93 Years in the Cattle Business: Wisdom from a Lifelong Cattleman

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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.

Whether you’ve been in ag your whole life or you’re just curious about the roots of rural business, this conversation is one you won’t forget.

What You’ll Hear:

• Growing up in the 1930s and ‘40s in rural America
• How Rich and his brothers got into cattle feeding
• Lessons from decades of running cattle 
• What’s changed (and what hasn’t) in livestock production
• His advice to young people entering ag today

A big thank you to our sponsor, Roll On Dispatch, for supporting this episode. Their all-in-one trucking software makes managing livestock and commodity hauls easier, with tools for dispatching, invoicing, and seamless communication between the office and the road.

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