CattleUSA Daily

Cold weather, light receipts, and strong prices set the tone for this episode as Lauren Moylan sits down with John Campbell for a wide-ranging conversation that blends market reality with industry tension. From stocker and feeder prices across Colorado and Kansas to cow sales that stayed surprisingly strong despite snow and cold, the cattle market continues to defy expectations. The conversation then shifts beyond price into harder topics. Protest culture, firearms responsibility, immigration numbers, beef labeling, imported beef, and whether Product of the USA labels actually matter to consumers. Equal parts market update and cultural gut check, this episode doesn’t try to smooth the edges. It says the quiet parts out loud.Key Takeaways• Cold weather slowed receipts but did not weaken the cattle market• Feeder and stocker cattle continued to sell at historically strong levels• Lighter-weight cattle showed strength, especially in the 450–550 lb range• Cow and bred female markets stayed stout despite weather challenges• Internet bidding played a major role in supporting cow sales• The cattle market remains supply-driven more than demand-driven• Strong prices don’t eliminate deeper structural industry issues• Protest culture and personal responsibility sparked sharp discussion• Responsible firearm ownership requires situational awareness• Immigration numbers are shifting for the first time in decades• Product of the USA labeling alone won’t fix consumer trust• Labels without education don’t move demand• Imported beef concerns deserve facts, not assumptions• The beef industry struggles to communicate value to consumers• Cultural conversations inside ag are becoming harder but more necessaryChapters00:00 Welcome back and opening banter02:00 Cold weather and early-week market conditions04:40 Feeder and stocker cattle price recap07:15 Cow sales, bred females, and internet bidding09:30 Dodge City recap and winter receipts12:30 Regional price comparisons across Kansas and Colorado15:30 Why the cattle market keeps holding despite disruptions16:45 Minnesota shooting and protest discussion20:30 Firearms, responsibility, and situational awareness25:40 Imported beef, labeling, and consumer education33:30 Where the industry goes from herecattle market update, feeder cattle prices, stocker cattle market, cow market prices, winter cattle sales, cash cattle trade, beef imports, product of the USA beef, MCOOL discussion, beef labeling debate, cattle industry commentary, agricultural markets, livestock market update

Cold weather, uneven trade, and tight supplies continue to define the cattle market as the industry moves deeper into winter. In this episode, Lauren is joined by Dan Gerhold and Samantha Cozza-Wright to break down what last week’s weather disruptions actually did to cash trade, why feeder markets feel choppy, and what February demand realistically looks like. From cattle on feed data to heifer retention, imports, exports, and the role of the U.S. dollar, this conversation cuts through the noise to focus on what matters and what doesn’t right now.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/premiumCattleUSA 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• Weather disruptions delayed sales and created uneven market signals• Cash trade remains the focal point while the board stays volatile• Feeder markets showed mixed results with sharp regional differences• February demand is historically choppy and rarely inspiring• Valentine’s Day demand helps selectively but doesn’t carry the whole cutout• Slaughter reductions were largely weather-driven, not demand-driven• Beef imports are helping fill gaps created by reduced kills• The weaker U.S. dollar improves export competitiveness but adds volatility• Cattle on Feed data reinforced tight supplies rather than signaling expansion• Heifer retention is happening, but not at expansion-cycle levels• Border closures and dairy-beef dynamics continue to skew year-over-year comparisons• Bigger inventory signals won’t fully reveal themselves until late summerChapters00:00 Cold weather and early-week market disruptions02:00 Feeder market recap and regional differences03:10 Winter demand realities and February expectations04:20 Cutout trends and packer margin pressure05:40 Imports, exports, and the role of the U.S. dollar07:30 How currency moves impact beef trade09:50 Cattle on Feed report breakdown12:00 Heifer retention vs tight supply reality15:00 Why summer placement data may look misleading17:20 What to actually watch nextcattle market update, feeder cattle prices, cash cattle trade, winter cattle markets, cattle on feed report, heifer retention, beef demand trends, beef imports and exports, packer margins, U.S. dollar impact, livestock markets, February cattle demand

There’s a phrase in ranching that sounds noble, hardworking, and respectable: the cows come first. And while the intention behind it is good, somewhere along the way it quietly turned into a belief that ranchers exist to serve their cattle. In this solo episode, Lauren challenges that mindset head-on and makes the case for something many ranchers feel but rarely say out loud. The cows are not the boss. When cattle stop working for the ranch and start running it, burnout, inefficiency, and resentment follow. This episode breaks down where that mindset came from, why it persists, and how shifting it can change the economics, workload, and sustainability of a ranch.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• Good stewardship does not require martyrdom• Ranchers didn’t adopt “cows come first” out of laziness, but loyalty and sacrifice• When margins tightened, the industry response was to work harder instead of redesign systems• Cows stop working for you when they breed late, need constant intervention, or don’t fit the forage base• Problem cows quietly dictate labor hours, feeding schedules, and stress levels• Sentiment often overrides performance, especially with legacy cows or “just good enough” females• Cows don’t carry history or legacy, they carry cost• When inefficiency runs the system, burnout follows• High-performing cows simplify labor, tighten reproduction, and reduce stress• Sustainable ranches ask one core question: does this cow earn her place here?Chapters00:00 The phrase that sounds noble but causes problems01:45 How loyalty and sacrifice reshaped ranch decision-making03:25 When cows stop working and start managing you05:07 What a working cow actually looks like06:30 Stewardship vs martyrdom07:17 The question that changes everything08:20 Why the next generation won’t inherit burnout09:05 Putting control back in the rancher’s handsranch management, cow efficiency, cattle culling decisions, ranch burnout, sustainable ranching, stockmanship mindset, cow performance, forage-based systems, ranch labor efficiency, generational ranching, cow herd management

Dan Leahy breaks down what most ranch “apprenticeships” are missing: a written plan, a weekly cadence, and honest accountability. He walks through the Foundation for Ranch Management apprenticeship workbook page by page, explaining how ranches can map their annual ranch cycle, build a multi-year skill pathway, and run the entire program off a simple Friday meeting. The big theme is clarity. Apprentices shouldn’t be guessing what “good” looks like, and mentors shouldn’t be training in chaos with no structure. Dan also draws a hard line between job culture and ownership culture, and why the best candidates are the ones showing up with an owner’s mentality.LinksDan's Email - ranchresource@gmail.com 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• A ranch apprenticeship is already happening for most people, the difference is whether you run it on purpose or let it happen by accident.• The job culture puts the employer in the driver’s seat. The ownership culture attracts higher-caliber candidates who want responsibility and show initiative.• A written plan removes “different assumptions” and turns the relationship into something both sides can actually measure.• The Friday meeting is the backbone: review the past week, plan the next week, and cover the weekend so nobody is guessing.• The annual ranch cycle sheet forces the ranch to define what happens when, month by month, instead of running everything by memory and habit.• The apprenticeship pathway uses a simple 1–3 rating system that rewards honesty: 1 = need to start, 2 = can do with help, 3 = can do and teach.• Training is the most expensive thing for the ranch because it pulls the mentor away from other work, so it has to be tracked and used intentionally.• The weekly work plan and work log show the difference between “what we thought would happen” and “what actually happened,” including hours spent on training, work, and learning.• If an apprentice leaves early, mentors need to decide upfront if they’re committed to ranching as an industry, not just extracting value for their own place.• Accountability works best in a high-trust environment where people can admit mistakes, learn fast, and keep moving forward instead of hiding failures.Chapters00:00 Intro and why this episode is the “nitty gritty” program breakdown01:05 Job culture vs ownership culture and why mindset drives everything04:45 How the workbook is structured and why writing it down matters07:50 The Friday meeting system and how it prevents confusion and drift12:10 The annual ranch cycle “capture sheet” and building a real ranch plan17:40 Skill pathway ratings (1–3), brutal honesty, and why misrepresenting skills backfires26:50 Weekly work plan + work log: tracking training vs work vs learning and why time matters38:30 Making the program work long-term, turnover realities, and how to get the materialsranch apprenticeship, ranch management, apprentice program, ranch succession, management succession, ownership mindset, job culture, ranch training, ranch mentorship, annual ranch cycle, ranch plan, weekly work plan, Friday meeting, time tracking, apprenticeship workbook, Foundation for Ranch Management, training accountability, ranch labor, ranch leadership, ranch operations

Lauren sits down with Gary Lezak for a winter weather check-in as Colorado experiences one of the most extreme snow droughts on record. They break down what’s happening in the atmosphere right now, why storm systems keep missing key regions, and how the recurring weather pattern helps identify risk windows months in advance. From winter storm threats in Texas to early signals for drought and summer heat, this episode focuses on how producers can think ahead instead of reacting late.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• Colorado is experiencing its lowest snow year on record, with major implications for fire risk, water supply, and reservoirs.• The recurring weather pattern explains why storm systems keep weakening as they move through the Rockies.• Risk windows matter more than exact forecasts. They help identify when disruption is most likely, not just if it will happen.• Texas sits in a higher-risk zone for winter weather impacts this week, while Kansas and Missouri are on the edge.• The broader weather pattern is not expected to suddenly change, even as La Niña trends toward neutral.• California has a higher-confidence storm risk window later in the winter, particularly in early March.• Early summer heat signals are already showing up in the pattern, with potential impacts during key crop development periods.• February and March will be critical months to determine whether drought areas expand or stabilize heading into planting season.Chapters00:00 Colorado snow update and setting the stage01:50 Snow drought impacts beyond ski season03:30 What the LRC is and how risk windows work05:20 Winter storm risk and regional impacts07:10 Why storms keep missing Colorado08:40 Looking ahead to spring and summer signals10:45 Drought watch and what to monitor next12:30 Final thoughts on planning ahead with weather dataweather risk windows, snow drought, Colorado weather, LRC weather pattern, winter storm outlook, drought monitoring, summer heat risk, long-range weather forecasting, agricultural weather planning

Lauren is back with John Campbell for another rapid-fire cattle industry rundown, covering what’s moving markets and what’s just loud noise. They talk sale barn tone, winter weather pressure, Canada putting a pause on new animal ID regulations, Colorado pausing wolf reintroduction after federal pushback, and the chaos sparked by Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller’s screwworm comments that whiplashed futures without changing a single real-world fact. If you’re tired of rumor-driven volatility and policy headlines that hit producers first, this episode is for you.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• Sale barns are still trading strong overall, but some weight classes showed a softer tone even when “steady” on paper.• Regional barns across the Midwest and Mountain West remain active, with high demand still showing up in top-end sales.• Canada has reportedly paused new animal ID regulations after major practical concerns about implementation.• Colorado has paused wolf reintroduction, after federal concerns over sourcing and high wolf mortality raised major questions.• Wolf policy continues to carry real cost, both in program spend and producer impact, with outcomes under heavy scrutiny.• Sid Miller’s screwworm comments created market whiplash, proving (again) how fast speculators react to headlines.• Producers already understand the screwworm risk. The real damage comes from public messaging that triggers panic selling.• The industry is in a better position than before due to improved tools and preparedness, but volatility punishes timing.• Bottom line: a lot of “news” doesn’t change fundamentals, but it can still move futures and mess with real people.Chapters00:00 Road life and market check-in01:00 Local sale barn recap and where the softness showed up03:59 Regional market rundown across key barns05:58 Why cash trade stayed steadier than the board06:38 Weather impacts and regional differences08:40 Canada pauses new animal ID regulations09:30 Colorado pauses wolf reintroduction and federal pressure12:30 Sid Miller screwworm comments and futures market whiplash15:30 Why rumor-driven selling hurts producers first18:35 Wrap-up and what to watch next weekcattle markets, sale barn report, feeder cattle prices, winter cattle market, livestock auctions, screwworm, cattle health policy, futures volatility, speculator impact, animal ID regulations, Canada cattle policy, wolf reintroduction, Colorado wolves, livestock producer risk

Lauren is joined by Dan Gerhold and Samantha Cozza-Wright for a candid market check-in as extreme cold weather moves across much of the country and volatility continues to define the cattle trade. They break down how headlines, winter weather, feeder demand, and packer leverage are shaping current price action, while also looking ahead to seasonal trends, grain markets, and what could matter most as the industry moves deeper into winter and toward spring.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 remains fragile, with headlines and commentary capable of moving prices quickly even without new fundamentals.• Extreme cold can temporarily support cash cattle prices as shrink and hauling conditions tighten supply.• Feeder cattle markets have cooled slightly after an aggressive early January run, but prices remain historically strong.• Grass cattle demand has played a major role in supporting feeder prices, though that support may ease seasonally.• Seasonal patterns suggest sideways trade into February, with March and spring demand still an open question.• Tight cattle supplies continue to underpin longer-term optimism despite short-term volatility.• Grain markets appear to be trying to build a base after recent pressure, with price levels likely to drive new demand.• Export demand and global trade remain price-driven, even amid tariff concerns and political uncertainty.• Upcoming USDA reports could inject fresh volatility depending on how inventory and placements are estimated.Chapters00:00 Cold weather check and setting the tone01:00 Headlines, rumors, and fragile market reactions03:00 Cash cattle, winter shrink, and packer leverage05:00 Feeder cattle trends and seasonal shifts06:45 Looking ahead to February and spring seasonals08:40 Supply tightness and retention questions10:00 Grain market update and base building12:30 Global demand, trade pressure, and price signals15:40 Upcoming reports and final thoughtscattle market volatility, winter cattle trade, feeder cattle trends, cash cattle prices, grain market outlook, corn prices, weather impact on markets, USDA reports, beef supply dynamics

Beef doesn’t end at the rail. It ends in a box. Brianna Buseman from Marble breaks down what “pack-off” actually is, why it’s one of the most repetitive and labor-heavy parts of a beef plant, and how Marble uses conveyor systems plus computer vision to identify cuts, track product tied to plant programs, and help plants move boxed beef out the door with more consistency and less chaos. She also gets honest about the hard part in food processing: it’s not just building tech, it’s building tech that survives washdown, cold temps, zero downtime tolerance, and real-world training with high turnover crews.LinksMarble Technologies - https://www.seemarble.com/Pack Off Video - https://www.seemarble.com/pack-off 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• Marble focuses on pack-off because it’s repetitive, labor-heavy, and required, but doesn’t add value to the cut itself.• Computer vision has to be trained. Marble showed cameras hundreds of thousands of images so they can correctly classify cuts.• Plants already sort carcasses by grades/programs, and Marble helps track product tied to those programs and report usable data back to the plant.• The goal isn’t “replace people.” It’s helping plants operate through absenteeism, seasonal labor churn, holidays, and disruptions without production falling apart.• Operator adoption improves when the system is designed to be simple, ergonomic, safe, and easy to train, especially with high turnover.• Food processing automation has unique constraints: washdown, hot water, chemicals, pressure, then running cold immediately after, with no room for fogged cameras or downtime.• Beef specs are getting more complex (more variations per cut), and cattle are getting bigger, which increases the need for better logistics and efficiency.• Data only matters if it becomes actionable. Marble’s value is turning weights/images/outputs into something plants can use to improve decisions and consistency.• Brianna’s context check: one long-time pack-off worker can box enough beef in a year to feed roughly 330,000 people at average consumption. That’s the scale of labor in this area.Chapters00:00 Meet Brianna and what Marble actually is02:40 Why pack-off is the target: boxed beef, repetition, and labor intensity03:10 How the cameras “learn” cuts and why training matters04:10 What Marble tracks: cut ID, program/grade tracking, weights, and reporting back to the plant09:45 Training and adoption inside plants after installs11:25 Why ag adoption is slow: “what works” vs “what’s better”17:20 Consolidation/closures, tough margins, and why efficiency matters19:20 What success looks like long-term: crawl, walk, run tech adoptionmarble, automation, beef processing, meatpacking, pack-off, boxed beef, computer vision, machine learning, food processing technology, plant efficiency, labor shortages, washdown equipment, meat science, USDA grading programs, beef logistics, data in meat plants, adoption of ag technology

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