In the latest episode of The Shorthorn Bull Pen, host Montie Soules sits down with Kevin Biffert and Sam Fisher from 701x to explore the future of ranching through innovative technology. 701x is pioneering autonomous ranching with smart ear tags, designed to simplify herd management and provide cattle producers with real-time data. Kevin and Sam dive into the ways these tags are transforming livestock management, the benefits they bring to ranchers and the game-changing potential this technology holds for the industry.

The discussion with Dr. Bob Weaber continues as he and host Montie Soules dive into the whirlwind of evolutions in genomics. See what’s in store for genetic evaluations in the face of technologies like artificial intelligence and low-pass sequencing data, and how these revolutions pave the way for seedstock and commercial producers to make exponential progress. He also shares his vision for using digital labor to gather phenotypic data, and how it can help the next generation stay in business.

No stone is left unturned in this two-part episode featuring Kansas State University Research and Extension’s Dr. Bob Weaber. “We are now at a spot in genomics technology where if you’re a seedstock producer and you’re not using it you’re going to get left way behind in terms of genetic merit and genetic progress,” he shares. Tune in to learn about what he calls “minding the gap” in forming your genetic destiny.

In this special episode of the Shorthorn Bull Pen, guest Jackie McClaskey, President and CEO of the American Royal, unveils plans for the organization's monumental move to a new facility coinciding with its 125th anniversary. McClaskey discusses the significance of this transition in furthering the American Royal's mission of education and preserving consumer confidence in agriculture, including innovative connections between the stock show and the iconic American Royal World Series of BBQ series.

Dive into the world of the beef supply pipeline with special guest Clint Walenciak, Vice President of Product Services at Certified Angus Beef®. Clint challenges conventional supply wisdom with a simple question: “Is there demand for Select product and the characteristics that brings? Or is there demand for a price point?”

Sit down with Clint and host Montie Soules as they explore this topic, highlighting the importance of ensuring high-priced products deliver on consumer expectations and what it takes to meet those demands.

Join host Montie Soules as he visits with Dr. Troy Rowan of the University of Tennessee. Considered the new kid on the block for beef cattle genetics, UT is quickly transforming into a hub for industry research under Troy’s leadership. His research is bringing together phenotypic and genomic forms of “big data” to understand the genetics behind economically relevant traits. Find out what’s new in Knoxville in this latest episode of the Shorthorn Bull Pen!

Are you ready for the Summer Symposium? Just a few months away, this can’t-miss event is filled with insights to prepare for future industry trends. In this episode of the Shorthorn Bull Pen, host Montie Soules visits with a couple friends who share our excitement — Chip Kemp from the American Simmental Association and Jay Carlson of Carlson Media Group. Tune in as they highlight the expansive itinerary, including a tour and tasting at a bourbon distillery, a visit to a Thoroughbred breeding farm and a tour of Boyd Beef Cattle.

Join the American Shorthorn Association in Lexington, Kentucky, for the first ever Summer Symposium, July 18-20, 2024. Register and learn more at https://shorthorn.org/symposium-by-asa/. See you in the Bluegrass State!

Join us for a lively discussion with your 2023 American Shorthorn Association President Toby Jordan. A fifth-generation Shorthorn breeder from Indiana, Toby brings his family's commitment to pride and fun to his leadership on the Board of Directors. An example of his initiative is the upcoming Summer Symposium, a producer-focused, no-bull event boasting top geneticists, agronomists, marketers and many more. Tune in for Toby’s perspective about what’s in store for the Symposium — and the promising future of the Shorthorn breed. Listen next week for a Special Edition of the Bull Pen featuring more details about the Summer Symposium.