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.
Links
Nominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7
CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
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 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.
Chapters
00:00 Christmas on the farm and winter weather realities
03:40 Headed to CattleCon and what makes it valuable
05:15 Beef checkoff priorities and emerging challenges
07:45 Policy vs. checkoff and clearing up common confusion
10:05 Why beef checkoff meetings are held at CattleCon
12:10 Producer governance and how leadership is selected
14:45 Diversity of cattle production across the U.S.
16:40 Lessons from BSE and crisis preparedness
19:20 COVID, at-home cooking, and rapid demand shifts
22:00 Research, education, and marketing balance
24:05 Looking ahead to the next 40 years of the checkoff
26:15 Advice to producers who question the checkoff
28:30 Final thoughts and CattleCon invitation
beef 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/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
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
• 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.
Chapters
00:00 New Year check-in and holiday cattle talk
02:25 Early-January market rebound and cash trade tone
04:20 Transparency issues and shrinking price discovery
06:45 Placements, heifer retention, and tight supplies
08:15 What $350 feeder cattle really means
10:30 LRP strategy and protecting historically high prices
11:45 Grain markets, January reports, and 2026 crop outlook
14:45 Mexico border, screwworm cases, and cattle flow risks
17:15 Beef demand, packer leverage, and February pressure points
19:30 Final market outlook and producer strategy moving forward
cattle 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.
Links
Emma'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.
Chapters
00:00 Why This Topic Matters: Generational Shifts + Technology
00:41 The Age Reality and Why “New” Producers Start at 45
02:20 Succession Planning Isn’t Equal, It’s Complicated
03:15 The Morbid Truth: You Don’t Know When Your Last Day Is
04:17 A “Perfect Plan” Can Still Sink the Ranch
06:44 The Legal Train Wrecks: Access, boundaries, lawsuits, family conflict
10:42 “Fair vs Equal”: How Splits Break Operations
12:10 Tech Adoption and Digital Records: Compete or get left behind
14:10 Why Detail Matters: history, genetics, and better decisions
15:45 True Break-Evens: the costs producers forget to count
16:06 Why Everyone Puts This Off (and why you can’t)
20:10 What to do now: professionals, trusts, passwords, clarity
22:15 The hot take: stop splitting land “equally” by default
23:15 Wrap-Up
ranch 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.
Links
Weather 20/20 Dashboard Discount - https://www.weather2020.com/partner/cattle-usa
Substack - https://weather2020.substack.com/
The Global Predictor App - https://www.weather2020.com/global-predictor-mobile-app
Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/@Weather2020
Follow Gary on X - https://x.com/glezak
CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
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
• 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.
Chapters
00:00 New Year, Lake Tahoe, and Chasing a Predicted Storm
02:01 Why This Year’s Weather Cycle Is Much Longer Than Last Year
04:12 Drought Concerns for the Plains and Corn Belt
06:43 California Storm Systems and Why They’re Intensifying
08:42 Ice Storm and Plains Winter Risk
10:26 Snow Squalls Explained and Why They’re Dangerous
11:21 What the LRC Is and How It Works
13:30 How the Pattern Predicts Heat, Floods, and Drought
14:52 The Three Most Impactful Weather Events of the Year
16:08 Preparing for 2026 Weather Risks
weather 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.
Links
Dan's Email - ranchresource@gmail.com
Dan'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/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
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
• 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 Consulting
03:10 The Consultant Reality: Diagnosis Is Easy, Implementation Is Rare
06:00 The Real Problem: Family-Driven Management Pipeline Is Collapsing
08:12 The Apprenticeship Model: Why Ranching Needed One
14:40 Gentrification in Ranch Country: What It Means and Why It’s Accelerating
23:00 So What Now? Solutions and How the Industry Moves Forward
30:50 Hard Truths: The Bold Shift Toward Irrigated Pasture
34:10 Final Message: Encouragement for the 1% Who Actually Act
ranch 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.
Links
Emma'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.
Chapters
00:00 Christmas Recaps, “Hawaiian Christmas,” and the Crud
01:25 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 Balance
06:20 The Best Resource to Track It: USMEF and What to Look For
07:45 Who Buys U.S. Beef and Why: Japan, Korea, China, Mexico
09:15 “You Want Your Cake and Eat It Too”: Consumer Habits vs Reality
10:55 The Broader Issue: Resources, land use, and self-sufficiency
13:10 Why the U.S. Beef System Wins: Efficiency, genetics, and nutrition
15:05 Bottom Line: Trade is a “dance” and it protects carcass value
16:30 Wrap-Up: Why producers should care and where to follow Emma
beef 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.
Links
Nominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7
CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
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
• 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?
Chapters
00:00 Christmas Recap, Prime Rib Wins, and Fighting the Crud
03:59 “Nothing to Report” Turns Into a Bigger Conversation
05:10 Government Programs, Producer Pride, and the Reality Ranchers Hate
06:45 “Cheap Food Policy” and Why Producers Keep Getting Squeezed
08:47 The Four Paths Producers Are Taking Right Now
10:50 Succession, Aging Operators, and Why the Next Generation Is Leaving
11:55 The Dilemma: Take the Money or Keep the Cowboy Hat On
16:45 Volatility, Whiplash, and Why It Feels Impossible to Plan
18:20 Big Promises, Big Risk: Why Execution Is the Real Problem
21:05 Regulation as a “Silver Bullet” That Can Kill a Business Overnight
23:05 Real Producer Story: When New Compliance Costs Hit Out of Nowhere
27:45 The 2026 Hard Truth: What Needs to Change, and Why It’s So Hard
31:05 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.
Links
Nominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7
CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
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
• 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.
Chapters
00:00 Post-Christmas Check-In and Newborn Life
01:16 Holiday Trading: Futures, Cash, and Volume
02:15 Mexico Border Reopening and Market Reaction
03:00 Seasonal Demand Drop and Retail Price Pressure
04:29 Imports, Brazilian Beef, and Packer Leverage
06:16 Transparency, MCOOL, and Domestic Product Concerns
07:03 Heifer Retention, Volatility, and Market Stability
08:52 Risk Management, Break-Evens, and Closing Thoughts
cattle 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.
Links
Weather 20/20 Dashboard Discount - https://www.weather2020.com/partner/cattle-usa
Substack - https://weather2020.substack.com/
The Global Predictor App - https://www.weather2020.com/global-predictor-mobile-app
Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/@Weather2020
Follow Gary on X - https://x.com/glezak
CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
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 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.
Chapters
00:00 Holiday Check-In and Why This Pattern Matters
02:05 What the Lezak Recurring Cycle Tracks
04:30 Anchor Troughs vs. Anchor Ridges Explained
07:10 Why West Coast Storms Are Intensifying
09:45 The 73-Day Cycle and Why It’s Unusual
12:05 Connecting Christmas Warmth to Summer Heat
14:50 What to Watch as the Pattern Continues
weather 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.
Links
Nominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7
CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
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
• 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.
Chapters
00:00 Oklahoma, Border Jokes, and Holiday Road Miles
01:24 La Junta Runaway Calf Market: Prices, Weights, and Volume
03:57 Stock Cows, Bred Heifers, and $5,000 Young Pairs
05:41 Dodge City and Pratt: How Other Winter Livestock Yards Compare
08:02 Light Calves Nearly Fully Rebound, Heavy Feeders Still Climbing Back
09:35 Looking Ahead: Grass Demand, Tight Supplies, and Early 2026 Setup
11:09 John’s Beef Checkoff Rant: NCBA, Sustainability Money, and Recipe Cards
15:03 Christmas Prime Rib, Traeger Mishaps, and Wrapping the Year
cattle 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.
Links
Nominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7
CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
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
• 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 report
Chapters
00:00 Baby News, Frozen Screens, and Holiday Chaos
01:35 Samantha’s Market Recap and Cattle-on-Feed Breakdown
05:18 Why Consumer Demand Is Still the Wild Card
07:00 Dan on Heifer Retention and the 2026 Setup
09:25 Rebuilding the Herd and Managing Next Year’s Risk
10:43 Grain Market Snapshot and January Expectations
12:21 The Origin of “Kyle Lock the Gate”
14:53 Closing Thoughts and Christmas Wishes
cattle 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.
Links
CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
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
• 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.
Chapters
00:00 Why Year-End Work Determines Your 2026 Success
01:27 Steps 1–3: Clean Books, True Cost Per Cow, and Ranking Expenses by ROI
04:15 Steps 4–5: Herd Performance Audits and Full Inventory
05:14 Steps 6–7: Lender Conversations and Year-End Tax Strategy
06:30 Step 8: Reviewing Your Grazing Year Honestly
06:58 Step 9: Labor Systems and Fixing Inefficiency
07:33 Step 10: Facing the Decisions You Avoided All Year
07:49 The Three Outcomes: Clarity, Control, Confidence — and What’s Coming Next
ranch 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
Grazing management is one of the most misunderstood and most financially consequential parts of running a ranch. In this episode, Lauren Moylan and Emma Coffman break down what rotational and regenerative grazing actually mean, why overgrazing now can cripple your pastures for decades, and how to approach winter forage and spring planning with realistic, financially feasible steps. Emma shares what she has learned while traveling across the country studying grazing systems firsthand, why “start small” is the rule every rancher should follow, and how better grazing decisions today set the foundation for a healthier 2026—both for the land and the cattle.
Links
Emma'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
• Regenerative grazing isn’t a trend—it’s simply managing grass based on science and region, not social media opinions.
• The biggest rule producers miss: start small and make changes that match your finances and landscape.
• Leaving 2–3 inches of stubble is critical for regrowth; bare-ground grazing delays recovery for years.
• Overgrazing today can create problems that last decades, especially in drought-prone regions like Kansas and Texas.
• Pastures need rest, hoof traffic, and sunlight access—not continuous grazing.
• Virtual fencing, poly wire, or simple smaller paddocks can dramatically improve rest and rotation.
• Many ranches struggle because they try to change everything at once; sustainable grazing requires incremental adjustments.
• True “low-input” systems rely on healthy soil first, not more supplements or chemicals.
• Regional experts (NRCS, Noble Research Institute, Center for Grazing Lands and Ranch Management) are far more reliable than online fads.
• Flexibility matters: grazing systems must adjust year to year, season to season, and drought to drought.
Chapters
00:00 Why Winter Grazing Decisions Shape the Entire Next Year
01:07 What Rotational and Regenerative Grazing Actually Are (Not the Buzzword Version)
03:43 Starting Small: The Financially Smart Way to Change Grazing Practices
05:35 Overgrazing Consequences: Why One Bad Season Can Damage Land for Decades
07:26 Lessons From Across the Country: What Emma Saw on Real Ranches
09:45 Using Experts, Data, and Forage Testing Instead of Social Media Advice
11:03 Setting Up Pastures for 2026: Rest, Recovery, and Realistic Adjustments
14:57 Final Takeaways and Where to Find More Grazing Resources
winter forage, rotational grazing, regenerative grazing, grazing management, pasture recovery, drought management, forage testing, stocking decisions, soil health, ranch profitability, low-input ranching, grazing systems, NRCS, Noble Research Institute, Center for Grazing Lands and Ranch Management
This week’s episode dives into a weather pattern that has finally revealed its true shape — and it’s a complicated one. Meteorologist Gary Lezak joins Lauren to break down the emerging 70–75 day LRC cycle, the extreme wind event sweeping across the Rockies, why Colorado’s snowpack continues to disappoint, and what all of this means for drought watchers across Kansas, Nebraska, and the central plains. From fire risk to January storm setups to the shifting influences of ENSO and the Arctic Oscillation, Gary lays out the real signals producers should track heading into winter and early spring.
Links
Henry Repeating Arms - https://www.henryusa.com/cattle
Weather 20/20 Dashboard Discount - https://www.weather2020.com/partner/cattle-usa
Substack - https://weather2020.substack.com/
The Global Predictor App - https://www.weather2020.com/global-predictor-mobile-app
Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/@Weather2020
Follow Gary on X - https://x.com/glezak
CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
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
• A major high-wind event is sweeping Colorado and the northern plains due to the pattern’s setup.
• Early analysis shows this year’s LRC cycle may be 70–75 days long — much longer than last year.
• An anchor ridge near Colorado/Kansas is limiting snowfall and contributing to warm, dry conditions.
• Colorado ski areas remain well below normal snowpack, increasing long-term drought and fire concerns.
• The plains have been hit-or-miss: some Kansas areas are near average moisture despite the dry pattern.
• Phase one of the LRC favors storm tracks through MT/ND/SD/IA, mostly missing Kansas and Nebraska.
• Phase two brings stronger West Coast storms — including a Christmas-week California system.
• January’s big risk window appears late January into early February, with potential for a plains ice/snow storm.
• ENSO is trending toward neutral by mid-January, which may improve plains moisture opportunities.
• AO/NAO have stayed mostly positive; if they dip negative, it could unlock the pattern’s storm potential.
Chapters
00:00 High Winds in Colorado and Why the Pattern Looks the Way It Does
02:45 Forecast Accuracy, Public Perception, and Why Influencers Undermine Real Meteorology
06:00 Understanding This Year’s Anchor Ridge and the Dry Rocky Mountain Setup
08:21 Fire Risk, Human-Caused Starts, and Dry Fuels Across the West
10:35 What Phase One and Phase Two Mean for January and the Plains
12:51 ENSO, AO, NAO and How They’ll Influence late-winter Storm Potential
15:18 Why January Could Flip — and What Producers Should Watch
17:04 Top-Secret Insight: The New Cycle Length and What It Means for Spring Planning
LRC cycle, long-range weather, plains drought, Colorado wind, fire risk, California storms, ENSO neutral, AO index, NAO index, planting season forecast, winter storm potential, ranch weather, agriculture forecast, Weather 2020
In this episode, Lauren sits down with industry veteran Marty Ropp to cut through the noise on genomics and what it actually means for cattle producers. Marty shares how genomic tools have finally caught up to the promises made 20 years ago, why he believes their biggest value is on the cost-reduction side, and how precision mating and DNA-informed cow selection can quietly add up to serious long-term profit. From seedstock expectations to commercial heifer selection to system-specific genomic tools, this conversation is a straight-shot look at where genomics fits in a practical ranch business and what happens to those who ignore it.
Links
Allied Genetics - https://alliedgeneticresources.com/
CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
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
• Genomics is not just a buzzword; it is now a mature, science-based tool that meaningfully improves genetic decisions.
• The biggest value of genomics is in reducing costs, especially through maternal, fertility, and longevity traits that are hard to measure.
• Traditional tools work well for growth and carcass traits, but genomics shines where traits are “lowly heritable” in the old system.
• Genomics acts like a risk-management guardrail, keeping operations out of the ditch and speeding up improvement.
• ROI is slower and longer-term on the cow side, which makes it harder to market but more powerful economically.
• Commercial herds should prioritize testing young and replacement females, not just bulls.
• Seedstock producers who aren’t genomically testing all bulls and potential replacements are already behind.
• Precision mating tools use genomics to avoid “wasted matings” and predict when that dream mating will actually produce a dud.
• System-specific genomic indexes (for Wagyu programs, conventional grids, etc.) help align genetics to real-world profit targets.
• Marty believes producers who lean into precision and genomics will drive the industry in 10–20 years, while resisters risk getting left behind like parts of the old swine genetics business.
Chapters
00:00 From Swine to Beef: Marty’s Path Into the Genetics World
02:25 What Genomics Really Is — And Why It’s the Final Answer, Not the Sales Pitch
05:24 Why the Biggest Genomic Payoff Is on Cost Reduction and Maternal Traits
09:31 Precision, Not Hype: How Systems and Genomics Fit Together From Birth to Harvest
13:48 Bulls vs. Cows: Where to Start Testing and Why Females Matter More Than You Think
16:41 The Next 5–15 Years: Precision Mating, Sorting, and System-Specific Genomic Tools
21:24 Lessons from the Swine Industry and Marty’s Warning for Beef Genetics
22:35 Final Advice: Invest in Genomics, Then Actually Use the Data
genomics, cattle genetics, precision mating, maternal traits, cow longevity, reproductive efficiency, cost reduction, seedstock strategy, commercial cow-calf, precision agriculture, DNA testing, heifer selection, feeder cattle value, carcass traits, beef industry technology
Warm temps, melting snow, and a half-marathon training confession set the stage for what turns into one of the most candid episodes of the year. Host Lauren Moylan sits down with market analyst and cattle feeder Dan Gerhold to talk holiday cattle markets, LRP strategy, and what 2026 might really look like for margins. Then Dan takes off the CattleUSA Insurance hat, puts on his feeder hat, and unloads a blunt, unapologetic rant about beef demand: dietitians still pushing lean and portion control, checkoff dollars sleepwalking through the carnivore and keto moment, and why Make America Healthy Again should have beef front and center. It’s part market rundown, part reality check on how this industry is (and isn’t) talking to the consumer.
Links
CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
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
• Holiday cattle trade is typical: shorter kill weeks, quieter boards, but coming off a strong “Santa Claus rally” in cash.
• Recent weeks saw meaningful strength in fat cattle and feeder prices, giving producers a better end to 2025 than many expected.
• Dan expects tighter margins in 2026 for feedlots and backgrounders compared to the big profit runs of 2025.
• Year-end is prime time to use LRP and options as both risk management and tax tools; producers should talk with their accountants now.
• Despite years of new research supporting higher-protein, higher-fat diets, many dietitians and major brands are still pushing “lean” and strict portion control.
• Dan argues the beef checkoff is missing a massive opportunity to ride the carnivore and keto wave with hard data and aggressive consumer marketing.
• He questions why checkoff dollars aren’t funding big, visible campaigns that highlight saturated fat, protein, and real health outcomes tied to beef.
• Internal finger-pointing at packers and retailers is easier than facing the core issue: long-term demand is built at the consumer level, not in investigations.
• With two-plus years of potential “Make America Healthy Again” momentum, beef should be at the policy and messaging table, not sitting quietly on the sidelines.
• Grain and energy markets are still sluggish, which complicates the feed side; Dan remains concerned about beef demand and pricing power going into 2026.
Chapters
00:00 Warm Winter, Half-Marathon Plans, and Setting the Scene
01:45 Holiday Trade, Cash Rally, and Where the Cattle Market Sits Now
03:22 Short Kill Weeks, Tax Season, and Using LRP as a Year-End Tool
05:27 2025 Recap: Big Profits, Producer Pain, and Tighter Margins Ahead
05:49 Dan’s Rant: Dietitians, Lean Beef Messaging, and a Frustrated Feeder
09:38 Checkoff Dollars, Carnivore/Keto Momentum, and a Missed Marketing Window
13:51 Same Team, Same Consumer: Why Internal Blame Won’t Fix Demand
18:32 Grains, Energy, and Why Dan’s Worried About 2026 Beef Demand
20:09 Final Market Notes and Closing Thoughts
cattle markets, beef demand, beef checkoff, holiday trade, LRP, risk management, feeder margins, grain market, energy prices, carnivore diet, keto diet, saturated fat, nutrition messaging, MAHA, consumer behavior, dietitians, cattle feeders, cow-calf producers, CattleUSA Daily Podcast
Representative Tracey Mann returns to the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on the Bridge 8 announcement, ag trade realities, input costs, and what farmers should expect heading into 2025. Lauren digs into whether the $12 billion in tariff-derived support will actually move the needle, how soon producers might see relief, and what happens if the trade negotiations everyone is banking on stall out. Rep. Mann also outlines what Farm Bill 2.0 needs to fix, what was truly accomplished in the Working Families Tax Cuts bill, and how Congress plans to keep key programs from expiring. It’s a candid look at policy, markets, and the political landscape shaping the future of American agriculture.
Links
Rep. Tracey Mann's Website - https://mann.house.gov/
CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
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
• Bridge 8 uses $12B in tariff revenue to help farmers absorb high input costs and low commodity prices.
• Not every producer will feel the same level of impact; effectiveness will vary by commodity and region.
• Additional support from the Working Families Tax Cuts bill begins in January, including stronger crop insurance and higher reference prices.
• Ag trade deficits grew significantly in the previous administration; new deals aim to reverse that trend.
• China, the U.K., and other partners have early ag-purchase commitments, but enforcement remains critical.
• Unfunded programs from the earlier legislation have been extended so nothing lapses at year-end.
• Priorities for Farm Bill 2.0 include Food for Peace reforms, promoting U.S. commodities in global aid, and expanding precision ag tools.
• Input costs remain the biggest driver of why safety-net programs need updates.
• Farmers need policy certainty to operate confidently, especially in volatile markets.
• Rural values—faith, family, hard work, responsibility—remain central to Rep. Mann’s advocacy.
Chapters
00:00 Kicking Off with Bridge 8 and the State of Farm Economics
01:20 Is $12B Enough? What Support Looks Like Across Commodities
02:23 Trade Deals, Surpluses Lost, and What Farmers Should Expect
03:17 What Happens to Programs Set to Expire at Year-End
04:50 Farm Bill 2.0 Priorities and What Still Needs to Get Done
06:04 Why Policy Certainty Matters for American Agriculture
07:01 Final Thoughts from Rep. Mann and Closing Remarks
ag policy, Bridge 8, farm bill, tariff revenue, trade deals, crop insurance, reference prices, input costs, agricultural economics, U.S. agriculture, Rep. Tracey Mann, commodity markets, MAP funding, FMD funding, food aid, precision agriculture, rural values
Winter is here, forage is fading, and a lot of cows are walking into the hardest part of the year underfed and overworked. In this episode, Lauren Moylan and advocate Emma Coffman get brutally clear about what that really means: every decision at the feed bunk shows up later in your calving ease, your BRD rates, your weaning weights, and the size of your check at the sale barn. From why a cow needs to calve in a body condition score 5–6, to how fetal programming works, to when it’s smarter to sell cows than starve them, Lauren Moylan and Emma Coffman walk through practical, science-backed winter nutrition strategy. They dig into hay and forage testing, mineral programs, regional differences, using extension services, and why “pay for it now or pay for it twice later” is the economic reality for every herd heading into 2026.
Links
Emma'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
• A calf’s potential starts in utero; genetics mean nothing if the cow is underfed during pregnancy.
• Cows need to calve in a body condition score 5–6; too thin or too fat both create calving and health problems.
• Underconditioned cows (3.5–4 BCS) rarely “bounce back” and their calves stay stunted and discounted for life.
• Winter is not the time to make harsh budget cuts on feed, supplements, or minerals if cows are already behind.
• If feeding the herd properly is not financially realistic, downsizing is smarter than running twice as many skinny cows.
• Hay and forage testing is non-negotiable; crude protein and quality swing more than most producers assume.
• One bale sample is not enough; pH, soil, and field variation mean multiple core samples across lots are needed.
• Mineral or soil tests done once are not a lifetime answer; drought, rain, and storage all change the nutritional picture.
• Not every “miracle” product fits every operation; ranchers should lean on science and numbers, not marketing.
• Regional extension services and universities can often test forage cheaply or free and connect producers to local expertise.
• Having cows in good flesh buys time when forage quality drops, leases change, or drought tightens conditions.
• Keeping detailed cost and feed records is the only way to know true breakeven and whether the operation is actually profitable.
• True diversification or “extra” jobs don’t justify ignoring the math; if the cow business doesn’t pencil, it won’t last.
Chapters
00:02 Vegas, NFR, and Staying Healthy on the Road
01:31 Why Winter Nutrition Starts the Day a Cow Conceives
03:35 Body Condition Score: The 5–6 “Sweet Spot” and What Happens Outside It
06:18 Thin Cows, Stunted Calves: Long-Term Damage from Undernutrition
08:52 Hay and Forage Testing: Knowing What You’re Actually Feeding
11:14 Mineral Programs, Soil Tests, and When to Ignore the Sales Pitch
12:12 Using Extension Services and Local Experts to Get Real Data
13:42 Planning for Drought, Hay Shortages, and a Stable 2026 Calf Crop
14:12 Good Foundations Buy You Time When Conditions Change
15:38 Recordkeeping, True Breakevens, and When Downsizing Makes More Sense
16:30 Closing Thoughts and How to Get in Touch with Emma Coffman
winter feeding, fetal programming, body condition score, BCS 5–6, cow nutrition, forage testing, hay quality, mineral program, cow-calf profitability, downsizing, drought planning, extension services, BRD risk, weaning weights, ranch recordkeeping
This winter’s atmosphere is officially locked in, and it is not the pattern a lot of people were hoping for. In this episode, meteorologist Gary Lezak joins host Lauren Moylan to unpack the new Lezak Recurring Cycle, why the Colorado Rockies are sitting on roughly 40% of normal snowpack, and what that means for drought risk across Nebraska, Kansas, and the broader ag belt. Gary Lezak explains the two main phases driving this year’s weather, why social media “apocalypse” forecasts are missing the mark, and how farmers and ranchers can use the LRC to plan moisture, planting windows, and storm risk from now through spring.
Links
Weather 20/20 Dashboard Discount - https://www.weather2020.com/partner/cattle-usa
Substack - https://weather2020.substack.com/
The Global Predictor App - https://www.weather2020.com/global-predictor-mobile-app
Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/@Weather2020
Follow Gary on X - https://x.com/glezak
CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
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
• Drought areas are not shrinking yet; whether dryness expands across Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri will be decided in the next 2–3 months.
• The first phase favors Alberta Clippers and heavy Great Lakes snow; cities like Chicago could end up with well above-normal totals.
• The second phase shifts the jet into the West Coast, sending storms into California and occasionally into the central plains.
• Colorado’s ski country is sitting at roughly 40% of average snowpack, a red flag for fire season, runoff, and long-term water supply.
• Western Nebraska and western Kansas sit on the edge of a potentially dry corridor that needs to be watched closely through winter.
• Despite online hype about “the worst winter ever,” the pattern so far has produced brief cold shots followed by strong warmups.
• The LRC gives a framework to map which weeks are likely wetter or drier from January–May, giving agriculture a planning edge.
• A stronger phase-two jet in late December and again in mid-January/mid-February could bring a significant plains storm or ice event.
• Long-range confidence grows over the next few weeks as more cycles complete, sharpening forecasts for planting and early growing season.
Chapters
00:00 Road Trips, Dogs, and Tumbleweeds: Gary Lezak Checks In from Colorado
02:35 First Big Question: Is This Pattern Setting Up a Major Drought?
03:30 Two Phases of the New LRC: Clippers North, Questions for the Plains
04:35 Thin Snowpack in Colorado and What It Signals for Fire and Drought Risk
06:28 How This Winter Pattern Could Shape Nebraska–Kansas Moisture
07:34 Weather Hype vs. Reality: Social Media Forecasts and Actual Data
08:57 What We’ve Seen So Far: Cold Shots, Fast Warmups, and No “Monster” Blizzard Yet
09:35 Why Spring Moisture Still Matters Most for the Ag Belt
10:41 Watching Phase Two: Holiday Storm Potential and a Maybe-White Christmas
11:40 Driving Through Cattle Country: Ground-Level Perspective from Nebraska and Kansas
12:42 Waiting on the West Coast Storm Door to Open Again
13:18 Where to Find the Full 40-Page Winter Forecast and Weather 2020 Resources
winter weather, long-range forecast, Lezak Recurring Cycle, LRC, drought risk, Colorado snowpack, Great Lakes snow, Alberta Clippers, California storms, ice storm potential, Nebraska weather, Kansas weather, agricultural planning, Weather 2020, seasonal forecast, planting season outlook, moisture patterns, cattle country weather
When cattle prices finally bounce back, most producers’ minds go straight to optimism, not labeling law. In this episode, host Lauren Moylan and John Campbell walk through a sharp rebound in the sale barns at La Junta, Riverton, and Dodge City, why light calves are once again knocking on October highs, and what that could mean heading into grass turnout. Then the conversation takes a hard turn into one of the industry’s most emotional topics: Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling. John Campbell lays out why mCOOL has become a “sacred cow,” why he doubts it will significantly change consumer behavior, and how imported beef, food labeling laws, and real-world grocery decisions collide with the way producers think the world works.
Links
CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m
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
• Recent sales in La Junta, Riverton, and Dodge City show a strong rebound, with light calves in many cases back near October highs.
• Feeder and calf prices on suitable turnout cattle jumped $30–$40 per head in a matter of weeks in some weight classes.
• John Campbell expects tight supplies of light cattle and seasonal grass demand to support even higher prices into spring.
• Despite recent volatility and “bad news,” a lot of pessimism has been taken out of the cattle market for now.
• John Campbell views mCOOL as a “good idea,” but not the number one issue the beef industry should be willing to die on.
• He argues most consumers do not truly shop by country of origin; they buy on habit, price, and convenience more than label fine print.
• The U.S. imports a large share of its food, including the majority of fruits, vegetables, and almost all seafood, and consumers rarely check those origins.
• Labeling is already highly regulated; adding mandatory country-of-origin language risks even more complexity, enforcement, and tiny unreadable print.
• Lauren Moylan raises concerns about current “Product of USA” rules that allow imported beef slaughtered and packaged domestically to wear a U.S. label.
• Both agree that the bigger strategic question is whether mCOOL would actually shift consumer behavior enough to justify the cost and regulatory burden, especially when the industry still needs imported lean beef and steady demand at the meat case.
Chapters
00:00 Checking In from the Road: Offices, Cell Phones, and Never Sitting Still
01:22 La Junta, Riverton, and Dodge City: Rebound Runs and Big Jumps in Calf Prices
05:35 Why Light Calves May Still Have More Upside Heading Into Grass Season
06:50 John Campbell Lights Up the M-COOL Debate and Questions Industry Priorities
09:11 What Consumers Really Look At: Labels, Origin, Price, and Convenience
13:55 Folgers, Honduras, and Imported Food: A Reality Check on Label Obsession
18:23 Lauren Moylan Pushes on “Product of USA,” Imports, and Trade Realities
24:10 Do We Need M-COOL—or Do We Need People Eating More Beef?
26:33 Closing Thoughts, Listener Reactions, and a Promise of More Uncomfortable Conversations
cattle markets, calf prices, La Junta sale, Riverton sale, Dodge City sale, light calves, turnout cattle, price rebound, mCOOL, Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling, product of USA, beef imports, food labeling laws, consumer behavior, grocery buying decisions, U.S. beef industry, trade and imports, lean beef demand, regulatory burden, John Campbell, Lauren Moylan