The Future of Beef Show

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.

Markets don’t have to be a mystery. Dave Weaber breaks down the numbers—and how producers can use them to stay ahead of the game.
In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, we sit down with beef industry analyst Dave Weaber, who brings decades of experience helping producers, packers, and retailers understand the economics that drive our business.
Dave breaks down the market forces shaping cattle prices, consumer demand, and packer margins—and explains what those numbers really mean for cow-calf producers, feeders, and everyone along the chain.
From the value of grid marketing to the impact of consumer trends on your bottom line, Dave makes complex economics plainspoken and practical. His insights challenge us to think beyond the ranch gate, connect our herds to the bigger beef business, and capture more value from the cattle we produce.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make sense of cattle markets—and how to use that knowledge to make better decisions for your operation—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
 
Links:
Future of Beef Show: www.futureofbeef.com
Connect with Dave Weaber: www.linkedin.com/in/dave-weaber-a87bb34/
Terrain Ag: www.terrainag.com
Farm Credit Services of America: www.fcsamerica.com
Breedr: www.breedr.co
Farm Journal: www.farmjournal.com
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 

13. Beef on Dairy with Lorna Marshall
Beef-on-dairy is transforming how we think about efficiency, genetics, and profitability in cattle production—and few people have influenced that evolution more than Lorna Marshall, Vice President of Beef Genetics at Select Sires.
In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, Lorna shares how she’s bridging the worlds of dairy precision and beef performance to drive genetic progress across the industry. From genomic testing to smarter sire selection, she lays out how technology and collaboration can help producers raise more consistent, high-value cattle—whether they’re working with commercial herds or crossbreeding programs.
What You’ll Learn:
How genomic testing is reshaping replacement heifer selectionWhy beef-on-dairy is redefining efficiency for both sectorsKey genetic trends driving profitability in modern herdsHow data and technology are changing breeding decisionsLessons from Select Sires’ approach to innovation and industry collaboration
Links:Future of Beef Show: www.futureofbeef.comFollow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok
Connect with Lorna Marshall: www.selectsires.comRead more from Drovers: www.drovers.com Learn more about Breedr: www.breedr.co Learn 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

Breed associations have long played a foundational role in the beef industry—but their purpose, value, and responsibilities are rapidly evolving. Few people understand that transformation better than Brett Spader, President of the American-International Charolais Association.In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, Brett joins hosts Jim Johnson, Dr Jessica Sperber and Ian Wheal to discuss how data, governance, and producer-focused service are reshaping the future of breed organizations. Drawing on a diverse career across the Kansas Livestock Association, DV Auction, Angus Media, and his own digital startup, Brett shares a unique perspective on how technology and transparency can help associations stay relevant and drive real value for cattle producers.From the rise of online bidding to the importance of records, collaboration, and connected data, Brett explains why modern breed associations must be both innovative and accountable—and how they can continue to empower breeders in an increasingly data-driven industry.What You’ll Learn:• Why breed associations still matter—and how their role is changing• How technology, performance data, and governance shape producer trust• The impact of complementary breeds and genetic diversity on the beef supply chain• How online bidding and digital tools transformed seedstock marketing• Why transparency and data connectivity are essential for the industry’s futureLinks:Future of Beef Show: www.futureofbeef.comConnect with the American-International Charolais Association: www.charolaisusa.comRead 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

Record-high calf prices, tighter herds, and strong consumer demand—what’s next for U.S. beef? Patrick Linnell, Director of Market Research at CattleFax, breaks it all down.In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, Patrick joins Jim Johnson, Dr. Jessica Sperber, and Ian Wheal to explore the trends shaping the cattle market today and tomorrow. From herd rebuilding and carcass weights to international trade and the role of AI in market research, Patrick gives producers and feeders the insights they need to make informed decisions.What You’ll Learn:• Why beef demand remains strong despite record prices• What’s slowing herd expansion and how it affects the cattle cycle• How carcass weights, feeding strategies, and genetics impact profitability• The influence of packing capacity and Mexican cattle imports on markets• How international trade supports U.S. beef supply• Ways AI is changing—but not replacing—market researchLinks:Future of Beef Show: www.futureofbeef.comConnect with Patrick Linnell & CattleFax: www.cattlefax.comRead more from Drovers: www.drovers.comLearn more about Breedr: www.breedr.coLearn more about Corteva Agriscience: www.rangeandpasture.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

From rumen science to global food systems, innovation in beef production is happening at every level—and Dr. Vaughn Holder is right at the center of it.
In this episode of The Future of Beef Show, Vaughn joins Jim Johnson, Dr. Jessica Sperber, and Ian Wheal to explore how research, innovation, and systems thinking are shaping the future of beef. Drawing on his role leading global beef research at Alltech, Vaughn explains why the industry must focus on efficiency over trends, what we’ve learned from the methane debate, and where the next wave of innovation is heading.
From rumen microbiology and feed efficiency to soil health, nitrogen, and consumer perception, this episode connects the science inside the cow to the broader ecosystem—and ultimately to the future of the beef industry.
What You’ll Learn:
• Why efficiency—not trends—should drive sustainability in beef production• What the methane debate taught us about rumen function and microbiome research• How new technologies like probiotics and essential oils may improve cattle performance• Why systems thinking—from soil to animal to consumer—is critical for future innovation• The role cattle play in upcycling nutrients and supporting global food systems• How changing nutrition guidelines could impact beef demand and public perception• Why innovation and collaboration are essential to solving real industry challenges
Links:
Future of Beef Show: www.futureofbeef.comLearn more about Alltech: www.alltech.com
Read more from Drovers: www.drovers.comLearn more about Breedr: www.breedr.coLearn more about Corteva Agriscience: www.rangeandpasture.comLearn more about Whole Cottonseed: https://wholecottonseed.com/