The Rural Dispatch
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.
I was born and raised in small-town-Iowa and I’m passionate about rural communities and the people who help them thrive. Since becoming a mom, I’ve taken a step away from my own career in finance and into a behind the scenes role in our second-generation family business. I’m proud to help continue the legacy of hard work and dedication that built this business. I’m building a life with a multi-faceted business owner who also holds the title of truck driver, cattle feeder and dispatcher, all while we both work together to manage office operations, oversee business development, and bring the next generation along to show them the ropes, just like their grandpa did with their dad.
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 every day. 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.
In our weekly episodes, I’ll bring you a mix of my own experiences as I navigate the ins and outs of these industries, stories with my better half, Smoke about the lessons we’ve learned throughout our time in this business, and interviews with experts who tackle the pain points we all probably face at one time or another. From trucking to livestock production to rural entrepreneurship, this show is here to equip you with the tools, resources and a supportive community to help you thrive.
Whether you’re in the cab of a truck, out checking cattle, or sitting at your kitchen table, we hope you’ll tune in and find value in conversations that speak your language. No matter your role in the industry, there’s something for everyone here.
Buckle up, friends, there's lots to come. If you enjoy an episode, it would mean the world to us if you would share it with a friend. Keep up with us between episodes on our socials, at Behrens and Co., or subscribe to our email list on our website to receive new episodes directly to your inbox every Wednesday. Thanks for being here. We'll talk soon.
The Rural Dispatch
Cattle Feeding Realities: Cash Flows, Hedging & Passion with Jeff "Bug" Schroeder
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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:
Cattle Management Software | Performance Livestock Analytics
Producers Livestock | Livestock Marketing, Commodities & Credit
Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link:
https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates
Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com.
Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.
➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google Play
BEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & CO
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