Welcome to the 7th episode of The Future of Beef Show: Ag Tech Innovation with Ian Wheal.

In this deeply personal and practical episode, we flip the mic to interview our own Ian Wheal—co-founder of Breedr and the tech visionary behind much of what makes this show tick. From his family’s sheep and beef operation in Australia to consulting on global ag supply chains, Ian shares a candid, plainspoken look at what’s broken in agriculture—and how technology, done right, can fix it.

We dive into the origin story of Breedr, born during what Ian calls “Peak Vegan,” and why digitizing the ranch isn’t just about traceability—it’s about proving worth, reclaiming margin, and building a smarter beef supply chain. With a background that spans engineering, food retail, and software, Ian connects the dots between individual animal performance, better data collection, and profit-boosting decisions.

From chute-side insights to AI on the ranch, this episode is packed with lessons on leading change without losing tradition. If you’ve ever wondered how tech can serve—not swamp—your operation, this one’s for you.

What You’ll Learn:

Why individual animal data is key to profit and progress

How Breedr was designed for ranchers first, not software engineers

Common mistakes ag tech companies make—and how to avoid them

How to use data to strengthen packer and feedlot partnerships

Where AI and genomics are taking us next in beef production

Links:

🌐 Visit the show page at www.futureofbeef.com

📱 Explore the award-winning Breedr App at www.breedr.co

💻 Connect with Drovers: www.drovers.com

To get tools that make your data work harder and your cattle work smarter, visit www.futureofbeef.com. Because the future isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you build.

Welcome to the sixth episode of The Future of Beef Show: Data-Driven Carcass Insights with Dr. Dale Woerner.

In this episode, host Jim Johnson, alongside co-hosts Dr. Jessica Sperber and Ian Wheal, welcomes Dr. Dale Woerner—a leading meat science researcher at Texas Tech University—for a candid discussion on one of the most overlooked yet pivotal issues in the beef industry: carcass yield accuracy.

Dr. Woerner breaks down how outdated grading systems and the industry’s reluctance to adopt new technologies like X-ray vision are costing producers dearly. From heavier cattle not translating to higher red meat yields, to the critical gaps in how we measure carcass value, this episode reveals how the right data can transform not just pricing—but profitability.

As always, you’ll find additional resources and tools at TheFutureofBeef.com, including a 6-month free trial of the award-winning Breedr app.

What you will learn in this episode:

1️⃣ Why current yield assessments are "grossly inaccurate" and hurting producers.

2️⃣ How fatter cattle don't always mean more red meat—and what that means for the bottom line.

3️⃣ The role of advanced imaging and data in creating a more equitable beef supply chain.

Links:

🌐 Visit the show page at www.thefutureofbeef.com

🔬 Learn more about Dr. Woerner’s research at Texas Tech

📱 Explore the award-winning Breedr App at www.breedr.co

💻 Connect with Drovers: www.drovers.com

Welcome to the fifth episode of The Future of Beef Show: Succession with Alan Hojer.

In this episode, host Jim Johnson, alongside co-hosts Dr. Jessica Sperber and Ian Wheal, sits down with Alan Hojer—succession expert and advocate for legacy ranching families—to explore one of the most emotional and vital topics in the beef industry: succession planning.

Alan brings over a decade of hands-on experience helping agricultural families navigate the complexities of generational transition. From guiding honest conversations over coffee to building long-term, values-based succession plans, Alan emphasizes that true legacy is not just about assets—but about giving the gift of knowledge, clarity, and time.

As always, you’ll find additional resources and tools at TheFutureofBeef.com, including a 6-month free trial of the award-winning Breedr app.

What you will learn in this episode:

1️⃣ Why successful succession is more about communication than contracts.

2️⃣ How early planning and transparency preserve both business and family bonds.

3️⃣ Real-world advice on navigating emotions, expectations, and leadership transitions.

Links:

🌐 Visit the show page at www.thefutureofbeef.com

🐂 Learn more about Alan’s mission to “Keep Farmers Farming”

📱 Explore the award-winning Breedr App at www.breedr.co

💻 Connect with Drovers: ⁠www.drovers.com