Strong cattle markets don’t mean the challenges have gone away. Lauren is joined by John Campbell once again today to break down what’s happening in today’s cattle market, from rising prices and tight supplies to what producers are seeing on the ground right now.

But this conversation goes beyond the market as John shares what’s unfolding in Colorado with proposed energy transmission corridors that could impact private ranch land, raising serious concerns around property rights, government overreach, and the long-term future of rural communities.

As strong as the market is, producers are still facing drought conditions, difficult management decisions, and increasing outside pressure on the land they depend on.

Links:

Links:Nominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7

King of the Ring - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.korauction.com/?utm_sourc...CattleUSA Insurance - ⁠https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l...⁠CattleUSA Website - ⁠https://www.cattleusa.com/⁠Facebook - ⁠  / cattleusamedia⁠  Instagram - ⁠  / ⁠  Subscribe to our newsletter - ⁠https://www.cattleusadrive.com/premium⁠CattleUSA Media - ⁠https://www.cattleusamedia.com/⁠Lauren’s Instagram - ⁠  / ⁠  Lauren’s Youtube - ⁠   / @showboatmediaco  The Next Generation Podcast Website - ⁠https://www.thenextgenag.com/⁠

Key Takeaways:

• Cattle markets remain strong with continued price momentum
• Drought conditions are still impacting many regions
• Producers are making strategic decisions around herd management
• Calf, feeder, and pair markets continue to show strength
• Proposed energy corridors could impact private ranch land
• Property rights and government overreach are major concerns
• Early awareness and involvement are critical in policy decisions
• Strong markets don’t eliminate operational challenges

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction + market overview
03:00 Local conditions and drought
07:00 Cattle market strength and pricing
12:00 Calf, feeder, and pair market insights
18:00 Producer decisions in current conditions
22:00 Colorado energy corridor discussion
28:00 Property rights and government involvement
34:00 Why producers need to act now

government overreach ranch land, cattle market update, live cattle prices, feeder cattle market, cattle industry news, drought cattle producers, ranch management decisions, livestock market outlook, property rights ranching, energy corridor Colorado, eminent domain ranch land, agriculture policy cattle, rural land rights, cattle producer challenges, livestock economics, cattle industry outlook

The cattle market is on a run, but how long does it last, and what should producers be doing right now?

Lauren is joined by Dan and Samantha today to break down a rapid rally in the live and feeder cattle markets, strong consumer demand heading into grilling season, and why this current environment is as producer-friendly as it gets, at least for now.

They discuss aggressive packer behavior, tightening cattle supplies, and how quickly things have shifted as the market pushes into record territory. But alongside the optimism, there’s still plenty of uncertainty. From extreme weather across the country to rising corn prices and cost of gain concerns, this episode highlights the factors that could impact what comes next and why risk management matters more than ever in a volatile market.

If you’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to make decisions, this might be it.

Connect with Samantha:Email - [email protected] Phone - 785-940-5533Links:Nominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - ⁠⁠https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l...⁠CattleUSA Website - ⁠⁠https://www.cattleusa.com/⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠  / cattleusamedia⁠  ⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠  / ⁠  ⁠Subscribe to our newsletter - ⁠⁠https://www.cattleusadrive.com/premium⁠⁠CattleUSA Media - ⁠⁠https://www.cattleusamedia.com/⁠⁠Lauren’s Instagram - ⁠⁠  / ⁠  ⁠Lauren’s Youtube - ⁠⁠   / @showboatmediaco  ⁠The Next Generation Podcast Website - ⁠⁠https://www.thenextgenag.com/⁠⁠

Key Takeaway:

• The cattle market has seen a rapid and aggressive rally
• Strong grilling season demand is driving current momentum
• Packer activity reflects tightening cattle supplies
• The current market is highly favorable—but may not last
• Weather extremes are impacting both cattle and grain markets
• Rising corn prices could increase cost of gain
• Volatility remains a key factor across commodities
• Risk management and protecting margins is critical

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction + current conditions
02:00 Market rally overview
06:00 Fed cattle and packer activity
10:00 Grilling season demand
14:00 Volatility and uncertainty
18:00 Weather impacts across regions
22:00 Corn market and cost of gain
26:00 Risk management discussion
30:00 What producers should be doing now

cattle market rally, producer friendly cattle market, live cattle prices 2025, feeder cattle market outlook, cattle market outlook 2025, beef demand grilling season, consumer demand beef, cattle prices record highs, livestock market volatility, cattle futures analysis, risk management cattle producers, hedging cattle prices, protect cattle margins, packer activity cattle market, cattle supply tightness, fed cattle prices, feeder cattle prices, corn prices cattle impact, cost of gain cattle, grain markets and cattle, drought impact cattle industry, flooding impact agriculture, weather and cattle markets, agriculture market trends, cattle industry outlook, livestock economics, cattle cycle expansion, beef industry trends

Lauren sits down with Chuck Bradley to hear how a high school talent show, a dare, and years of selling chickens turned into a career that led to the world stage.

As a first-generation auctioneer, Chuck shares what it looked like to figure things out without many connections, learn through trial and error, and stay consistent through years of small sales before stepping into major competitions. From early setbacks to eventually winning a World Championship, this episode highlights what it takes to build something over time and why the long road really matters.

Links:

King of the Ring - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.korauction.com/?utm_sourc...Nominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - ⁠⁠https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l...⁠CattleUSA Website - ⁠⁠https://www.cattleusa.com/⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠  / cattleusamedia⁠  ⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠  / ⁠  ⁠Subscribe to our newsletter - ⁠⁠https://www.cattleusadrive.com/premium⁠⁠CattleUSA Media - ⁠⁠https://www.cattleusamedia.com/⁠⁠Lauren’s Instagram - ⁠⁠  / ⁠  ⁠Lauren’s Youtube - ⁠⁠   / @showboatmediaco  ⁠The Next Generation Podcast Website - ⁠⁠https://www.thenextgenag.com/⁠⁠

Key Takeaways:

• Success doesn’t always start with a clear plan
• Small opportunities can lead to bigger ones over time
• Being first-generation means learning without a roadmap
• Repetition and consistency are key to building skill
• Competition and failure are part of long-term growth
• Relationships play a major role in advancing in the industry
• Big wins often come after years of groundwork

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction + Chuck’s background
03:00 The school talent show that started it all
08:00 First chicken sale experience
15:00 Learning the auction business
22:00 Early competitions and setbacks
30:00 Building a career and connections
38:00 The road to the world championship
46:00 Winning it all
52:00 King of the Ring and what’s next

Chuck Bradley auctioneer, world champion auctioneer, first generation auctioneer, livestock auctioneer story, sale barn auctioneer, chicken sale auctioneer, auctioneer journey, how to become an auctioneer, cattle auction industry, auctioneer competition, king of the ring auction, livestock marketing, agriculture podcast cattle, rural career stories, auction business insights

What does global beef demand have to do with a Route 66 road trip?

Lauren sits down with Cheryl DeVuyst today on the podcast to connect the dots between strong global and domestic beef demand, checkoff-funded efforts, and creative initiatives like the Route 66 Beef Passport.

They also discuss what current consumer data is showing, from increasing willingness to pay for beef to a decline in interest around alternative protein lifestyles, and why understanding demand matters now more than ever for producers.

Links:

If you’d like to read the latest Impact Report or subscribe to The Drive, visit DrivingDemandforBeef.com.

Route 66: https://www.kansasbeef.org/programs-events/route-66-beef-trailBeef Recipes: https://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/ CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l...⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook -   / cattleusamedia  Instagram -   / cattleusa.media  Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/premiumCattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram -   / _laurenmoylan  Lauren’s Youtube -    / @showboatmediaco  The Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/

• Global beef demand continues to add value to the entire animal
• Export markets play a critical role in producer profitability
• Domestic consumers are still choosing beef and willing to pay for it
• Interest in alternative proteins and vegan lifestyles is declining
• Understanding consumer demand is key to long-term success
• Checkoff programs are funding both research and innovative marketing efforts
• Experience-based marketing (like the Route 66 Beef Passport) is connecting consumers to beef in new ways

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction + current demand conversation
05:00 Global beef demand and export strategy
12:00 Why exports matter to producers
18:00 Domestic demand and consumer trends
24:00 Alternative proteins and vegan trends
30:00 Route 66 Beef Passport explained
36:00 Checkoff efforts and marketing strategy
42:00 What this means for producers moving forward

global beef demand, domestic beef demand, beef demand 2025, cattle industry demand, beef consumer behavior, willingness to pay beef, beef demand vs alternative proteins, vegan trends declining, protein consumption trends, beef export markets USA, USMEF beef exports, value of beef exports, carcass value beef industry, cattle industry demand drivers, beef checkoff program, beef checkoff marketing, checkoff funded programs agriculture, what does the beef checkoff do, Route 66 beef passport, Route 66 beef experience, experiential marketing agriculture, beef promotion strategies, summer beef demand grilling season, consumer trust beef industry, agriculture consumer trends, livestock market demand, beef industry trends

A major shift in the weather pattern is underway and it could impact everything from planting to cattle conditions across the country. Lauren sits down with Gary Lezak to break down what we’re seeing right now and what’s coming next, including much needed rain in some regions, continued drought in others, and the increasing risk of severe weather as we move deeper into spring.

They also look ahead to the summer months, discussing potential heat waves, rainfall patterns, and how long-range weather models are helping producers better understand what’s ahead. This episode covers what producers should be watching as weather continues to drive decisions across the cattle industry.

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/premium
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/

Key Takeaways:

• Rain is expected across parts of the cattle belt in the coming weeks
• Severe weather risks are increasing through late spring
• Some areas may face delays due to excess rainfall
• Long-term forecasts point to heat waves later this summer
• Weather patterns continue to shift quickly across regions

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction + current weather pattern
04:00 Spring outlook and temperature trends
08:00 Rain forecast across the cattle belt
14:00 Regional moisture differences
20:00 Severe weather risks
26:00 Summer heat outlook
32:00 Long-term forecasting insights
38:00 Final thoughts

cattle weather forecast, rain forecast cattle belt, severe storms agriculture, Gary Lezak weather, long range weather forecast, cattle industry weather impact, agriculture weather trends, spring weather cattle, summer heat wave forecast, livestock weather conditions, ag weather podcast, drought and rain patterns, weather outlook farming

Drought is forcing tough decisions across cattle country and the producers who come out ahead are the ones willing to ask the hard questions early. Lauren sits down with John Campbell to break down what producers should be thinking about right now as dry conditions continue to impact operations across the region.

From market signals to real-world examples, John walks through a step-by-step mindset for navigating drought by covering what to sell, what to keep, and how to position your operation for both the short term and the long run. With experience through multiple drought cycles, this conversation focuses on making timely, strategic decisions instead of reactive ones and understanding that doing nothing is still a decision.

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/premium
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/

Key Takeaways:

• Drought decisions should be made early—not when options are limited
• Start with “cleanup” cattle: opens, problem cows, and underperformers
• Selling in a strong market can position your operation long-term
• Heifer retention becomes a critical decision in dry conditions
• Timing matters—set a date and stick to your plan
• Moving cattle is often riskier than it seems
• Emotional decisions can hurt long-term profitability

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction + market overview
06:00 Early drought signals and regional impact
10:00 Why timing matters in drought decisions
15:00 Where to start: cleanup and culling
22:00 Heifer retention and long-term implications
28:00 Selling vs holding cattle
34:00 The risks of moving cattle
40:00 Building a drought plan
46:00 Final thoughts and advice for producers

drought cattle management, positioning cattle operation drought, cattle market drought decisions, when to sell cattle drought, cattle culling strategy drought, herd management dry conditions, cattle market update drought, ranching decision making, cattle producers drought strategy, livestock drought planning, cattle operation risk management, selling cattle in drought, cow calf management drought, agriculture drought podcast, John Campbell, cattle market

Andrew Sylvester is on the podcast today. He is the auctioneer at Manhattan Commission Company and King of the Ring contestant, to talk about what it really looks like to sell cattle through both strong and challenging markets.

From record-high prices to tougher days when the board turns against you, Andrew shares how volatile markets impact both buyers and sellers and what auctioneers see from the block that others may not. They also discuss the importance of relationships, communication, and being an active cattle producer in understanding how to market cattle effectively in any environment.

Links:

King of the Ring - ⁠⁠https://www.korauction.com/?utm_sourc...Nominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - ⁠https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l...⁠CattleUSA Website - ⁠https://www.cattleusa.com/⁠Facebook - ⁠  / cattleusamedia⁠  Instagram - ⁠  / ⁠  Subscribe to our newsletter - ⁠https://www.cattleusadrive.com/premium⁠CattleUSA Media - ⁠https://www.cattleusamedia.com/⁠Lauren’s Instagram - ⁠  / ⁠  Lauren’s Youtube - ⁠   / @showboatmediaco  The Next Generation Podcast Website - ⁠https://www.thenextgenag.com/⁠

Key Takeaways:

• Volatile cattle markets create both opportunity and risk
• Selling cattle looks very different in strong markets vs weak ones
• Relationships are critical between buyers, sellers, and auctioneers
• Market swings (like board movement) can impact outcomes quickly
• Preparation and communication help improve cattle marketing success
• Being involved in the cattle industry provides a competitive advantage

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction + Andrew’s background
04:00 Getting started in auctioneering
10:00 Balancing cattle production and auctioneering
18:00 Relationships in the cattle business
26:00 Selling cattle in strong vs tough markets
34:00 Handling volatility and market swings
42:00 Advice for producers and young auctioneers

volatile cattle market, selling cattle in volatile markets, cattle market cycles, cattle auctioneer podcast, Andrew Sylvester auctioneer, cattle market highs and lows, livestock market volatility, feeder cattle market trends, live cattle prices, cattle marketing strategies, sale barn cattle, livestock auction industry, ranching and auctioneering, cattle producers outlook, agriculture podcast cattle

Lauren and Samantha break down a choppy week in the cattle markets, starting with the latest cattle on feed report that, on paper, looked supportive but didn’t move the market the way many expected. They also dig into why that disconnect exists, how much weight producers should actually be putting on these reports, and what other factors may be driving market behavior right now.

From ongoing drought conditions and heifer retention decisions to questions around beef demand and shifting cattle flow, this episode highlights the real-world factors that continue to shape the market beyond what any single report shows.

Connect with Samantha:Email - [email protected] Phone - 785-940-5533Links:Nominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - ⁠https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l...⁠CattleUSA Website - ⁠https://www.cattleusa.com/⁠Facebook - ⁠  / cattleusamedia⁠  Instagram - ⁠  / ⁠  Subscribe to our newsletter - ⁠https://www.cattleusadrive.com/premium⁠CattleUSA Media - ⁠https://www.cattleusamedia.com/⁠Lauren’s Instagram - ⁠  / ⁠  Lauren’s Youtube - ⁠   / @showboatmediaco  The Next Generation Podcast Website - ⁠https://www.thenextgenag.com/⁠

Key Takeaways:

• The latest cattle on feed report appeared “friendly” but had limited market impact
• Market conditions remain choppy with mixed signals across the board
• Drought continues to influence herd decisions and retention
• Heifer retention is happening, but varies widely by region
• Beef demand is still a key question heading into grilling season
• Reports are useful tools—but don’t always reflect the full picture
• Outside factors continue to play a major role in market direction

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction + spring workload realities
03:00 Market recap and recent price movement
08:00 Cattle on feed report breakdown
12:00 Why the report didn’t move the market
17:00 Heifer retention and herd dynamics
22:00 Drought and regional challenges
27:00 Border and cattle flow considerations
31:00 Beef demand heading into summer
36:00 What to watch moving forward

cattle on feed report 2025, cattle market update, live cattle prices, feeder cattle trends, cattle market volatility, drought cattle industry, heifer retention cattle, beef demand outlook, livestock market analysis, agriculture podcast cattle, Samantha Cozza-Wright, cattle producers outlook, beef industry trends, cattle supply and demand, ranching economics

Justin Dodson is on the podcast today, another one of this year’s King of the Ring contestants. He sits down with Lauren for a meaningful conversation about building a career in the sale barn from the ground up. From practicing his chant alone in a hay barn to working the ring for free, Justin shares what those early years actually looked like truly pinching pennies, chasing opportunities, and continuing to push forward even when nothing seemed to be lining up.

He talks through the moments that changed everything, the people who helped shape his career, and what it took to go from just trying to get a chance to becoming one of the most respected auctioneers in the industry.

Today, Justin balances auctioneering, a growing cattle operation, and mentoring the next generation while still competing at a high level. This episode is a real look at the grind behind the scenes and what it takes to stay in it.

Links:

King of the Ring - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.korauction.com/?utm_sourc...Nominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - ⁠⁠https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l...⁠CattleUSA Website - ⁠⁠https://www.cattleusa.com/⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠  / cattleusamedia⁠  ⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠  / ⁠  ⁠Subscribe to our newsletter - ⁠⁠https://www.cattleusa.shop/products/c...CattleUSA Media - ⁠⁠https://www.cattleusamedia.com/⁠⁠Lauren’s Instagram - ⁠⁠  / ⁠  ⁠Lauren’s Youtube - ⁠⁠   / @showboatmediaco  ⁠The Next Generation Podcast Website - ⁠⁠https://www.thenextgenag.com/⁠⁠

Key Takeaways:

• Building a career in the sale barn takes time, persistence, and consistency
• Early years often involve working for little to no pay while learning the craft
• Mentorship and learning from others plays a major role in long-term success
• Understanding cattle value is critical to being an effective auctioneer
• Balancing auctioneering with a cattle operation creates stability
• The industry is built on relationships, reputation, and trust
• Helping the next generation is an important part of giving back

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction + Justin’s early interest in auctioneering
03:00 Learning the chant and early struggles
08:00 Practicing in the hay barn
12:00 Working the ring and getting early opportunities
18:00 Financial struggles and starting a family
24:00 The phone call that changed everything
30:00 Building momentum in the sale barn
36:00 Growing a cattle operation alongside auctioneering
42:00 Mentorship and helping young auctioneers
48:00 Advice for the next generation
54:00 King of the Ring and competition

auctioneer story cattle industry, Justin Dodson auctioneer, livestock auctioneer journey, how to become an auctioneer, sale barn life cattle industry, cattle auction career path, livestock marketing auctioneer, King of the Ring auctioneer, auction chant practice hay barn, ranching and auctioneering lifestyle, cattle industry careers podcast, agriculture storytelling, livestock sales barn insights, auctioneer mentorship cattle industry

This is one of those conversations that sticks with you. Lauren sits down with Dave Shumpert of X2D Ranch Ministries and the Feed the Need program for a meaningful conversation about faith, ranching, and what it looks like to use cattle to serve something bigger than yourself.

What started as a traditional ranching operation has grown into a community-driven effort to provide high-quality beef to families facing real challenges—from medical hardships to difficult seasons of life. Dave shares how Feed the Need came to life, the role the cattle industry has played in supporting it, and how a simple idea has turned into a sustainable program impacting both those receiving and those giving.

This episode is about more than cattle, it’s about purpose, community, and the impact agriculture can have when it’s used to serve others.

Links:

X2D Ranch Ministries Website - https://x2dranchministries.com/

X2D Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/x2dranchministries/

Feed the Need - https://x2dranchministries.com/feed-the-need

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/premium
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/

Key Takeaways:

• Feed the Need was built through faith, community, and unexpected opportunities
• Cattle operations can play a direct role in serving local communities
• High-quality beef can be used to restore dignity and provide real support
• Sustainability in today’s cattle market requires intentional planning and strong genetics
• The cattle industry has shown strong support through donations and collaboration
• Involving youth and families creates long-term impact beyond just the product

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction + why this conversation matters
02:00 Dave’s background in ranching and rodeo
06:00 The turning point and personal testimony
11:00 Where the idea for Feed the Need began
15:00 The $20,000 moment that changed everything
20:00 Building the program through community support
26:00 Delivering beef and impacting families
31:00 A powerful story from Feed the Need
36:00 Making the program sustainable in today’s cattle market
42:00 Genetics, cattle quality, and long-term vision
47:00 Involving youth and bridging communities
52:00 What the future could look like
56:00 Final thoughts and message to the industry

feed the need cattle program, X2D Ranch Ministries, Dave Schumpert podcast, cattle ministry USA, ranching and faith story, agriculture community outreach programs, beef donation programs local communities, using cattle to serve others, livestock industry giving back, ranching lifestyle and purpose, cattle operations and community impact, sustainable cattle programs, beef production for food insecurity, agriculture leadership stories, faith-based agriculture initiatives, ranchers giving back to community, livestock and ministry work, feeding families with local beef, youth involvement in agriculture programs