Feeding, Fueling, and Building Show Stock from the Inside Out- Rob Cooper

Send us Fan MailIf you’ve ever felt like you’re just guessing when it comes to feeding your animals… this episode is for you.In this conversation, I sit down with Rob Cooper, a PhD-level ruminant nutritionist with over 20 years of experience developing feeding programs for large-scale cattle operations, to break down what actually matters when it comes to feed, supplements, and performance.We dive into the fundamentals of nutrition—energy, protein, and what’s really happening inside the rumen—and then connect it directly to what you’re seeing in the barn. From analyzing your animals, to adjusting feed, to understanding why some lambs handle soft while others stay hard, this episode is built to give you a clearer framework instead of more confusion.We also get into: How feeding changes when you introduce exercise (treadmill, walking, etc.)  The truth about supplements—and what’s actually worth your money  Why consistency in feeding matters more than most people realize  The biggest mistakes beginners make (and how to avoid them)  Practical strategies for lambs, steers, and breeding heifers One of the biggest takeaways: you can’t just throw more feed at an animal and expect results. Understanding what to change and why is what separates average programs from great ones. If you’re serious about improving your feeding program—or just want to stop second-guessing yourself every time you walk into the barn—this is a must-listen.