From Field to Feedlot: The Story White Barn Beef

In this Gate Post podcast episode sponsored by the Arizona Cattle Industry Research and Education Foundation and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Nate interviews Jason Barnard of White Barn Hay and Cattle/White Barn Beef about his integrated operation near the Arizona–New Mexico line. Barnard describes farming irrigated forages, feeding up to 5,000 head and finishing American Wagyu-cross cattle, and direct-marketing beef at farmers' markets. He outlines challenges of diversification, competing time demands between farming, feedlot, and ranch, and educating consumers on topics like GMOs. He discusses drought-driven shifts toward Corriente-cross cows to maintain the herd and market calves through their beef program. Barnard emphasizes minerals and timely, multi-round vaccination to reduce sickness and death loss, notes buyer selectivity despite high calf prices, and explains limited implant use to prioritize beef quality and consumer preferences, while prioritizing cattle health in backgrounding.Learn more about ranching initiatives in Arizona at https://www.azcattlegrowers.org/.00:28 Meet Jason and the Ranch02:12 Integrated System Challenges06:50 Marketing Beef and Story08:36 GMO Questions and Drought Adaptation11:56 Vaccines and Arizona Feedlots16:07 Timing Vaccines and Stress20:26 High Prices and Vaccination Premiums23:22 Reputation and Customer Calves28:35 Growth Implants Explained36:06 Quality Programs and Consumer Trends38:16 Bridging the Industry Disconnect