BCI’s Cattle Chat Podcast Surpasses 1 million Downloads
From a small corner setup to a global audience, K-State podcast continues to evolve
Faculty and staff of the Beef Cattle Institute's Cattle Chat podcast recently celebrated the one-millionth download of the weekly program.
May 5, 2026
Submitted by Chevy-Lynn Vaske
What started in a small corner of a room with microphones propped up by books has grown into a widely recognized resource for cattle producers, as the Beef Cattle Institute Cattle Chat podcast surpassed 1 million downloads recently.
Launched in 2018, the podcast was created to address real-world issues in the cattle industry by connecting producers with research-based solutions. Hosted by K-State veterinarian Brad White alongside K-State beef cattle experts Bob Larson, Dustin Pendell and Bob Weaber, the show focused on practical conversations designed to help producers make informed decisions.
“We started with a simple goal — to talk through challenges producers face and provide actionable information they could use right away,” White said.
In its early days, the podcast was recorded with minimal equipment and a do-it-yourself setup. Over time, the team refined not only the production quality — improving audio, updating music and streamlining editing — but also the scope and reach of the show.
Today, Cattle Chat features a broader range of voices and expertise. K-State beef cattle nutritionists Phillip Lancaster and Jason Warner are now regular contributors, along with K-State veterinarians Todd Gunderson and Scott Fritz. The podcast also highlights research conducted by Beef Cattle Institute students, giving listeners insight into emerging topics and innovations within the industry.
Guests have joined the podcast from across the United States and internationally, including contributors from Australia and South Africa, further expanding the conversation beyond regional perspectives.
As the podcast has grown, so has its presence beyond the studio. The team now promotes Cattle Chat at major industry events such as CattleCon, connecting directly with producers and industry professionals while showcasing the work of the institute.
Behind the scenes, students have played a key role in the podcast’s success. K-State student workers manage editing and posting. Some of the past interns include Shelby Varner, Jacob Klaudt and Madeline Drake, with Ella Johnson currently serving in the role.
The podcast’s growth has also been supported by a broader communications effort, including weekly news releases distributed through K-State Extension and expanded social media outreach. Over the last 10 months, Chevy-Lynn Vaske has led social media strategy and content promotion for the podcast, contributing to significant increases in engagement across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, alongside growth in sponsorship support.
The team credits many contributors for helping establish and grow the podcast, including early support from communications specialist Lisa Moser and podcast support from veterinarian Brian Lubbers.
An office specialist and student team continue to coordinate podcast logistics, including scheduling guests and managing sponsorships, ensuring the show runs smoothly each week.
Despite the growth and recognition, the mission of Cattle Chat remains unchanged.
“At the end of the day, it’s about helping producers,” the team said. “We want to take research and experience and turn it into something useful for the people making decisions every day in the cattle industry.”
The team celebrated the milestone on April 28, 2026, with faculty and staff from the K-State College of Agriculture, K-State College of Veterinary Medicine and K-State Extension. With 1 million downloads, the Cattle Chat podcast continues to evolve while staying grounded in its original purpose — delivering practical, research-based information to support the success of cattle operations.
For more information or to learn more about the evolution of the podcast, listen to episodes on the Beef Cattle Institute’s Cattle Chat podcast.
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