CattleUSA Daily

Gary is back, and this week’s conversation is all about the absolute roller coaster the weather has been on lately. From single digits to near 90 degrees in a matter of days, he breaks down what’s actually driving these swings and why this isn’t just “normal March weather.” They dig into drought concerns across Nebraska and the Plains, what Gary is seeing on his dashboard for rainfall over the next few months, and why producers should already be thinking ahead to potential stress this summer.

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

• Extreme temperature swings across the U.S. are being driven by a strong “anti-cyclone” pattern

• This current heat is unusually strong for March and resembles summer-like conditions

• A potential frost or freeze risk could return in April despite current warm weather

• Drought concerns are highest across Nebraska and parts of Colorado

• Kansas has a better outlook, with some areas expected to receive near-average rainfall

• Nebraska may only receive 50–90% of normal rainfall, raising drought concerns

• Drought conditions are likely expanding rather than shrinking in the short term

• Early snowmelt in the Rockies could worsen water supply issues

• Severe weather risks are expected to continue, with larger outbreaks likely in May

• A major summer heat wave is most likely to hit in August

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and March weather madness

01:15 Breaking down extreme temperature swings

03:30 What’s causing this unusual weather pattern

06:00 Heat wave conditions and what they mean

08:30 Drought concerns across Nebraska and the Plains

12:00 Rainfall outlook for Kansas vs. Nebraska

13:30 Is the drought expanding or shrinking?

15:00 Severe weather outlook and timing

16:30 Summer heat wave expectations

17:30 Closing thoughts and Brazil trip preview

weather patterns agriculture, drought outlook 2026, Nebraska drought update, Kansas rainfall forecast, extreme weather Midwest, severe weather outlook, farming weather risks, cattle producer weather planning, heat wave forecast summer, Weather 2020 dashboard, agriculture weather trends, CattleUSA Daily Podcast

John is back on the podcast to break down what’s happening in the cattle market and some of the bigger stories developing across the industry right now. John shares updates from the sale barns and what he’s seeing in terms of demand, pricing, and early signs of producers adjusting due to dry conditions. The conversation also covers the latest on the JBS Greeley plant shutdown, ongoing wildfire devastation in Nebraska, and a new bill being introduced that could have major implications for packers and the structure of the beef industry moving forward.

Links

Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief FundMonetary Donations Mailed To:4611 Cattle DriveLincoln, NE 68521-4309Online Donations: https://www.nebraskacattlemen.org/disaster-relief-fund

Nebraska Sandhills Rancher Fire ReliefMonetary Donations Mailed To:PO Box 291Oshkosh, NE, 69154Online Donations: https://kearneyfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=3211

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

Cattle markets remained mostly steady this week with continued strong demand

• Light cattle markets are holding strong despite some variability in quality and volume

• Dry conditions and lack of water are beginning to impact producer decision-making, especially in the West

• Some producers are starting to sell replacement heifers early due to drought concerns

• The JBS Greeley plant shutdown continues to shift cattle to other processing facilities

• Some cattle are still being processed at Greeley, with signs the situation may evolve

• Nebraska wildfires have burned hundreds of thousands of acres and impacted tens of thousands of cattle

• Relief efforts are underway, and producers are being encouraged to support affected ranchers

• A new bill introduced in Congress aims to address packer concentration and increase competition

• The proposed legislation could significantly change packer structure, vertical integration, and market dynamics

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and weather discussion

01:15 Market update and La Junta sale recap

04:30 Regional market trends across sale barns

08:20 Drought concerns and early cattle movement decisions

14:00 JBS Greeley plant update and cattle movement

16:00 Nebraska wildfires and industry impact

19:30 Relief efforts and supporting producers

21:30 New bill introduced on Capitol Hill

24:00 What the bill could mean for packers and producers

30:00 Final thoughts and outlook

cattle market update, feeder cattle prices, livestock auction report, cattle industry news, JBS Greeley plant update, Nebraska wildfires cattle industry, rancher disaster relief, cattle drought conditions, beef industry policy, packer concentration bill, agriculture legislation news, cattle market trends, CattleUSA Daily Podcast

Today, Lauren sits down with Dan and Samantha once again to break down another volatile week in the cattle market and why prices continue to push higher despite all the noise. Dan and Samantha walk through the recent rally across live and feeder cattle, what’s been driving the sharp swings in the market, and how outside factors like global conflict, energy prices, and the stock market are playing a role. They also discuss beef demand, rising cutout values, packer activity, and what it all could mean as we head into spring and closer to grilling season.

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

• The cattle market moved higher this week after a sharp correction the week prior

• Feeder and live cattle auctions saw strong gains, with some markets up $10–$20

• Market volatility continues to be driven by outside factors like global conflict, oil prices, and equities

• The JBS Greeley plant situation has largely already been priced into the market

• Slaughter numbers are improving, helping support market stability

• Beef cutout values have surged above $400 earlier than typical seasonal trends

• Demand remains strong even outside of peak grilling season

• Packers are working through contract cattle, which could shift leverage back to feeders

• Grain markets remain volatile, creating opportunities for risk management and hedging

• Export demand is strong but depends on shipments being fulfilled in the coming weeks

Chapters

00:00 Intro and weather talk

00:45 Market rally and weekly overview

01:30 Volatility and recent market swings

03:30 Outside market influence: war, oil, and stocks

05:30 JBS plant situation and market reaction

07:00 Slaughter numbers and packer activity

08:30 Beef demand and rising cutout values

10:00 Spring demand and grilling season outlook

11:30 Grain market volatility and hedging opportunities

13:00 Export markets and global competition

14:30 Final thoughts and outlook

cattle market update, live cattle prices, feeder cattle market, cattle market volatility, beef demand trends, cattle futures analysis, livestock market report, grain market outlook, agricultural markets update, beef cutout values, cattle industry news, export market agriculture, CattleUSA Daily Podcast

In this episode, Lauren breaks down a hard truth: durability is no longer enough. The ranching environment has fundamentally changed. Markets move faster. Weather patterns are less predictable. Interest rates shift quickly. Input costs spike without warning. Consumer demand reacts in real time. In a structurally volatile system, rigidity becomes a liability. Adaptability is now the competitive advantage. From stocking rates and cow type to risk management, labor design, and succession planning, this episode challenges ranchers to separate identity from method and build systems designed for flexibility, not nostalgia.

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

• Durability alone is no longer a competitive advantage
• Volatility in markets, weather, and policy is now structural, not occasional
• Rigidity in a volatile system creates fragility
• Grassland ecosystems adapt naturally, but managers often resist change
• Stocking rates, turnout timing, and cow type must respond to biological signals
• Feed prices, interest rates, and futures markets now shift rapidly
• Risk management tools provide disciplined optionality, not speculation
• Cow type decisions should align with forage base and labor capacity
• Fertility and efficiency matter more than frame or flash
• Labor is a permanent structural constraint, not a temporary issue
• Systems built around unlimited labor are brittle
• Burnout is a systems flaw, not a badge of honor
• Succession must include financial transparency and phased transition
• The next generation needs flexibility, not rigid inheritance
• Separating identity from tradition is the hardest adaptability shift
• Optionality is built through liquidity, lean costs, and diversified revenue
• The coming divide will be adaptable versus rigid operators

Chapters

00:00 Why durability is no longer enough
02:00 Ecology as the blueprint for adaptability
03:45 Structural volatility in markets and finance
06:00 Genetic decisions as strategic adaptation
08:30 Labor redesign and human capacity limits
11:00 Succession in a changing economic landscape
14:00 Identity versus method: the internal shift
16:30 Building optionality as a strategic asset
18:45 The next decade: adaptable vs rigid

cattle industry volatility, ranch adaptability, risk management cattle, stocking rate adjustment, cow size efficiency, forage management strategy, ranch labor constraints, agricultural succession planning, optionality in agriculture, livestock margin protection, drought response strategy, calving season efficiency, ranch financial flexibility, adaptive grazing management, structural volatility agriculture

This week, Lauren sits down with Emma Coffman to talk about the latest movement surrounding the 2026 farm bill after it advanced out of the House Agriculture Committee. Emma explains why agriculture has been operating under repeated extensions of the 2018 farm bill, the ongoing gridlock surrounding SNAP funding, and why updating the bill is critical as producers face rising input costs and market volatility. The conversation also touches on broader challenges in agriculture, including trade disruptions, fertilizer supply concerns, land loss, and why it’s important for producers to stay engaged with the policymakers representing them on Capitol Hill.

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/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/⁠

Takeaways

• The House Agriculture Committee advanced a proposed 2026 Farm Bill with a bipartisan 34–17 vote

• Agriculture has been operating under the 2018 Farm Bill after several one-year extensions

• More than 76% of the Farm Bill currently funds nutrition programs like SNAP

• Disagreements over SNAP funding and eligibility requirements continue to create political gridlock

• Rising input costs and inflation have made updating farm policy critical for producers

• Global supply disruptions, including fertilizer inputs, could impact planting decisions

• Agriculture continues to face pressure from land loss due to urban expansion, infrastructure, and renewable energy development

• The cattle industry is seeing market disruption due to restrictions on Mexican cattle imports related to the New World screwworm threat

• Producers are encouraged to stay involved with policymakers and participate in elections to ensure agriculture has a voice in Washington

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the farm bill discussion

00:26 Emma Coffman joins the podcast

01:00 Why the farm bill keeps getting extended

02:00 What the farm bill actually funds beyond agriculture

03:30 SNAP funding debate and political gridlock

05:30 Why the 2018 farm bill no longer reflects current economic realities

08:00 Rising production costs and financial pressure on producers

10:30 Global agriculture markets and fertilizer supply concerns

12:30 Land loss, water concerns, and development pressure on farmland

14:30 Cattle market disruptions and Mexican cattle import restrictions

17:00 Why producers need to stay involved in policy and voting

21:00 Conservation programs and possible digital updates to farm program registration

23:00 Final thoughts and what comes next for the farm bill

farm bill update, 2026 farm bill, agriculture policy update, Emma Coffman agriculture policy, farm bill SNAP debate, House Agriculture Committee farm bill, US agriculture policy news, crop insurance programs farm bill, cattle industry policy update, rural policy United States, agriculture legislation news, farm policy discussion, CattleUSA Daily Podcast

Today Lauren is joined once again by Gary Lezak to discuss the latest weather developments impacting producers across the Midwest and Plains. Gary shares insight into the recent severe weather outbreaks that brought large hail and storms across Kansas and surrounding states and explains how those events fit into a larger repeating weather cycle he tracks in his long-range forecasting model. The conversation also covers an upcoming cold front expected to bring a hard freeze, what that could mean for early planting, and why producers should be paying attention to these seasonal weather patterns. Gary also discusses the possibility of a major heat pattern developing later this summer across parts of the Plains and how that could impact agriculture heading into July and August.

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

• Recent severe weather across the Midwest produced large hail and storm activity across Kansas and surrounding areas

• Gary explains how these storms fit into a larger repeating weather cycle that his forecasting model tracks

• His system aims to identify severe weather windows 75–150 days in advance

• A strong cold front moving through the region could bring a hard freeze before St. Patrick’s Day

• Producers preparing for planting should be cautious about early planting before this cold snap passes

• A persistent weather feature Gary calls an “anchor ridge” has contributed to warmer and drier conditions across parts of the Plains

• Denver experienced an unusually warm winter with a record number of 60-degree days

• The same long-range pattern could lead to a significant heat wave across parts of the Plains later this summer

• Areas along the eastern edge of that heat pattern could experience increased thunderstorm activity known as the “Ring of Fire”

Chapters

00:00 Intro and episode overview

01:05 Gary’s trip to New York and subway story

03:30 Recent severe weather across Kansas and the Midwest

06:45 How Gary’s long-range weather predictions work

11:20 Upcoming cold front and potential hard freeze

13:00 Weather cycles and repeating seasonal patterns

15:00 Summer heat outlook and the “Ring of Fire” pattern

16:40 Final thoughts and outlook for the week

Gary Lezak weather forecast, Midwest weather update, Kansas severe weather, Plains weather pattern, agriculture weather forecast, hard freeze forecast, long range weather prediction, farming weather outlook, severe storms Midwest, anchor ridge weather pattern, Ring of Fire weather pattern, summer heat forecast Plains, agricultural weather planning, Midwest storm outlook

Lauren sits down with John Campbell to talk through what we’re seeing in the cattle market right now after another strong week of sales across the region. John shares updates from the sale barns, explains why demand for stocker and feeder cattle is holding strong despite volatility in the futures market, and answers questions he’s been hearing from producers about where the market may be headed. The conversation also dives into the shutdown of the JBS packing plant in Greeley, Colorado, what led up to the labor dispute, and what the closure could mean for packer capacity and the broader cattle industry.

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/

Takeaways

• Strong demand helped keep cash cattle prices steady despite volatility in the futures market

• Winter Livestock’s anniversary sale in La Junta saw strong prices across calves, stockers, and feeder cattle

• Supply and demand dynamics are very different from last fall, helping support stronger prices this spring

• Buyers are still actively looking for cattle to place on grass as grazing season approaches

• The JBS packing plant in Greeley, Colorado shut down after a labor dispute with union workers

• The plant processes roughly 30,000 head of cattle per week

• Some of that capacity may be absorbed by other packing plants currently running slower rail speeds

• Contract cattle may need to be shipped to other plants, which could affect freight costs and carcass yield

• The situation highlights ongoing concerns about consolidation and market power among major packing companies

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and episode overview

01:03 John Campbell joins the podcast

01:30 La Junta market recap and anniversary sale results

04:20 Regional cattle market updates

09:00 Why demand stayed strong despite futures volatility

11:30 How supply and demand dynamics differ from last fall

14:30 Breaking down the JBS Greeley plant shutdown

18:00 What the closure could mean for producers and packers

22:00 Weather outlook and spring grazing conditions

cattle market update, feeder cattle prices, stocker cattle market, cattle auction report, Winter Livestock La Junta sale, cattle industry news, JBS Greeley plant shutdown, cattle packing plant capacity, beef industry analysis, cattle supply and demand, livestock market update, ranching market outlook, CattleUSA Daily Podcast

This week, Lauren sits down with Derek Thompson to talk about the story behind NextGen Cattle and how the operation has grown from a feedyard purchase in 2017 into a multi-breed seedstock and cattle feeding business built around the commercial cattle producer. Derek shares how his background in financial services eventually led him back to the cattle business, why NextGen built its model around the full beef supply chain, and how their genetics, buyback program, and producer partnerships are all designed to help commercial cattlemen create a better end product.

Links

NextGen Website - https://www.nextgencattle.com/

April Bull Sale - https://www.nextgencattle.com/spring-classic/

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

• NextGen Cattle was formed in 2017 by Derek, his brother Damon, and cousin Brad
• The business began with a southwest Kansas feedyard and has since expanded significantly
• NextGen now operates in Angus, Charolais, and Beefmaster genetics with a strong focus on the commercial cattle producer
• Their program is built around matching cattle to environment, not forcing one type of cow into every region
• Derek believes genetics matter all the way through the feeding and carcass phase
• NextGen sells mostly aged bulls because they believe mature, developed bulls hold up better in real-world commercial use
• Their buyback program allows producers to get real feedback on how cattle perform in the yard and on the rail
• Derek sees long-term opportunity for producers who can consistently raise high-quality cattle
• NextGen’s special feeder calf sale and April bull sale are both centered around building community and supporting producers

Chapters

00:00 Derek’s background and how NextGen started
03:30 Why NextGen expanded into seedstock
08:30 How genetics, development, and environment all connect
13:00 The buyback program and why data matters
18:30 Derek’s outlook on the cattle industry
22:00 Upcoming feeder calf sale and April bull sale

NextGen Cattle, Derek Thompson, commercial cattle producer, seedstock cattle operation, Kansas feedyard, Angus bulls, Charolais bulls, Beefmaster bulls, aged bulls for sale, feeder calf buyback program, cattle genetics data, commercial cow herd improvement, feeder calf sale Salina Kansas, Winter Livestock sale, NextGen bull sale

This week, Lauren is joined by Samantha Cozza-Wright and first-time guest Andrea VanHorn to break down a volatile week in the cattle market. The conversation covers softer cash cattle trade, stronger yearling demand, the market impact of the potential JBS Greeley disruption, growing national attention on beef prices, and why risk management tools matter in a market that continues to react quickly to headlines. The episode also touches on grain market stability, high input costs, and the bigger picture facing both cattle and crop producers as spring gets underway.

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

• Cash cattle traded mostly $238 to $242 last week, about $3 to $6 lower than the previous week
• Some isolated trade was reported as low as $233, but most of the market centered around the high $230s to low $240s
• Feeder cattle stayed relatively resilient, especially yearlings, even as futures softened
• Some sale barns still reported strong receipts, with larger consignments than many expected heading into spring
• Markets continue to react quickly to headlines, from plant disruptions to global conflict
• Samantha sees the Greeley JBS strike headlines as a bigger market story than an actual long-term slaughter capacity issue
• Packers are still using lower kill numbers and tighter slaughter schedules to improve margins
• Boxed beef values remain historically strong for this time of year
• Tight domestic cattle supplies, beef demand, and political attention on food prices are all drawing more national focus to the cattle industry
• Andrea notes that some producers are taking advantage of short-term dips to buy feeders, showing confidence in longer-term cattle strength
• Grain markets remain relatively stable, but high fertilizer and other input costs are still pressuring producers
• The episode reinforces that risk management tools like LRP should be viewed as protection, not a bet against the market
• The goal of coverage is not to hope for a wreck, but to survive one if it happens

Chapters

00:00 Welcome + storms, moisture, and spring conditions
01:20 Market recap with Samantha
04:45 Andrea’s take on current cattle market behavior
06:00 Volatility, headlines, and the Greeley plant discussion
11:20 Why the packer narrative and actual supply may not match
13:10 Grain market update with Andrea
15:50 Bigger-picture cattle market pressures and consumer beef demand
20:20 Why risk management still matters in this kind of market
23:15 Closing thoughts and where to get help with coverage

cattle market update, cash cattle prices, feeder cattle market, JBS Greeley strike, boxed beef values, beef demand 2026, cattle market volatility, LRP coverage, livestock risk protection, cattle risk management, grain market update, fertilizer costs agriculture, packer margins, slaughter capacity cattle, beef price headlines

In this episode, Lauren and Samantha break down Livestock Risk Protection in practical terms. They move beyond the surface-level explanation and walk through what LRP quotes actually look like, how to read them, how premiums are calculated, how coverage levels work, and what a real claim scenario looks like from start to finish. If LRP has ever felt confusing or intimidating, this episode simplifies it and shows how producers can use it to protect margin without sacrificing upside opportunity.

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/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

• LRP stands for Livestock Risk Protection and functions like a government-subsidized put option
• It protects against downside market risk while preserving upside potential
• Premium is the cost of coverage, indemnity is the payment received in a loss situation
• LRP premiums are typically 25–30% cheaper than traditional put options
• No margin calls, no brokerage fees, and no upfront premium payment
• Premium is due at coverage end date with a 60-day grace period
• Quotes are released daily by USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA)
• Quotes are only available to book until futures reopen the next morning
• Coverage levels range from 85% to 100%, but higher levels (98–100%) are typically recommended
• Everything is priced per hundredweight, not per head
• Lightweight and heavyweight cattle are insured at percentages of baseline yearling steer quotes
• Fed cattle are structured separately from feeder cattle
• Market volatility, cattle value, and coverage length all influence premium cost
• If the CME index settles below your coverage price, you receive an indemnity
• Example scenario shows how $86/head premium can result in $169/head net payment

Chapters

00:00 Why we’re revisiting LRP
01:00 Insurance term refresher: indemnity, claim, premium
03:00 What LRP actually is and how it compares to puts
05:30 How quotes work and when they’re available
07:00 Understanding coverage levels and premium columns
10:00 Converting per hundredweight to per head
12:00 Percentages for lightweight, heavyweight, heifers, and unborns
14:30 Step-by-step claim example
17:00 Net indemnity breakdown per head
19:00 Why you don’t have to understand everything to use it
20:30 How to get updated quotes for your operation

Livestock Risk Protection, LRP insurance explained, cattle price protection, feeder cattle insurance, LRP quotes breakdown, CME feeder cattle index, cattle risk management tools, livestock indemnity example, government subsidized put option, RMA livestock insurance, cattle hedging alternative, LRP premium calculation, protecting cattle margins, risk management for cow calf producers, livestock market volatility protection