The Rural Dispatch

Beef Logistics, Trucking Policy & What's Changing in Agriculture

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420569/fan_mail/new] This week on The Rural Dispatch, Smoke and Aly talk all things beef, trucking, and life lately.  Tune in to hear what's been keeping us busy, the rumors we've been hearing, and plenty of our opinions along the way.  Since May is Beef Month, we get into our favorite cuts of beef, a conversation around the beef supply chain, and why it's far more complex than most people might realize.  On the trucking side, we discuss proposed legislation to increase federal interstate weight limits for the first time in decades - and what changes like this could mean for agriculture moving forward.  Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link:  https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates [https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates?cid=par_pim_TwwszbbuoNbT] Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.  Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com [https://www.liferollsontruckshow.com/]. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App [https://apps.apple.com/at/app/beef-hub/id6738084306?l=en-GB] | Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.beef.hub&hl=en_US] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420569/support] BEHRENS & CO [https://www.behrensandco.com/] | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO [https://www.behrensandco.com/join-our-email-list] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553907086464] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/behrensandco/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@behrensandco?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Hope & Hardship in Agriculture: How Disappearing Family Farms Impact Every American

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420569/fan_mail/new] Family farms are the backbone of rural America, but the reality isn't always what it seems from the outside. In this episode, Brian Reisinger unpacks what's really happening across American agriculture and why it matters far beyond the farm.  Brian grew up on his family's farm in Wisconsin before stepping into a career in journalism and public policy, giving him a dual perspective on farming firsthand and the systems shaping today's ag economy.  We talk through the deeper history behind the pressures facing family farms, what's changed through generations, and why many producers today are operating in an entirely different environment than those before them.  We dig into what's at stake for every American, from food security to long-term stability of our supply chain if current trends continue. At the same time, we highlight the resilience of farm families that keeps them moving forward even when times are tough.  Perhaps most importantly, we have an honest conversation about mental health in our rural communities - why it matters, why it's often overlooked, and what resources are out there.  Finally, we talk solutions. What can YOU do, whether you're a farmer, consumer, or ag professional, to support the future of family farms.  Whether you're involved in agriculture or simply want to better understand the system that feeds this country, this episode delivers a clear picture of what's really going on.  Links & Resources Land Rich Cash Poor [https://amzn.to/4naUPMV] *affiliate link Farmer Angel Network [https://www.farmerangelnetwork.com/] National Farmer Mental Health Alliance [https://nfmha.ca/] Follow Brian: Website [https://www.brian-reisinger.com/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/brian.reisinger.3] | X [https://x.com/BrianJReisinger?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor] | https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-reisinger-2450139/ Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link:  https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates [https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates?cid=par_pim_TwwszbbuoNbT] Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.  Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com [https://www.liferollsontruckshow.com/]. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App [https://apps.apple.com/at/app/beef-hub/id6738084306?l=en-GB] | Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.beef.hub&hl=en_US] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420569/support] BEHRENS & CO [https://www.behrensandco.com/] | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO [https://www.behrensandco.com/join-our-email-list] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553907086464] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/behrensandco/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@behrensandco?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Navigating Cattle Prices & Trucking Hurdles 50 Episodes Later

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420569/fan_mail/new] In this milestone 50th episode of The Rural Dispatch, Smoke and Aly sit down for a real time conversation about what's happening across cattle country right now. From baby calves to fat cattle, they let you know what they're seeing and how they're navigating things. The trucking side brings its own challenges, and Smoke is letting you know what's causing him the most stress right now.  Take a look back at some of the episodes that stand out the most out of the last 50, and don't forget to share your favorites with someone else who might enjoy the stories that have been told over the past year.  Tune in for honest conversations from rural America, as always. Thanks for being here.  Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link:  https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates [https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates?cid=par_pim_TwwszbbuoNbT] Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.  Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com [https://www.liferollsontruckshow.com/]. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App [https://apps.apple.com/at/app/beef-hub/id6738084306?l=en-GB] | Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.beef.hub&hl=en_US] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420569/support] BEHRENS & CO [https://www.behrensandco.com/] | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO [https://www.behrensandco.com/join-our-email-list] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553907086464] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/behrensandco/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@behrensandco?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Life Rolls On: Turning Adversity into Purpose for the Trucking Community

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420569/fan_mail/new] In this episode, JR Joy shares about the setbacks, lessons, and resilience it takes to keep going when you get knocked down. We talk about overcoming adversity, finding purpose after a life-changing accident, polishing your craft, and why giving back to those navigating difficult times has become such an important part of his life.  Learn how the Life Rolls On truck show got started and mark your calendars to join us there in June 🚛 LIFE ROLLS ON TRUCK SHOW [https://www.liferollsontruckshow.com/] at the Tyson Events Center June 19-20, 2026 in Sioux City, Iowa. It's just $50 to enter a truck, spectators are FREE, and all proceeds support the children and families at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals of Nebraska.  Want to record an episode at the show? Shoot us an email at behrensandco@gmail.com to get on our schedule!  Follow Para Polishing on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088897710180&rdid=WDnb2DlCtVckXQPg&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F17Xzky6vPi%2F#] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@jrwheelsjoy] Follow Life Rolls On, a Show for the Kids on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Liferollsonashowforthekids] Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link:  https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates [https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates?cid=par_pim_TwwszbbuoNbT] Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.  Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com [https://www.liferollsontruckshow.com/]. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App [https://apps.apple.com/at/app/beef-hub/id6738084306?l=en-GB] | Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.beef.hub&hl=en_US] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420569/support] BEHRENS & CO [https://www.behrensandco.com/] | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO [https://www.behrensandco.com/join-our-email-list] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553907086464] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/behrensandco/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@behrensandco?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Inside Iowa Agriculture: What the Secretary of Ag Wants You to Know

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420569/fan_mail/new] This week Aly sits down with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig for a conversation that breaks down what's really happening in Iowa agriculture. We talk about his personal ties to agriculture and the programs his office oversees - from Choose Iowa, to conservation efforts, and Farm Bill priorities, and what he sees as the biggest wins and challenges in Iowa ag today.  With Iowa Ag Week in full swing, we talk all about what it is, why we celebrate, and how everyone can get involved. Mike also explains what he wishes more people understood about agriculture, how he views the future of the industry including his advice for keeping the next generation engaged in farming and rural life, and how the America250 celebration ties into agriculture's story. Our conversation closes with thoughts on community and the importance of addressing mental health in the ag industry. This episode offers a clear, relatable look at the issues shaping modern agriculture in Iowa.  Follow on X | @IADeptAg [https://x.com/iadeptag] @MikeNaigIA [https://x.com/mikenaigia] @ChooseIowa [https://x.com/chooseiowa] Follow on Facebook | @IADeptAg [https://www.facebook.com/IADeptAg/] @MikeNaigIA [https://www.facebook.com/MikeNaigIA/] @ChooseIowa [https://www.facebook.com/ChooseIowa/] Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link:  https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates [https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates?cid=par_pim_TwwszbbuoNbT] Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.  Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com [https://www.liferollsontruckshow.com/]. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App [https://apps.apple.com/at/app/beef-hub/id6738084306?l=en-GB] | Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.beef.hub&hl=en_US] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420569/support] BEHRENS & CO [https://www.behrensandco.com/] | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO [https://www.behrensandco.com/join-our-email-list] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553907086464] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/behrensandco/] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@behrensandco?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!