The Future of Beef Show

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

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: 
1️⃣ How individual animal tracking can drive better decisions on ranch
2️⃣ how ranchers can interact with feed yards to improve returns for everyone and have their cattle in demand
3️⃣ 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 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 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
💻 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 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.
 
What you will learn in this episode:
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.
 
Links:
🌐 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
💻 Connect with Drovers: ⁠www.drovers.com

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 the 7th episode of The Future of Beef Show: Ag Tech Innovation with Ian Wheal.
 
In this deeply personal and practical episode, we flip the mic to interview our own Ian Wheal—co-founder of Breedr and the tech visionary behind much of what makes this show tick. From his family’s sheep and beef operation in Australia to consulting on global ag supply chains, Ian shares a candid, plainspoken look at what’s broken in agriculture—and how technology, done right, can fix it.
 
We dive into the origin story of Breedr, born during what Ian calls “Peak Vegan,” and why digitizing the ranch isn’t just about traceability—it’s about proving worth, reclaiming margin, and building a smarter beef supply chain. With a background that spans engineering, food retail, and software, Ian connects the dots between individual animal performance, better data collection, and profit-boosting decisions.
 
From chute-side insights to AI on the ranch, this episode is packed with lessons on leading change without losing tradition. If you’ve ever wondered how tech can serve—not swamp—your operation, this one’s for you.
What You’ll Learn:
Why individual animal data is key to profit and progress
How Breedr was designed for ranchers first, not software engineers
Common mistakes ag tech companies make—and how to avoid them
How to use data to strengthen packer and feedlot partnerships
Where AI and genomics are taking us next in beef production
 
Links:
🌐 Visit the show page at www.futureofbeef.com
📱 Explore the award-winning Breedr App at www.breedr.co
💻 Connect with Drovers: www.drovers.com
 
To get tools that make your data work harder and your cattle work smarter, visit www.futureofbeef.com. Because the future isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you build.

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 9th episode of The Future of Beef Show: Academic Innovation with Dr. Jessica Sperber.
 
In a special turn of the mic, this episode spotlights one of our own—Dr. Jessica Sperber, PhD in feedlot nutrition and co-host of The Future of Beef Show. From Alberta cattle roots to packing plant data and feedlot research at the University of Nebraska, Jessica shares a refreshingly honest journey through academia, mentorship, and what it really means to stay rooted in production while pushing the boundaries of science.
 
The conversation spans her career path—from optometry dreams to meat science labs, commercial nutrition consulting, and now leading Nebraska’s extension feedlot research. We dive into the evolving role of university extension, how producers can actually use research, and why mentorship is more than a buzzword—it’s the thread that runs through every good career in ag.
 
What You’ll Learn:
How feedlot-focused research bridges academic rigor and on-farm relevance
Why mentorship can shape careers as powerfully as technical training
The difference between being a student of ag and being a steward of producers
How extension services are evolving to reach more operations, more personally
Why embracing AI and tech in the classroom is preparing the next ag innovators
Links:
🌐 Visit the show page at www.futureofbeef.com 
🔬 Learn more about University of Nebraska Beef Program: www.beef.unl.edu
📱 Explore the award-winning Breedr App at www.breedr.co
💻 Connect with Drovers: www.drovers.com
 
For more stories from the people shaping the future of ag—on the ranch, in the lab, or at the front of the classroom—visit www.futureofbeef.com. Because the next generation of ag doesn’t just inherit the future—they build it.