Why do calves often crash about three weeks after weaning or shipping? Today Dr. Blaine Ellison of Applied Bio Technologies, Inc joins us to explain the 21-day cortisol surge in cattle — a stress response that can suppress immune function, shut down weight gain, and increase sickness risk.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why cattle often stall out during the first 21–28 days after stress • The evolutionary biology behind the cortisol surge • How the immune system shifts metabolism during stress • Management decisions that may unintentionally make the problem worse • What producers might consider doing differently to reduce stress and improve performance

Understanding what happens during this critical window could help producers improve health outcomes, performance, and profitability across the industry.

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Embryo transfer has long promised accelerated genetic progress, but with pregnancy rates sitting around 42%, producers are forced to ask hard questions about cost, risk, and return on investment. In this episode Cara Wells, founder and CEO of Emgenisys, shares how artificial intelligence is being used to analyze embryo viability before transfer. By capturing a brief video through a microscope and applying machine learning, embryologists can now receive a pregnancy probability score — helping improve decision-making, increase pregnancy rates, and better utilize valuable recipient females. Ag Tech Strategist Jarred Wareham explains why this may be one of the first truly practical applications of AI in the cattle industry — and how it could reshape embryo transfer programs for both registered and commercial producers.

Later in the show, Terrell Miller of CattleMax joins us to discuss herd management software, record keeping, and why organizing your cattle data may be just as important as improving the genetics behind your herd.

Emgenisys Contact Info: info@emgenisys.com

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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.

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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.

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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