Working Ranch Radio Show
Providing thought provoking information and resources for Ranchers that have a desire to be Responsible, Adaptive, and Profitable. From cows, to land, to people, and technology... issues every ranching business deals with. Hosted by Justin Mills, a 4th generation Wyoming Rancher. A production of Working Ranch Magazine.
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Ep 241: When Emotion Meets Discipline in the Cow Herd w/ John Maddux
<p>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 b...
Ep 240: Are Your Replacement Genetics Holding Your Herd’s Profitability Hostage w/ Jared Boardman
<p>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 te...
Ep 239: 2026 @ the Ranch Level — Markets, Expansion, and Capital w/ Jared Wareham
<p>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.</p> <p>#workingranchmagazine #ranc...
Ep 238: Top Shows of 2025 Part 2: Highlights from #4–#1
<p>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 he...
Ep 237: Top Shows of 2025 Part 1: Highlights from #8–#5
<p>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. </p> <p>Links to Shows:</p> <p>#8: Ep 216: Tips for Successful Su Shows mmer Grazing w/ Dr. Allen Williams</p> <p>#7: Ep 230: Rethinking Your Calving Window</p> <p>#6...
Ep 236: Cutting Through the Noise w/ Allan Crockett
<p>As we start to wrap up the year, business coach and author Allan Crockett joins us to talk through something every producer is facing right now: noise. Whether it’s politics, market swings, social media, or industry in-fighting, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and drift off center. Allan breaks down how to separate what we can control from what we can’t, how our mindset and daily habits shape our decisions, and why unprocessed fear is often at the root of negativity. Together we look at practical ways to reset, think clearly, and step into 2026 with intention and focus...
Ep 235: Part 2 - Is Virtual Fencing a Fit for Your Ranch?
<p>In Part 2 of our in-depth look at virtual fencing, Justin continues the conversation with Theo Beaumont of Halter and Dallas Mount with Ranch Management Consultants to focus on how this technology performs in real-world ranching conditions. Theo explains what ranchers can expect when it comes to training cattle and managing different types of terrain, while Dallas adds perspective on carrying capacity, gross margins, and the economics that matter when evaluating whether virtual fencing fits an operation. If you’re considering this technology or simply curious how it’s being used across the West, this episode offers practical insight from two p...
Ep 234: Part 1 - Is Virtual Fencing a Fit for Your Ranch?
<p>We’re taking a straightforward look at virtual fencing — not as a sales pitch, but as an honest conversation about what the technology actually does, how it works on real ranches, and where it may or may not fit. We are joined by Theo Beaumont from Halter and Dallas Mount with Ranch Management Consultants to explore the practical side of this rapidly evolving tool and what producers should be thinking about as technology continues to reshape our industry. Then we shift gears with Paige Weiler from Ambrook to talk about year-end bookkeeping, reducing redundancy in your process, and making sure...
Ep 233: Squint Real Hard… and You Might See a Rebuild w Lance Zimmerman
<p>The conversation around herd rebuilding has been brewing all year — but is it actually happening? Senior Beef Industry Analyst Lance Zimmerman with Rabo Research (Rabobank) joins me to break down what the data really says about heifer retention and the pace of this rebuild. We’ll look at how recent market disruptions and global trade chatter have shaped producer confidence, what the numbers reveal about the strength of the cow herd, and how long this upcycle could last. Then, we’ll wrap with a bit of Mark Twain wisdom that reminds us to stay humble and intentional as we plan f...
Ep 232: Revisiting the Four Big Cattle Market Questions w Dr. Kenny Burdine
<p>Earlier this year, Dr. Kenny Burdine from the University of Kentucky joined us to outline four key cattle-market questions for 2025. Now, as we close out the year, we circle back to see what’s been answered — from heifer retention and slaughter weights to competing proteins, trade, and tariffs. Then we shift gears to a question every rancher faces: whether to buy replacements or develop your own. Dr. Burdine walks us through the economics behind that decision and why using today’s strong market wisely can set the stage for the next decade of ranch profitability.</p> <p>Later, Dr. Elizab...
