our team
Owner, Paul Ramirez
Paul Ramirez has had a lifelong tie to agriculture. Paul’s past employment includes; Nelson Livestock, Shamrock Dairy, Walco International Veterinary Supply Company, and Arizona Feeds. He is the past owner of U Can Bid Auctions and continues to be an auctioneer. As a youth he had great success in both 4-H and FFA winning numerous livestock judging contests and awards including the America Farmer Degree.
Paul has had great success as an auctioneer. He was awarded the 2009 International Livestock Champion Auctioneer at the Calgary Stampede. Paul has sold over 3,000 auctions in his lifetime and continues to enjoy selling junior livestock sales and charity auctions.
Paul is also an agent with United County AZ Ranch, Land & Homes based in Central Arizona. He covers the state of Arizona assisting buyers and sellers in purchasing or selling farms, ranches, horse properties and other agriculture entities. Paul is an experienced Real Estate Auction Specialist, known for connecting buyers and sellers through competitive bidding.
Paul has been married for 36 years, has two children (Shay and Madison) and lives in Tucson, AZ. When not working he enjoys attending livestock shows and auctions.
CONNECT WITH PAUL
Paul Ramirez, Owner
(520) 241-3333
CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MADISON RAMIREZ
Madison Ramirez is passionate about preserving and sharing the stories of agriculture, ranching, rodeo, and the western way of life through authentic photography, videography, podcast production, and digital storytelling.
She serves as an Assistant in Extension with Pima County 4-H, where she works to strengthen youth development and agricultural education across the community. Madison is also the owner and lead auctioneer of U Can Bid Auctions LLC, helping nonprofit organizations maximize their fundraising efforts through professional benefit auctions.
Driven by a passion for connecting people through meaningful stories, Madison is dedicated to showcasing the individuals, businesses, and organizations making a difference in agriculture and beyond. Madison is dedicated to serving others and telling stories that matter. She believes every ranch, business, organization, and individual has a story worth sharing, and she can’t wait to help bring yours to life.
CONNECT WITH MADISON
Madison Ramirez, Creative Director
(520) 308-0744
Contributor, Matt Arendt
Matt Arendt is a first-generation operator in agriculture, operating a diversified cattle business, Desert Springs Cattle Co LLC, consisting of cattle procurement services and cattle feeding. Matt handles cattle across the Western U.S. and has a customer base consisting of feedlots, stocker operators, ranchers, and packing houses across the West. Matt got his start in the business working on a cow-calf operation and at the local sale barn during his teenage years. Matt gained a real appreciation for the marketing business while working the sales, and has since focused his attention on that portion of the industry. Matt graduated from Oklahoma State with degrees in Ag-Business and Animal Science while competing on the rodeo team. Upon graduation, Matt spent his first four years working for two different packers, both times in cattle procurement. Matt is now in the business for himself, and enjoys the relationships he has developed in the cattle industry. Matt is the author of “Catching Up With The Cattle Market”, a weekly article sent out to subscribers that provides an in-depth look at the cattle and beef markets.
Matt lives in Tucson with his wife Caroline and their horses and corgi, Pokey. Matt’s role at Western Ag Life will be to provide listeners with weekly market updates on the cattle and beef markets, on both a regional and national perspective.
CONNECT WITH MATT
Matt Arendt, Contributor
(949) 351-0212
Contributor, Dean Fish-PhD
Dean has dedicated his life work to livestock production in the West. Growing up on ranches in southern Arizona, he participated in 4-H beef, livestock judging and leadership programs. Following graduation from Patagonia High School, he attained a B.S. and M.S. at the University of Arizona in Animal Sciences. During a 15 year career as an Extension Livestock Agent and Regional Specialist, he completed a PhD in Reproductive Physiology. In 2013, Dean changed careers and became the Ranch Manager for the Santa Fe Ranch Foundation and officially launched Anchor F Cattle Co LLC. He currently ranches and raises commercial Angus cattle and club calves. In addition, he works with other cattlemen to help solve production challenges and is a member of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Stockmanship and Stewardship team. Dean also works in the auction industry as an auctioneer and ringman, raising money for worthy charities that empower youth and provide for the less fortunate in our communities.
CONNECT WITH DEAN
R. Dean Fish, PhD, Contributor
(520) 988-8009
Meteorologist, Michael Groff
My name is Michael Groff, the resident weather geek here at Western Ag Life.
Like many others, my family abandoned their snow shovels in Minnesota/North Dakota and moved to the desert southwest more than 40 years ago. As far back as I can remember, meteorology was a passion of mine. The weather across the southwest U.S. may not have the hurricanes, tornadoes and prolonged deep-freezes you'll find elsewhere, but it is still fascinating and challenging.
When I'm not looking at forecast models, charts and graphs you will probably find me hanging out with my girlfriend and our two dogs named Buddy and Topaz. I also play piano, compose music, create additional, random, non-weather related content for YouTube and play some video games here and there.
Click on this link to listen to Michael’s extended weather report daily
CONNECT WITH MICHAEL
Michael Groff, Meteorologist
Lifestyle Contributor, Tina Mead-Ramirez
Tina is a native of Tucson, Arizona. She has been married to her husband Paul Ramirez for 32 years and has two children, Shay and Madison. She learned about agriculture from Paul. Both her children have been heavily involved in 4H and FFA. Tina has a heart for philanthropy and has served on many charity and fundraising boards. She has been a Farmers Insurance Agent for 26 years.
Tina has a passion for photography and baking and grew up with a long lineage of great cooks in her family. Her Grandparents owned and ran a breakfast and lunch counter during the 1960’s. Food has definitely been a “love language” to her and her family. Born and raised in Tucson with a southern lineage brings a unique flair to her cooking and baking.
Auctions, estate sales, and yard sales are hobbies Tina loves. With her husband Paul being a long time auctioneer and owning an auction company, she has been part of hundreds of auctions. She loves how unique each auction is, you never know what you may find or who you are going to meet and the stories they will share.
We are excited to share the gift of “Western Ag Life” to our friends old and new.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”