Advertise on podcast: The Rural Dispatch

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! It's been WET around here. The rain has been relentless, and this week we’re talking about what it looks like when too much rain hits our little circle of rural America — flooded basements, trucks stuck in the mud, cancelled shipments and harvest getting pushed back. And because this is The Rural Dispatch, the conversation takes a few detours along the way. As always, it’s a little bit of agriculture, a little bit of trucking and a whole lot of real talk. Here are the links to everything you need from this episode ⬇️ Life Changing Lime Packets RanchWear Club Running a trucking, cattle, farming, or other rural business? Ambrook makes it easier to manage accounting, payments, receipts, invoices, and cash flow all in one place. Track different parts of your operation separately while keeping your books together. Start your 30-day free trial at ambrook.com/ruraldispatch. 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.Ambrook - Built for Rural BusinessKeep trucking, cattle, farming, & more organized with Ambrook. Start your 30-day free trial today.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!

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! Sometimes the biggest changes start with simply deciding it’s time to do something different. This week, Smoke and Aly are joined by repeat guest Paul Radloff, owner of PAR Repair Inc. and the new owner of Wagner Trailer Sales, along with Chad Evers of PAR Repair. Paul talks about moving on from Agar Transportation and making the jump to Wagner Trailer Sales, while Chad shares how he went from onion farming to dispatching trucks to working in the repair business. They get into what it actually takes to build a new shop, the day-to-day ins and outs of operating one, and the lessons that come with building something from the ground up. The conversation also takes a more personal turn as Paul talks about how stepping away from dispatching trucks has impacted his health, and Chad opens up about his own health journey after recently losing 105 pounds in just four months — with more still to go. New businesses, new chapters, hard work and making changes when something isn’t working anymore. It’s a conversation about building a life and a business that works better for you. Follow along with PAR Repair and Wagner Trailer Sales for updates on their new shop and what’s coming next. Running a trucking, cattle, farming, or other rural business? Ambrook makes it easier to manage accounting, payments, receipts, invoices, and cash flow all in one place. Track different parts of your operation separately while keeping your books together. Start your 30-day free trial at ambrook.com/ruraldispatch. 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!

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! The cattle industry is facing plenty of uncertainty — from recent packing plant closures and volatile markets to the challenges of keeping the next generation on the farm. In this episode Aly and Smoke sit down with Will Epperly for a wide-ranging conversation about the current state of the cattle business and what it takes to keep raising livestock in an increasingly complicated world. They talk about the impact of recent plant closures on cattle markets, how cattlemen are managing risk, and whether consumers can expect beef prices to come down. Will also shares his perspective on the challenges independent producers face and why cattlemen can sometimes become an easy target when markets and politics collide. The conversation goes beyond the markets, and touches on the difficult reality of keeping the next generation involved in agriculture. They talk about raising kids around livestock and the commitment required to keep a livestock operation going — even when life, travel, or Mother Nature gets in the way. Plus, they touch on Livestock Marketing Association's Common Ground Coalition initiatives, and just how much cattlemen truly care about the animals and lifestyle they’ve built their lives around. Will also shares about his dad’s upcoming herd dispersal at Dunlap Livestock Auction on September 16, 2026. In this episode: The current state of the cattle industryHow recent packing plant closures are affecting cattle marketsManaging risk in an uncertain marketWill consumers see beef prices come down?Inheritance taxes and keeping the next generation on the farmAccess to land for the next generation of ranchersThe never-ending fight against Mother NatureThe commitment required to keep a livestock operation goingRaising kids around cattle and livestockThe World Auctioneer ContestLMA and Common Ground Coalition initiativesThe challenges facing independent cattle producersEpperly Dispersal SaleWhy cattlemen care so deeply about their livestock and lifestyleWork, family and travelRunning a trucking, cattle, farming, or other rural business? Ambrook makes it easier to manage accounting, payments, receipts, invoices, and cash flow all in one place. Track different parts of your operation separately while keeping your books together. Start your 30-day free trial at ambrook.com/ruraldispatch. 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!

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! What can the Greiners teach us about building a successful business, raising a family, prioritizing wellness, and navigating everything in between? Matt and Ashley Greiner join us for a wide-ranging conversation about the lessons they’ve learned while building businesses, working alongside family, raising a family of their own, and making time for personal wellness. Between Greiner Buildings, real estate development, property management, a software startup, Life Styled By Us, and Ashley’s career as an ARNP while also pursuing her Doctorate, the Greiners have learned a thing or two about balancing a lot of moving parts. We talk about recognizing opportunities for change, making tough decisions, building an A+ team, and knowing when it’s time to take a different approach. We also get into the personal side of the equation — from balancing work and family to making wellness a priority and the role faith plays in their decisions. Matt and Ashley share plenty of practical advice, hard-earned lessons, and words of wisdom from their own experiences. It’s a candid conversation about business, family, wellness, faith and the many twists and turns that come with building a life and a business along the way. Follow Greiner Buildings | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | TikTok Follow Life Styled By Us | Facebook | Instagram Running a trucking, cattle, farming, or other rural business? Ambrook makes it easier to manage accounting, payments, receipts, invoices, and cash flow all in one place. Track different parts of your operation separately while keeping your books together. Start your 30-day free trial at ambrook.com/ruraldispatch. 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!

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! Cool trucks, cooler job, and one hell of a work ethic. Dive into how Joe Eldridge turned his passion for trucks, truck shows and connecting with people into a career shaped just for him.  Joe sits down with co-hosts Aly Behrens and Mark Toms to share his journey in the trucking industry, his role at Southern Transport, and how his position has evolved from "just" driving truck into a custom role focused on social relations and promoting the company and industry he loves. We also talk about Southern Transport's operation, how the nickname 'Truck Show Joe' came to be, and a few tips and tricks from the truck show expert. Follow Joe: Truck Show Joe Official: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook | Linktree  Running a trucking, cattle, farming, or other rural business? Ambrook makes it easier to manage accounting, payments, receipts, invoices, and cash flow all in one place. Track different parts of your operation separately while keeping your books together. Start your 30-day free trial at ambrook.com/ruraldispatch. 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!

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! This is one fun episode you won't want to miss! Aly, Smoke and Mark sit down with Emily Bonham, better known throughout the trucking industry as Chrome Girl, to talk all things chrome, trucking and life.  Emily shares the story behind how the name Chrome Girl became her personal brand, the journey that led her into the trucking industry, and her current role at Road Works. Along the way, she talks about meeting her husband, the opportunities that have shaped her career, and the lessons she's learned both personally and professionally.  Join us for a fun, authentic conversation filled with stories, laughs, and practical advice on building meaningful relationships, embracing new opportunities, and creating a fulfilling life and career.  Running a trucking, cattle, farming, or other rural business? Ambrook makes it easier to manage accounting, payments, receipts, invoices, and cash flow all in one place. Track different parts of your operation separately while keeping your books together. Start your 30-day free trial at ambrook.com/ruraldispatch. 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!

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! This week Aly & Smoke catch you up on what's been happening around Behrens & Co.  We kick off this episode with a trip down memory lane, sharing some insights to how Smoke got here, including the Show Pony (could pass as a show truck) and White Lightning (definitely not a show truck).  From there, we shift into what's happening in our businesses across the livestock industry. We discuss how trucking has been so far this summer, how Smoke is keeping trucks moving despite recent and upcoming packing plant closures, and what those changes mean for livestock transportation and livestock producers alike.  We also touch on video sale season, sharing what we're seeing in feeder cattle numbers, today's prices, and our two cents on buying cattle in this market. We wrap things up with recent mishaps we've had selling cattle.  Whether you're hauling livestock, buying cattle, feeding cattle, or just trying to keep up with what's happening in rural America, we hope you enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at life in our businesses. As always, not every day can be a good one, but there's never a shortage of stories. Thanks for tuning in.  Running a trucking, cattle, farming, or other rural business? Ambrook makes it easier to manage accounting, payments, receipts, invoices, and cash flow all in one place. Track different parts of your operation separately while keeping your books together. Start your 30-day free trial at ambrook.com/ruraldispatch. 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!

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! Some people restore trucks. Others build them from scratch. Danny Prevost does something entirely different. This week Aly and Mark sit down with Danny Prevost, owner of Frosty Frog Custom, whose one-of-a-kind creations have earned attention across the trucking industry. From fully functional refrigerators built to look like semi trucks to custom mailboxes, go-karts, tractors, cars, and other handcrafted pieces, Danny has found a way to turn steel, imagination, and countless hours in the shop into functioning works of art. Originally from Quebec and now based in Texas, Danny shares how his journey led him from Canada to the Lone Star State, how Frosty Frog Custom got its start, and why every project is a chance to push the limits of creativity. Whether you’re a truck enthusiast, appreciate skilled craftsmanship, or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind people who build extraordinary things, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Follow Frosty Frog Custom on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok to see what he creates next! Running a trucking, cattle, farming, or other rural business? Ambrook makes it easier to manage accounting, payments, receipts, invoices, and cash flow all in one place. Track different parts of your operation separately while keeping your books together. Start your 30-day free trial at ambrook.com/ruraldispatch. 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!

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! Lifetime Lugnut Covers has been a family business since 1990, built on an idea and the sheer will to find a lasting solution. In this episode, Chelcee Schleuger shares the story behind the company, how her husband JR carried on the family business after purchasing it from his dad, and the legacy he left behind following his battle with cancer.  Tune in for an honest conversation about purpose, perseverance, and the people who leave a lasting impact.  Be sure to check out No Coast Large Cars Truck Show September 5th & 6th, 2026. Running a trucking, cattle, farming, or other rural business? Ambrook makes it easier to manage accounting, payments, receipts, invoices, and cash flow all in one place. Track different parts of your operation separately while keeping your books together. Start your 30-day free trial at ambrook.com/ruraldispatch. 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!

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! This week on The Rural Dispatch, Smoke and Aly talk all things beef, trucking, and life lately.  Tune in to hear what's been keeping us busy, the rumors we've been hearing, and plenty of our opinions along the way.  Since May is Beef Month, we get into our favorite cuts of beef, a conversation around the beef supply chain, and why it's far more complex than most people might realize.  On the trucking side, we discuss proposed legislation to increase federal interstate weight limits for the first time in decades - and what changes like this could mean for agriculture moving forward.  Running a trucking, cattle, farming, or other rural business? Ambrook makes it easier to manage accounting, payments, receipts, invoices, and cash flow all in one place. Track different parts of your operation separately while keeping your books together. Start your 30-day free trial at ambrook.com/ruraldispatch. 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!

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! Family farms are the backbone of rural America, but the reality isn't always what it seems from the outside. In this episode, Brian Reisinger unpacks what's really happening across American agriculture and why it matters far beyond the farm.  Brian grew up on his family's farm in Wisconsin before stepping into a career in journalism and public policy, giving him a dual perspective on farming firsthand and the systems shaping today's ag economy.  We talk through the deeper history behind the pressures facing family farms, what's changed through generations, and why many producers today are operating in an entirely different environment than those before them.  We dig into what's at stake for every American, from food security to long-term stability of our supply chain if current trends continue. At the same time, we highlight the resilience of farm families that keeps them moving forward even when times are tough.  Perhaps most importantly, we have an honest conversation about mental health in our rural communities - why it matters, why it's often overlooked, and what resources are out there.  Finally, we talk solutions. What can YOU do, whether you're a farmer, consumer, or ag professional, to support the future of family farms.  Whether you're involved in agriculture or simply want to better understand the system that feeds this country, this episode delivers a clear picture of what's really going on.  Links & Resources Land Rich Cash Poor *affiliate link Farmer Angel Network National Farmer Mental Health Alliance Follow Brian: Website | Facebook | X | LinkedIn Running a trucking, cattle, farming, or other rural business? Ambrook makes it easier to manage accounting, payments, receipts, invoices, and cash flow all in one place. Track different parts of your operation separately while keeping your books together. Start your 30-day free trial at ambrook.com/ruraldispatch. 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!

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! In this milestone 50th episode of The Rural Dispatch, Smoke and Aly sit down for a real time conversation about what's happening across cattle country right now. From baby calves to fat cattle, they let you know what they're seeing and how they're navigating things. The trucking side brings its own challenges, and Smoke is letting you know what's causing him the most stress right now.  Take a look back at some of the episodes that stand out the most out of the last 50, and don't forget to share your favorites with someone else who might enjoy the stories that have been told over the past year.  Tune in for honest conversations from rural America, as always. Thanks for being here.  Running a trucking, cattle, farming, or other rural business? Ambrook makes it easier to manage accounting, payments, receipts, invoices, and cash flow all in one place. Track different parts of your operation separately while keeping your books together. Start your 30-day free trial at ambrook.com/ruraldispatch. 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!

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! In this episode, JR Joy shares about the setbacks, lessons, and resilience it takes to keep going when you get knocked down. We talk about overcoming adversity, finding purpose after a life-changing accident, polishing your craft, and why giving back to those navigating difficult times has become such an important part of his life.  Learn how the Life Rolls On truck show got started and mark your calendars to join us there in June 🚛 LIFE ROLLS ON TRUCK SHOW at the Tyson Events Center June 19-20, 2026 in Sioux City, Iowa. It's just $50 to enter a truck, spectators are FREE, and all proceeds support the children and families at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals of Nebraska.  Want to record an episode at the show? Shoot us an email at [email protected] to get on our schedule!  Follow Para Polishing on Facebook and TikTok Follow Life Rolls On, a Show for the Kids on Facebook Running a trucking, cattle, farming, or other rural business? Ambrook makes it easier to manage accounting, payments, receipts, invoices, and cash flow all in one place. Track different parts of your operation separately while keeping your books together. Start your 30-day free trial at ambrook.com/ruraldispatch. 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!

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! This week Aly sits down with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig for a conversation that breaks down what's really happening in Iowa agriculture. We talk about his personal ties to agriculture and the programs his office oversees - from Choose Iowa, to conservation efforts, and Farm Bill priorities, and what he sees as the biggest wins and challenges in Iowa ag today.  With Iowa Ag Week in full swing, we talk all about what it is, why we celebrate, and how everyone can get involved. Mike also explains what he wishes more people understood about agriculture, how he views the future of the industry including his advice for keeping the next generation engaged in farming and rural life, and how the America250 celebration ties into agriculture's story. Our conversation closes with thoughts on community and the importance of addressing mental health in the ag industry. This episode offers a clear, relatable look at the issues shaping modern agriculture in Iowa.  Follow on X | @IADeptAg @MikeNaigIA @ChooseIowa Follow on Facebook | @IADeptAg @MikeNaigIA @ChooseIowa Running a trucking, cattle, farming, or other rural business? Ambrook makes it easier to manage accounting, payments, receipts, invoices, and cash flow all in one place. Track different parts of your operation separately while keeping your books together. Start your 30-day free trial at ambrook.com/ruraldispatch. 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!

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! If you've ever wondered what bull haulers talk about when the truck is parked... this one's for you.  In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, Rob Budzik, Jacob Magner, and Cauy Brotherson swap stories, share lessons from the road, and tell all about how they got their start hauling livestock.  Running a trucking, cattle, farming, or other rural business? Ambrook makes it easier to manage accounting, payments, receipts, invoices, and cash flow all in one place. Track different parts of your operation separately while keeping your books together. Start your 30-day free trial at ambrook.com/ruraldispatch. 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!