The R-CALF USA Round Up

Cleaner Beef, Fairer Markets: The Future of Small-Scale Processing?

Local processors, cleaner beef, a fairer cattle market, and tech that cuts labor and waste. We sit down with Gary Hendricks of NSC Beef Processing to talk beef technology and how small-scale plants can revive rural economies.

 

For more information visit: https://nsc-beef.com/

Label Our Beef: MCOOL in the Farm Bill

On this episode, we take a deep dive into mandatory country of origin labeling and the fight to get it included in the Farm Bill. Joining us is R-CALF USA President Dave Hyde and Vice President Eric Gropper to discuss how loopholes in the current ‘Product of USA’ label hurt American ranchers, impact consumer trust, and threaten our nation’s food security. 

 

This episode is sponsored by America’s Hot Barn Report https://hotbarnreport.com/ and https://www.primeriskmanagement.com/.

Screwworm: the Threat, Politics & Fight Ahead

The New World Screwworm is one of the hottest topics in the cattle industry right now and it has the potential to affect way more than just producers in the border states. On today's episode, Dr. Lora Bledsoe joins us to take a deep dive into what screwworm is, lessons from past outbreaks, how producers can prepare, and what a new infestation could mean in today's consolidated, politically charged industry.

Sponsored by https://riskassociatesinc.net/

 

Disclaimer: This conversation was released on August 1, 2025. At the time of release, the Mexican border remains closed. This is a fast-moving issue, so please keep in mind some details may change by the time you listen to this episode.

Connecting the Dots

From vertical integration and climate scoring to growing corporate control over genetics, data, and market access, Brian Palmer is sounding the alarm on where the cattle industry is headed. In this episode, we discuss how policies labeled as “sustainability” could change cattle and beef production from the top down, making it harder for smaller producers to stay independent and creating an industry that we may no longer recognize.

This episode is sponsored by Tri-State Livestock News and Wild Ass Soap.

Tariffs or Free Trade?

What benefits the world economy vs the American economy more: trade policy and tariffs or free trade? The United States is now billions of dollars into an agricultural trade deficit amid all-time record imports. The new administration seems to be taking trade head on and tariffs are front and center. So we sat down with the tariff guy himself Charles Benoit to discuss tariffs, free trade and how they relate to agriculture and related industries.

 

This episode is sponsored by South Dakota Stockgrowers Association and Prime Risk Management.

 

SHOW NOTES:

https://prosperousamerica.org/tariffs-for-revenue-and-protection-the-u-s-treasury-has-a-plan/

https://prosperousamerica.org/free-trade-agreements-have-damaged-u-s-agricultural-trade-performance/

https://prosperousamerica.org/u-s-faces-record-agricultural-imports-worst-trade-deficit-in-history/

https://youtu.be/Whv85IxOIJk?si=eYeBOwiZsl5wRrZM

https://youtu.be/o9aPRMTzOkg?si=QyYireQ5wwMC0lZ3 

Debunked: https://www.prageru.com/video/whats-not-fair-about-free-trade

Doctor's Orders

Eating a lot of red meat is bad for you, according to most health professionals, not to mention what environmentalists have to say. The carnivore diet is changing that narrative so we had Dr. Shawn baker on to talk all things carnivore and our broken food and health systems.

 

This episode is sponsored by Ritchey Livestock ID www.ritcheytags.com and Grossenburg Implements www.grossenburg.com

 

SHOW NOTES

https://carnivore.diet/dr-shawn-baker-md/

https://www.amazon.com/Carnivore-Diet-Shawn-Baker/dp/162860350X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+carnivore+diet&qid=1621208600&sr=8-1

EID in Court

The USDA’s electronic eartag mandate has been a red hot topic the past year. And like years past, we at R-CALF USA are fighting back each and every day to put a halt to it. Right now we are pushing back in Congress and in the courts. In October we filed another lawsuit to stop this issue once and for all, so we sat down with our attorney on this case, Kara Rollins, to give you all the details on this important issue. 

 

This episode is sponsored by Tri State Livestock News and Pitchfork Supply.

 

Show Notes:

https://nclalegal.org/case/ranchers-cattlemen-action-legal-fund-united-stockgrowers-of-america-et-al-v-u-s-department-of-agriculture-secretary-thomas-vilsack-animal-and-plant-health-inspection-service-administrator-micha/

Another Burdensome Bill

The Corporate Transparency Act was passed into law under most people’s radar, and many, including R-CALF USA, have raised concerns about its impact on small business owners and rural America. On today’s episode, we sat down with Phillip Taylor and Bobby Clayson to discuss our joint lawsuit fighting back to stop the Corporate Transparency Act from being forced down the throats of all Americans and threatening the existence of small producers and small businesses. 

 

This episode is sponsored by Risk Associates and Ag West Feeds. For more information visit https://riskassociatesinc.net and https://www.facebook.com/agwestfeeds/

 

Show notes: 

https://homesteadliberation.org/cta-lawsuit

https://www.r-calfusa.com/ranch-group-joins-lawsuit-challenging-corporate-transparency-act/

Back to Our Roots

On today’s episode, we sat down with R-CALF USA director and Missouri rancher, Freddie Keaton, to talk RFID tags, the beef checkoff, MCOOL, Rural America, and being an advocate on the local and national level.

 

This episode is sponsored by www.vitalix.com and www.valentinelivestock.net

Inviting the Globalists In

There’s a lot going on in our world, our country, and in agriculture. R-CALF USA President Brett Kenzy joins us to discuss where we are and what’s on the horizon, and dives into reimagining agriculture, climate change and ag, the sustains act and mandatory ID.

 

Show notes:

Rep. Hageman's H.J.Res.167 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-joint-resolution/167/all-actions?s=1&r=1

Sen. Lummis' S.J.Res.98 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/98/cosponsors?s=1&r=3

Sen. Rounds' S.4282 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4282/cosponsors

Rep. Hageman's Amendment #10 will be to H.R.9027 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/9027/all-actions

USDA's commitment to tracking animals from birth to slaughter:

https://www.tsln.com/news/usda-calls-for-tracking-animals-birth-to-slaughter/

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/aphis-bolsters-animal-disease-traceability-united-states

SUSTAINS Act:

https://www.tsln.com/news/sustains-act-comment-period-open-on-implementing-law-to-accept-private-funds-for-usda-conservation-programs/

https://www.lonesomelands.com/new-blog/2023/9/14/template-z4jtr-2pyn4

 

 

This episode is sponsored by Hayden Outdoors and Ag Risk Advisors. For more information visit www.haydenoutdoors.com/ or https://agriskadvisors.com/