Working with the Herd with Bobby Strecker

Описание: In this episode of Rooted: Stories of Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness, Lauren Chenarides and student co-hosts Taylor and Dash talk with Bobby Strecker, District Business Manager for ABS Global across Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. Bobby shares how growing up on an Angus cow-calf operation and studying at CSU shaped his interest in genetics and reproduction strategy, and what it’s been like building credibility with producers across a wide, diverse territory. The conversation covers relationship-building in a trust-based industry, how younger and older producers differ in how they gather information, and why internships and trade-show conversations can quietly shape a career. Bobby also describes an in-progress startup idea: a producer-focused, low-friction website to help buyers and sellers find quality replacement heifers and bred cattle, with an emphasis on simple listings, vetted information, and feedback-driven design. The episode closes with practical advice on leading teams, staying involved in execution, and learning from outside your industry.

Chapters:
Intro + Bobby’s background (CSU, genetics, ABS Global)
What the AI/repro niche looks like in the broader beef industry
Working across very different geographies and production contexts
Demographic shifts: older producers vs. younger producers
Building trust and credibility early in a career
Networking that actually works: internships, trade shows, follow-up
Startup idea: a producer-built cattle listing website
The hard part: adoption, behavior change, and execution
Managing a team across personalities and experience levels
Industry trends: cow numbers, efficiency, labor constraints, tech
Rural communities and where innovation could matter most
Lessons learned: execution, team investment, and specialization
Final advice: more internships, more exposure, learn outside ag