In Episode 9 of The Source, Jamie Wolf is joined by Cody Jorgensen for a discussion on one of the most important topics in cattle breeding: phenotype versus performance. They break down why appearance alone isn't enough, how production data and genomics should influence breeding decisions, and why functional cattle with predictable performance create long-term success.

In the second half of the episode, Jamie sits down with Donnie Leddy of Cattle Business Weekly during the Florida Cattlemen's Convention. Donnie shares his background in the cattle industry, the evolution of seedstock marketing, what goes into a successful bull sale, and why relationships continue to be one of the industry's greatest strengths.

Whether you're a seedstock producer, commercial cattleman, or simply passionate about the beef industry, this episode offers valuable insight into breeding philosophy, cattle marketing, and the people helping move the industry forward.

Topics Covered:
• Phenotype vs. performance in cattle selection
• Functional cattle and structural soundness
• Using production data and genomics in breeding decisions
• Building predictable cow families
• Seedstock marketing and bull sales
• Donnie Leddy's journey with Cattle Business Weekly
• The importance of relationships in the cattle industry

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What role does genomics really play in today's beef industry, and why does performance data still matter?

In this episode of The Source, Jamie Wolf is joined by Lane Giess for a practical conversation about genetic evaluations, DNA testing, and how genomics can help both seedstock and commercial cattle producers make better decisions. They discuss why collecting quality performance data remains essential, how genomic predictions are developed, the importance of reference populations, and where the future of genetic testing is headed.

Whether you're new to genomics or looking to better understand how these tools fit into your operation, this episode breaks down the science into real-world applications for today's cattle industry.

Managing people may be one of the toughest jobs in agriculture.

In this episode, Jamie Wolf sits down with Nick Jorgensen to discuss how Jorgensen Land & Cattle has built and managed a growing team while expanding one of the nation's largest Angus seedstock operations. They cover hiring, employee retention, internships, H-2A workers, communication, leadership, company culture, and why creating systems for people is just as important as creating systems for cattle.

If you've ever struggled with managing employees, growing a business, or balancing work with family life, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply to your own operation.