The Rural Dispatch – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

Cattle Management Software | Performance Livestock Analytics

In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, I sit down with Smoke and Jeff "Bug" Schroeder, a cattle feeder from western Iowa, to talk about his journey in the industry. We cover everything from feeding in dirt lots and barns to the realities of hedging cattle and what skills every good cattle feeder should have in their back pocket.

Tune in for an honest look at the cattle business, the highs and lows, and what it really takes to make it work.

Resources & Links:

Producers Livestock | Livestock Marketing, Commodities & Credit

Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Stories with Smoke: The Road to Resilience

Episode 2

mercredi 5 mars 2025 • Duration 26:04

Farms and Land in Farms 2024 Summary 02/14/2025

In this episode of The Rural Dispatch: Delivering Stories from Rural America, I sit down with my better half, Smoke, to talk about the journey that shaped him and our family’s trucking business. We start with the story behind his name and his deep-rooted ties to trucking and agriculture.

From its beginnings to where we are today, we break down the evolution of our trucking company, the challenges facing the industry right now, and what it takes to keep things moving—literally. Smoke shares insights into dispatching, customer relationships, and the importance of networking in this business. We also dive into how unpredictable weather plays a huge role in operations and what the future might hold for both farming and trucking.

Whether you’re in the industry or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of rural business, this episode is packed with real talk, lessons learned, and a look ahead.

Tune in now and join us on the road to resilience.

Resources & Links:

Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

From Corporate Hustle to Rural Roots: My Journey into Rural Business Life

Episode 1

mercredi 5 mars 2025 • Duration 20:11

Welcome to the very first episode of The Rural Dispatch! I’m kicking things off with a solo episode to introduce myself, share my background, and explain how I ended up here—running a livestock trucking business, raising two little boys, and launching this podcast.

In this episode, I talk about:

How I went from a career in finance to managing the backend of our family business
The challenges and rewards of working in a family business
Why I started this podcast to connect rural business owners and ag industry professionals
What you can expect from The Rural Dispatch moving forward

This podcast is all about sharing real-life experiences, business insights, and hard-earned lessons from the road and the ranch. Whether you’re in agriculture, trucking, or just love a good story, I hope you’ll stick around.

Next episode, Smoke will join me to share his side of the story—don’t miss it!

Resources & Links:

Facebook | Aly | toddlers • trucks • cattle (@behrensandco) • Instagram photos and videos | TikTok - Make Your Day

Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Welcome to The Rural Dispatch

jeudi 6 février 2025 • Duration 02:25

Aly | toddlers • trucks • cattle (@behrensandco) • Instagram photos and videos

Welcome to The Rural Dispatch, the podcast that delivers honest conversations from the fields, the highways, and the home front.

I'm your host, Aly Behrens - headquartered in rural Iowa, I help run a trucking company that specializes in hauling livestock nationwide.

If you’re anything like us, you wear a lot of hats in your operation. This podcast is for people like you: hardworking men and women in the rural trucking, livestock and business communities who are juggling all the things everyday. Whether it’s running loads, managing a herd, staying compliant, or handling the bookkeeping, we know the challenges you face because we’ve lived them.

BEHRENS & CO

Facebook

Behrens & Co (@behrensandco) | TikTok

Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Old-School Trucking Stories: Denny Kluver on 40+ Years of Hauling Livestock

Episode 8

mercredi 9 avril 2025 • Duration 59:59

In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, we sit down with Denny Kluver, a retired livestock hauler who spent 30+ years driving for Jeff Behrens, the founder of Behrens Trucking. From the very first load to the day he hung up his keys, Denny witnessed firsthand the growth of a family-run business and the evolution of the livestock hauling industry.

We talk about what it was like to be on the road in the early days, the challenges of hauling cattle long before GPS and cell phones, and the traits that make a great truck driver. Denny shares old-school wisdom, wild stories from the road, and his perspective on how the trucking industry has changed over the last four decades.

Whether you’re behind the wheel or just love hearing from folks who’ve lived the lifestyle, this episode offers timeless insight into what it means to be a true cattle hauler.

What We Cover:

How Denny got started in trucking
Memorable moments from the road
How trucking has changed over the past 50+ years
The role of technology and regulations
Tales of hard work and the value of a dollar

Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

From Broke to Business Owners: Smoke Behrens and Mark Toms Unfiltered

Episode 7

mercredi 2 avril 2025 • Duration 25:52

In this week's episode of The Rural Dispatch, we continue last week's conversation with Smoke and Mark Toms to share more raw, (mostly) unfiltered stories from their younger years. From struggling to pay the bills to building successful businesses, these guys have been through it all, and today they're telling the stories that shaped them.

If you're broke, crashing on a couch, or just need a good laugh - this episode is for you. Keep working hard and don't be afraid of the struggle. It builds character. ;)

Leave a review and share this episode if you enjoyed it!

Resources & Links:

Previous episode with Mark: The Rural Dispatch

Follow Mark on Facebook

Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Master of Trades: Mark Toms on Trucking, Coyotes, and Hard Work

Episode 6

mercredi 26 mars 2025 • Duration 56:45

Truck Wash | Randy's Diesel

In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, I’m joined Smoke and guest Mark Toms—a man of many talents and endless stories. Mark takes us on a journey through his career, starting with how he got into the trucking industry and the unique challenges of pulling a tanker compared to hauling livestock.

We also dive into his passion for protecting livestock from predators, specifically his experience as an avid coyote hunter. Mark shares his knowledge about keeping livestock safe and why this role is so important for rural communities.

But Mark’s story doesn’t stop at trucking. He also runs a truck and tank wash and has built a side hustle in drywalling that has grown into an impressive business. We chat about how he got his start in this industry, how it’s evolved over the years, and how he juggles it all.

The episode wraps up with a meaningful discussion on work ethic—what it takes to succeed in multiple industries and how grit and determination have been central to Mark’s journey.

Tune in for an inspiring and engaging conversation about rural life, hard work, and making the most out of every opportunity.

Our hat giveaway ends March 31, 2025. Leave a rating and review to be entered for your chance to win!

Resources & Links:

Follow Mark on Facebook

High-Quality Hunting & Outdoor Gear Company – Life is Now Outdoors LLC

Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Trucking Talk: Peterbilt vs. Kenworth, Wilson vs. Eby & the Current Cattle Market

Episode 5

mercredi 19 mars 2025 • Duration 26:29

This week on The Rural Dispatch, we’re talking all things trucks, trailers, and the cattle industry with Smoke. From EPA regulations to the closure of the American Foods plant in Yankton, SD, there’s a lot shaking up the trucking & livestock worlds right now. Plus, we’re breaking down which brand is really best when it comes to trucks and livestock trailers. And, if you’re frustrated with the cattle market, you’re not alone. We wrap up with an honest conversation about market challenges.

Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe! If you’ve got thoughts on the cattle market, truck brands, or trailer preferences, send us a message—we’d love to hear them!

Hat Giveaway!

As a thank you for tuning in, I’m giving away a hat to one lucky listener! To enter:

1. Share the podcast on Facebook or Instagram & tag @behrensandco (make sure your post is set to public!).

2. Tag a friend in our giveaway post for an extra entry.

3. Rate & review The Rural Dispatch on Apple Podcasts (be sure to sign your name so we know it’s you!).

Giveaway runs from March 12 - March 31, and the winner will be announced on April 1!

Resources & Links:

EPA Deregulatory Action: EPA Launches Biggest Deregulatory Action in U.S. History | US EPA

American Foods Closure: Cimpl’s Meats in Yankton closes after 76 years

Truck Driver Statistics: Our Mission - Project-61

Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

CDLs, ELDs, and Independent Trucking: Real Talk with Jeremy Behrens

Episode 4

mercredi 12 mars 2025 • Duration 32:23

In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, I sit down with Jeremy Behrens to talk about his journey from hauling livestock with Smoke and their dad, to running his own one-man trucking operation. We dive into what it takes to get started in trucking today, the pros and cons of new technology, and the importance of a driver’s role in the bigger business picture. Jeremy shares his take on FMCSA regulations, ELDs, and the air-mile radius for livestock haulers, plus the insurance hurdles that come with running trucks. We also swap stories about seeing the country from the driver’s seat, the lessons learned on the road, and the so-called “Behrens bad luck.” If you’re thinking about getting into trucking, buying your first truck, or running your own operation, this episode is packed with real-world advice and hard-earned wisdom.

Hat Giveaway!

As a thank you for tuning in, I’m giving away a hat to one lucky listener! To enter:

1. Screenshot your favorite episode and share it in your Instagram or Facebook stories—tag @behrensandco!

2. Tag a friend in our giveaway post for an extra entry.

3. Rate & review The Rural Dispatch on Apple Podcasts (be sure to sign your name so we know it’s you!).

Giveaway runs from March 12 - March 31, and the winner will be announced on April 1!

If you found this episode helpful, I’d love for you to share it with a fellow hauler. Thanks for listening, and I’ll catch you in the next episode!

Resources & Links:

Motive Logbook Information: Motive: All-in-One Fleet Management & Driver Safety Platform

FMCSA Crash Facts: Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2021 | FMCSA

Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!

Will Epperly: From Rural Roots to World Champion Auctioneer

Episode 9

mercredi 16 avril 2025 • Duration 55:55

DUNLAP LIVESTOCK AUCTION | Facebook

In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, we sit down with Will Epperly, 2022 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion and co-owner of Dunlap Livestock Auction, to talk cattle, markets, and mentorship.

From growing up in his family's sale barn in Virginia to becoming one of the top voices in the industry, Will shares the path that led him to earn the world champion title and co-own one of Iowa’s most respected livestock markets. We dive into what it really takes to become a world-class auctioneer, how he sees the cattle market evolving, and why he’s passionate about educating folks outside of agriculture on just how much producers care about their cattle and communities.

Whether you’re in the ring every week or just curious about how livestock markets work, this conversation is full of heart, humor, and real talk about what it means to be a leader in rural America.

Mark Your Calendars: The 2025 Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) Annual Convention will be held June 4th-6th in Omaha, NE. Dunlap, IA will take center stage June 7th as it hosts the 2025 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship — a huge moment for Will, Dunlap Livestock, and the entire community. If you’re in the Midwest, it’s worth marking your calendar.

Resources & Mentions:

LIVESTOCK MARKETING ASSOCIATION | Facebook

IOWA'S BEST PORK TENDERLOIN | Dairy Sweet