CattleUSA Daily

Lauren and Emma break down how nutrition messaging around beef went off the rails and why it still matters to cattle producers today. They talk through how past dietary guidelines and food scoring systems elevated ultra-processed foods while pushing beef to the bottom, how convenience culture and lack of food education fueled that shift, and why consumers became disconnected from protein quality altogether. The conversation stays grounded in what was actually said in the transcript: misinformation sticks, education gaps compound, and whether producers like it or not, nutrition narratives directly impact long-term beef demand.LinksEmma's Links - https://linktr.ee/doubleeranch ⁠CattleUSA Website - ⁠https://www.cattleusa.com/⁠ Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamedia⁠ Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/⁠ Subscribe to our newsletter - ⁠https://www.cattleusadrive.com/⁠ CattleUSA Media - ⁠https://www.cattleusamedia.com/⁠ Lauren’s Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/⁠ Lauren’s Youtube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Showboatmediaco⁠ The Next Generation Podcast Website - ⁠https://www.thenextgenag.com/⁠Takeaways• Past nutrition guidelines and food scoring systems ranked ultra-processed foods higher than beef, creating long-term consumer confusion.• Beef wasn’t displaced because of data alone, but because of how nutrition was communicated to the public.• Convenience culture played a major role as fewer households cooked meals regularly or understood basic food preparation.• Consumers were taught to fear fat and red meat while being encouraged toward boxed and processed foods.• Nutrition education largely disappeared from schools, leaving consumers without context for food choices.• Protein quality and bioavailability were rarely explained, even though they matter more than raw protein numbers.• Misinformation tends to stick longer than corrections, especially when it’s simple or fear-based.• Beef demand is influenced by nutrition narratives just as much as price or supply.• Producers can’t fully outsource education if they want long-term demand stability.• Rebuilding trust in beef requires clarity, repetition, and real-world conversations, not slogans alone.Chapters00:00 New Year check-in and setting the stage01:40 Why this topic matters even if you’re a producer03:20 How beef ended up ranked below processed foods05:20 Food scoring systems and consumer confusion07:10 Convenience culture and the decline of cooking09:20 Missing nutrition education in schools11:30 Protein quality vs protein quantity13:40 Why misinformation sticks longer than facts15:40 How nutrition narratives affect beef demand18:00 What producers underestimate about consumer perception20:10 Wrapping it up and why this isn’t going awaynutrition guidelines, beef nutrition, food pyramid, my plate, processed foods, protein quality, beef demand, consumer perception, nutrition misinformation, food education, red meat health, beef industry communication

Lauren sits down with Gary Lezak for a grounded look at the winter weather pattern shaping conditions across the CattleUSA region. While much of the Plains has experienced an unusually warm and dry start to winter, Gary explains why this isn’t random and what the long-range cycling pattern says about what’s ahead. From snowpack and moisture concerns to late-winter cold risks and summer heat signals already showing up, this conversation focuses on what ranchers should actually be watching and why this winter still matters.LinksWeather 20/20 Dashboard Discount⁠ - https://www.weather2020.com/partner/cattle-usaSubstack - https://weather2020.substack.com/The Global Predictor App ⁠- ⁠https://www.weather2020.com/global-predictor-mobile-appYoutube⁠ -https://www.youtube.com/@Weather2020Follow Gary on X ⁠- https://x.com/glezak CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Takeaways• Much of the Plains and Rockies have seen a warmer and drier-than-normal winter so far.• Colorado snowfall is running well below average, raising longer-term moisture concerns.• Nebraska stands out as a key area to monitor for potential drought expansion.• Kansas has benefited from rain instead of snow, helping short-term moisture but not snowpack.• The current weather pattern has been consistent since October and is not random.• Major weather events are repeating on a roughly 10–11 week cycle.• This cycling pattern is showing up across the Northern Hemisphere, not just the U.S.• Anchor ridges are weakening storms in some regions while shifting precipitation types.• Cold outbreaks and winter storms are still possible later in winter.• Summer heat risk is already emerging for parts of the Southern Plains.Chapters00:00 Winter recap, warm weather, and snowpack concerns03:30 Dry zones, moisture patterns, and drought risk areas06:00 The repeating weather cycle and why it matters09:30 Anchor ridges, storm behavior, and model limitations12:30 Late winter cold risks and spring outlook15:20 Wrap-up and what ranchers should watch nextweather outlook, winter weather, cattle market weather, long range forecast, moisture concerns, drought risk, snowpack, Plains weather, Nebraska drought, Kansas rainfall, Colorado snow, weather cycles, LRC weather pattern, anchor ridge, severe weather outlook, ranch planning, cattle operations, seasonal weather risk

John opens with a strong market week and even stronger prices on lightweight calves, then the episode turns into a blunt reality check on Canada’s new cattle traceability rules. The core issue is not tagging cattle. It’s the expectation that producers log every movement, location, and ID detail within seven days, even in real-world ranch scenarios where premise IDs don’t exist, cattle are commingled, and logistics change mid-haul. John lays out why the policy reads clean on a PowerPoint but collapses the second it hits pasture gates, portable pens, community grazing, and normal neighbor-help situations. The takeaway is simple: paperwork doesn’t stop disease, but it can absolutely stop commerce.LinksNominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Takeaways• The cattle market stayed strong again this week, with lightweight steer calves continuing to climb and heavy steers also higher.• Some heifer classes were steadier this week, but the overall tone stayed firm to higher.• Regional markets were also higher, with places like Salina showing eye-watering strength on multiple weight classes.• Canada’s updated cattle traceability requirements push the reporting burden onto the producer with tight timelines.• The policy assumes every location has a usable premise ID, but many real grazing setups do not.• Portable pens, remote pastures, commingled grazing, and mixed ownership areas make “perfect traceability” unrealistic in practice.• Everyday ranch logistics break the system: split loads, last-minute hauling help, gate cuts, multiple drop locations, and cows that blend back into big groups.• The rule set creates a bookkeeping and compliance nightmare that will hit small and mid-sized producers hardest.• John’s argument is that this goes beyond disease traceability and drifts toward data collection that can later be used to control behavior and participation.• The biggest risk is policy creep: once the framework exists, fines and enforcement become the lever that forces consolidation.Chapters00:00 Snow and moisture, then straight into a strong market week01:20 Lahana market recap: calves higher, feeders strong, replacements still hot04:10 Regional check-in: Salina and Dodge City staying firm to higher07:20 Topic shift: Canada’s new traceability rules and why they’re a practical disaster12:30 Real-world ranch scenarios that break the system: premise IDs, commingling, portable pens, split loads19:10 The real consequence: compliance pressure, fines, and forcing people out23:20 Why this matters to U.S. producers and what to watch before it shows up here44:00 Wrap-upcattle market, cattle prices, feeder cattle, stocker cattle, heifer market, replacement heifers, auction market recap, Salina cattle market, Dodge City cattle market, Canada cattle regulations, Canadian traceability, cattle ID rules, premise ID, EID tags, cattle movement reporting, commingled grazing, community pastures, portable pens, compliance burden, producer regulation, cattle industry policy

Lauren challenges one of the most common phrases in agriculture: “we’re just hanging on until the kids take over.” While that mindset often comes from grit, sacrifice, and deep love for the land, this episode draws a hard line between perseverance and deferred collapse. Lauren unpacks why survival alone is not a succession plan, what the next generation is really inheriting beyond land and cattle, and why intentional sustainability matters more than endurance at all costs.LinksNominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Takeaways• Hanging on through thin margins and burnout is not the same as building a legacy.• Legacy is not survival mode. Legacy is sustainability with intention.• When an operation only works because someone is underpaid, overworked, and absorbing stress, the business is already breaking.• The next generation inherits systems, debt, habits, and risk tolerance, not just land and livestock.• Many ranches are unintentionally handing down outdated models that cannot support another family.• Young producers are entering an industry with higher land values, higher interest rates, more regulation, and less margin for error than ever before.• Real legacy requires uncomfortable conversations before a crisis forces them.• Sustainability means knowing true costs, running cows that pay their way, and building labor systems that don’t burn people out.• Downsizing, restructuring, or diversifying income can be acts of leadership, not failure.• A legacy that costs health, marriage, financial stability, or joy is not something worth protecting.Chapters00:00 The phrase everyone hears: “we’re just hanging on02:10 Perseverance vs. deferred collapse05:05 The reality young producers are stepping into today06:10 The uncomfortable questions legacy requires08:30 Why downsizing or change can be leadership10:20 Final takeaway: build something worth stepping intoagriculture legacy, ranch succession, generational transition, sustainable ranching, farm transition planning, ranch profitability, cost per cow, labor burnout, rural leadership, agricultural sustainability, family ranch succession, next generation ranchers, farm business planning, intentional leadership, cattle operation longevity

Lauren sits down with Dan and Samantha for a no-nonsense cattle market check-in as January gets underway. Cash markets are strong, grazing cattle and replacements are on fire, and futures finally made a move higher. But beneath the rally are high feedlot break-evens, questionable government data, grain market frustration, and real risks tied to packer leverage, imports, and policy decisions. This episode breaks down what’s actually happening, where optimism is justified, and why producers need to use this market, not assume it will last.LinksNominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Takeaways• The cash cattle market is strong, especially for grazing cattle, stockers, and replacements.• Feeder cattle futures finally followed cash higher, but fats are still waiting on cash to lead.• Demand remains aggressive because inventories are tight and buyers don’t want to wait until spring.• Feedlot break-evens are still high due to interest, yardage, and cost creep, even with cheaper feed.• Grain markets took a hit after a highly controversial government report that raised ending stocks.• Corn balance sheets are heavy, making it harder for grain prices to rally into profitable levels for farmers.• Questionable data and late corrections continue to undermine trust in government reports.• Plant closures and reduced slaughter capacity, especially in Nebraska, could shift packer leverage.• Brazilian beef imports hit quota fast, triggering tariffs and temporarily limiting additional imports.• This is a market to use, not admire. Protect downside, manage risk, and don’t get comfortable.Chapters00:00 Weather whiplash and winter volatility01:05 Big move in futures and stronger cash tone02:00 Grazing cattle and replacement demand heating up03:10 Low inventory and fear of running out of cattle04:00 Feedlot break-evens and why the rally is needed05:00 Grain markets, cheaper feed, and why feeders didn’t react immediately05:50 The WASDE report frustration and broken confidence07:30 Corn yields, harvested acres, and balance sheet concerns09:30 Why bad data hurts farmers more than volatility11:15 Trust issues with government reporting13:20 Cash fats, packer leverage, and plant closures14:45 Imports, Brazilian tariffs, and policy risk15:55 Using the market and protecting the back end16:50 LRP misinformation and why producers should call directly17:45 Final advice: manage risk, don’t assume this lastscattle market, cattle market update, feeder cattle, fat cattle, cash cattle prices, cattle futures, replacement heifers, grazing cattle, feedlot break-evens, cost of gain, grain markets, corn prices, WASDE report, USDA data, packer leverage, beef imports, Brazilian beef tariffs, slaughter capacity, LRP insurance, cattle risk management, market volatility, producer margins

Most producers can tell you cow count, rainfall, and how much hay is left. But the operations that stay broke even in good markets usually miss the same thing: they aren’t watching the right financial numbers often enough. This episode breaks down three metrics you should track monthly, not at tax time, because monthly numbers warn you while you can still fix it. Lauren covers cost per cow, breakeven per calf, and operating profit margin, plus the simple monthly habit that gives you visibility before your ranch quietly bleeds you out.LinksNominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Takeaways• Annual numbers are history. Monthly numbers are a warning sign while you still have time to adjust.• Cost per cow is the backbone metric. If you don’t know it, you can’t make smart decisions on replacements, expansion, or risk.• Cost per cow needs to include the full picture: feed, supplements, pasture, labor (including unpaid family labor), vet, breeding, bulls, fuel, repairs, depreciation, interest, insurance, overhead, and more.• Most producers underestimate cost per cow by 20 to 40 percent, which quietly wrecks profit over the year.• Breakeven per calf is cost per cow divided by weaning rate. It tells you what your calves have to bring just to pay the bills.• Breakeven changes all year because expenses and conditions change. Tracking it monthly forces discipline in nutrition, preg-check timing, and culling.• Most ranches don’t have a marketing problem. They have a reproduction and cost-control problem, and breakeven exposes both.• Operating profit margin shows what you keep, not what flows through the checking account.• Healthy cow-calf operations often run 8 to 15 percent margin in good years. Many operations live at 2 to 6 percent without realizing it.• Margins don’t collapse overnight. They erode. Three straight months of decline means something is off and you need to find it early.Chapters00:00 Why monthly numbers matter more than “what it feels like”01:15 The difference between annual history and monthly warning signs02:00 Metric 1: cost per cow and what actually belongs in it03:55 Metric 2: breakeven per calf and the simple formula04:40 Why breakeven changes all year and forces discipline05:40 Metric 3: operating profit margin and what “healthy” looks like06:55 Why margins erode and how to catch it before it’s too late08:00 Wrap-up: the numbers don’t care about excuses, but they’ll tell you the truthcost per cow, breakeven per calf, operating profit margin, ranch financials, monthly tracking, cow-calf operation, ranch cash flow, weaning rate, cost control, reproduction efficiency, culling decisions, ranch profitability, cattle operation metrics, ranch budgeting, cattle business discipline

Lauren and Emma kick off the year by getting brutally practical about herd rebuild decisions and the real economics behind keeping heifers. With cattle prices strong but input costs still climbing, this episode breaks down why “just keep more heifers” is not a strategy unless it pencils. They talk retention vs. buying bred females, breeding windows and lost dollars, why culling the bottom end matters more in a hot market, and how record keeping (even if it’s simple) is what separates a sustainable operation from one that’s just hoping things work out.LinksEmma's Links - https://linktr.ee/doubleeranch ⁠CattleUSA Website - ⁠https://www.cattleusa.com/⁠ Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamedia⁠ Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/⁠ Subscribe to our newsletter - ⁠https://www.cattleusadrive.com/⁠ CattleUSA Media - ⁠https://www.cattleusamedia.com/⁠ Lauren’s Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/⁠ Lauren’s Youtube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Showboatmediaco⁠ The Next Generation Podcast Website - ⁠https://www.thenextgenag.com/⁠Takeaways• Herd rebuild decisions need to be strategic, not emotional, especially in a high-price, high-cost environment.• Retaining heifers has an opportunity cost: they aren’t producing revenue for a while, and you carry the expense until they calve.• Selling heifers into a strong market and buying bred females can pencil better for some operations. It depends on your goals and forage.• Input costs are not returning to “cheap” levels. Feed, supplements, and maintenance costs need to be built into break-evens.• If you’re running cattle as a business, breeding success matters. Open females and late breeders can bleed profits fast.• The market is rewarding culling right now. Use it to clean up the bottom end and get paid while doing it.• Genomics and performance data can help identify the lower performers so you’re not guessing.• Temperament and labor cost are real costs. A wreck of a cow can cost you equipment, time, injury risk, and lost calves.• Stocking rate matters. Don’t expand just because prices are good if forage can’t support it.• Record keeping is the foundation. If you aren’t tracking anything, you won’t know you’re losing money until it’s obvious and expensive.Chapters00:00 New Year recaps and the “early bedtime” life01:50 Gym mornings, sleep, and the 4:30 a.m. routine04:10 Introducing the topic: heifers and herd rebuild decisions06:00 The true costs behind keeping or buying females07:50 Retain vs. sell vs. buy bred heifers: what it changes financially09:10 Input costs, land pressure, and why operations have to be strategic11:30 Breeding windows, open females, and leaving money on the table13:30 Why now is the time to cull the bottom end15:30 Older cows vs. younger cows and what “productive” actually means16:45 Record keeping and why most operations don’t know their real break-even19:00 Data vs. memory: pulling calves, bad mothers, and repeat offenders20:10 Labor, injuries, equipment damage, and the hidden cost of chaos23:10 Practical advice: start tracking, even if it’s simple24:00 Wrap-up: make decisions with numbers, not feelingsheifers, herd rebuild, heifer retention, bred heifers, cow-calf economics, break-even, cattle market 2026, cattle input costs, record keeping, cattle genetics, genomics, feed efficiency, culling strategy, stocking rate, forage capacity, breeding window, open cows, calving season management, sustainable ranching, cattle operation profitability

Lauren and John open the year with a strong market update across multiple regions, highlighting higher prices, aggressive demand for bigger feeder cattle, and notable shifts in how buyers are using grass this time of year. From there, the conversation pivots to methane emissions and why cattle continue to be blamed despite decades of data showing their impact is minimal. John breaks down where the methane narrative came from, what the science actually says, and why producers keep paying the price for misinformation that refuses to die.LinksNominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Takeaways• Cattle markets rebounded strongly after the fall dip, with many regions surpassing previous highs.• Lightweight calves and heifers saw especially aggressive demand, with notable price gains across multiple states.• Bigger feeder cattle are being purchased earlier for grass, signaling a shift in buyer behavior.• Availability concerns and strong feed resources are pushing cattle into non-traditional programs this time of year.• Methane emissions from cattle remain a heavily misunderstood issue, despite long-standing data disproving exaggerated claims.• U.S. beef production accounts for a very small percentage of total greenhouse gas emissions.• Much of the methane blame originated from flawed global studies that bundled unrelated emissions into cattle data.• Producers continue to feel the consequences of misinformation through policy pressure and funding priorities.• Research dollars are often driven by politics and funding sources rather than practical producer impact.• Education and messaging matter more than chasing new metrics that don’t improve real-world profitability.Chapters00:00 New Year check-in and market recap kickoff01:15 Sale barn momentum and price strength returning03:30 Regional highlights and standout feeder prices06:10 Bigger cattle moving to grass earlier than normal09:00 Demand drivers and shifting buyer strategies12:00 Transition into methane and greenhouse gas discussion14:30 Where the methane narrative came from18:00 What the data actually says about cattle emissions22:00 Why producers keep paying for bad science26:30 Wrapping up markets, volatility, and cautious optimismcattle market update, feeder cattle prices, sale barn trends, regional cattle markets, feeder demand, grass cattle, methane emissions, greenhouse gas cattle, beef industry climate debate, cattle sustainability, producer education, cattle market volatility, livestock economics

As CattleCon approaches, Terry Quam joins the podcast to walk through what actually happens behind the scenes of the beef checkoff and why producer involvement matters now more than ever. From how the checkoff is structured and governed, to why meetings are held alongside CattleCon, to real-world examples of crisis response like BSE and COVID, this episode pulls back the curtain on how producer dollars are used to drive beef demand. Terry also reflects on the history of the checkoff, the challenges of doing more with fewer dollars as cattle numbers shrink, and what the next 40 years of the program need to look like to keep the beef industry profitable and resilient.LinksNominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Takeaways• The beef checkoff operates separately from policy and focuses solely on driving beef demand through research, education, and marketing.• CattleCon provides a centralized, cost-efficient location for open, transparent beef checkoff meetings that any producer can attend.• All Cattlemen’s Beef Board meetings at CattleCon are open to the public, including budget, audit, and contractor evaluations.• Producer governance is built regionally, ensuring representation from diverse cattle-producing areas across the U.S.• Shrinking cattle numbers mean fewer checkoff dollars, making efficiency and prioritization more important than ever.• The beef checkoff has played a critical role in crisis response, including BSE and COVID, by preparing messaging and research in advance.• Consumer research like the Meat Demand Monitor helps the industry understand changing preferences and buying behavior.• Education efforts target consumers, healthcare professionals, and classrooms to protect beef’s reputation and demand long-term.• The strength of the beef industry lies in its diversity, from cow-calf to feedyards, grass-fed to grain-fed operations.• Producers who question the checkoff are encouraged to get involved, attend meetings, and evaluate the programs firsthand.Chapters00:00 Christmas on the farm and winter weather realities03:40 Headed to CattleCon and what makes it valuable05:15 Beef checkoff priorities and emerging challenges07:45 Policy vs. checkoff and clearing up common confusion10:05 Why beef checkoff meetings are held at CattleCon12:10 Producer governance and how leadership is selected14:45 Diversity of cattle production across the U.S.16:40 Lessons from BSE and crisis preparedness19:20 COVID, at-home cooking, and rapid demand shifts22:00 Research, education, and marketing balance24:05 Looking ahead to the next 40 years of the checkoff26:15 Advice to producers who question the checkoff28:30 Final thoughts and CattleCon invitationbeef checkoff, CattleCon, Cattlemen’s Beef Board, beef demand, producer governance, beef industry education, beef research, beef marketing, Meat Demand Monitor, BSE response, COVID beef demand, producer involvement, transparency, state beef councils, beef industry leadership, beef promotion, cattle producers

The first market update of the new year kicks off with Dan Gerhold and Samantha Cozza-Wright breaking down a cattle market that’s wasting no time rebounding. From a Santa Claus rally and feeder cattle pushing back above $350, to shrinking price discovery, tight placements, and ongoing uncertainty around the Mexico border, this episode dives into what’s driving early-2026 optimism and what could still derail it. The conversation also covers LRP strategy at historically high index levels, grain market stagnation ahead of key USDA reports, and why February beef demand may end up being the real test for this market.Nominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Takeaways• Feeder cattle have pushed back above the $350 index, a level only seen for a total of 59 days in history.• Placements remain extremely light, especially in the Southern Plains, following holiday slowdowns and the continued Mexico border closure.• Negotiated cash trade remains thin, shrinking the window for true price discovery and increasing reliance on formula pricing.• Packers are spending more money up front while protecting formula trade margins by managing reported base prices.• Heifer retention is starting to show up in the market, further tightening available calf supplies.• Producers should strongly consider protecting prices on the rally using LRP, especially with 2026 historically being a risky year for cattle markets.• Grain markets remain largely stagnant ahead of major January USDA reports, with attention quickly shifting toward 2026 new-crop pricing.• The Mexico border reopening will likely be slow and staged, with cattle weights playing a major role in how much market impact it creates.• Beef demand remains solid post-holidays, but late January and early February will be critical in determining how much leverage packers retain.• Lower kills and plant downtime could help support cash cattle prices if beef values hold near current levels.Chapters00:00 New Year check-in and holiday cattle talk02:25 Early-January market rebound and cash trade tone04:20 Transparency issues and shrinking price discovery06:45 Placements, heifer retention, and tight supplies08:15 What $350 feeder cattle really means10:30 LRP strategy and protecting historically high prices11:45 Grain markets, January reports, and 2026 crop outlook14:45 Mexico border, screwworm cases, and cattle flow risks17:15 Beef demand, packer leverage, and February pressure points19:30 Final market outlook and producer strategy moving forwardcattle market, feeder cattle, 2026 cattle outlook, cattle prices, placements, price discovery, negotiated cash trade, formula pricing, LRP insurance, feeder cattle index, beef demand, packer leverage, Mexico border cattle, screwworm, grain markets, corn prices, cattle feeding, cow-calf producers, risk management

Emma’s back and we’re going straight into one of the messiest, most avoided topics in agriculture: generational transition. With the average age of U.S. producers climbing and new “beginning” producers often starting later in life, the question isn’t just who’s taking over. It’s whether the operation is even set up to survive the handoff. We talk estate planning realities, why “equal” splits can destroy a ranch, how lawsuits and unclear boundaries blow up families, and why digitizing records and adopting the right tech isn’t optional anymore. Bottom line: you don’t have to like this conversation, but avoiding it is how ranches get sold.LinksEmma's Links - https://linktr.ee/doubleeranch ⁠CattleUSA Website - ⁠https://www.cattleusa.com/⁠ Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamedia⁠ Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/⁠ Subscribe to our newsletter - ⁠https://www.cattleusadrive.com/⁠ CattleUSA Media - ⁠https://www.cattleusamedia.com/⁠ Lauren’s Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/⁠ Lauren’s Youtube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Showboatmediaco⁠ The Next Generation Podcast Website - ⁠https://www.thenextgenag.com/⁠Takeaways• The generational transition problem is real: producers are aging, and “new” first-generation producers often start later because the capital barrier is brutal.• Succession is not just financial. It’s emotional, and emotion makes people irrational fast, especially when money and land are involved.• “Equal” inheritance can be the quickest path to a forced sale. If one sibling wants out, the operating sibling often can’t buy them out.• If you don’t have clear legal structure, you’re handing your family a lawsuit, not a legacy.• Bank access matters: without the right account protocols, your spouse or kids may not be able to access money when they need it most.• Digitize everything. Fires, floods, and faded ink don’t care about your filing system.• Estate planning is a professional job. “I didn’t know” won’t save you with the IRS, the courts, or the bank.• Tech adoption is a competitive advantage. You don’t have to use it, but you’ll be competing against operations that do, and they’ll be faster, more efficient, and more profitable.• Good records improve real decision-making: genetics, pasture performance, inventory tracking, and true break-evens.• Producer blind spot: many underestimate true cost of production because they ignore hidden inputs (labor, depreciation, fuel, vet, leases, interest, time).• Practical reality: the next generation shouldn’t inherit a mess that takes 20 years and a quarter-million dollars to modernize just to stay alive.Chapters00:00 Why This Topic Matters: Generational Shifts + Technology00:41 The Age Reality and Why “New” Producers Start at 4502:20 Succession Planning Isn’t Equal, It’s Complicated03:15 The Morbid Truth: You Don’t Know When Your Last Day Is04:17 A “Perfect Plan” Can Still Sink the Ranch06:44 The Legal Train Wrecks: Access, boundaries, lawsuits, family conflict10:42 “Fair vs Equal”: How Splits Break Operations12:10 Tech Adoption and Digital Records: Compete or get left behind14:10 Why Detail Matters: history, genetics, and better decisions15:45 True Break-Evens: the costs producers forget to count16:06 Why Everyone Puts This Off (and why you can’t)20:10 What to do now: professionals, trusts, passwords, clarity22:15 The hot take: stop splitting land “equally” by default23:15 Wrap-Upranch succession planning, farm succession planning, estate planning for ranchers, ranch trusts and wills, ranch legacy planning, family ranch transition, generational change in agriculture, average age of farmers, technology in ranching, ranch record keeping, digitizing farm records, break-even cattle production, ranch financial planning, ranch LLC trust structure, avoiding family ranch lawsuits, ag technology adoption, ranch operations management

Meteorologist Gary Lezak kicks off the new year by breaking down what the long-range weather pattern is already revealing about 2026. After chasing a major West Coast storm to Lake Tahoe, Gary explains why this year’s unusually long weather cycle matters, how anchor ridges and troughs are shaping snowfall, drought risk, and storm tracks, and what producers should be watching as we head toward spring and summer. The conversation covers California flooding, Rocky Mountain snow struggles, Plains moisture concerns, a possible major heat wave later this year, and a clear, plain-English refresher on how the LRC works and why it continues to outperform traditional forecasts.LinksWeather 20/20 Dashboard Discount⁠ - https://www.weather2020.com/partner/cattle-usaSubstack - https://weather2020.substack.com/The Global Predictor App ⁠- ⁠https://www.weather2020.com/global-predictor-mobile-appYoutube⁠ -https://www.youtube.com/@Weather2020Follow Gary on X ⁠- https://x.com/glezak CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Takeaways• This year’s weather pattern is cycling much slower than last year, with a roughly 70–76 day cycle instead of a 40-day cycle.• A major West Coast storm that hit California was predicted months in advance using the LRC and returned almost exactly on schedule.• Anchor ridges near Colorado are suppressing snowfall in the Rockies, while anchor troughs are hammering the Northeast with repeated storms.• California is likely to see additional strong storm systems over the next several weeks, with more flooding and heavy mountain snow possible.• The Plains and Corn Belt face growing uncertainty around spring moisture and drought risk as storms weaken moving east.• A significant heat wave signal is emerging for late July into early August, which could have major implications for crops, pasture, and livestock stress.• Weather leading up to mid-May will be critical in determining how damaging that potential summer heat becomes.• Snow squalls are short-lived but dangerous winter weather events that can create near-blizzard conditions in minutes.• The LRC is built on repeating seasonal patterns, anchor ridges and troughs, and consistent cycling that lasts until the next fall reset.• Understanding long-range weather risk early allows producers to plan ahead instead of reacting when problems hit.Chapters00:00 New Year, Lake Tahoe, and Chasing a Predicted Storm02:01 Why This Year’s Weather Cycle Is Much Longer Than Last Year04:12 Drought Concerns for the Plains and Corn Belt06:43 California Storm Systems and Why They’re Intensifying08:42 Ice Storm and Plains Winter Risk10:26 Snow Squalls Explained and Why They’re Dangerous11:21 What the LRC Is and How It Works13:30 How the Pattern Predicts Heat, Floods, and Drought14:52 The Three Most Impactful Weather Events of the Year16:08 Preparing for 2026 Weather Risksweather forecast, long-range weather, LRC weather pattern, drought outlook, heat wave risk, California storms, Plains weather, Midwest weather, snow squall, climate risk agriculture, farm weather planning, ranch weather risk, Weather 2020, Gary Lezak, anchor ridge, anchor trough, extreme weather planning, seasonal weather cycles

Dan Leahy has spent 20+ years walking into other people’s ranches and fixing the stuff nobody wants to name out loud. In this episode, he breaks down why ranch management is the real bottleneck, not just grazing practices. We get into why most “consulting” never gets implemented, why the human element drives everything, and how the collapse of family-based management is fueling a ranch labor crisis. Dan also explains the four-year apprenticeship model his team built to develop professional ranch managers, then ties it all to gentrification in ranch country, land pressure, and what the next generation has to do differently to survive. He closes with a hard truth that will make some people mad and help others win: the future is going to reward the ranches that get serious about systems, science, and people.LinksDan's Email - ranchresource@gmail.comDan's Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-leahy-5240a3148/Nominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Takeaways• Ranch problems are rarely just “production problems.” Most ranch failures start with people, communication, and follow-through.• Consultants can diagnose issues easily, but implementation is the real battle. Most ideas die because of timing, capital constraints, or personalities.• Family ranches used to supply their own “management horsepower.” That pipeline is fading fast, and ranching hasn’t professionalized management at the pace it needs.• The apprenticeship model is built to be flexible, not a rigid “start at 18” path. The point is deliberate skill-building plus real-world reps.• Mentors and apprentices are equally important. It’s not “chicken or egg,” it’s preparation on both sides before the relationship even starts.• Young people don’t need more buzzwords. They need strong fundamentals: biology, chemistry, accounting, and systems thinking. Ranching is a science business now.• Gentrification in ranch country is real: weakening ranch economics + aging ownership + outside capital creates bargain-buy conditions and accelerates land transfer.• The wealth gap means buyers can pay 3x a ranch’s “real” value without blinking, changing the incentives and the future use of land.• Hard truth: land pressure and labor shortages are not going away. Ranches need intentional management development or they’ll lose continuity.• Dan’s bold shift: moving from irrigated row crops to irrigated pasture can change the economics dramatically for operators positioned to do it.Chapters01:15 Dan’s Background: Homebuilding to Natural Resources to Ranch Consulting03:10 The Consultant Reality: Diagnosis Is Easy, Implementation Is Rare06:00 The Real Problem: Family-Driven Management Pipeline Is Collapsing08:12 The Apprenticeship Model: Why Ranching Needed One14:40 Gentrification in Ranch Country: What It Means and Why It’s Accelerating23:00 So What Now? Solutions and How the Industry Moves Forward30:50 Hard Truths: The Bold Shift Toward Irrigated Pasture34:10 Final Message: Encouragement for the 1% Who Actually Actranch management, ranch labor shortage, ranch apprenticeships, ranch management apprenticeship, professional ranch manager, ranch consulting, ranch succession planning, gentrification in ranching, ranch land values, regenerative ranching, continuous grazing, ranch systems, ranch leadership, ranch team building

Emma is back, and today we’re tackling one of the most misunderstood conversations in ag: why the U.S. exports beef while also importing beef. If you’ve ever seen “we should just keep it all here” in the comments section, this episode is for you. Lauren and Emma break down what we actually export (high-value specialty cuts and off-cuts other countries pay a premium for), why we import (lean trim to support ground beef demand and maximize carcass value), and why stopping exports wouldn’t magically make beef cheaper. They also hit the bigger picture: global trade relationships, why countries like Japan, Korea, and China rely on U.S. beef, and the consumer habits at home that shape what ends up on our plates.LinksEmma's Links - https://linktr.ee/doubleeranch ⁠CattleUSA Website - ⁠https://www.cattleusa.com/⁠ Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamedia⁠ Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/⁠ Subscribe to our newsletter - ⁠https://www.cattleusadrive.com/⁠ CattleUSA Media - ⁠https://www.cattleusamedia.com/⁠ Lauren’s Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/⁠ Lauren’s Youtube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Showboatmediaco⁠ The Next Generation Podcast Website - ⁠https://www.thenextgenag.com/⁠Takeaways• “Stop exporting” isn’t a simple fix because exports aren’t just steaks. A big share is off-cuts and items the U.S. consumer doesn’t buy at scale.• The U.S. exports products other countries treat as premium or culturally preferred (think tongue and other variety meats), creating higher carcass value.• Importing doesn’t mean “lower standards” by default. Imported product still supports the domestic system by filling gaps in lean supply.• Ground beef demand is a major driver of imports because the U.S. market wants lean trim to blend with domestic fat.• If we tried to keep everything domestic without trade, consumers would either pay more or have to change what they’re willing to eat.• High-marbling and specialty beef (including Wagyu and crosses) often finds its best-paying home in export markets when domestic demand is limited at that price point.• Global trade is a two-way relationship across all commodities, not a beef-only issue.• The U.S. is one of the most efficient beef-producing countries in the world, and that efficiency supports our role as a supplier to land- and resource-constrained nations.• Export demand strengthens the value of the whole animal and supports producer profitability.• Resource pressure and urban expansion matter long-term. Losing productive land pushes countries toward import dependence, and Emma argues the U.S. shouldn’t follow that path.Chapters00:00 Christmas Recaps, “Hawaiian Christmas,” and the Crud01:25 The Comment Section Debate: “Stop Exporting, Stop Importing”02:55 What We Export (And Why Other Countries Pay a Premium)04:45 Why Imports Exist: Lean Trim, Ground Beef, and Carcass Balance06:20 The Best Resource to Track It: USMEF and What to Look For07:45 Who Buys U.S. Beef and Why: Japan, Korea, China, Mexico09:15 “You Want Your Cake and Eat It Too”: Consumer Habits vs Reality10:55 The Broader Issue: Resources, land use, and self-sufficiency13:10 Why the U.S. Beef System Wins: Efficiency, genetics, and nutrition15:05 Bottom Line: Trade is a “dance” and it protects carcass value16:30 Wrap-Up: Why producers should care and where to follow Emmabeef exports, beef imports, US beef trade, why we export beef, why the US imports beef, lean trim, ground beef demand, variety meats, beef tongue, offal exports, carcass value, meat export economics, Japan beef imports, Korea beef imports, China beef imports, Mexico beef trade, US Meat Export Federation, beef supply chain, beef consumer demand, Wagyu exports, beef pricing and trade

John Campbell is back and he’s not here to recap another week of prices. He steps back and asks the bigger question heading into 2026: why does it feel like ranchers are getting squeezed from every direction, and what choices are actually left? John breaks down the producer reality behind “cheap food policy,” government pressure and paperwork, regulatory landmines that can kill a business overnight, and the risks baked into big plans that sound great on paper. Then it gets personal, succession, aging producers, why the next generation is walking away, and whether the cattle business can ever get back to a healthier model built on real competition and less dependence.LinksNominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Takeaways• This conversation isn’t about weekly price action. It’s about the structural forces shaping ranching decisions in 2026.• John argues producers are price takers at the bottom of a “cheap food” system, with limited ability to pass costs forward.• He lays out the four paths he sees producers choosing: sell to recreational buyers, hand it to the next generation, take government assistance, or fight it out.• Government involvement isn’t “fringe” anymore. John’s point: it’s becoming unavoidable, whether producers like it or not.• Big plans and programs can sound promising, but the timeline, regulatory obstacles, and political turnover risk make execution shaky.• Independent processing expansion sounds like a solution, but John questions who it truly helps and how small producers fit into it.• Regulations and compliance costs can be a “single silver bullet” that ends a small operation fast, especially for independent processors.• Succession is a real choke point: older producers are worn out, and many younger people don’t want the fight.• John’s 2026 “hard truth”: the industry needs more real competition and better balance across the supply chain, but getting there may require pain before reform.• The core question he leaves listeners with: how do you rebuild a healthier cattle industry without breaking society and producers in the process?Chapters00:00 Christmas Recap, Prime Rib Wins, and Fighting the Crud03:59 “Nothing to Report” Turns Into a Bigger Conversation05:10 Government Programs, Producer Pride, and the Reality Ranchers Hate06:45 “Cheap Food Policy” and Why Producers Keep Getting Squeezed08:47 The Four Paths Producers Are Taking Right Now10:50 Succession, Aging Operators, and Why the Next Generation Is Leaving11:55 The Dilemma: Take the Money or Keep the Cowboy Hat On16:45 Volatility, Whiplash, and Why It Feels Impossible to Plan18:20 Big Promises, Big Risk: Why Execution Is the Real Problem21:05 Regulation as a “Silver Bullet” That Can Kill a Business Overnight23:05 Real Producer Story: When New Compliance Costs Hit Out of Nowhere27:45 The 2026 Hard Truth: What Needs to Change, and Why It’s So Hard31:05 Final Thought: Can the Industry Fix It Without a Full Reset?cattle industry 2026, ranching in 2026, ranch succession planning, ranching regulations, government programs agriculture, independent packing plants, cattle supply chain, packer concentration, producer profitability, ranching hard truths, rural policy, cattle producer challenges, next generation ranchers, farm and ranch compliance costs, cattle industry reform

Samantha Cozza-Wright joins the podcast for a post-Christmas market check-in, breaking down what a quiet holiday trade really tells us about where cattle markets are headed. With light volume, steady cash, and futures closing higher, the conversation turns quickly to the bigger forces shaping 2026. Samantha walks through Mexico border reopening expectations, seasonal demand drop-offs, Brazilian imports, and why transparency and risk management matter more than ever at these price levels. The episode closes with a clear message for producers: know your break-evens, understand your risk tolerance, and don’t head into the new year unprotected.LinksNominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Takeaways• Holiday trading was quiet, but live and feeder cattle futures closed higher across both front and deferred months.• Negotiated fed cattle trade edged up to around $230, though volume remained light due to the holidays.• A potential port-by-port reopening of the Mexico border is expected, but markets appear to have already priced it in.• Seasonal demand for high-end beef cuts dropped immediately after Christmas, with weakness likely into January.• February demand could see a short-term bump from Super Bowl buying, but a broader recovery may not come until March.• Lifted Brazilian tariffs raise concerns about imported beef capturing more domestic demand, especially in ground beef.• Increased imports could pressure domestic prices and slow herd expansion by shifting leverage back to packers.• Heifer retention is starting to show up in the data, but the market must support those decisions moving forward.• Livestock Risk Protection continues to be a key tool, especially as lenders prefer to see price protection in place.• Samantha’s bottom line: know your numbers, trust your intuition, but don’t gamble at these levels without a safety net.Chapters00:00 Post-Christmas Check-In and Newborn Life01:16 Holiday Trading: Futures, Cash, and Volume02:15 Mexico Border Reopening and Market Reaction03:00 Seasonal Demand Drop and Retail Price Pressure04:29 Imports, Brazilian Beef, and Packer Leverage06:16 Transparency, MCOOL, and Domestic Product Concerns07:03 Heifer Retention, Volatility, and Market Stability08:52 Risk Management, Break-Evens, and Closing Thoughtscattle market, live cattle futures, feeder cattle, beef imports, Brazilian beef, Mexico border reopening, heifer retention, cattle risk management, livestock risk protection, beef demand, cattle industry 2026, producer margins

Meteorologist Gary Lezak returns to break down a newly established weather pattern that’s already leaving clear fingerprints across the country. With a cycle length near 73 days, this is one of the longest Lezak Recurring Cycles observed in decades. Gary explains why storms are hammering California but weakening as they move east, how anchor troughs and anchor ridges quietly control where weather systems thrive or fail, and why the unusually warm Christmas stretch is not random. The conversation connects today’s winter setup to what could become a major heat event in late July or early August, showing how understanding pattern behavior—not daily forecasts—can completely change long-range planning.LinksWeather 20/20 Dashboard Discount⁠ - https://www.weather2020.com/partner/cattle-usaSubstack - https://weather2020.substack.com/The Global Predictor App ⁠- ⁠https://www.weather2020.com/global-predictor-mobile-appYoutube⁠ -https://www.youtube.com/@Weather2020Follow Gary on X ⁠- https://x.com/glezak CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Takeaways• The current weather pattern is cycling at roughly 73 days, making it one of the longest LRCs on record.• Long cycles do not eliminate storms, but they strongly influence where storms intensify and where they weaken.• Anchor troughs are regions where storms consistently grow stronger and occur more often.• Anchor ridges suppress storm development and weaken systems that move through them.• California is positioned near an anchor trough, increasing the risk of heavy rain, flooding, and major snowfall events.• Much of the central U.S. sits closer to an anchor ridge, causing storms to lose strength as they move east.• The warm Christmas weather is a defining signal within the cycle, not a short-term fluke.• That same warm pattern is expected to return in late July or early August as a significant heat event.• Knowing the cycle length improves seasonal planning far beyond what short-range forecasts can provide.Chapters00:00 Holiday Check-In and Why This Pattern Matters02:05 What the Lezak Recurring Cycle Tracks04:30 Anchor Troughs vs. Anchor Ridges Explained07:10 Why West Coast Storms Are Intensifying09:45 The 73-Day Cycle and Why It’s Unusual12:05 Connecting Christmas Warmth to Summer Heat14:50 What to Watch as the Pattern Continuesweather pattern, long-range forecasting, Lezak Recurring Cycle, LRC, anchor troughs, anchor ridges, winter weather patterns, seasonal forecasting, summer heat outlook, Weather 2020

John Campbell is back on the podcast, this time calling in from Oklahoma with a full breakdown of how the cattle market has snapped back from the fall crash. He walks through runaway calf prices at Winter Livestock in La Junta, high-dollar bred cows and pairs, and how Dodge City and Pratt are lining up with the rebound. Then he takes his auction barn hat off and unloads on the beef checkoff: where the money actually goes, why cattle producers should be asking harder questions, and how much is being spent on fluff instead of real demand. The episode wraps with some Christmas prime rib talk, Traeger confessions, and a reminder that expensive beef better be cooked right.LinksNominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Takeaways• La Junta saw a huge rebound in calves, with 2–4 weights and 5-weights pushing back toward pre-crash highs.• Light calves in multiple weight classes are effectively back to where they were before the late October–early November wipeout.• Bigger feeder cattle (7–9 weights) have not fully recovered yet, but John is optimistic they’ll keep working higher as supplies stay tight.• Stock cows, bred heifers, and pairs saw very strong demand: young spring-calving cows commonly brought upper-$3,000s to low-$4,000s.• Older cows were still several hundred higher than earlier in the fall, driven by expectations of profitable first calf crops.• Standout young pairs with light fall calves hit over $5,000, some of the highest pairs John has ever sold.• Dodge City and Pratt echoed the same story: lightweight steers and heifers ripping higher, with some local all-time records on certain steer weights.• As grass guys re-enter the market after the first of the year, John expects 600–650 lb steers with the right kind and condition to get even higher.• John calls out the beef checkoff for weak consumer-facing promotion and for funneling a big chunk of producer dollars into NCBA and “sustainability” agendas.• His bottom line: the cow factory is still short, the light calf market has real legs under it, and producers deserve more out of every checkoff dollar.Chapters00:00 Oklahoma, Border Jokes, and Holiday Road Miles01:24 La Junta Runaway Calf Market: Prices, Weights, and Volume03:57 Stock Cows, Bred Heifers, and $5,000 Young Pairs05:41 Dodge City and Pratt: How Other Winter Livestock Yards Compare08:02 Light Calves Nearly Fully Rebound, Heavy Feeders Still Climbing Back09:35 Looking Ahead: Grass Demand, Tight Supplies, and Early 2026 Setup11:09 John’s Beef Checkoff Rant: NCBA, Sustainability Money, and Recipe Cards15:03 Christmas Prime Rib, Traeger Mishaps, and Wrapping the Yearcattle market, calf prices, feeder cattle, bred cows, bred heifers, cow-calf pairs, stock cows, Winter Livestock, La Junta cattle market, Dodge City cattle market, Pratt Kansas cattle, beef checkoff, NCBA, cattle industry politics, herd rebuilding, grass cattle demand, prime rib, beef demand

This week’s conversation digs into the final stretch of 2025 cattle markets with Samantha and Dan breaking down the latest data, the holiday trade environment, and what early signals tell us about 2026. With a bullish cattle-on-feed report, surprising heifer retention, and consumer demand shifting toward cheaper cuts, the group parses out where leverage sits, what volatility still lurks, and why risk management matters heading into the new year. They also cover slaughter pace, cash trends, and how weather, grains, and global headlines are shaping the backdrop for Q1.LinksNominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Takeaways• Latest cattle-on-feed report came in bullish with placements sharply lower• Marketing numbers hit a 30-year low, adding upward tone• Holiday trade volume is thin, limiting major market moves• Consumer behavior is shifting toward lower-cost beef cuts like ground beef• Lack of MCOOL continues to muddy transparency for domestic producers• Heifer retention is finally showing up in slaughter data• Short-term bullishness comes from tighter feedyard numbers• Long-term herd rebuilding will take time even with more heifers kept• LRP remains critical for those who miss market highs• Grain markets are range-bound with little movement expected before January reportChapters00:00 Baby News, Frozen Screens, and Holiday Chaos01:35 Samantha’s Market Recap and Cattle-on-Feed Breakdown05:18 Why Consumer Demand Is Still the Wild Card07:00 Dan on Heifer Retention and the 2026 Setup09:25 Rebuilding the Herd and Managing Next Year’s Risk10:43 Grain Market Snapshot and January Expectations12:21 The Origin of “Kyle Lock the Gate”14:53 Closing Thoughts and Christmas Wishescattle markets, cattle prices, cattle on feed, heifer retention, consumer demand, beef demand, placements, slaughter numbers, grain markets, LRP, market volatility, risk management, cash cattle, feeder cattle

Most ranchers drift into January with half-finished books, fuzzy numbers, and a mental list of decisions they’ll “get to later.” But if you want a stronger, more profitable 2026, the work starts now. In this episode, Lauren breaks down the 10 essential year-end steps that determine your clarity, your margins, and how prepared you are for next year’s volatility. From knowing your true cost per cow to auditing herd performance, tightening your grazing strategy, meeting with your lender, and facing the decisions you’ve avoided all year, this checklist gives you the control and direction most operations never take the time to build.LinksCattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/CattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Takeaways• Clean books are the foundation of every decision in 2026.• True cost per cow determines whether your ranch is profitable or guessing.• Ranking expenses by ROI exposes which costs drive value and which drain you.• Herd performance audits should drive culling decisions now, not in March.• Inventory prevents overspending and miscalculating winter feed needs.• Early lender and tax conversations protect cash flow and reduce surprises.• Reviewing your grazing year honestly prevents repeating mistakes.• Fixing labor inefficiencies is more valuable than adding people.• Avoidance compounds — unresolved issues become next year’s biggest problems.Chapters00:00 Why Year-End Work Determines Your 2026 Success01:27 Steps 1–3: Clean Books, True Cost Per Cow, and Ranking Expenses by ROI04:15 Steps 4–5: Herd Performance Audits and Full Inventory05:14 Steps 6–7: Lender Conversations and Year-End Tax Strategy06:30 Step 8: Reviewing Your Grazing Year Honestly06:58 Step 9: Labor Systems and Fixing Inefficiency07:33 Step 10: Facing the Decisions You Avoided All Year07:49 The Three Outcomes: Clarity, Control, Confidence — and What’s Coming Nextranch management, year-end planning, ranch finances, cost per cow, herd auditing, grazing review, ranch inventory, agricultural bookkeeping, ranch tax planning, lender meeting, cash flow management, labor efficiency, ranch business strategy, cattle operations, 2026 ranch planning