Ranch It Up Radio Show & Podcast

Episode: Dry Creek Ranch, Agridime Update & Cattle Industry News
Hosts: Jeff "Tigger" Erhardt & Rebecca "BEC" Wanner
Date: February 22, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the realities of ranching in modern America, focusing on critical cattle industry updates, the ongoing beef market surge, an alleged fraud at Agridime, and a compelling breeder spotlight on Dry Creek Ranch in North Dakota. Hosts Tigger & BEC deliver an information-packed program that blends market expertise, rural community issues, and firsthand stories from western ranch life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Beef Market Update & Industry Trends

[00:47–03:37]

• Beef Prices on a Historic Rise

  • Beef and veal prices rose 15% over the past year; ground beef hit a record high, far outpacing chicken (+1%) and milk (flat).
  • The U.S. cattle herd is at its smallest since the early 1950s, driven by drought, higher costs, and high interest rates.
  • Even large packers like Tyson report losses; President Trump expanded Argentine beef import quotas to increase supply.
  • Industry experts warn the downturn is long and recovery will be slow—any herd rebuilding wouldn't affect shelves until at least 2028.
  • Quote (Rebecca “BEC” Wanner):
    “Right now, ranchers can make more money selling animals young for slaughter than keeping them to rebuild herds... meaning beef prices could stay high for years.” [02:11]

• Agridime Fraud Allegations

  • Five individuals indicted in an alleged $220M fraud scheme—accused of misrepresenting cattle purchases and using funds for personal expenses.
  • Listeners advised to see show notes for specific charge details.
  • Quote (BEC):
    “The indictment alleges... victim funds were not used as promised and instead used newer cattle purchaser funds to pay Agridime operating expenses... personal expenses, and purchase real property.” [03:01]

2. Livestock Sales Updates

[03:37–07:26]
A rundown of upcoming bull and horse sales:

• Chestnut Angus, EF1 Cattle Co., Grund Beef Genetics offering variety of bulls (Angus, Hereford, Galvie, Balancer, Red Angus, Sim Angus).
• Alabama Select Horse Sale is accepting consignments.
• Practical tip: Register for online sales in advance, as platforms require setup at least 24 hours prior.

3. Breeder Spotlight: Dry Creek Ranch – Interview with Haley Robison

[10:08–19:35]

Meet the "Boss Lady" – Haley Robison

• Haley shares her journey from growing up on her dad’s commercial Red Angus ranch to now running Dry Creek Ranch’s seedstock operation with husband Max.

• Haley's Expertise and Passion

  • Haley knows every bloodline, weight, and note by heart.
  • Her path started with three gifted heifers, evolved through buying open replacements and registered cows, and blossomed into a focus on registered Red Angus seedstock.
  • Quote (Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt):
    “You knew every bloodline of every bull. You didn't have to look at your catalog... It was really impressive.” [10:03]
  • Quote (Haley Robison):
    “I can go out to the pasture and probably spot any cow from a long ways away and I could tell you who she is and probably who she's out of. ...it's just something that I enjoy doing.” [10:45]

• Shifting to Registered Cattle

  • Initially ran a commercial operation; shifted focus to registered for greater profitability and to match personal interests in genetics.
  • Max, initially more hesitant, now fully invested—defers to Haley for all cow/calf identification.
  • Quote (Haley):
    “We could hopefully make more money selling bulls than we would selling steer calves. ...with the resources we had and the amount of cows... we could just be more profitable with our registered stuff." [13:56]

• Cow Herd Selection & Management Philosophy

  • Goal: Moderate, easy-fleshing, feed-efficient cows (avoid 1500 lb. size).
  • Selection is ongoing and adaptive; use strategic matings, focus on foundation females, and leverage Embryo Transfer (ET) to rapidly scale desirable genetics.
  • Cows managed under commercial conditions: graze corn stalks through winter, minimal “pampering,” emphasizing genetic hardiness.
  • Quote (Haley):
    “We run our cows... out on summer grass... in the fall, we've got some fall grazing, we've got some corn stalks that we graze over the winter.... They've got to be able to maintain condition out on those corn stalks.” [16:59]
  • Quote (Tigger):
    “Your cows have to not just survive, but they have to thrive off of very little groceries.” [16:42]

• Aspirations & Ranch Growth

  • Utilizing ET to retain and multiply top females quickly.
  • Selling 21 bulls this year; aiming to exceed 30 next year and eventually hold full production sales.
  • Current sales via private treaty and a new “cowboy style” auction at their open house.
  • Quote (Haley):
    “The goal is to push so we can be big enough to have that production sale.” [19:26]

4. Markets & Cattle Price Analysis with Kirk Donsbach

[21:40–24:16]

• Feeder and Live Cattle Markets:

  • March feeder futures and CME feeder index both down slightly; basis at strong positive levels.
  • Notable: March futures led lower versus strong cash prices as an unusual market shift.
  • April live cattle up for the week; cash trades light but prices strong across regions.
  • Boxed beef prices dropped, raising concern.
  • U.S. slaughter slightly above last week but well below last year; imports from Brazil, Australia, Mexico and Argentina up 8% year over year—a trend to watch as prices rise.
  • Corn futures stable; USDA Outlook Forum upcoming but not expected to impact near-term prices.

• Quote (Kirk Donsbach):
  “I normally don't talk about imports, but I think they're going to become critically important. Fresh beef imports, largely from Brazil, Australia, Mexico and to some degree Argentina, were up 8% year over year so far.” [23:39]

5. Stocker Cattle Market Strategies

[24:16–25:25]

• Shea Warner of the "Casual Cattle Conversations" podcast shares Doug Ferguson's advice for riding through volatile or crashing markets with stockers:
  • Main lesson: Calculate return on gains, keep trading, and use shifts in weight class price spreads to your advantage.
  • Crashes create buying opportunities when the competition hesitates.
• Quote (Doug Ferguson):
  “When it's crashing, everybody else is freaking out... Makes it a lot easier to buy cattle when I don't have to bid against some other guys.” [25:18]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Haley Robison:
  “I can go out to the pasture and probably spot any cow from a long ways away and I could tell you who she is and probably who she's out of... it's just something that I enjoy doing.” [10:45]

• Tigger:
  “It is really impressive because you knew you had so much information and I was feverishly trying to take notes of the things that you were saying.” [10:55]

• BECK:
  “Right now, ranchers can make more money selling animals young for slaughter than keeping them to rebuild herds... meaning beef prices could stay high for years.” [02:11]

• Haley Robison:
  “We could just be more profitable with our registered stuff than the commercial stuff at that time.” [13:56]

• Kirk Donsbach:
  “I normally don't talk about imports, but I think they're going to become critically important. Fresh beef imports... were up 8% year over year so far.” [23:39]

• Doug Ferguson:
  “When it's crashing, everybody else is freaking out... Makes it a lot easier to buy cattle when I don't have to bid against some other guys.” [25:18]

Important Timestamps

• Beef Market Update & Agridime Indictment: [00:47–03:37]
• Upcoming Bull & Horse Sales Listings: [03:37–07:26]
• Dry Creek Ranch Spotlight & Interview with Haley Robison: [10:08–19:35]
• Market Report with Kirk Donsbach: [21:40–24:16]
• Stocker Cattle Market Insights from Doug Ferguson: [24:16–25:25]

Additional Resources

• Dry Creek Ranch Bulls for Sale: [19:35]
  Check out videos, catalogs, and more at ranchchannel.com and drycreekranchnd.com
• Contact Ranch It Up Show:
  Email: ranchitupshowmail.com
  Call/Text: 707-RANCH 20 (707-726-2420)

Tone Recap

Down-to-earth, practical, and deeply knowledgeable, the episode brings listeners into the heartbeat of modern ranching—balancing hands-on management, genetics-driven decision-making, and the business realities of an industry in flux.

Stay ranchy and Ranch it Up!