Value Trace: How Charolais Is Using AI to Revolutionize Feeder Cattle Genetics & Profitability

New World Screwworm Explained: What Texas Ranchers Need to Know Right Now | Wayne Cockrell

Is New World Screwworm really a threat to the U.S. cattle industry? How does it spread? What should ranchers be doing today to protect their livestock? And what happens if a positive case is found on your operation? In this episode of We Live It, Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry sit down with Wayne Cockrell, Second Vice President of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, to separate fact from fiction surrounding New World Screwworm and its potential impact on cattle producers, ranchers, wildlife managers, and the broader livestock industry. Wayne explains: ✔️ What New World Screwworm actually is ✔️ How infestations occur and spread ✔️ Why livestock movement and biosecurity matter ✔️ What producers should look for in cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and wildlife ✔️ How sterile fly eradication programs work ✔️ What happens when a positive case is reported ✔️ Why reporting cases helps protect neighboring operations ✔️ Common misconceptions circulating online ✔️ The industry's plan to combat and ultimately eradicate the pest This conversation offers practical guidance, industry insight, and a level-headed look at one of the most talked-about animal health issues facing American agriculture today. Whether you run a cow-calf operation, stocker business, feedyard, hunting ranch, or simply want to stay informed about the future of U.S. livestock production, this episode is packed with timely information from someone working directly on the issue.

From Ranch Horses to Rope Horses: Inside the Corsica Horse Sale Story

What does it take to build a successful horse auction in today's market? In this episode of We Live It, Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry visit with Blake Thompson of Corsica Horse Sale to discuss horse marketing, auction strategy, ranch horses, online bidding, and the evolution of the equine industry. Blake shares his journey from growing up around horse auctions to helping revitalize one of the Midwest's most recognized horse sale facilities. The conversation covers the importance of price discovery, the value of live auctions, horse consignments, digital marketing, and why strong relationships still drive success in the horse business. Whether you're raising ranch horses, selling performance horses, or simply interested in the livestock auction industry, this episode offers valuable insight into one of agriculture's most relationship-driven businesses.

Earn More for Your Cattle: Third-Party Verification, GAP Certified & NHTC Programs Explained

Certified cattle consistently command stronger premiums and access buyer pools that uncertified cattle simply can't reach. In this episode of the We Live It Livestock & Ranching Podcast, we sit down with Seth Diehm — Customer Account Rep at Earth Claims — to break down exactly how third-party verification works, what GAP certification and NHTC status mean for your bottom line, and whether the audit process is as intimidating as it sounds (it's not). What is GAP certification for cattle? GAP — Global Animal Partnership — is a five-step animal welfare rating program. Earth Claims is the exclusive certifier in North America, meaning if you want GAP-certified cattle, Earth Claims is the company that gets you there. Most cow-calf producers fall under Step 4, which covers cattle raised with continuous outdoor access. Step 1 is available for producers with more limited pasture resources. Each step opens access to specific premium retail and foodservice markets that require verified sourcing. What is NHTC and why does it matter? NHTC stands for Never Ever 3 — No antibiotics ever, no added hormones, no beta-agonists. It's a USDA Process Verified Program (PVP), and Earth Claims is an approved certifier. NHTC cattle carry documented health assurance, genetic traceability, and condition verification from birth to harvest — exactly what high-end domestic and export buyers are looking for. What's the actual return on certification? There's no hard premium guarantee — Seth is upfront about that. But premiums on verified cattle have been consistent and strong over the last decade, and certified producers develop repeat buyer relationships that grow in value over time. The ROI isn't just the per-head premium at sale — it's the compounding effect of a loyal buyer base that knows what they're getting. What does the audit process look like? It's a records conversation, not an inspection. Earth Claims runs a regional audit staff, most of whom come from production backgrounds and understand what ranching in your area actually looks like. Seth describes it as sitting at the kitchen table going through your records — not the IRS showing up at your door. About Earth Claims Earth Claims is a third-party verification company specializing in independent certification for cattle ranches across the United States. They work with cow-calf producers to certify under GAP's five-step animal welfare program and USDA's Process Verified Programs, helping ranchers access premium domestic and export markets that require sourced, verified beef. 📞 Ready to get certified? Contact Seth Diehm directly: Phone: 541-286-3205 ext. 1 Website: earthclaims.com Hosts: Casey Mabry & Wade Leist Guest: Seth Diehm, Earth Claims 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on livestock, ranching, and cattle markets from producers who actually live it.

Gut Health, Heat Technology & Why the Southeast Cattle Market Is on Fire

Seventy percent of your cattle's immune system lives in the gut — and most producers aren't feeding to that number. In this episode of the We Live It Livestock & Ranching Podcast, Hardy Goodman, Area Sales Manager for VitaFirm by BioZyme, breaks down the science behind gut health, heat stress technology, and why the Southeast cattle market is generating momentum that producers across the country need to pay attention to. What is VitaFirm and what makes it different? VitaFirm is a technology-driven animal nutrition platform built by BioZyme. At its core is a prebiotic backed by over 200 peer-reviewed studies — one of the most research-supported feed additives in the beef cattle industry. Hardy's approach is proactive, not reactive: build gut health before problems start, and the herd handles everything else better. Products discussed include Liquid Boost, SureChamp pellets, and Climate Control Gel, applicable across both show livestock and commercial cow-calf operations. What is VitaFirm's heat technology and how does it work? VitaFirm's heat technology is a proprietary blend of essential oils, garlic, cinnamon, and a vasodilator designed to help cattle dissipate heat more effectively. The result is a measurable 3–4 degree reduction in body temperature — enough to keep cattle out grazing during the hottest parts of the day and maintain body condition score through summer. Hardy puts it plainly: if someone moved your thermostat 4 degrees in either direction, somebody in your house would be yelling. The same principle applies to your herd. Why does gut health drive cattle immunity? Research shows that 70% of cattle immunity is tied directly to gut health. A healthy gut microbiome improves digestibility, nutrient absorption, and the animal's ability to respond to stress — whether that's heat, weaning, or shipping. VitaFirm's prebiotic technology is the foundation of every product recommendation Hardy makes, because no mineral program performs at its ceiling in a compromised gut environment. Why is the Southeast cattle market heating up? The Southeast is seeing real momentum — tighter cow numbers nationally combined with strong forage resources and growing producer investment in genetics and nutrition are positioning the region competitively. Hardy also previews VitaFirm's upcoming Heritage Film, spotlighting Johnston Brangus in Alabama — one of the first families to bring fescue to the state — as a story of the deep roots driving that momentum. About Hardy Goodman Hardy grew up in South Georgia with a cattle and show livestock background, earned his ag degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia, and spent time in the cotton industry before landing his career with VitaFirm. His credibility with producers comes from a simple principle: he used the product before he ever sold it. Hosts: Casey Mabry & Wade Leist Guest: Hardy Goodman, Area Sales Manager — VitaFirm by BioZyme 🌐 vitafirm.com 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on livestock, ranching, and cattle markets from producers who actually live it. We Live It Livestock & Ranching Podcast — Real conversations for real producers.

Value Trace: How Charolais Is Using AI to Revolutionize Feeder Cattle Genetics & Profitability

In this episode of the We Live It, hosts Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry sit down with Brett Spader, Executive Vice President of the American International Charolais Association (AICA), for a forward-thinking conversation about data, technology, and the future of beef genetics. Brett brings a deep resume to his role at AICA — from his early days as a fieldman for the Kansas Livestock Association, to his time in the auction world, to leading Angus Media and co-founding his own digital agency, Livestock Launch. His career has always orbited the seed stock industry, and that foundation shapes every initiative he's driving at Charolais today. At the center of the conversation is Value Trace — a proprietary AI-powered program built in partnership with Austin-based Frontiers Market. The program deploys solar-powered cameras in commercial feed yards to collect real-time individual animal data, including live weight, feed conversion, predictive red meat yield, predictive quality grade, and health diagnostics. Currently in its third phase, Value Trace now has roughly 3,000 head under camera across nine feed yards in six states. Brett breaks down how the camera technology works — using facial and body conformation recognition to individually identify cattle, weigh them in real time at the bunk, and even predict optimal harvest timing based on back fat, physiological maturity, and sire EPDs. The end goal is simple but powerful: create a full data loop from the seed stock producer all the way through the packer, so that everyone in the chain can make smarter decisions and capture more value. The conversation also digs into why red meat yield is the next major frontier for the U.S. beef industry. With choice grade becoming the new commodity baseline and finish weights climbing, Brett explains why Charolais genetics — known as a terminal sire option — are uniquely positioned to deliver muscle-forward carcasses without sacrificing grade. He also hints at exciting news coming from a K-State life cycle assessment study and new cutout research with Dr. Dwayne Wolf. Whether you're a cow-calf producer, seed stock operator, or cattle feeder, this episode is packed with insight on where beef genetics, technology, and industry data are heading. Visit charolaisusa.com to learn more or connect with the AICA team directly. 🧬 Powered by BioZyme® The We Live It podcast is proudly powered by BioZyme, the makers of VitaFerm® and Gain Smart®. Proper cattle nutrition is the foundation of livestock health. Through LiveAg’s nationwide video auction platform, cattle fed BioZyme minerals gain exposure to a national buyer base, often resulting in premium returns. 🔗 Learn More: https://biozymeinc.com/blog/biozyme-partners-with-liveag/ Sponsored by Parnell Life Sciences: nixiFLOR® is the first FDA-approved generic version of Resflor Gold®, containing the same active ingredients, florfenicol and flunixin meglumine. The FDA determined the product is bioequivalent to Resflor Gold®, offering veterinarians and producers a cost-effective alternative with the same proven performance. Learn more: https://parnell.com/products/livestock/nixiflor 00:00 - Welcome & Intro 00:35 - Brett Spader's Background & Career Journey 02:44 - Introduction to Value Trace & Using AI in Beef Production 04:39 - The Hot Carcass Weight Trend & Telling the Story Through Data 07:00 - How Value Trace Creates Value for Bull Buyers & Cattle Feeders 08:12 - How the Camera Technology Works in the Feed Yard 10:31 - The Cattle Feeder Dashboard & Procurement Tools 11:03 - Connecting Seed Stock Producers, Commercial Operators & Feed Yards 13:49 - Data Value vs. Dollar Value 15:24 - Shortening the Genetic Feedback Loop 16:26 - Driving Red Meat Yield & the Future of U.S. Beef 19:11 - Consistency, Finish Weights & the Power of Char-Cross Calves 20:29 - Upcoming Research, Life Cycle Assessment & How to Connect with AICA 21:34 - Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Brett