Podcasts

Iowa Beef Collective

The Iowa Beef Collective is produced by the Iowa Beef Center and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Guests include industry icons from across the country as well as businesses, technology and current research. It’s an unlimited slate of topics from breeding and genetics, marketing and management, balancing the challenges of raising kids within the industry, livestock judging history at Iowa State and much more.

Latest Episode

More than corn: Iowa Corn Growers Association supporting the beef industry

Two episodes in one. The cooperation of commodity groups to help the ag community often gets overlooked and undersold. Learn how the Iowa Corn Growers Association supports beef production from a number of different angles. Wildlife management, CRP, meat exports, fence law, the list goes on; listen in as a committee member and an ICGA staff member explain their roles in supporting beef production. Iowa Corn Growers Association - https://www.iowacorn.org --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: @iowabeefcenter https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

March 10 • 21m 30.2s

Episodes

More than corn: Iowa Corn Growers Association supporting the beef industry

March 10 • 21m 30.2s

A career in the trenches: Feedlot, quality control, risk management, broker, manager, breed CEO

Mark Anderson is the CEO of the North American Limousin Foundation, but his path to breed association leadership is a revers path to many. His young career in meat packing, feedlot management, brokering feeders, and risk management offers a unique perspective to how the industry makes genetics “work” in other segments of the beef supply chain. North American Limousin Foundation - https://nalf.org --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: @iowabeefcenter https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

March 3 • 14m 17.1s

Genetic Defects: A Bull Good Enough to Use Twice

The beef industry has done a tremendous job of advancing the science of genomics and DNA testing in the last decade. Maybe we’ve fallen a bit short on explaining to everyone in the industry what they should do if they encounter an odd phenotype on their own farm. Dr. Jessica Peterson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, offers a detailed tutorial on exactly what producers should do, and what happens in the process from the initial stage clear through the release of a commercialized test. --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: @iowabeefcenter https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

February 24 • 18m 18.4s

Solving the Farm Labor Crisis with an Ear Tag

Beef prices are good. Expansion should be happening. Unfortunately, many producers are simply maxed out on what they can get done in a day. The 701X platform is a fence checker, heat checker, health checker, calving notifier, and an office secretary all at the same time. Chip Kemp describes the breadth of services offered by an ear tag…and we’re just getting started! Resources: 701X - https://www.701x.com --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: @iowabeefcenter https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

February 17 • 18m 46.5s

Genetic Technology: More Than Bull Sale Catalog Info

The industry has geeked out on genetics and genomics for seedstock operations for some time now…particularly on bulls. Lane Geiss joins us to talk about the ‘forgotten many’ in the selection process: commercial females. Zoetis addressed this void through a product called “Inherit.” Resources: Zoetis Inherit - https://beefgenetics.com/products/inherit-select/ --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: @iowabeefcenter https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

February 10 • 12m 11.6s

How Chester White Hogs Built a Beef Genetics Empire

Entrepreneurship in the livestock sector is alive and well! Listen in as Marty Ropp describes how he used production experience, forethought, industry connections, and group effort to start and build Allied Genetics Resources. An entrepreneur is never truly satisfied; Marty’s horizon is tackling the labor shortage in agriculture. Resources: Allied Genetic Resources - https://alliedgeneticresources.com --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: @iowabeefcenter https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

February 3 • 16m 17.1s

Brian McCulloh and Woodhill Farms: Junior Activities to Genetics Junkie

Young producers should pull up the Notes app in their phone before they press play! Brian lays a roadmap for success in the seedstock business. He's an absolute sponge for technology and innovation, yet kept a very practical approach to genetic selection and animal breeding. Resources: Woodhill Farms - https://www.facebook.com/woodhillfarms/ --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: @iowabeefcenter https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

January 27 • 31m 50.3s

Beef is Not Too Expensive

Mike Anderson leads the Iowa Beef Industry Council, the segment that promotes beef consumption to consumers across the globe. We discuss the recent news cycles mentioning beef, as well as the current price of beef relative to other calorie sources. Tune in to learn about a unique cut of beef you might have never tried before…and should. Resources: Iowa Beef Industry Countil - https://www.iabeef.org --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: @iowabeefcenter https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

January 20 • 32m 3s

Livestock Judging: More Than Just Marking Cards

Will Taylor is the current Livestock Judging Coach for Iowa State University. If your son/daughter has ever participated in a contest, or is considering ramping up their interest in live animal evaluation, this episode is for you. We detail what livestock does for young people professionally (organization skills, defending opinions, making decisions, public speaking, confidence, etc.) Taylor also talks about financial support for such an effort, how judging alumni can get involved, recruiting for future teams, the list goes on. Resources: ISU Livestock Judging Team - https://www.ans.iastate.edu/undergraduate/extracurricular/judging-teams/livestock-judging Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/isulivestockjudging --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: @iowabeefcenter https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

January 13 • 39m 27.7s

Livestock Judging: The 1965 Team

Collegiate livestock judging teams have competed for a coveted prize and title for decades: National Champion. Many teams try, few succeed, but the relationships built in the process of competing last forever. Two individual guests on the Iowa Beef Collective team up for this episode. Their memory of the team, its members, the places they travelled, and the value it brought them professionally is amazing. Tune in as Bert & Steve go back in time to 1965. --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: @iowabeefcenter https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

January 6 • 14m 53.9s

Stock Dog Trials: Good Dogs and Poor Handlers

Sometimes you just have to follow your gut and seize the opportunity to talk with a legend…in an industry you know little about. Everyone at the stock dog trials told me to get Ron Kilstrom, and he didn’t disappoint. Learn how trials work, how they’re judged and scored, and how stock dogs are selected, trained, and used. Most importantly, he describes their value in an industry short on good labor. --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: @iowabeefcenter https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

December 16 • 18m 44.4s

Navigating the Beef Golden Years, One News Cycle at a Time

Bryan Whaley, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association CEO, has undoubtedly had an interesting fall. While riding the price wave of beef, the challenges of responding to unforeseen shocks to the market…and the media spin from them is daunting. Listen in as Bryan describes pushing policy efforts on behalf of Iowa beef producers, while navigating the murky waters of recent news cycles. --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: @iowabeefcenter https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

December 9 • 21m

The Chicago International, Shorthorns for Life, and 40 years of Ranch Kids

Certainly a legend among two groups: livestock judges and Shorthorn breeders, Dr. Bert Moore describes his Iowa roots, his long career at North Dakota State University, and his love for the Shorthorn breed. Moore is a wealth of knowledge regarding the history of the Chicago International Livestock Exhibition and its transition to Louisville, KY. We talk briefly about the book he co-authored covering the entire history of the American Shorthorn Association. --------------------------------------------------- In this episode:00:00:00 Intro00:00:30 Bert's background00:02:11 Judging teams and experience00:08:50 Shorthorn history book00:14:23 Chicago International show--------------------------------------------------- Connect with us:https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenterhttps://instagram.com/iowabeefcenterhttps://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter--------------------------------------------------- Helpful links:Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.orgIowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

December 2 • 22m 23.8s

Iowa Cattle Industry Convention: Get someone else to do chores!

The Iowa Cattle Industry Convention will be held Dec 16, 2025 in Altoona, IA. Join Casey Anderson, Iowa Beef Industry Council and Bryan Whaley, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, for a dive into the educational program offerings, what to expect at the event, and the vast opportunities to network with friends and industry allies from the ranch hand cow punch to the mom blogger foodie & chef. Registration and information: https://www.iacattlemen.org/events-meetings/iowa-cattle-industry-convention Transcript --------------------------------------------------- In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:27 Casey Anderson and IBIC 02:37 Convention program 07:16 direct sales and B-to-B 12:44 checkoff value 15:55 Bryan Whaley-ICA 17:56 ICA program --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: @iowabeefcenter https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

November 25 • 28m 31.2s

Feedlot Management: Some Things Never Change

Feedlot Management: Some Things Never Change With over 20+ years in the cattle feeding industry, Andy Montag lays out the challenges facing the feedlot sector, both past and present. We discuss how the basics of managing a feedlot largely remain the same. Environmental regulations, risk management programs, larger carcass weights, and record-high prices are some of the many topics covered in this episode. Transcript --------------------------------------------------- In this episode: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:45 Operation overview 00:01:16 How has marketing, management changed 00:02:06 LRP 00:03:35 Regulation and being a good neighbor 00:05:02 Markets looking forward 00:07:00 Getting started in the business 00:08:39 Positioning Iowa better for beef --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: @iowabeefcenter https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

November 18 • 13m 51.2s

From Cactus to Corn

Iowa State University Extension Cow-Calf Specialist Randie Culbertson discusses the path that led her to Ames, Iowa. Growing up in New Mexico, her perspective on environment is far different than the Midwest. She discusses her research efforts and the challenges facing new faculty, plus the knowledge she gained through her time at the American Simmental Association. Transcript --------------------------------------------------- In this episode: 00:00:23 Background 00:01:12 Responsibilities 00:03:13 McNay project 00:07:18 New Mexico to Iowa 00:10:25 Beef on dairy 00:18:32 Work at IGS 00:23:11 Future work --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: @iowabeefcenter https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

November 11 • 26m 26.9s

Balance: 4-H/FFA Mom, Athlete Mom, Cattle Producer

Parenting is hard; raising children that want to participate in competitive athletics alongside 4-H & FFA is even harder. Emily Hartzell-Rogers and Patrick Wall discuss raising competitive athletes, including nutrition and physical fitness coupled with spending ample time on livestock projects. As a mom, Emily discusses embracing the chaos that’s required to get children to all the events they want to attend, plus raising cattle with all the requirements of a farm. Transcript --------------------------------------------------- In this episode: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:30 Background 00:08:22 Balance 00:09:29 External pressures 00:14:13 High school decisions 00:17:55 Navigating coaches 00:26:43 setting limitations 00:29:58 Nutrition 00:34:41 The chaos 00:38:52 Advice for younger self --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: @iowabeefcenter https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

November 4 • 43m 26s

Merck: Solving Labor Shortage with E-Tags, Virtual Fence & Animal Health

Merck Animal Health is certainly a familiar name within the beef industry, but most producers likely limit their scope to vaccines and treatment drugs. In reality, Merck has invested and expanded into many other facets of management and production. We detail how some of these products can help solve one of the largest challenges in livestock production agriculture: labor. Transcript --------------------------------------------------- In this episode: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:49 Anthony Monroe introduction 00:03:02 Current conditions, vaccination protocol 00:06:25 Products 00:07:44 Merck overview 00:10:16 Labor 00:11:57 Observations --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

October 28 • 13m 59.7s

5 Generations of Marketing and Successful Transfer to the Next One

We chronicle the history of Wiese & Sons Herefords of Manning, Iowa. Dave discusses the marketing avenues that have worked best for them and how his sons returning to the operation has changed things. Surviving multiple years of drought conditions, reducing the herd size as a result, yet remaining consistent with breeding objectives are all covered. This operation is a staple in the Hereford breed not only in Iowa, but across the country. Transcript Wiese & Sons - https://wieseandsons.com --------------------------------------------------- In this episode: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:29 History 00:05:35 Marketing 00:12:18 Customer base 00:14:49 Marketing females 00:18:11 Scope and size change 00:22:35 generational transfer 00:31:31 Hereford connections 00:33:21 Current market --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

October 21 • 40m 7.5s

The Governor's Charity Steer Show: You Should Be a Part of It!

Transcript⁠ One of the greatest events of every Iowa State Fair is the Governor’s Charity Steer Show to benefit Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and the Iowa Beef Industry Council team up to host this event. Jenna recaps the most recent auction as well as the special recognitions given during the show. We detail how families and sponsors can get involved, how celebrity showpersons are selected, the steers suitable for the event, and the huge crowd that annually makes this show part of their Iowa State Fair experience. Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Iowa Beef Industry Council --------------------------------------------------- In this episode: 00:00 Intro 05:59 Charity connection 08:05 Timeline, structure 11:52 Sponsor opportunities 14:34 Peoples choice award 16:00 Selecting exhibitors 19:39 2025 award winners 23:49 Show experience 25:10 Wrap up --------------------------------------------------- Connect with us: https://facebook.com/IowaBeefCenter https://instagram.com/iowabeefcenter https://twitter.com/iowabeefcenter --------------------------------------------------- Helpful links: Iowa Beef Center - https://www.iowabeefcenter.org Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - https://www.extension.iastate.edu

October 14 • 26m 3.1s

Africander Cows, Research to Practice, and No Regrets

Steve Radakovich is one of the industry icons, certainly in Iowa, regarding cattle breeding philosophy. His unique approach to crossbreeding to address weaknesses in one breed and strengths in another made him a pioneer in the production of composite bulls. Radakovich Cattle Company has been transitioned to a long-time partner in the operation; he describes how mutual trust is key to any business relationship. There’s a lot of history in this episode as he chronicles his career. Transcript

October 7 • 38m 39.7s

Rooted in Applied Research, Practiced in Industry, Returning to Education

Aimee Wertz-Lutz began her role as director of the Iowa Beef Center on July 1, 2025. Join us as Aimee details her education and employment history that lead her to this new role. Learn about her roots in ag, how ruminant nutrition sort of found her as a career, and how the decision to leave industry for administration and education wasn’t easy. Transcript S1:E1

October 7 • 26m 5.1s

Welcome to the Iowa Beef Collective

Join host Patrick Wall to learn more about the Iowa Beef Collective video podcast and preview upcoming episodes. We'll cover topic areas, scheduled guests, and a general feel for what drives the show. Subscribe and join us!This podcast is produced by the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University. For more information visit https://www.iowabeef.org Transcript S1:E0

October 7 • 5m 7.9s