In this episode of We Live It, Ty deCordova and Wade Leist sit down with Chris Howell in Boise, Idaho, to talk about his decade inside Riverbend Ranches and Riverbend Steaks— and why he decided to step into representing cattle for producers across Nevada, Oregon, California, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Chris breaks down what Riverbend actually is, how Riverbend Steaks sells beef direct to consumers, and how the operation grew from purchasing 3,000-5,000 calves a year to 50,000-70,000. He also shares what he looks for in bull genetics and EPDs, how commercial producers can attach real value to their bull-buying decisions, and why trust is the most important thing a rep can build with a customer. Whether you're a commercial cow-calf producer, a seedstock breeder, or new to the cattle business, this conversation is full of practical insight on genetics, marketing, and what it takes to build a program that lasts. Topics Covered: - Chris Howell's move from Riverbend Ranches to LiveAg - What Riverbend Ranches, Riverbend Stakes & Riverbend Seedstock are - RiverbendSteaks.com and direct-to-consumer beef sales - Bull genetics and EPD selection - Creating value through genetics and marketing - Building trust between reps and producers - Advice for young producers entering the cattle business - New technology: virtual fencing and verified natural programs - Chris Howell's LiveAg rep territory (NV, OR, CA, ID, UT, WY, SD) Reach Chris Howell directly at Live-Ag.com to start marketing your cattle with him. 00:00 Introduction — Live at the LiveAg Sale in Boise, Idaho 01:15 Welcome Back to We Live It: Meet Chris Howell, New LiveAg Rep 02:00 Chris's Role at Riverbend Ranches: Customer Service to Procurement 02:52 Riverbend's Growth: From 5,000 to 70,000 Calves a Year 04:11 What Is Riverbend Ranches, Riverbend Stakes & Riverbend Seedstock? 05:09 RiverbendSteaks.com: Direct-to-Consumer Beef Subscriptions 06:04 Chris's Path: From a Nevada Commercial Ranch to Riverbend 07:29 The Opportunity to Join LiveAg 08:17 Choosing the Right Bulls: Advice for Commercial Producers 09:26 Why Producers Overlook Genetics & Marketing 10:51 Where Bull Value Really Comes From 11:50 Attaching Dollar Value to Genetic Traits 13:10 Why Trust Is the Foundation of Rep Relationships 15:02 Moving from Buying Bulls to Marketing Cattle 16:53 Chris's Territory: NV, OR, CA, ID, UT, WY & SD 17:45 How to Reach Chris Howell Through Live-Ag.com 18:09 Advice for Young Producers: Don't Fear New Technology 20:03 Adapting to Stay in Business for the Next 100 Years 20:28 Closing Thoughts

For more than 40 years, Mark Gardiner of Gardiner Angus Ranch has helped shape the modern beef industry through genetics, data, and disciplined cattle selection. In this episode of We Live It, Mark joins Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry to discuss how Angus genetics have transformed beef production, why EPDs matter, the history behind Certified Angus Beef®, the rise of beef-on-dairy, and how producers can build more profitable cow herds. They also dive into artificial insemination (their version of AI), carcass quality, marbling, US Premium Beef, National Beef, herd rebuilding, drought, cattle markets, and why today's beef demand is stronger than ever. Whether you're a commercial cattle producer, seedstock breeder, feeder, or simply interested in where the beef industry is headed, this conversation is packed with practical insight and decades of experience. Topics Covered: • Angus genetics • Artificial insemination (AI) • EPDs and genetic selection • Beef-on-dairy • Certified Angus Beef • US Premium Beef • National Beef • Carcass quality & marbling • Herd rebuilding • Beef demand • Cattle markets • Commercial cow-calf operations • Seedstock production • Future of the beef industry 00:00 Meet Mark Gardiner of Gardiner Angus Ranch 01:15 A family legacy in the cattle business since 1885 04:40 The AI breeding revolution and using EPDs 08:30 Building better cattle through genetics 11:15 The beef industry's quality crisis in the 1990s 13:15 Creating US Premium Beef and changing cattle marketing 18:15 How Certified Angus Beef transformed beef demand 21:20 Genetics, consumer demand, and today's cattle market 24:10 Why beef-on-dairy is changing the industry 31:45 Using the best Angus genetics in dairy herds 34:40 Why carcass data and marbling matter 39:00 Multi-trait selection vs. chasing one trait 43:50 The future of Angus genetics and beef production 45:00 Gardiner Angus Ranch sales and final thoughts

How do ranchers stay informed when they're hours from the nearest town? Why does farm radio still matter in an age of podcasts, social media, and AI? And what challenges are producers facing across Montana, Wyoming, and the Northern Plains today? In this episode of We Live It, Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry sit down with Colter Brown and Amelia Siroky of Northern Ag Network, one of the most trusted agricultural media organizations in the West, serving producers across Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The conversation explores the changing landscape of agricultural communication, how producers consume information today, and why radio continues to play a vital role in rural communities where internet and cell service remain unreliable. From market updates and weather reports to podcasts and digital content, Northern Ag Network shares how they're working to keep producers connected and informed. Along the way, they tackle some of the biggest questions facing agriculture today: What does the cattle market look like across the Northern Plains? How are drought conditions impacting ranchers and herd expansion decisions? Can producers rebuild the cow herd when forage remains limited? What role do public lands play in the future of Western ranching? And how do we ensure agriculture's story is told accurately to the next generation? The discussion also highlights two impactful initiatives making a difference beyond the ranch gate. How do we better support the mental health of farmers and ranchers? Northern Ag shares the story behind Beyond the Weather, a program focused on reducing stigma around mental health in agriculture and connecting producers with support resources. When was the last time someone simply thanked a farmer? The team discusses their For the Farmers tour, which brings communities together to recognize and celebrate the producers who feed, fuel, and clothe America. Whether you're involved in cattle ranching, farming, agricultural communications, rural leadership, or simply want a better understanding of life in the American West, this episode offers an honest look at the people working every day to keep rural America connected.

What does a career in cattle feeding actually look like? How can women build successful careers in agriculture and livestock production? What drives cattle markets, beef demand, and the business of feeding the world? In this episode of We Live It, Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry sit down with Emily Jackson of Arcadia Commodities to discuss her journey from growing up in a cattle-buying family in Canada to becoming a leader in cattle procurement, risk management, and cattle feeding. Emily shares what it's like to buy cattle across North America, how data and technology are changing the cattle industry, and why she believes agriculture still offers incredible opportunities for the next generation. She also discusses the importance of mentorship, the role women continue to play in shaping the future of agriculture, and why beef demand remains strong despite record cattle prices. Along the way, the conversation explores some of the biggest questions facing the beef industry today: Can the U.S. cattle herd rebuild quickly enough to meet demand?What opportunities exist for young people entering agriculture?How are data, analytics, and AI changing cattle feeding and commodity markets?Why are consumers continuing to choose beef at historically high prices?And what does it really mean to help feed a growing world population? Emily also highlights Beef Sticks for Backpacks, a program providing high-quality beef protein to food-insecure children while showcasing the positive impact the beef industry can have beyond the ranch gate. Whether you're involved in cattle feeding, commodity markets, ranching, agricultural leadership, or simply passionate about the future of food production, this episode offers valuable insight into the people helping move the beef industry forward.

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.