Ahead of the Herd: The Profectus Podcasts

Forage quality is one of the most overlooked drivers of cattle performance, and one of the biggest hidden sources of loss.In this episode of the Profectus Livestock Solutions Podcast, Dr. Brian Dorcey sits down with Peter Vinelli of International Stock Food Corporation, the maker of SiloGuard, to break down how mold and yeast silently impact intake, health, and production across forage systems.They discuss the difference between biological inoculants and chemical preservatives, how oxygen drives spoilage, and why preventing forage degradation at harvest is critical to protecting your return.From silage piles to baled hay, this conversation focuses on practical strategies to reduce dry matter loss, widen harvest windows, and maintain consistent feed quality across varying conditions.If you are putting up forage, this episode will change how you think about preservation, management, and performance.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed today's content, check us out on Facebook & YouTube for more! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559700420623Profectus Livestock Solutions - YouTube

Mycotoxins are one of the most overlooked threats in livestock performance and profitability, and they are showing up stronger than ever in today’s feed supply.In this episode, Dr. Steve Dudley sits down with Dr. Andrew Bents of Alltech to break down what producers are actually facing in the crop and why testing, monitoring, and mitigation matter more than ever. From real harvest data across the U.S. to practical on farm strategies, this conversation connects the science to what you are seeing in your hogs (and cattle) right now. • What current mycotoxin levels look like across regions • Why storage conditions can make problems worse after harvest • The three mycotoxins that are quietly hurting performance and immunity • How distillers grains can amplify risk in your ration • What to test, when to test, and how often • Practical mitigation strategies that actually work in the fieldIf you are seeing unexplained health issues, poor vaccine response, off feed events, or reproductive challenges, this episode will help you connect the dots.Health. Nutrition. Performance. Profectus.Subscribe and follow Profectus Livestock Solutions for more conversations that help you make better decisions at your operation and in the ration.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed today's content, check us out on Facebook & YouTube for more! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559700420623Profectus Livestock Solutions - YouTube

From 2.5lbs to 3.23lbs average daily gain, under 2% death loss, and a 60-day health turnaround, Profectus is measurably making a difference for producers.In this episode, Kyle Verhoek shares how his calf program went from battling health issues to driving measurable performance gains with Profectus Livestock Solutions. By implementing an integrated vaccine protocol, amino acid balanced diets, and individualized calf tracking through EID and Cattler, his team transformed both calf health and rate of gain.Even after moving calves three different times between weaning and closeout, performance held strong. This is a real world look at precision nutrition, proactive herd health, and data driven calf management for dairy beef and backgrounding operations. If you want better gains, stronger calves, and systems that actually work under pressure, this episode is for you.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed today's content, check us out on Facebook & YouTube for more! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559700420623Profectus Livestock Solutions - YouTube

Steve and Riley Van Heerde share how their South Dakota feedlot evolved from cow/calf to a performance driven feedlot operation through side-by-side feed trials.They walk through what they feed, how amino acid nutrition fits their existing feedstuffs, and what changed in cattle efficiency and consistency.The conversation covers tracking performance with real data, managing cattle through extreme winter weather, and improving health without adding complexity.Steve explains how nutrition and technology work together to support a profitable family feedlot and long-term growth.This episode is a real-world discussion for producers focused on better cattle performance, smarter decisions, and passing the operation to the next generation. Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed today's content, check us out on Facebook & YouTube for more! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559700420623Profectus Livestock Solutions - YouTube

Dr. Reed Leiting and Dr. Steve Dudley share how batch farrowing, nurseries, and wean to finish systems fit into modern swine operations, and what producers should consider when evaluating their own flow. Hear their recommendations on how to select the right production system based on health, labor, and facility realities. Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed today's content, check us out on Facebook & YouTube for more! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559700420623Profectus Livestock Solutions - YouTube

High prices, tight margins, and unpredictable cattle markets are putting real pressure on producers. In this episode, Devin Stricherz sits down with nutritionist Brandon Rodriguez to break down what’s happening in today’s cattle industry, and what producers can do to stay profitable.They dig into why traditional rations built around crude protein and NEG often lead to problems like acidosis, bloats, erratic intakes, and late-term losses. Brandon explains how small nutrition mistakes cascade into big economic setbacks, especially when cattle are this expensive.The conversation highlights the Profectus approach to diet formulation, built around balancing amino acids and effective energy rather than relying on outdated industry standards. Brandon shares real-world results from the field, including improvements in feed efficiency, cost of gain, animal health, and carcass weight, along with the risk reduction that comes from fewer days on feed.Whether you’re finishing cattle, backgrounding calves, or trying to get young cattle started right, this episode offers practical insight into where profitability is leaking and how smarter nutrition can capture it back.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed today's content, check us out on Facebook & YouTube for more! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559700420623Profectus Livestock Solutions - YouTube

In this episode of Ahead of the Herd, Profectus CFO Dan Greve sits down with Jason Schutz of United Prairie Bank to discuss one of the most important relationships on your operation, your banker. Together they unpack what makes a strong financial partnership, from understanding your numbers to presenting complete, detailed balance sheets.Listeners will gain practical insight into:How to prepare before meeting with your lenderWhat documents and details banks expect from ag producersWhy good communication and accurate financials matterHow cash flow, collateral, and creditworthiness affect farm loan termsSmart ways to structure debt for long-term stabilityWhether you’re new to borrowing or refining a long-term banking relationship, this conversation delivers real-world advice to help you strengthen your financial footing and plan with confidence.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed today's content, check us out on Facebook & YouTube for more! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559700420623Profectus Livestock Solutions - YouTube

In this episode, PLS empowers beef producers to either boost beef pounds from their cropping acres or supercharge feed efficiency, unlocking more profits all around.Dr. Brian Dorcey shares: ‘Our amino acid approach has delivered $50 to $100 per head in advantage while lowering cost of gain in a tight cattle supply. More profit. More opportunity for the next generation.’Picture this: For a 10,000-head feedyard with locked capacity, our method slashes feed needs, letting them sell 1,000 MORE acres of dry corn or premium commodities, while still delivering the same beef output!Livestock operations succeed on proven systems and strong traditions. PLS builds on that foundation with the next level of feeding technology.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed today's content, check us out on Facebook & YouTube for more! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559700420623Profectus Livestock Solutions - YouTube

In this episode, we dive into a smarter way to feed cattle—one that focuses less on crude protein and more on meeting amino acid requirements in balance with effective energy. Brandon Rodriguez of Profectus Livestock Solutions joins us to explain how this approach improves feeding efficiency for improved ROI. You’ll hear how simplifying rations and making just a few key adjustments can result in significant improvements to feed efficiency, average daily gain, and days on feed. While every operation is different, Brandon shares field-proven strategies that consistently yield measurable gains.Whether you're managing your own ration or working with a nutritionist, this conversation will shift how you think about formulation—and why you may be limiting your cattle’s performance.Learn how amino acid balancing is changing the game for beef producers. Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed today's content, check us out on Facebook & YouTube for more! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559700420623Profectus Livestock Solutions - YouTube

In this episode, Dr. Brian Dorcey breaks down why knowing your numbers isn’t just smart—it’s essential. He explains how metrics like cost per head, per day, and returns on feed investment can uncover hidden inefficiencies and unlock more predictable profitability. Dr. Dorcey shares practical insights on using data to guide feeding decisions, set performance benchmarks, and shift from reactive to strategic management. If you’re feeding cattle without clear financial targets, this episode shows you what you’re missing.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed today's content, check us out on Facebook & YouTube for more! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559700420623Profectus Livestock Solutions - YouTube