Podcast Summary: Ranch It Up Radio Show & Podcast

Episode: Cattle Handling Practices Protecting People and Livestock & Commercial Heifer Marketing
Hosts: Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt & Rebecca “BEC” Wanner
Date: February 8, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tigger and BEC dive into two key areas of the cattle industry:

1. Low-Stress Cattle Handling Practices: A deep-dive discussion with Dr. Tom Noffsinger (Production Animal Consultation) explores safe, effective, and natural stockmanship techniques that enhance both handler safety and animal welfare.
2. Commercial Heifer Marketing: Chris Wasum (Wasum Red Angus) joins to discuss the rising demand for high-quality commercial heifers, and how genomics and performance data are shaping buying and selling decisions.

The episode delivers actionable tips, scientific insights, and "real ranch" perspectives tailored to both small operations and large-scale professionals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Low-Stress Cattle Handling & Stockmanship

[00:00–16:22]

The Goals and Philosophy

• Observation is Key: Dr. Tom emphasizes that developing "powers of observation" changes expectations and outcomes.

  "If we see animals exhibiting behavior that’s not positive for health and performance, then have the confidence as a handler, as a caregiver, you can improve that performance." (Dr. Tom, 02:28)

• The goal is to make cattle comfortable, healthy, and willing to move with exuberance, not just compliance.

Training Cattle to Pen & Feed

• Active Introduction: Handlers should lead new animals to their home pen, not just follow behind or leave them to find their way.

  "We would never, never let new cattle go to their home pen without some qualified handler 'leading' the cattle." (03:45)

• Being at the front—on horseback if necessary—establishes a positive association: handler = guidance, food, comfort.

• Preparation is essential:

  "Taking cattle to a new pen that has an empty feed bunk, it should be against the law." (Dr. Tom, 05:29)

  • Prepare with fresh hay, clean water, and clean bedding before animals enter.
  • Dr. Tom likens it to a "five-star resort" approach:

    "If you checked into the Hilton... and there wasn’t any sheets on the bed... you would think, hmm, these people aren’t very excited about me being here." (05:53)

• The short-term investment in preparation leads to healthier, more relaxed, and productive cattle.

Handling Positioning & Animal Perception

• Handler Placement: The best position for influencing cattle movement is right in front of their eye.

  "The most effective handler position is where the animal most easily can get a full view of us. Right in front of the eye." (Dr. Tom, 09:39)

• Move from the front, get slight movement, then shift to the left—most cattle are more comfortable with handlers there.
• Avoid pulling an animal’s head around; instead, maintain the animal’s straightness and balance.
• Neurobiology matters: cattle process visual stimuli on the left and right sides differently, similar to horses (11:18).
• Handlers should approach from both sides over time, training animals to be confident with people on either side.

Facility Design and Movement Flow

• Leading into Tubs/Alleys: Even for stressful tasks (like moving into a tub or squeeze chute), cattle can be led positively.

• Visibility matters:

  "If we’ve got these big tall tubs that are solid sheeted... it’d be like driving your pickup into a barricade on the interstate. Why would you go there?" (Dr. Tom, 13:44)

• Start by letting just one or two cattle go by, then others will follow—lead, don’t push.

• The instinct to return to a familiar area is recent and can be used to gently guide sorting and movement (15:23).

Memorable Moment

• Dr. Tom’s "five-star resort" analogy for animal comfort, and the insistence on full preparation before cattle enter a new pen, stands out as a powerful visual and practical tip.

• Dr. Tom also notes:

  "Try never ever to pull a cow’s nose around." (10:45)

  A simple but vital rule for stress-free handling.

2. Commercial Heifer Marketing and Genetic Value

[18:21–22:07]

Demand for Quality Commercial Heifers

• Chris Wasum shares how offering groups of commercial heifers at sales is increasingly important.
• Buyers see these heifers as a direct representation of the genetics and performance offered by the seed stock provider.
• Rising demand and tighter supplies have made these females highly sought after and valuable.

"It's fairly important. I think it gives people an understanding on what the potential of buying one of our herd bulls can do for your operation." (Chris Wasum, 19:14)

Investment, Not Just a Purchase

• Tigger:

  "...it’s an investment into your herd and into the future." (20:11)

• Chris:

  "If we can place a good cow on the place and keep that cow in the herd for, you know, say 10, 12 years—yeah, she’s going to make you money over the long run. And... buy something, you know what it is, where it came from, you know it's going to perform..." (20:45)

The Role of Genomic Testing

• Genomic tests boost the accuracy of genetic predictions (EPDs) for both bulls and heifers.
• Some commercial buyers use DNA tools like Igenity to select and cull replacement females, making for more data-driven decision-making.

"It gives us an advantage. It increases our accuracy of our EPDs...it’s almost like they had a set of calves on the ground already..." (Chris Wasum, 21:15)

Sale Details

• Upcoming Wasum Red Angus sale: February 19 in Richerton, ND — 70 Red Angus bulls and 130 open commercial Red Angus heifers available, with online bidding via DV Auction.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Cattle Acclimation:

  "Once they associate you with guidance and confidence and feed and water and rest, you’re a hero tool."
  — Dr. Tom, 04:27

• On Preparation:

  "Prepare, prepare. There’s many, many a homecoming... It’s really important to create a five-star resort."
  — Dr. Tom, 05:29

• On Handler Placement:

  "The most effective handler position is where the animal most easily can get a full view of us—right in front of the eye."
  — Dr. Tom, 09:39

• On Genomic Testing:

  "It increases our accuracy of our EPDs. For one, like the bulls that we're selling in our sale, it's almost like they had a set of calves on the ground already..."
  — Chris Wasum, 21:15

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00–07:10] — Introduction & cattle handling philosophy
• [03:37–06:51] — Acclimating new cattle, “five-star resort” prepping
• [08:37–16:22] — Handling position, animal vision/neurobiology, facility flow
• [18:21–22:07] — Heifer marketing, genomic value, sale details

Additional Content Highlights

• Breed & Sale Announcements: Updates on Simmental, Galvie, Red Angus, and other breed sales, including sale schedules and calendar (24:07–25:18).
• Ranch Record-Keeping Tip: Introduction to CattleMax digital record organizer (22:38–23:55).

Conclusion

This episode delivers a masterclass in cattle handling best practices—with Dr. Tom’s science-based, low-stress philosophies—and provides a practical market outlook on the boom in commercial heifer demand, paired with actionable insights on the use of genomic data in herd management. It's a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their ranch’s animal welfare and long-term profitability.

Stay ranchy and “ranch it up”—Tigger & BEC