The Ranching Wisdom We're About to Lose Forever

The Ranching Wisdom We're About to Lose Forever

Some conversations are too valuable not to share.This week, Kolten sits down with one of the greatest influences in his life—his grandpa, Frank Heldt. A respected cattleman, entrepreneur, and man of unwavering faith, Frank shares the lessons that shaped his life, his business, and the legacy he's leaving behind.From building successful sale barns across Texas to treating every customer with the same level of respect, Frank's wisdom goes far beyond the cattle industry. This conversation is about hard work, integrity, family, faith, and the kind of values that never go out of style.Whether you're in agriculture, own a business, or simply appreciate hearing from someone who's lived a life worth listening to, this is an episode you'll want to watch all the way through.Topics include:• Building successful sale barns• Treating people with respect• Ranching and cattle industry wisdom• Entrepreneurship and leadership• Faith, family, and legacy• Stories from a lifetime in agricultureIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear these stories.#CattleCoach #KoltenThigpen #Ranching #Cattle #Cowboys #Agriculture #FarmLife #BeefIndustry #Leadership #Faith #Entrepreneurship #Legacy

The Truth About EPDs Nobody Talks About

🐂 Bullnanza Stud Services: https://bullnanza.com🎓 Cattle Coach Academy: https://cattlecoachacademy.comEPDs are one of the most talked-about tools in the cattle industry — and one of the most misunderstood.Some cattlemen make every breeding decision based on EPDs. Others ignore them completely. The truth? The best breeders usually land somewhere in the middle.In this episode, we break down what Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) actually are, how breed associations calculate them, what accuracy scores mean, and why blindly chasing numbers can create problems in your herd.Whether you're new to registered cattle, buying your first herd sire, or trying to better understand bull sale catalogs, this episode will help you make more informed breeding decisions.In this episode, we discuss:• What EPDs actually measure and how they're calculated• Why EPDs are breed-specific and can't be compared across breeds• The difference between birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, and other common EPDs• How accuracy scores work and why they matter• The hidden limitations and weaknesses of EPD data• Why environmental factors can dramatically affect performance• The danger of making breeding decisions based solely on numbers• How commercial cattlemen can use EPDs to improve profitability• Why every breeding goal comes with tradeoffs• Finding the "sweet spot" instead of constantly chasing extremesThe biggest lesson: EPDs are a tool — not a crystal ball. The most successful breeders combine data, phenotype, management, environment, and real-world experience to make breeding decisions that fit their operation.🐂 BULL OF THE DAY — Mr. BrightsideFeatured bull from Big House Show Cattle. Mr. Brightside is a proven Charolais sire known for producing calves that come easy at birth, perform in the pasture, and compete at a high level in the show ring. With a reputation for calving ease, growth, and eye appeal, he's become a trusted option for cattlemen looking to add quality without sacrificing practicality.Call the office at (405) 377-8037 or visit Bullnanza.com to learn more.⏱ TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Why EPDs are so controversial01:20 — What EPD actually stands for02:19 — Who uses EPDs and how they're created04:43 — Understanding birth weight and weaning weight EPDs06:11 — The honor system behind cattle data07:29 — What EPD accuracy scores really mean08:18 — Why EPDs aren't exact predictions09:22 — Real-world example: Florida vs. Ohio genetics11:48 — How commercial cattlemen use EPDs13:42 — Why breeding goals are different for every operation15:07 — The dangers of chasing extremes17:00 — Finding the ideal balance in your herd19:21 — Final thoughts on using EPDs wisely🔔 If you raise, buy, sell, or breed cattle, subscribe for weekly content covering cattle genetics, breeding strategies, herd management, ranching tips, and real-world lessons from the pasture.

I Got Run Over By A Heifer...

🐂 Bullnanza Stud Services: https://bullnanza.com🎓 Cattle Coach Academy: https://cattlecoachacademy.com I got run over by a brand-new heifer — and it was 100% our fault. Here's what happened and what every cattle owner needs to learn from it.Within 20 minutes of unloading a yearling heifer, she buried her head in my stomach, picked me up off the ground, and ran me over in front of my 8-year-old son. My hip and thigh lost a solid patch of skin to a rubber mat. My boy was in tears — not because he was hurt, but because he thought I was.But here's the truth: we set up every single condition for that wreck to happen. And if you own, buy, or handle cattle — this video could save you, your kids, or your animals from a bad day.In this episode, we break down:Why new cattle will almost always be at their worst the moment you unload themThe exact mistakes we made that triggered a flight response in a otherwise calm heiferWhy small children working cattle creates a natural threat response in animalsWhat no sorting equipment, a roll-up door, rain, and a 2.5-hour solo trailer ride have in common (hint: it's a recipe for disaster)The #1 rule our operation runs by when it comes to cattle safety and employee safetyWhy you should never blame the animal — and what to do insteadThe biggest lesson: If you end the day and your animals are safe and your people are safe — you won. Everything else is just details to fix next time.🐂 BULL OF THE DAY — Loving SizeFeatured bull from Horned Livestock and Wage Rogers' cattle-loving line. Triple clean. Red blaze Basse. Already sired a Grand Champion at Houston Livestock Show. Known for calving ease, color versatility, and working well on heifers without sacrificing quality. Call the office at (405) 377-8037 or visit bonanza.com to learn more.⏱ TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Why I'm wearing all these Band-Aids01:10 — The setup: new heifer, two boys, and a barn02:00 — She's not going through that door03:00 — I step in front of her to protect my son04:00 — The aftermath — and why my 8-year-old was screaming07:30 — Breaking down every mistake we made09:35 — Teaching my kids why this was our fault, not hers11:00 — The #1 rule of cattle safety on our operation12:00 — Final thoughts + how to avoid this in your herd🔔 If you raise, buy, or sell cattle — subscribe for weekly content on cattle handling, ranching tips, herd management, and real stories from the operation.

The Media Wants You TERRIFIED of Screw Worm. Here's the Truth.

The New World Screw Worm has everyone talking—but should ranchers actually be panicking?In this episode, Kolten breaks down what the New World Screw Worm is, how it spreads, what to look for in your cattle, and the practical steps his operation is taking to prepare. More importantly, he explains why preparation—not fear—is the right response.Drawing from generations of ranching experience, Kolten compares screw worms to other threats producers already face and argues that while this parasite demands attention, it does not warrant the hysteria surrounding it.In this episode:- What the New World Screw Worm actually is- How infestations happen- Products and management practices they're using to protect their herd- Why checking cattle more frequently matters- Practical prevention tips for calves and mature cattle- Why "prepare, don't panic" is the mindset every producer should adoptIf you're a rancher, cattle producer, or livestock enthusiast, this episode will help you separate facts from fear and give you a practical game plan for protecting your herd.Subscribe for weekly conversations on cattle, ranching, faith, and building a better operation.

Why Hard Work Is Destroying Your Family

Most people spend their lives asking, “What’s the next step?”But what if that’s the wrong question?In this episode, Kolten sits down with John and Sarah Hudgins for a powerful conversation about vision, purpose, family, leadership, and what it really means to build a life worth living.John shares the lessons he's learned through ranching, entrepreneurship, coaching, marriage, and raising a family—including how discovering a clear vision transformed the way he approached business, relationships, and personal growth. From chasing NFL dreams and building a world-renowned Brahman cattle operation to helping families navigate difficult transitions, John explains why most people are focused on the wrong things and how purpose can change everything.Sarah brings a unique perspective as a former ICU nurse, wife, mother, and partner in a family built on faith, sacrifice, and intentional living. Together, they discuss the realities of balancing ambition with family, overcoming burnout, strengthening a marriage through life's challenges, and why success means very little if it costs you the people you love most.Whether you're a rancher, entrepreneur, parent, or someone simply trying to figure out your next chapter, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about where you're headed—and why.In this episode:• Why having a clear vision changes every decision you make• The difference between vision and purpose• How John transformed his leadership and management style• Building teams by leveraging strengths instead of fixing weaknesses• The challenges of balancing work, marriage, and family• What success really looks like after achieving your biggest goals• Why fulfillment only comes through serving others• Lessons learned from 20 years of marriage• Raising children with intention and strong values• The future of the family ranch and legacy planningIf you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about what comes next, this conversation is for you.🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs, ranchers, and people building meaningful lives.#Purpose #Leadership #Marriage #Family #Entrepreneurship #PersonalGrowth #Vision #Faith #Ranching #Success