Modern-day Consumer Concerns About Beef

In this episode of Casual Cattle Conversations, host Shaye Wanner sits down with Katey Johnson, a first-generation rancher and beef advocate, to talk about addressing consumer concerns in today’s beef industry. From questions about grass-fed vs. grain-finished beef to myths about factory farms, Katey shares how she connects with consumers at farmers markets, online, and through direct-to-consumer beef sales. If you’ve ever wondered how to better engage with consumers or how to respond to tough questions about beef production, this conversation will give you practical insights and encouragement. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction with Shaye Wanner 01:35 – Why Katey Johnson bet on the beef industry 04:21 – Becoming a first-generation rancher 06:00 – Selling beef direct-to-consumer and shipping nationwide 07:21 – Common consumer concerns about beef production 09:22 – Explaining the beef lifecycle: cow-calf to feedyard 11:14 – Why Katey is “Team Beef” regardless of how it’s finished 13:03 – Grass-finished vs. grain-finished: consumer perceptions 15:24 – Shocking myths and misinformation consumers believe 17:05 – Beef’s role in upcycling food byproducts 18:30 – Addressing glyphosate and other health claims 19:57 – Building consumer trust as a rancher 21:27 – Advice for ranchers: engaging with consumers respectfully 23:36 – What Katey would do differently in her first five years 24:50 – Where to connect with Katey online Resources & Links: Follow Katey Johnson: @zerocattleranch @kateyjohnsoncreative Favorite Seasoning: EatPluck.com (use code ShayeWanner for 15% off) Free Ranching Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FKWGvQKxh/