Ranch It Up Radio Show & Podcast
Episode: Beef From Argentina Reactions & Partner Seedstock Suppliers
Hosts: Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt & Rebecca “BEC” Wanner
Date: February 15, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode explores two major themes impacting the working ranch community:
- Reactions from U.S. ranching organizations and producers to increased imports of Argentine beef and its implications for the U.S. beef market.
- An in-depth look at a successful seedstock partnership between South Dakota’s Schnabel Ranch Simmentals and Lazy J Bar Ranch, focusing on practical approaches to genetics, bull development, and customer service.
The hosts, Tigger and BEC, provide news, interviews, and marketplace updates, delivering valuable insights for ranchers, cattle producers, and anyone interested in the Western way of life.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. U.S. Expands Argentine Beef Imports: Producer Reactions
Segment Start: 00:41
- Context: President Trump’s new proclamation allows an additional 80,000 metric tons of Argentine beef trimmings to be imported in 2026, with the aim of lowering U.S. ground beef prices.
- U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) Response:
- President Justin Tupper voices concerns about domestic industry impact, stressing the need for strong origin and product limitations to protect U.S. producers.
- Quote
“Any trade agreement must be structured in a way that does not undermine US cattle producers' ability to compete and does not compromise the integrity of our supply.” — Justin Tupper (03:00) - USCA emphasizes safeguarding against this import increase becoming a standard practice, due to tight cattle inventories in both the U.S. and Argentina.
- R CALF USA Perspective:
- Skepticism about the promise that increased imports will decrease consumer beef prices, citing past examples where imports rose, U.S. herds shrank, and prices increased.
- Quote
“In practice, however, consumer beef prices were not reduced by increased supplies of imported beef… Instead, increased quantities of imports correlated with the shrinking of the U.S. cattle herd… and higher consumer beef prices.” — R CALF USA statement (04:17)
- Recommendation: For more, listeners are directed to the full press releases on the Ranch It Up website.
2. Seedstock Partnership That Works: Schnabel Ranch Simmentals & Lazy J Bar Ranch
Segment Start: 07:10
How the Partnership Functions
- Breeds Involved: Simmental, SimAngus (Schnabel Ranch), and Red Angus (Lazy J Bar).
- Both ranches align on prioritizing strong maternal traits and producing functional cattle that thrive in real-world ranch conditions.
- Quote
"Everything's based on a very strong maternal...on both sides, and functional cattle that are gonna just do it on their own and be able to work for everybody." — Tom Schnabel (07:18)
- Quote
- Customers often purchase both breeds for crossbreeding advantages.
Bull Development & Delivery
- Early sale timing: Bulls are calved later, requiring a slower, more careful development so they're healthy, sound, and long-lived.
- Both ranches hold bulls after sales until later spring, ensuring bulls are hardened, properly fed, and delivered with minimal stress to customers.
- Quote
"We've just made sure that those are the last ones we get bulls delivered to because we know that it's going to be more beneficial to us to keep them bulls and keep them going on a level plane of nutrition." — John Jung (09:39)
Customer-Oriented Service
- Many customers prefer that the ranches care for their bulls until shortly before pasture turnout, as they are busy with calving and don't want extra chores.
- Quote
"They don't want them even until, you know, maybe a week before turnout...they would just assume that they stay here and pay a small feed bill and have the hassle of dealing with them every day." — Tom Schnabel (10:13)
- Quote
Emphasis on Genetic Data & Genomics
- Both outfits have fully adopted DNA testing and genomics, stating it's now a necessity rather than a luxury.
- Red Angus and Simmental herds are DNA tested; all calves, steers, and heifers undergo genomics to enhance the accuracy of EPDs (Expected Progeny Differences).
- Quote
"We've utilized data and DNA on the Red Angus side several years and...have used DNA for several years. 2012 is when we started implementing everything being DNA’d. As you said, it's not only something else to do, it's a necessity and a tool anymore..." — John Jung (11:37)
- The goal is to give customers clearer, more accurate pedigree and performance predictions—a crucial edge for choosing calving ease, growth, and maternal traits.
- Enhanced EPDs: Both operators stress that enhanced (genomic) EPDs mean greater confidence—not artificially higher numbers.
- Quote
"When we say enhanced EPD, that doesn't mean that we're jacking up the weaning weight or something like that. We're talking about enhancing the accuracy..." — Tigger (13:54)
- Quote
- Schnabel adds a unique badge system (“G plus,” “ATM,” “Ace Bull”) so customers can more easily shop for their breeding goals.
Soundness & Sale Logistics
- Bulls are guaranteed for breeding soundness, semen tested, and vaccinated before delivery.
- Quote
"We'll get them all semen tested, get all the pre breeding shots in them ready to go and so that...when the guys are ready for them...we can get them delivered whenever they're ready and get it coordinated." — Tom Schnabel (16:03)
- Quote
Upcoming Sale Details
- Sale Date: Saturday, February 21st at Hub City Livestock, Aberdeen, SD
- Offering: 85 Simmental & SimAngus bulls, 40 Red Angus bulls, 10 open Red Angus & Simmental heifers
- Info and catalogs: ranchchannel.com
- "Bid and buy with confidence." — Tigger (15:54)
3. Market Update with Kirk Donsbach (Stonex Financial)
Segment Start: 19:11
- Summary of Weekly Markets:
- March feeder futures up $8, closing at $367.82
- Live cattle prices steady to higher; choice boxes up at $369.33
- Packer margins remain negative
- Weekly slaughter slightly up, but still well below last year’s pace
- Dressed weights are up, but overall production down 9.7% from last year
- Corn futures edge higher but remain capped below $4.37—bearish undertone
4. Ranch Tech & Organization Tip
Segment Start: 20:35
- Featured interview with Shea Warner (Casual Cattle Conversations Podcast) & Miller from CattleMax on tools for organizing cattle records, especially end-of-year reports for accountants.
- Quote
"CattleMax generates a PDF or spreadsheet that has exactly what you said...All the animals we purchased this year, what was our death loss?...All of that information is put together in a packet that's very easy to share with the accountant, so it saves the rancher time and money." — Miller (21:20)
- Quote
5. Sales Calendar Roundup
Segment Start: 21:52
- Comprehensive listing of upcoming bull and heifer sales across the U.S., with key highlights on Red Angus, Simmental, Charolais, Angus, and Beefmasters.
- Complete details, catalogs, and bidding info at ranchchannel.com.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Imports & Policy:
“A safe, secure and resilient beef supply starts with a strong domestic industry.” — Justin Tupper (03:00) - On Seedstock Customer Service:
"We've kind of come to know our customers so we know which ones we can deliver right away and which ones we're just going to kind of hang on to." — John Jung (09:39) - On Genomics & EPDs:
"It just takes so much guesswork out. You know, if you're looking for calving ease and you want to just sleep all night...find one with an ace badge on it." — Tom Schnabel (15:22) - On Bull Calving Ease:
"We breed heifers to an ace bull and I mean...the calves are running halfway out of the cow before they're even on the ground." — Tom Schnabel (15:22) - Host Humor:
"They just poop them little suckers right out, don't they?" — Tigger (15:46)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:41 — News: Argentine Beef Imports & Organizational Reactions
- 07:10 — Seedstock Partnership Feature: Schnabel Ranch & Lazy J Bar
- 11:37 — Deep Dive: Genetics, Data & Customer Value
- 15:22 — Ensuring Calving Ease: Practical Genomics Insights
- 16:35 — Right Choice Production Sale Details
- 19:11 — Market Recap with Kirk Donsbach
- 20:35 — Cattle Record-Keeping Tools Interview
- 21:52 — U.S. Ranch Sale Calendar & Event Highlights
Style & Tone
The episode is practical, conversational, and occasionally light-hearted, but always educational and producer-focused. The hosts and guests use straightforward ranching language and humor, keeping the show approachable and valuable for real-world listeners.
Summary prepared for those seeking a comprehensive overview of the issues and best practices discussed in this episode of Ranch It Up. For full show notes and resources, visit ranchitupshow.com or ranchchannel.com.