to change how cow-calf producers measure feed intake, reproductive efficiency, and stocking rate decisions — all through a wearable device delivering real-time data.

Then, the Captain shares an update on U.S. beef exports — why China remains the wildcard in global demand, and how market access could influence price strength moving forward.

#WorkingRanchRadio #WorkingRanchMagazine #AgPodcast #Ranching #RanchLife #CowCalf #BeefCattle #CattleManagement #RanchProfitability #RanchEconomics #AgWeather #Weather #ElNino #Monsoon #ForageManagement #CattleCon #CattleTechnology #PrecisionAg #BeefExports #ChinaMarket #RuralAmerica #DayWeather

Clint Berry (Superior Livestock) joins us for our annual Cattle Market Outlook following the latest projections presented at Cattle Industry Convention by CattleFax. As we head into 2026, we evaluate where we are in the cattle cycle — have we truly stopped liquidation, or simply slowed it? We discuss heifer retention trends and projected prices across the board, including fed steers, 550-weight calves, cull cows, bred females, and the strengthening bull market. We also examine the impact of the Mexico border closure on supply and industry infrastructure, along with the strong consumer demand that continues to support beef prices despite historically tight cattle numbers. If you’re a cow-calf producer, stocker operator, cattle feeder, or anyone involved in the beef industry, this episode provides perspective to help you think through risk, opportunity, and profitability heading into 2026.

#WorkingRanchRadio #WorkingRanchMagazine #CattleMarket #CattleOutlook #CattlePrices #CattleCycle #FedCattle #FeederCattle #CullCows #BredCows #BullMarket #BeefDemand #CowCalf #RanchEconomics #AgPodcast

This week we’re joined by University of Kentucky livestock economist Dr. Kenny Burdine for a timely conversation that starts with cow size and weaning weights — and quickly moves into the bigger picture of efficiency, consistency, and profitability in the cow-calf business. We discuss how mature cow size ties back to real costs, why consistency in the calf crop matters more than many producers realize, and how marketing dynamics like lot size can add — or leave — money on the table. We’ll also take a look at current market signals, herd retention, competing meats, and what ranchers should be thinking about as we head into 2026.

Plus a discussion with Jeremy Martin & Chrisman of Stockmen's Source Bull Sale.

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Today we sit down with Nebraska rancher John Maddux of Maddux Cattle Company to talk about business decisions that often matter most — and are sometimes the hardest to make. John shares how a disciplined financial mindset has shaped their operation over generations, including how they evaluate cows as assets, balance emotion with economics, and make long-term decisions designed to keep the ranch viable. We also dig into replacement strategy, heifer development, and how managing appreciation and depreciation in the cow herd plays into overall profitability. It’s a thoughtful conversation on ranch management, financial focus, and what it takes to build an operation that lasts. Plus we'll talk about their upcoming "Maternalizer" Mature Bred Cow Herd Dispersal Sale.

Then, a visit with Ted Perry (Purina) about how we need to evaluate our mineral program throughout the year.

Are we leaving money on the table with our breeding decisions? This week Wyoming rancher Jared Boardman (Wishbone Simmental) joins us for a business-minded conversation on cattle genetics and breeding decisions in today’s market. We step back and take a hard look at how many commercial producers select genetics based on the small percentage of replacement heifers they keep each year, while the majority of the calf crop is sold. Jared explains why that approach can leave money on the table and how thinking in terms of output, inputs, and profit can reshape breeding strategies. We also discuss terminal versus maternal focus, the technologies available in the industry that provide producers with more options, and how disciplined decision-making can help align genetics with how cattle operations actually make money.

Also, a conversation with Dan Leo (Apex Cattle) on Heterosis and their upcoming Production Sale.

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We kick off 2026 with a forward-looking conversation on where the cattle industry is headed and how ranchers can position themselves for the year ahead. My guest is Jared Wareham, (website: Horizon Venture Management) a beef industry, ag-tech consultant and Southern Colorado rancher. We discuss cattle markets, herd rebuilding, cost of capital, and what may be holding expansion back — without simply rehashing the same talking points. Instead, we focus on the factors influencing real-world decisions at the ranch level and how we, as producers, can think about managing risk, operations, and long-term profitability as we plan for 2026.

#workingranchmagazine #ranchlife #ranching #dayweather #weather #agweather #beef #cows #livestock #cattle #Neogen #IngentyBeef #TankToad #WorkingRanchRadio #BeefCattle #CowCalf #CattleManagement #RanchProfitability #RanchEconomics #HerdRebuilding #CattleMarkets #CostOfCapital

This week we wrap up our two-part countdown of the Top Shows of 2025, highlighting the four conversations that stood out above the rest. These episodes focused on the fundamentals that shape real-world decisions on the ranch — from reexamining the true cost and scale of making hay, to revisiting key cattle market questions and what actually played out over the year. We also revisit a rare, multi-part discussion that challenged long-held beliefs about land, livestock, and stewardship, along with a practical framework for buying and selling cattle in a high-priced market. Together, these shows reflect the kind of thinking that helps producers stay disciplined and forward-looking in an uncertain industry.

Links to Show:

#4: Ep 226: Ten Reasons You Should Quit Making Hay

#3: Ep 232: Revisiting the Four Big Cattle Market Questions w Dr. Kenny Burdine

#2: Ep 201: Allan Savory – Part 1: Why Cows MUST be part of the Solution

Ep 202: Allan Savory – Part 2: Climate Change, Fossil Fuels, & Holistic Management

Ep 203: Allan Savory – Part 3: Pearls of Wisdom

#1: Ep 197: What Should You Be Selling and Buying in this Market w/ Wally Olson

#workingranchmagazine #ranchlife #ranching #dayweather #weather #agweather #beef #cows #livestock #cattle #Allflex #Neogen #IngentyBeef #TankToad #LongRangeDewormer #WorkingRanchRadio #BeefCattle #CowCalf #CattleManagement #Cattlemen #BeefProduction #RanchProfitability #RanchEconomics #CattleHealth #Ranchers #AgPodcast #RuralAmerica

This week on the Working Ranch Radio Show, we kick off a two-part countdown of the Top Shows of 2025, highlighting some of the most meaningful conversations from the past year. In Part 1, we revisit shows ranked number eight through number five — discussions that challenged how we think about grazing management, calving-season decisions, long-term commitment in the cattle business, and what it takes to keep ranching viable amid labor, time, and generational pressures.

Links to Shows:

#8: Ep 216: Tips for Successful Su Shows mmer Grazing w/ Dr. Allen Williams

#7: Ep 230: Rethinking Your Calving Window

#6: Ep 231: Markets, Mandates, and Mortality w/ Dr. Nevil Speer

#5: Ep 228: Doing More with Less: Precision Ranching with Chip Kemp

#workingranchmagazine #ranchlife #ranching #dayweather #weather #agweather #beef #cows #livestock #cattle #Allflex #Neogen #IngentyBeef #NewGeneration #TankToad #WorkingRanchRadio #BeefCattle #CowCalf #CattleManagement #Cattlemen #BeefProduction #RanchProfitability #RanchEconomics #CattleHealth #Ranchers #AgPodcast #RuralAmerica #GrazingManagement #CalvingSeason #ForageManagement #RanchManagement #SuccessionPlanning #DoingMoreWithLess #AgTechnology #PrecisionAg #RanchTech