Why is Wagyu beef different—and why are more ranchers betting their future on it?

In this episode of The Meat Dudes, Evan sits down with Jim Skartvedt of Renew Livestock & Five Bar One Meat to unpack everything most people never hear about Wagyu beef.

We get into:

• The real reasons ranchers choose Wagyu

• Why consumers are still intimidated by it

• How Wagyu’s genetics shape marbling, flavor, and tenderness

• The role of stress, feed, and environment in creating great beef

• The three-year journey from breeding to the steak on your plate

• Why American Wagyu is exploding—and where the industry is heading

• The health benefits, fatty acid profiles, and misconceptions around red meat

Jim also shares what most people don’t realize about ranchers, how hard it is to raise top-tier beef, and what it takes for independent producers to stay independent.

If you care about where your beef comes from—or why Wagyu tastes the way it does—this episode is a must-listen.

👉 Find Renew Livestock: renewlivestockcompany.com/
👉 Order beef: 5bar1meat.com

Subscribe for more rancher interviews, beef science, and real talk from the world of Wagyu.

Meat nerds, assemble. Evan and Tyler sit down with Dr. Phil Bass—associate professor of Meat Science at the University of Idaho, meat cutter since childhood, and all-around legend—to geek out on what actually makes beef great. Fresh off judging the American Wagyu Association’s “Best Steak in America” competition together, we dive into BMS scoring (yes, those 14s and 15s), why the USDA grade tops out too early for Wagyu, and what “quality” really means across tenderness, flavor, and juiciness.

We get into grass-finished vs. grain-finished (and why consistency matters), the truth about antibiotics and labels, how to shop smarter at the butcher counter, and why the future likely belongs to Wagyu crossbreeding. Plus: the magic of dry-aging, the umami bomb that is koji, myth-busting on Wagyu fat (hello oleic acid), and quick detours into Piedmontese, flat iron “meat jelly,” and why ribeye off the 5th rib slaps.

In this episode:

• Judging ultra-marbled Wagyu & reading the Japanese BMS 1–12

• USDA vs. AUS vs. JPN grading—should there be one global standard?

• Grass vs. grain: flavor, texture, and reliability

• Dry-aging, koji rubs, and regional mold “terroir”

• Labels, antibiotics, and how to actually talk to your butcher

• The next decade of Wagyu (hello, F1 crosses)

Dr. Bass’s pod: meatspad.com • Book: It’s Not a Cow (available on Amazon)
Hit play, get smarter, then go eat something worthy.

Rancher and jack-of-many-trades Tyler McCann (Wyoming Cowboy Cuts) joins The Meat Dudes for a no-BS look at how beef is really raised—and why geography, feed, and craftsmanship matter more than buzzwords.

We cover:

• Direct-to-consumer beef and why “know your rancher” simplifies every choice

• Terroir in beef (yes, it’s real)—from high-desert barley and beet pulp to carrot-finished cattle

• What feedlots get right/wrong, and the truth about antibiotics on most ranches

• Why labels (organic, grass-fed, “Wagyu”) don’t tell the whole story

• Underrated cuts to try next: Zabuton, Denver, Flat Iron, Thor’s Hammer

• How to shop smarter: pick flavor you love, use the whole animal, ask better questions

If you care about taste, transparency, and supporting American producers, this one’s for you.

Follow Tyler: WyomingCowboyCuts.com • IG/FB: @WyomingCowboyCuts
Follow The Meat Dudes: @themeatdudes | themeatdudes.com

In this episode of The Meat Dudes, we sit down with Reid Martin of Lone Mountain Wagyu, fresh off his win at the Best Wagyu Steak in America Challenge during the American Wagyu Association Conference. We dive into what makes Lone Mountain’s approach to Fullblood American Wagyu unique — from genetics and feed programs to their long-standing commitment to transparency and quality.

But this conversation is bigger than one ranch. We talk about where Wagyu fits in the broader American beef industry — and how it’s changing the way we think about quality, marbling, and eating experiences. Wagyu isn’t here to replace Angus or compete with commodity beef — it’s here to elevate the conversation about flavor, sustainability, and value.

We also get into the different types of Wagyu — from F1 Cross to Purebred, from Japanese Black to Japanese Red, and everything in between. Each type brings something unique to the table, and understanding that diversity is key to appreciating what makes Wagyu special.

Reid shares insights from his time in Japan, how Wagyu compares to wine in terms of terroir and craftsmanship, and why there’s a place for every type of beef on the plate — from grass-fed to A5.

🔥 If you love beef, cooking, and real conversations about where great meat comes from — this episode’s for you.

🎧 Tune in to The Meat Dudes as we explore the evolution of American Wagyu and its growing role in the modern beef world.

In this episode of The Meat Dudes Podcast, we sit down with Desi Cecali, founder of the Triple Crown Steak Challenge — one of the most research-driven steak competitions in the world. Desi has poured years of scientific study into the Wagyu breed, analyzing genetics, fat composition, and eating quality to better understand what makes a truly great steak.

We dive into the data behind Wagyu, how the Triple Crown Steak Challenge is changing the way we evaluate beef, and why Desi believes science and transparency are key to the future of the industry. If you’re curious about what sets Wagyu apart — beyond marbling — this conversation is packed with insight.

👉 Learn more about Desi Cicale and the Triple Crown Steak Challenge at https://www.triplecrownsteakchallenge.com

meatimaging.com

redbullcattlecompany.com

wittmagazine.com

herdnerdz.com

Did you know there are different types of Wagyu? In this Meat Dudes Podcast episode, we sit down with Steve Cottrell of Legendary Akaushi to talk about the rise of Akaushi Wagyu—also known as the Japanese Red.

Most Wagyu in the U.S. comes from the Japanese Black breed, but Akaushi is gaining momentum for its unique genetics, flavor, and health benefits. Steve breaks down why he’s such a passionate fan of Akaushi, how it differs from Japanese Black, and why both breeds have a place on the table.

This episode will leave you hungry to taste the difference and more excited than ever about the diversity of Wagyu beef.

👉 Tune in, subscribe, and join us in celebrating all things Wagyu—because whether it’s Red or Black, we love them both.

Learn more about Legendary Akaushi: https://www.akaushigenetics.com

Join The Meat Dudes as we head into Little Beast, the brand-new English-style pub from the team behind Beast & Cleaver, for a deep-dive conversation with owner and butcher extraordinaire Kevin Smith (aka The English Butcher).

We talk:

• How his wildly successful butcher boxes and whole-animal butchery setup inspired this pub-meets-production kitchen concept

• The challenges and thrill of turning a butcher shop into a traditional English pub featuring meat pies, Scotch eggs, Yorkshire puddings, and sticky toffee pudding

• What it really takes to open a restaurant while also running a high-output butchery facility

• Inside story on their fan-favorite offerings: 120-day dry-aged steaks, English meat pies, Sunday roasts, and more

• Chef Tyler’s hot takes on Wagyu, why it’s “not just fatty beef,” and how that perspective fits into Kevin’s whole-animal philosophy

Plus, we sit down with Steve Cottrell of Legendary Akaushi to talk about what makes Akaushi cattle unique, why genetics matter in the Wagyu conversation, and how Legendary is shaping the future of American Wagyu.

Whether you're curious about whole-animal cooking, restaurant launches, or the finer points of Wagyu and Akaushi—this episode delivers the full, delicious breakdown.

The Little Beast: https://beastandcleaver.com/the-little-beast

Beast & Cleaver: https://beastandcleaver.com

Legendary Akaushi: https://www.akaushigenetics.com

NFL Hall of Famer and legendary Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas is trading in playbooks for pasture as he dives headfirst into the Wagyu world with his new venture, HOF Beef at Six Springs Farms. Joe joins The Meat Dudes to talk about why Wagyu’s unmatched flavor, marbling, and health benefits caught his attention — and why consistency, discipline, and doing things the right way matter just as much in ranching as they do in football. Later in the episode, we’re joined by Dr. Sheila Patinkin of Vermont Wagyu, whose full-blood Wagyu cattle will soon call Joe’s farm home. It’s beef, football, and a whole lot of respect for the craft.

Learn more about Joe Thomas HOF Beef at: sixspringsfarms.com

@sixspringsfarms