Advertise on podcast: The Rural Dispatch

Rating

★★★★★

from

39 reviews

Description

Welcome to The Rural Dispatch, the podcast that delivers honest conversations from the fields, the highways, and the home front. I'm your host, Aly Behrens - headquartered in rural Iowa, I help run a trucking company that specializes in hauling livestock nationwide. I was born and raised in small-town-Iowa and I’m passionate about rural communities and the people who help them thrive. Since becoming a mom, I’ve taken a step away from my own career in finance and into a behind the scenes role in our second-generation family business. I’m proud to help continue the legacy of hard work and dedication that built this business. I’m building a life with a multi-faceted business owner who also holds the title of truck driver, cattle feeder and dispatcher, all while we both work together to manage office operations, oversee business development, and bring the next generation along to show them the ropes, just like their grandpa did with their dad. If you’re anything like us, you wear a lot of hats in your operation. This podcast is for people like you: hardworking men and women in the rural trucking, livestock and business communities who are juggling all the things every day. Whether it’s running loads, managing a herd, staying compliant, or handling the bookkeeping, we know the challenges you face because we’ve lived them. In our weekly episodes, I’ll bring you a mix of my own experiences as I navigate the ins and outs of these industries, stories with my better half, Smoke about the lessons we’ve learned throughout our time in this business, and interviews with experts who tackle the pain points we all probably face at one time or another. From trucking to livestock production to rural entrepreneurship, this show is here to equip you with the tools, resources and a supportive community to help you thrive. Whether you’re in the cab of a truck, out checking cattle, or sitting at your kitchen table, we hope you’ll tune in and find value in conversations that speak your language. No matter your role in the industry, there’s something for everyone here. Buckle up, friends, there's lots to come. If you enjoy an episode, it would mean the world to us if you would share it with a friend. Keep up with us between episodes on our socials, at Behrens and Co., or subscribe to our email list on our website to receive new episodes directly to your inbox every Wednesday. Thanks for being here. We'll talk soon.

Unlock The Rural Dispatch podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details

Email contact information

Direct podcast contact details

Listeners

Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details

Podcast Insights

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from The Rural Dispatch podcast

From Farm Kid to Full-Time Entrepreneur Building a Custom Business

2026/01/21

Send us a text In this episode, Aly sits down with Luke Quandt, owner of Quandts Coatings to talk about what it really looks like to bet on yourself. Luke grew up on a farm and started engraving in his spare time out of his house. After years of working on hog barns, he made the leap to go all in on his side hustle, and six years later hasn't looked back. Luke shares how his passion for quality craftsmanship has turned into a way to help other small businesses stand out, whether it's creating custom pieces for their teams, client gifts, or branded signage. He has a knack for bringing visions to life. Make sure you check out Quandts Coatings and follow along on Facebook to see what he creates next. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Using What You Know to Grow: How an Iowa Farm Family Built a Diversified Ag Business

2026/01/14

Send us a text In this episode, Aly and Smoke sit down with Austin and Mady Blair, owners of ABC Beef, to talk about what it really looks like to diversify a family farming operation while raising three young kids. We dig into how they’ve used what they already knew to build multiple income streams, including their direct-to-consumer beef business. They share how the idea started, what it took to get up and running, the struggles they've faced, and where they hope to take things in the future. Austin and Mady also walk us through their hog operation and how it has evolved over the years, including how a devastating fire in their sow unit changed the way they do things. We talk about the day-to-day of raising livestock, plus what goes into managing cattle alongside it all. We dive into their decision to put up a deep pit slatted barn for cattle, why they chose that route, and what they’ve liked about it so far. Throughout the conversation, they share their “why” and how important it is to bring their kids along for every part of farm life. There’s never a shortage of things to do, and they open up about their biggest weakness — wanting to do everything themselves instead of hiring help. This episode is a real, honest look at modern farm life, entrepreneurship, and building a business that supports multiple generations. Find the ABC Beef on Instagram & Facebook Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

2025 Wins & Wrecks: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly from Our Year in the Trucking Business

2026/01/07

Send us a text In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, Smoke and Aly sit down to recap 2025 in the livestock trucking business — the good, the bad, and the ugly. From the moments that made the long days worth it to the wrecks that tested us, this conversation dives into what our year behind the scenes really looked like. We talk about good people vs bad people we came across in the industry and how those relationships shaped our year, along with a breakdown of our best performing truck and the one that caused the most frustration. Along the way, we detour into travel stories and recap our favorite episodes of The Rural Dispatch in 2025. If you’re in trucking, agriculture, or running a family business, this episode is an honest look at the lessons we’re carrying into the next year. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Record Keeping that Pays: How Better Data Leads to Smarter Decisions for Today's Cattle Producer

2025/12/10

Send us a text This week we're talking about the one thing every cattle producer knows they could do better or should do better or would do better if they had the time... but most put off: record keeping. I'm joined by Oaklee Trapp, rancher, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Smarter Cattle, to break down why better data leads to better decisions in today's cattle market. Oaklee grew up in the beef industry, interned with Producers Livestock Marketing Association, and now works with producers marketing their cattle through Producers Livestock. That experience has pushed her to develop Smarter Cattle into what it is today - a simple tool designed to turn ranch records into real, usable information. We talk about why knowing your numbers matters, how emotion can get in the way of good decision making, what holds producers back from adopting new technology, and where ranch management is headed in the next decade. If you've ever thought "I should really figure out a better way to track that," this episode is a good place to start. Find Smarter Cattle online: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Veal Calves, Market Pivots & Amish Barns — Lessons for Livestock Producers

2025/12/03

Send us a text This week Smoke and Aly sit down with Adam Prokash, a first-generation livestock producer whose path into agriculture looks nothing like the traditional one. Adam walks us through how he bought his first farm and learned to raise veal calves without the benefit of growing up in the industry, and how those early years shaped every decision that came after. His story spans multiple chapters: the rise and fall of the veal market, the stretch of years when feeder pigs kept his operation alive, the return to Holstein calves, and the unexpected opportunity that came placing calves in Amish barns. Today, he helps oversee calf programs across Amish communities while supplying milk replacer, meds, and hands-on management. This episode is about building relationships—the ones that open doors, the ones that keep ag businesses afloat, and the ones inside Amish communities that will change your perspective on work, contentment, and the pace of life. It's also about recognizing opportunity and trusting your instincts when it's time for a change. If you love real stories about building something from nothing in rural America, this one’s for you. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Trucking Safety Systems that Actually Work: How Small Fleets Can Improve the Bottom Line

2025/11/26

Send us a text In this episode, Aly sits down with Natallia Opalko, founder of Trucking Safety and author of Safety is the New Profit, to break down the systems and simple fixes that help small fleets improve safety, efficiency, and profitability. Natallia shares the most common compliance and safety hurdles she sees, the tools that make compliance less overwhelming, and how better processes can directly strengthen your bottom line. Whether you run one truck or one hundred, this conversation offers practical steps you can put to work right away. Use code RURAL15 to save 15% on Trucking Safety products Buy Natallia's new book Safety is the New Profit | Paperback or Kindle Follow Trucking Safety on Instagram & Facebook Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Winter Truck Prep, Debt Strategy, & Measured Risk

2025/11/19

Send us a text This week Aly and Smoke dive into a lesson on why winter preparation is important, a conversation about debt strategy and our mindset when financing equipment and managing growth without getting stretched too thin. We also chat about taking calculated risks in business and cattle feeding. Tune in for practical, honest insights for keeping a rural operation moving forward. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Inside the Trucking & Cattle Industries: Real Numbers, Real Frustrations

2025/11/12

Send us a text Hosts Aly and Smoke catch up on Smoke's time back behind the wheel - navigating sale barns, a few frustrations about how trucking has changed, and taking kids along for the ride. They also dig into the business side, from climbing insurance premiums and warranty headaches, to Trump's recent comments on beef prices and what they've really meant for beef producers. Back home, a leaky basement adds to the chaos. It's been one of those weeks at the Behrens homestead. If you need to feel better about the current state of your home or business, this episode should do it. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Beef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

From Life on the Ranch to Life on the Road with Olivia Harms

2025/11/05

Send us a text In this episode I'm joined by the rhinestone cowgirl herself, Olivia Harms. We chat about growing up on a 150-year-old ranch, running one today with her husband in Northern California, and chasing big dreams on the road. Olivia Harms has created her own “Rhinestone Cowgirl” sound, blending Texas, Bakersfield, and Nashville country. As the daughter of Western Music Hall of Fame member Joni Harms, Olivia debuted onstage at two days old. She was named in COWGIRL magazine’s 30 Under 30 Class of 2022 and won Singer of the Year during the First Annual Women of the West Gala in June of 2022. The Country Music Artists Association of Texas announced her as 2024’s Cowboy Western Artist. She grew up on her family's 150-year-old ranch in Canby, Oregon and, while maintaining a rigorous touring schedule, resides in Northern California. You can follow Olivia on social media and stream her music everywhere you listen. She’s also featured in the first two episodes of The Road on CBS and Paramount Plus, and you can catch her performing at NFR this year on December 4th and 6th at the Westgate Hotel NFR Party. Singer | Olivia Harms | United States Instagram | Facebook Hey There Cowboy - song and lyrics by Olivia Harms | Spotify ‎Olivia Harms - Apple Music Olivia Harms - YouTube Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Trucking Truths: Ownership, Paychecks & Unwritten Rules

2025/10/22

Send us a text This week we’re talking trucking truths — who should buy their own truck, how driver pay really works, and what happens when trucks get ordered but never used. We also touch on getting started feeding cattle. This one is a real, no-filter look at the business side of hauling livestock. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Beef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Making Hay While the Sun's Shining: Marriage, Markets & Messy Desks

2025/10/15

Send us a text This week’s episode is a snapshot of life right now — the kind where life and business blur together in the best and busiest ways. We’re fresh off our wedding weekend, still soaking it in, and juggling everything that comes with it, because you have to make hay while the sun shines and that means they honeymoon can wait. Smoke and I talk through how things look when he’s on the road and the latest in the fat cattle trade and cow buying business. It’s a little bit of wedding talk, a little bit of market talk, and a whole lot of real life. We’re also sharing what’s ahead for the podcast and opening the door for next week’s Q&A episode. So if you’ve got questions about cattle, trucking, marriage, or rural business, send them our way! Links & Mentions: AERIAL DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY, DRONE PICTURES, GRAPHIC DESIGN Benz Q and Catering PAR Repair Inc. 2025 Live Cattle Basis Chart | Producers Livestock Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Beef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

From Hauling Livestock to Hauling a Bar: Trucking Meets Wedding Week

2025/10/01

Send us a text This week on The Rural Dispatch, we’re switching gears from hauling livestock to hauling a bar! Join me for a quick solo update on a busy week in trucking, Smoke getting back into cow buying, and the chaos of wedding week prep in our backyard. Plus, hear about our friends at Agar Transportation and PAR Repair driving a custom bar across the country — and how you could score some merch if you spot it on the road! Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Beef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Slow Busy Season in Trucking + a "Break" from Buying Cattle

2025/09/24

Send us a text This week on The Rural Dispatch, Smoke and Aly talk trucking, cattle, and life. We dig into what a “slow busy season” looks like in livestock trucking, how the cattle market is shaping both hauling and beef availability, and why trucking’s connection to so many industries is both a challenge and a blessing (hello, reefer division revival!). If you’re curious about cattle markets, livestock hauling, or just enjoy a good trucking story, this one’s for you. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Beef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Conservation, Cattle, and Confidence with Ashley Brincks

2025/09/17

Send us a text On this episode, Aly is joined by Ashley Brincks, ag professional and leader specializing in cattle and conservation. In this episode, Ashley shares how her journey through both personal loss and professional opportunities has shaped her into the industry advocate she is today. She reflects on the ways resilience and hard work have guided her path, and we talk about the intersection of conservation and cattle production, the importance of producer’s voices in the industry, and what the next generation of ag leaders can bring to the table. Whether you’re in agriculture yourself or just curious about the stories behind the people who keep rural America strong, Ashley’s story is an inspiring reminder that resilience and courage can grow even in the hardest seasons. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Beef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Are Handshake Deals in Agriculture Over?

2025/09/10

Send us a text This week Smoke and Aly are diving into a mix of trucking life, ag seasonality, and some good old-fashioned storytelling. We chat about whether the days of handshake deals are behind us, swap stories from Smoke’s time in the truck (including 5 Hour Energy, CB radios, CDs, and stacks of DVDs), and share some ideas for Truck Driver Appreciation Week. We also break down why fall is the busiest season for ranchers, farmers, and truckers, plus give a little update on wedding planning. Thanks for tuning in and engaging with the show. It means the world! Don’t forget to leave us a review and share this episode with a friend. Links & Mentions: Railsback Polishing Bay Triple H Truck Wash Randy's Diesel Beef Hub App (use code RURAL at checkout!) Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up. ➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play Beef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Podcast reviews

Read The Rural Dispatch podcast reviews

5 out of 5

39 reviews

★★★★★

djhaag24 2025/10/17

One of, if not my favorite podcasts!

The candid, yet at times brutally honest conversations are what I love about this podcast! From the old timers to the up and comers the mix of people ...

★★★★★

rambo 5001 2025/06/05

Favorite podcast

This hits so close to home. Growing up in the 70s/80s on a ranch in SE Kansas. You did what you had to do to get the job done.

★★★★★

Meganne1115 2025/05/01

Love

So I really enjoy this podcast. With having the love for agriculture, this is really intriguing to me. I have always loved cattle and would like to gr...

★★★★★

Sparky 1966 2025/04/15

The Rural Dispatch

Great down to earth stories from the hard working world !! New episodes on Wednesday is the best part of my day 😎

★★★★★

Trav Red 2025/03/29

Review

Great podcast about rural iowa life!! Travis Redfern

★★★★★

Lindsay Gehling 2025/03/29

This podcast is great!

My husband and I are big podcast people! This has been such a fun one to add to our list—-we always look forward to a new episode!!

★★★★★

Emily Drees 2025/03/20

Good listen

Makes me laugh and also learning while I listen!

★★★★★

Tasha Warnke 2025/03/18

Great podcast!

I have followed along with the rural podcast since its first launch and I can honestly say listening to Aly and her guest has kept me rushing to the n...

★★★★★

Kyle Kass 2025/03/13

Must listen podcast

Very captivating, and very insightful. As someone who has been involved in agriculture my whole life, and trucking since 2001, I could listen to the p...

check all reviews on apple podcasts