What does it really take to raise American beef—and why is it getting harder for family ranches to survive?
Ben Spell sits down at Ladder Ranch in Wyoming with Eamon O’Toole, a fifth-generation rancher whose family has worked the land for 145 years. Together, they go behind the scenes of American ranching, from raising cattle and caring for the land to the economics, drought, rising costs, imported beef, and the challenges facing the next generation of ranchers.
This isn't just a conversation about beef. It's about family, work ethic, stewardship, legacy, and preserving a way of life that most Americans will never experience firsthand—but all of us depend on. Eamon shares what it actually costs to raise cattle, why drought makes growing the national herd so difficult, why access to land is becoming a major barrier for young ranchers, and what he believes consumers should understand about where their beef comes from.
They also tackle the questions surrounding imported beef, traceability, Country of Origin Labeling, and what happens when imported meat enters the American beef supply chain.
And at the end, Ammon answers the question at the heart of this podcast:
What does it mean to be Raised Right?
“Having the right values and work ethic...and you want to be a contributing member of society.”

ABOUT RAISED RIGHT
Raised Right with Ben & Corley Spell is about what it takes to build a life worth passing down—from marriage, faith and raising four kids to building Good Ranchers and fighting for American agriculture.
:headphones: Listen to Raised Right: Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

:cut_of_meat: GOOD RANCHERS
Good Ranchers is committed to bringing families 100% American meat while supporting the American farmers and ranchers who raise it.


:studio_microphone: EAMON O’TOOLE / LADDER RANCH
Learn more about Eamon O’Toole, Ladder Ranch, and his work in American agriculture: @ otooleeamon 
:calling: Follow Raised Right:
Instagram: @ raisedrightpod 
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFEjG4KI6MuY&si=S6nGOPvP0P1SWA4S
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raised-right-with-the-spells/id6808347358