The Big Texas Sale

Sitz Angus

Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Dustin Hector, he's the director of Business development for American Cattlemen Media, and he sits down with Lane and Tucker Sitz with Sitz Angus.  Tucker, currently studying farm and ranch management at Northwest College, describes growing up in the Dillon division of the ranch alongside his parents and siblings, noting the advantages and occasional challenges of working within a large family. Lane explains his path through automotive technology school and his decision to return full time to the Harrison division, emphasizing that ranch life has always been his long-term goal. Both guests highlight major changes they have witnessed in the cattle industry, especially the rise of technology. They recall working cattle with pen and paper before transitioning to EID tags and electronic record-keeping systems, which have significantly improved data accuracy and management. They acknowledge that this shift can be daunting for older generations, but has become essential to modern operations. Lane and Tucker outline the scale and structure of the Sitz Angus program. The ranch conducts two annual production sales, marketing over 800 registered Angus bulls each year, split between a March yearling sale in Dillon and a December coming two-year-old sale in Harrison. They also offer bred commercial heifers in the fall and yearling open heifers in the spring, which helps distinguish their program within the industry. In terms of breeding philosophy, the Sitz program focuses on balanced EPD profiles and a consistent, functional phenotype known internally as the “Sitz look.” They stress maternal and structural traits, avoiding the temptation to chase single-trait trends. The conversation closes with discussion of AI sires they are particularly excited about, including bulls such as Sitz Prefix, Sitz Phenom, Sitz Empire, and other young sires whose early progeny appear promising. The episode concludes with appreciation for the Sitz family’s century-long contribution to the Angus business and a tease for a future episode previewing the December sale.   For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com. [https://americancattlemen.com/podcasts/] American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By: Moly Manufacturing [https://www.molymfg.com/] Central Life Sciences [https://www.centrallifesciences.com/] Medgene [https://medgenelabs.com/] Forge [https://forge-ind.com/]

New World Screwworm Update Cattlemen & Veterinarians

Welcome to this emergency episode of Cattlemen & Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health. Just ahead, hosts Kaid Panek and Dr. Shynia Peterman provide a timely update on the New World Screwworm following its confirmed re-emergence in the United States. Dr. Peterman reports four confirmed cases as of Monday, June 8: three in calves in Texas and one in a dog in New Mexico, noting that all warm-blooded animals, including livestock, wildlife, and pets are susceptible.  Dr. Peterman explains that the New World Screwworm is actually a fly whose adult females lay 200–300 eggs in wounds or mucous membranes. The eggs hatch within 12–24 hours, and the larvae burrow into living tissue in a screw-like fashion, causing severe tissue damage, pain, and potentially death if untreated. After about a week on the host, larvae drop to the ground to pupate in soil for one to 54 days, depending on temperature and humidity, before emerging as adult flies and continuing the cycle. Producers are urged to observe livestock, horses, pets, and local wildlife daily. Warning signs include irritation, excessive head shaking, foul odor of decaying flesh, bloody or abnormal discharges, non-healing or enlarging wounds, visible eggs, or larvae in tissue. Any suspicious case should trigger immediate contact with a veterinarian, followed by rapid notification of state and federal animal health officials, as this is a reportable condition. Dr. Peterman emphasizes thoughtful management around procedures that create wounds, such as branding, castration, dehorning, ear tagging, and calving assistance, especially in at-risk regions. She notes conditional approvals for products such as Dectomax CA-1 and Exalt Cattle CA-1, along with other emergency-use therapeutics listed on the FDA website, and stresses strategic use to prevent resistance. On the regulatory front, USDA and the Texas Animal Health Commission have established 20-kilometer infested and buffer zones, imposed movement controls, and deployed millions of sterile male flies via air and ground release. Monitoring of wildlife and fly populations is ongoing, aided by fluorescent dye markers on sterile males. The episode closes with reassurance that the New World Screwworm has been successfully eradicated before. The key messages are to avoid panic, remain vigilant, report promptly, and remember that this is an animal health and welfare issue rather than a food safety concern.   For Future or Previous episodes visit our websites: American Cattlemen [https://americancattlemen.com/podcasts/] American Dairymen [https://americandairymen.com/] Cattlemen and Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health Sponsored by: Moly Manufacturing [https://www.molymfg.com/] Central Life Sciences [https://www.centrallifesciences.com/] Medgene [https://medgenelabs.com/] Forge [https://forge-ind.com/]

Fair Time Tips & Tricks Cattlemen & Veterinarians

Welcome back to Cattlemen & Veterinarians, a Partnership in Bovine Health, powered by American Cattlemen Media. Just ahead, we have Kaid Panek and Dr. Shynia Peterman, and they sit down with Dr. Dalton Newell, DVM of Oklahoma Beef Consultants. In this episode, they will dive into some tips and tricks for fair time to keep your animals as healthy and strong as possible. Dr. Dalton Newell was raised on a backgrounding operation in Minco, OK, where his family preconditioned cattle, sheep, and goats. Dalton judged livestock at Redlands Community College, Oklahoma State University, and graduated from OSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. Dr. Newell is a production animal veterinarian with the Oklahoma Beef Consultants; a consulting firm reaching from Nebraska to Texas and Missouri to California. Along with the services and consulting provided to producers, Newell volunteers as animal health official for Cattlemen’s Congress, the Oklahoma Youth Expo, EYO at the State Fair of Oklahoma, and the California Ag Youth Expo. Dalton, his wife Kass, who is the Executive Vice-President of OYE, and daughters Nyla and Nellie reside in Yukon, OK. Dr. Newell begins by explaining the importance of Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs). Requirements vary by state and by show, and can change rapidly with emerging disease threats such as screw worm, Theileria, and tick-borne conditions. Exhibitors are encouraged to review each show’s rules well in advance and provide those requirements to their veterinarian to streamline CVI preparation and avoid last-minute problems. He notes that CVIs are typically valid for 30 days, but that window may shorten during disease outbreaks. The conversation then turns to foundational husbandry. Dr. Newell stresses that preparation starts on day one of owning the project. Quarantine of new arrivals, daily observation of feed and water intake, clean bedding, appropriate vaccination protocols, deworming, and coccidia control are presented as non‑negotiable basics. At the fair, three pillars of husbandry—clean water, fresh feed, and a comfortable environment—are described as essential across species. Timing hauls to avoid heat stress, pre‑bedding stalls, running fans, managing water familiarity, maintaining feeding schedules, and using hay strategically all help keep show cattle eating, drinking, and coping with stress. For terminal shows, Dr. Newell highlights the critical importance of drug withdrawal times and meticulous treatment records to protect food safety. He recommends simple, consistent recordkeeping systems such as spreadsheets or shared digital documents, noting that documentation is vital if an animal ever tests positive on drug screens. Biosecurity when bringing animals home is addressed through quarantine, close observation for 7–10 days, and attention to equipment, trailers, and footwear to reduce disease spread. Dr. Newell closes by underscoring the life skills, work ethic, and human–animal bond developed through 4‑H, FFA, and showing livestock, encouraging families and educators to prioritize both animal welfare and biosecurity while enjoying the show barn lifestyle. Fair Time Tips & Tricks Cattlemen & Veterinarians   For Future or Previous episodes visit our websites: American Cattlemen [https://americancattlemen.com/podcasts/] American Dairymen [https://americandairymen.com/] Cattlemen and Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health Sponsored by: Moly Manufacturing [https://www.molymfg.com/] Central Life Sciences [https://www.centrallifesciences.com/] Medgene [https://medgenelabs.com/] Forge [https://forge-ind.com/]

Larry Gran & Jamie Wolf with Jorgensen Land & Cattle

Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Gale McKinney, he's the owner of American Cattlemen Media, and he sits down with Larry Gran and Jamie Wolf with Jorgensen Land & Cattle. In this episode, they will dive into Jorgensen’s data-driven Angus program, the role of genomics in commercial cow herds, succession planning, and the broader state of the beef industry.  Gran explains his responsibilities for cattle procurement, DNA program oversight, and managing relationships with Jorgensen’s genetic partners. Wolf describes his work in marketing, genetic sales, and customer consulting, emphasizing the operation’s commitment to telling its story through video, social media, and educational content about technology in use on the ranch. The conversation highlights Jorgensen’s long-term data collection, dating back to handwritten cow cards from the 1950s, which underpins their Ideal Beef Evaluation (IBE) developed in partnership with Zoetis. Gran and Wolf stress that genomic testing is particularly powerful for smaller producers who cannot afford to keep the wrong replacement heifers. By identifying top and bottom performers early, producers can cull unproductive females sooner and design complementary matings that accelerate herd improvement, regardless of herd size. The pair also discuss tools like Ag Boost, which simplifies EPD interpretation into a one-to-ten scoring system, making genetic decisions more accessible for time-pressed producers. They emphasize that Jorgensen’s team routinely works with customers to analyze data, align bull selection with herd goals, and ultimately improve sale-day checks. On the industry outlook, Gran notes historically strong cattle prices but urges caution due to high interest rates, limited grass availability, and inevitable market corrections. Both guests underscore the importance of having the best cows in place before a downturn and of using technology and planning—rather than emotion—to guide culling and investment decisions. Wolf adds concerns about generational transition and describes Jorgensen’s structured succession planning and robust internship program as models for bringing capable young people into the industry. They close by stressing that beef demand remains strong, and that sustained success depends on producing a high-quality product while continuing to tell the beef industry’s story and its multi-generational, land-based heritage.   For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com. [https://americancattlemen.com/podcasts/] American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By: Moly Manufacturing [https://www.molymfg.com/] Central Life Sciences [https://www.centrallifesciences.com/] Medgene [https://medgenelabs.com/] Forge [https://forge-ind.com/]

Merck Animal Health with Austin Woltemath

Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Gale McKinney, he's the owner of American Cattlemen Media, and he sits down with Austin Woltemath with Merck Animal Health.  Merck Animal Health’s SenseHub technology supports both cow-calf and feedlot operations through continuous, data-driven monitoring. SenseHub is an overarching livestock monitoring platform built around wearable devices that function like a smartwatch or Fitbit for cattle. These tags collect biometric and behavioral data, establish baselines for “normal,” and flag outlier activity so producers can make earlier and more accurate management decisions. On the cow-calf side, SenseHub Cow Calf is positioned as a reproductive efficiency and labor-saving tool. The system is self-installed by the producer and relies on pairing a monitoring ear tag and an electronic ID to each animal via computer or mobile app. Once online, it provides 24/7 monitoring for activity patterns associated with heat and estrus. This allows artificial insemination and embryo transfer programs to pinpoint optimal breeding windows, increase the percentage of females settled in the first 21-day cycle, and track cyclicity in heifer development. The technology also acts as an ongoing heat-checking tool after breeding, helping identify animals that may have come back into heat. A light on the tag simplifies locating specific animals, making the system especially valuable for producers juggling off-farm jobs or limited hired help. For feedlots, SenseHub Feedlot uses an ear tag that measures inner ear temperature and activity to identify cattle that may be in the early stages of disease, often one to three days before visual signs emerge. Rather than diagnosing conditions, the system flags animals that deviate from their normal behavior and generates actionable pull lists. This supports earlier intervention, improved treatment outcomes, and reduced mortality. Unlike the cow-calf system, the feedlot platform requires a four- to six-week installation handled by Merck’s technical team, followed by onboarding support from a customer success group. Across both segments, Woltemath emphasizes that SenseHub does not replace people but enables operations to do more with less skilled labor, enhancing accuracy, timeliness, and overall herd health and productivity.   For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com. [https://americancattlemen.com/podcasts/] American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By: Moly Manufacturing [https://www.molymfg.com/] Central Life Sciences [https://www.centrallifesciences.com/] Medgene [https://medgenelabs.com/] Forge [https://forge-ind.com/]