In today’s Beef Buzz, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with atmospheric scientist Matt Makens of Makens Weather, who says the current Super El Niño is unlike any previous event and could bring meaningful improvements in moisture and forage conditions across the Southern Plains. Makens explained that while the current event qualifies as …
Category: Top Beef Buzz
Jul 27
Dr. Derrell Peel Says Cattle Herd Expansion Still Moving at a Crawl
In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist, about the latest USDA Cattle on Feed report and the midyear cattle inventory report. While the July numbers came in largely as expected, Peel says they continue to tell the same story—feedlots …
Jul 24
Certified Angus Beef Demand Holds Strong Despite Tight Supplies
In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with John Sitka of Certified Angus Beef about the brand’s sales performance, consumer demand and the importance of maintaining quality standards as the beef industry navigates record-high prices and limited cattle supplies. Sales Stay Strong Despite Market Challenges Certified Angus Beef is halfway …
Jul 23
NCBA President Gene Copenhaver Reflects on Six Months as Leader of Largest Cattle Group in US
In today’s Beef Buzz, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Gene Copenhaver, who says his first six months leading the organization have been even busier than he anticipated. From traveling the country to meeting with producers and working alongside NCBA’s Washington, D.C., policy team, Copenhaver said the …
Jul 22
Troy Shelby Urges Vigilance as Cattle Industry Battles New World Screwworm and Asian Longhorn Tick
In today’s Beef Buzz, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Dr. Troy Shelby, veterinarian at the Oklahoma National Stockyards, past president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, and vice chair of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Animal Health Committee, about the growing animal health threats facing the U.S. cattle industry. Speaking from the …
Jul 21
Don Close Says Markets, Not Government, Should Drive Cattle Industry Recovery
In today’s Beef Buzz, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with cattle market analyst Don Close of Terrain, who says government intervention is not the answer to rebuilding the U.S. beef cow herd. While some have suggested offering incentives to producers to retain replacement heifers, Close believes the cattle market is capable of …
Jul 20
Don Close Says Strong Cattle Prices Bring Bigger Risks, Hints of Herd Expansion
In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Don Close of Terrain about the historic cattle market, managing risk in a record-price environment, and whether the industry is beginning to see the first signs of herd expansion. Historic Prices, But Bigger Dollar Swings Close said 2026 has been one of …
Jul 17
NCBA Joining Other Ag Groups in Filing Amicus Brief About Oklahoma Poultry Litigation
In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Mary Thomas Hart, Chief Counsel for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, about why NCBA is filing an Amicus Brief in the long-running Oklahoma poultry litigation case. Hart said the organization is working alongside the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Pork Producers Council, …
Jul 16
Dan Halstrom Says Global Demand for U.S. Beef Remains Strong Despite Export Headwinds
In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Dan Halstrom, President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, about the current state of U.S. beef exports, challenges in China and South Korea, emerging international opportunities, and the long-term outlook for global demand for American beef. China Continues …
Jul 15
NCBA’s Ethan Lane Says New World Screwworm Response Leaves Industry Better Prepared
In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Ethan Lane, head of the Washington, D.C., office for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, about the top policy issues facing cattle producers during the 2026 Summer Cattle Industry Business Meeting in Denver. Lane said New World screwworm continues to dominate conversations across …


























