Advertise on podcast: TSCRA Talk

Jay Evans joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to share tips for a successful winter at the ranch from planning for feed needs of the cattle to adverse weather events. Evans encourages the listeners to make written plans and discuss them with employees but overall, to remain flexible.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Cattle Health & Well-Being Chairman, Wayne Cockrell of College Station, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, with information about the New World screwworm. Cockrell discusses the threat to the cattle industry as well as the wildlife industry in the United States. Additionally, he shares how producers can be proactive in educating themselves and creating a plan for their operation.   To learn more about NWS visit screwwormtx.org

Austin Tucker with Specialized Crop Insurance and Matt Makens of Makens Weather, join TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to discuss the importance of strategy in utilizing pasture, rangeland and forage insurance. Tucker shares information about PRF including location, time periods, productivity factors, coverage levels and common misconceptions. Makens comments on factors involved with long-range weather outlooks and a big-picture look at 2026.   A special thank you to our episode sponsor, Specialized Crop Insurance.   Learn more at:   prfrainfall.com  makensweather.com  rma.usda.gov

Dee Church, vice president of Nutrition Plus, and Noah Jesko, Nutrition Plus range specialist, join TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to discuss utilizing mineral when evaluating the nutritional program at a ranch. Jesko explains how samples are taken and evaluated to create a custom mineral plan. Additionally, Church shares insight into the technological advances utilized in mineral evaluation.   Learn more about Nutrition Plus at Nutritionplus.biz.

Dr. Ron Gill, professor and extension livestock specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to discuss best practices of cattle transportation. From equipment and facility evaluations to loading considerations, Dr. Gill shares valuable insight for cattlemen.    Resources: RanchTV - https://www.youtube.com/@RanchTV  BQA.org

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association President Carl Ray Polk joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to recap the 89th Texas Legislative Session. Polk discussed a variety of topics including the new Texas brand database; cell-cultured proteins; wildfire prevention, mitigation and response legislation; and oil and gas waste water.

Kayla Jennings with Jennings Ventures and Tucker Brown of the R.A. Brown Ranch join TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to share their knowledge and experience in direct-to-consumer beef sales. With two different approaches to beef sales, the conversations provide valuable insight as they share their experiences.   Learn more at jenningsventurescattle.com and rabrownranch.com.   Resources:   Texas Beef Council resources AgriLife Extension handbook  US Foods Meat Buyers Guide

Bill Fox, central region program manager for National Grazing Lands Coalition, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to share about the programs NatGLC offers, including Legacy Landscapes.   The mission of the National Grazing Lands Coalition (NatGLC) is dedicated to providing voluntarily ecologically and economically sound management of all grazing lands for their adaptive uses and multiple benefits to the environment and society through science-based technical assistance, research and education.  Learn more at grazinglands.org.

Mike Turner, manager of Blue Ranch located near Dumas, Texas, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to discuss their holistic resource management approach. Turner shares how the conventionally grazed ranch was transformed into a rotational grazing system with focus on forage, wildlife, water and soil health.   The Blue Ranch received the 2024 Texas Outstanding Rangeland Stewardship Award and the 2024 NCBA Region IV Environmental Stewardship Award.

Dr. Kate Rogers, executive director of the Alamo Trust, the non-profit organization responsible for the daily operations of the Alamo historic site, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to discuss the ties of ranching in Texas and the Alamo as well as The Alamo Statewide Stampede.   The public fundraising challenge among the 254 counties in Texas is accepting financial donations as well as proceeds from livestock sales. Learn more at www.thealamo.org/livestock.

Macy Ledbetter, wildlife biologist and president of Spring Creek Outdoors, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, the best practices, challenges and strategies for landowners looking to balance livestock and wildlife management.  Ledbetter brings his experience with Texas Parks and Wildlife as well as years of consulting for landowners across the state of Texas, to the conversation.

Sarah Franklin, Texas Farm Credit vice president branch manager in Pleasanton, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to discuss the basics of an ag loan. Franklin outlines both long-term loans and short-term loans such as operating loans, as well as documentation needed for the application process.   She shares the five C’s they take into consideration when evaluating a loan – character, capacity, capital, collateral and conditions, in addition to valuable insight on the loan process.   Additional information can be found at texasfarmcredit.com/resources/.

As produced water management and filtration have evolved, so have opportunities for financial incentives. The question of ownership of the produced water now stands with the Texas Supreme Court. Attorney Jim Bradbury joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, with insight into the changing landscape of produced water.

This thing is legendary! Matt Brockman, director of communications, and Stefan Marchman, livestock show director, both with the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, join TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to share about the history of the FWSSR, which included cattle shows during the Texas Cattle Raisers Association convention in the early 1900s.   Additionally, Brockman and Marchman discuss the growth of the Will Rogers Memorial Center with the addition of Dickie’s Arena plus renovations taking place in the swine and sheep barns.   Be sure to keep an eye out for the email to TSCRA members about the 2025 FWSSR commemorative pins and details on the pick-up party prior to the Best of the West Ranch Rodeo.

Utilizing yearling bulls allows the opportunity for accelerated genetic gain and extended working life of a bull.  Dr. Jason Banta, beef cattle specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to explain bulls growth from puberty through sexual maturity and breeding readiness, specifically focused on yearling bulls being turned out with cows at 13-15 months of age.  Body condition throughout the bulls life is a key factor that he discusses that impacts successful breeding. Additionally, Banta breaks down considerations for yearling bulls by pre-, mid- and post-breeding season to ensure proper care and safety.