The Rural Dispatch

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Ryan and Ryam Nelson joined us for a real, down-to-earth conversation about building their concrete business from absolutely nothing - literally. In this episode they share about the early days of Concrete Creators, how they figured it out as they went, and what drove them to start a business and work together. The two of them now also own Jefferson Monument Works and talk about what it means to take on another business, and how it fits into their lifestyle. 

Get ready for some laugh-out-loud stories from Ryan and Smoke, as t...

Duration: 01:03:04

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In this episode, we are honored to have Mark Handlos on to share his story — a farm kid turned medical warrior whose life is rooted in resilience, hope, and an unshakable sense of humor. Mark opens up about what it was like growing up in rural Iowa and then facing a mysterious illness that began at age 15. With no diagnosis and no treatment that worked for more than a decade, he battled episodes that left him unable to walk, urinate on his own, or even see.

Mark shares how he navigated so...

Duration: 00:59:26

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If the words “hedging,” “options,” or “basis” make your eyes glaze over — this episode is for you.

Today I’m joined by Zach Tindall, a commodity broker with Producers Livestock and a farmer feeder himself, to break down price protection tools in plain English. We talk about the real-world side of managing market risk — not just the theory, but how it actually works when you’ve got cattle on feed and money on the line.

We cover:

What “hedging” really means Pros and cons of futures, options, LRP, and packer contractsWhat...

Duration: 00:56:53

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In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, Aly sits down with farmer and cattle feeder Justin Heiman, a Carroll County native who built his own farming operation from the ground up. Justin shares how he got started with nothing but work ethic, a love for agriculture, and mentors who were willing to show him the ropes.

We talk about the highs and lows of getting into farming on your own, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and why serving on the Carroll County Cattlemen’s Association board matters to him...

Duration: 00:43:12

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This episode is for the dads — the ones who hauled cattle before sunup, made you work when you got in trouble, and taught you how to let things roll off your back like water on a duck.

For this Father’s Day edition of The Rural Dispatch, we’ve pulled clips from past episodes where guests told stories about their dads — the things they said, the lessons they passed down, and the work ethic they demanded. You’ll hear about trucks, cattle, and the quiet wisdom rural dads are known for.

And a...

Duration: 00:45:25

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In this episode, Smoke and I sit down for a real-time check-in — no guest, just us. Following up last week’s episode with Rich Pudenz felt like a tall order, but we wanted to bring it back home and share what’s going on behind the mic.

We talk about what it means to build a life and business together — especially when your past doesn’t look picture-perfect. From marriage and faith to cattle markets, networking, and finances, this episode covers everything happening behind the scenes.

Links & Resources:

JBS USA...

Duration: 00:46:31

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In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, we sit down with Rich Pudenz—a cattle feeder now in his 90s—who shares what it was like growing up in rural America during the Great Depression, feeding cattle alongside his brothers, and watching the livestock industry evolve over the past century.

From early mornings in the feedlot to navigating tough market years, Rich reflects on what went well, what didn’t, and how much has changed in both agriculture and life. His stories are full of perspective that only time can offer.

W...

Duration: 00:49:40

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Sit down with us as we talk with Howard Curry, owner of Howard Curry Transport Inc, a brokerage business with deep roots in hauling livestock. 

Howard takes us all the way back to 1953, when his dad first got into hauling livestock. Born into the business in 1962, Howard's been a part of the livestock world ever since. At 16 years old, he quit school, moved out and went to work on his own -- building a life through trucking, livestock, dispatching, selling cars, and investing in real estate in Liberty, Indiana. 

Tu...

Duration: 01:01:57

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In this episode, we sit down with Paul Radloff and Brittany Fenstemacher from Agar Transportation to talk about what it means to buy "blue sky" in the trucking industry. Paul bought the company with just $300 to his name but a whole lot of ambition to make it work. Brittany, the brains behind the scenes, helped bring structure to the transition and continues to play a vital role in operations.

We also talk openly about the current slowdown in the livestock transportation industry, how the weight of this season is affecting business...

Duration: 00:57:59

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In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, we’re sitting down with James and Megan Holz—farmers, livestock producers, entrepreneurs, and one of the husband-and-wife duos behind Iowa Cover Crop. James and Megan share the story of how they ventured into feeding hogs and the lessons they’ve learned navigating that world, and how it differs from cattle feeding. We dig into the unexpected origin of Iowa Cover Crop — a business that began over beers in a garage between friends, and how it’s grown into a trusted seed provider serving farmers across the Midwes...

Duration: 01:02:54

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In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, we sit down with one of our longtime drivers, Marty Wilken -- a man whose roots in trucking run deep. With well over 40 years behind the wheel, Marty shares his unforgettable stories from the road. 

We cover everything from his family's start in trucking, dating back four generations, to his wildest stories from the road -- including the time(s) he got arrested. You'll also get a firsthand glimpse of what it's like to run under Behrens dispatch, and of course his go-to meal o...

Duration: 00:55:03

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This episode is for the folks who don’t have time for two-a-days at the gym and green smoothies.

Whether you’re hauling cattle, running a business, raising kids, or all of the above — this conversation with Josh Snyder will give you practical, doable ways to move your body, eat better, and feel stronger.

Josh is the founder of FitNKC, a gym focused on real-life fitness for real people — and the nonprofit BlocLife, which serves veterans and individuals with disabilities. He’s passionate about expanding access to health and movement...

Duration: 00:53:38

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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...

Duration: 00:55:55

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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...

Duration: 00:59:59

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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 re...

Duration: 00:25:52

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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.

Bu...

Duration: 00:56:45

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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 su...

Duration: 00:26:29

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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 ab...

Duration: 00:32:23

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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 Ma...

Duration: 00:36:45

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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...

Duration: 00:26:04

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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 businessThe challenges and rewards of working in a family businessWhy I started this podcast to connect rural business owners and ag industry professionalsWhat you can...

Duration: 00:20:11

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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 famil...

Duration: 00:02:25