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How to Buy Right and Market Smarter with Wally Olson [episode 74]


header graphic How to Buy Right and Market Smarter with Wally Olson [episode 74]

Listen to How to Buy Right and Market Smarter with Wally Olson on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Your platform of choice  



Buying cattle in a high market can feel intimidating, but as Wally Olson reminds us, the price doesn’t matter nearly as much as the relationship. In this episode, John and Wally dig into how to buy cattle the right way, why you always need to sell before you buy, and how understanding the value of gain, weight classes, and local market culture helps you make confident, profitable decisions no matter where the market sits.


Wally draws on decades of experience as a rancher, marketer, and educator to break down practical buying strategies, from barn cards to understanding how geography, humidity, forage quality, and reputation all shape performance and price. John and Wally walk through real-world examples, common pitfalls, and why good marketing, not good luck, is what drives long-term profitability.


In this episode, How to Buy Right and Market Smarter with Wally Olson, we cover: 

  • Why you should always sell before you buy, and how that drives cash flow and clarity

  • How to evaluate cattle across weight classes, age classes, and pregnancy status using the value of gain

  • Building a dependable barn card and running the numbers to know exactly what you can pay

  • How geography, humidity, forage quality, and local culture affect buying decisions and animal performance

  • When to use an order buyer, how to work well with one, and why reputation matters in both directions

  • Smarter strategies for packaging cattle, contracting, and marketing in high-price environments



Meet Wally Olson:

Wally Olson has spent a lifetime in the livestock business, working every job from hauling hay to managing and owning ranches. A Kansas State University graduate, Wally’s career took a defining turn during his years at the Kelley Ranch in Vinita, Oklahoma, where he learned from legendary stockman Bud Williams and developed a passion for sell/buy marketing. After decades of ranching, teaching, and leasing the Kelley Ranch, Wally now shares his hard-earned knowledge to help others build profitable, sustainable operations.

  

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More about the Ranchonomics podcast:  

Welcome to Ranchonomics, where we empower you to build a better ranch and transform your operation into a thriving business. This podcast is brought to you by Ranch Right LLC, and together we will look at essential strategies, mindsets, and processes needed to take command of your financials and master the business metrics that make all the difference. If you are ready to start winning at ranching, then you are in the right spot. 


With each episode of Ranchonomics, you will hear inspiring success stories, gain simple yet powerful financial literacy tips, and listen to insightful interviews with industry experts and real-life practitioners. 


Whether you are a seasoned rancher or just starting out, we believe that managing a ranch shouldn't mean drowning in paperwork or missing out on valuable opportunities. Our mission is to help you see the link between your daily ranching operations and your financials that allow you to go from chaos to clarity and achieve your goals. 


Join us as we explore the intersection of ranching and finance, helping you understand your numbers and make informed decisions that propel your business forward. 

Subscribe now and start your path to a more profitable, less stressful ranching experience with Ranchonomics. It's time to harness the full potential of your operation. 

 

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