Cattle markets have been volatile heading into summer, with feeder cattle reacting sharply even when headline reports look “neutral.” In this episode of Bushels and Beef, Dan Gerhold breaks down what may be driving the recent cattle market whiplash—how drought conditions can impact pasture decisions and sale barn flow, why placement data can be misleading when you only compare to one year, and what the market might be signaling with spread structure and discounts in deferred months.

You’ll also hear a practical demand discussion focused on what matters after Memorial Day: how retailers feature beef vs competing proteins, why consumer behavior can vary by region and income levels, and how USDA retail feature data can provide additional context for beef demand into the “dog days” of summer.

Topics covered:

Cattle markets volatility and feeder futures selling pressure
Drought impacts on grass, early movement, and sale barn runs
Placement dynamics and why year-over-year comparisons can miss the bigger picture
Summer beef demand signals: retailers, featured cuts, and consumer trade-down risk
Using scenario planning instead of trying to predict one outcome

Cattle markets heading into Memorial Day weekend can feel volatile and uncertain—right when grilling season puts beef demand in the spotlight. In this episode of Bushels and Beef, Fenton Nelson breaks down the current cattle market backdrop, how producers are thinking about demand from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and why some ranchers are skeptical that major “top-line” estimates always capture what’s happening at the sale barn level.

You’ll hear discussion on consumer behavior (high-end cuts vs ground beef), the impact of fuel costs on household budgets, and how dryness in key cattle regions can add uncertainty into summer decisions. Fenton also shares a high-level framework producers often use when evaluating risk tools like LRP (Livestock Risk Protection) and other downside-risk concepts—focused on planning and understanding trade-offs, not predicting prices.

In this episode:

• Cattle market volatility and why it can feel “directionless”
• Memorial Day beef demand and what to watch after the holiday
• Sale barn observations vs large headline estimates (a “ground-truth” approach)
• Cow-calf vs backgrounding vs feedyard pressures (margins, input costs)
• LRP (Livestock Risk Protection) planning concepts (high-level)
  

The May WASDE is the first official USDA look at new-crop supply and demand—and in 2026 it came with more volatility than many producers expected, especially on the wheat side. In this episode of Bushels and Beef, grain market advisor Allison Ryan breaks down the May WASDE report and what it may mean for corn, soybeans, and wheat as planting wraps up across the Midwest.

You’ll hear discussion on how late planting season can create “blinders” while markets keep moving, why the May report can still produce surprises, and how producers often think about staying disciplined through headline-driven weeks (China discussions, geopolitical uncertainty, energy prices) and the shift into a weather market. The focus is on education and planning frameworks—how to evaluate your position, set targets in advance, and reduce emotional decision-making when volatility spikes.

Disclaimer:

This video is provided for general education and market commentary only and does not constitute individualized trading, hedging, investment, marketing, or financial advice, and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any futures, options, or other commodity interests. Futures and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Consult qualified advisors regarding your specific situation.

LRP (Livestock Risk Protection) has become a bigger part of the conversation in cattle country—especially when weather risk, grass availability, and market volatility all collide at the same time. In this episode of Bushels and Beef, livestock risk specialist Rich “Ricky” Knuppe (also a South Dakota cattle producer) talks through what he’s seeing on the ground during a wild spring across the Plains: drought conditions, major wildfire impacts, turnout and water concerns, and the tough decisions that follow.

The conversation connects those realities to risk
management planning—why some producers explore LRP coverage as a way to help manage downside price risk, how different operations think about protecting capital during high-priced cattle cycles, and what questions producers are asking during bull sale season and replacement decisions. This is a practical, producer-first discussion focused on education, planning, and understanding trade-offs—not predicting prices.

Topics in this episode:

• LRP (Livestock Risk Protection) explained in plain language (high-level)
• Drought, wildfire aftermath, grass availability, and turnout decisions
• Bull sale season insights and heifer-retention signals
• Managing risk when cattle prices are elevated and costs are real
• Producer mindset: planning for “what if” scenarios instead of reacting to headlines

This video is for general education and market commentary only and is not individualized advice and is not a solicitation. Futures and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Coverage availability, costs, and outcomes vary by operation and location—consult your advisors regarding decisions for your specific situation.

USDA report day on Tuesday—and the Stocks & Plantings numbers can move grain markets fast. In this episode of Bushels and Beef, Logic Ag’s newest grain market advisor Allison Ryan joins the show to introduce her producer-first approach to grain marketing and to walk through key takeaways from the latest USDA release, including corn acres, soybean acres, and stocks.

Allison explains why report-day reactions can be muted when surveys are completed weeks earlier—and why disciplined, proactive planning can matter more than reacting emotionally to a headline. The conversation also covers practical planning topics producers often evaluate: profitability and ROI, risk tolerance, working offers ahead of volatility, and keeping old crop and new crop decisions organized as inputs and market narratives shift.

The latest Cattle on Feed report can shape expectations fast—but the market reaction doesn’t always match the headline. In this episode of Bushels and Beef, Seth Vander Weide breaks down key takeaways from the March Cattle on Feed report and why higher placements didn’t automatically translate into a major futures selloff.

They dig into what may be influencing cattle markets right now, including drought and wildfire pressure in parts of the Plains, how that can impact placement timing, and why the next phase of this cycle may depend heavily on the demand side—from boxed beef movement to consumer sensitivity (fuel costs, inflation, and broader uncertainty).

The conversation also touches on the “tight supply” backdrop (including heifer retention questions), and why producers often focus on staying current, managing leverage, and thinking in scenarios instead of trying to predict one exact outcome.

This video is provided for general education and market commentary only and is not individualized trading, hedging, insurance, or financial advice, and is not a solicitation to buy or sell futures, options, or any other commodity interest. Trading futures and options involves substantial risk of loss and may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Consult your advisors regarding decisions for your specific operation.

Grain markets can shift quickly when news hits—especially during spring when trade headlines, energy markets, and USDA reports are all competing for attention. In this episode of Bushels and Beef, Nick is joined by Adam Friedrichsen to discuss why recent action in corn and soybeans has felt “headline-driven,” what producers are watching into the USDA March 31 acreage & quarterly stocks report, and how to think about risk when markets move fast.

It’s “March Madness” in the cattle market—and not the basketball kind. In this episode of Bushels and Beef, Nick is joined by Dan Gerhold to unpack a frustrating stretch of volatility: choppy cash trade, abnormal basis behavior, and spreads that didn’t seem to match the fundamentals.

Dan breaks down what basis means in cattle, why spread relationships (inversions vs carry) matter in bull vs bear conditions, and how money flow (managed money, equities volatility, and geopolitical headlines) can spill into livestock markets—even when cattle fundamentals don’t look dramatically different.

They also zoom out to a producer decision-making framework that’s less about calling the exact top and more about protecting ROI over time: cutting through noise, reducing emotional decision-making, and using rallies to reduce risk in a disciplined way.

Cattle markets have been navigating a lot of moving parts. Cash trade signals, headline risk, and shifting producer sentiment heading into spring. In this episode of Bushels and Beef, Nick is joined by Fenton Nelson (LRP agent + working producer) fresh off the MU Extension Feedlot School to share real-world takeaways from Missouri producers and what he’s watching in the cattle market.

They cover:

What producers asked most at feedlot school (from experienced operators to folks just getting started)

A practical, plain-language look at LRP and why some producers use it as a downside floor

Spring seasonality in Missouri: sale barn flow, weather impacts, and on-the-ground marketing decisions

How fuel prices, broader conflict headlines, and consumer budget pressures can become part of the conversation around beef demand

Heifer retention, feeding efficiency, and what that could mean for supply discussion going forward

Spring planning in Missouri: wheat greening up, planters coming out, and fertilizer costs/break-evens getting more attention

If you’re a cattle producer heading into spring and trying to keep decisions grounded (instead of reactive), this episode focuses on frameworks: know your numbers, consider tools that fit your operation, and reduce the “emotion factor” in marketing when volatility picks up.

LRP, cattle market update, Missouri cattle, feedlot school, risk management

Markets can turn on a headline fast—and that’s been especially true lately in grains and livestock. In Episode 10 of Bushels and Beef, Nick sits down with Preston McCoy to talk through what’s been driving recent moves in corn and soybeans, how producers can stay level-headed when the noise gets loud, and why having a plan (and a sounding board) matters.

They also dig into practical risk-management conversations producers are having right now, including how some are thinking about LRP as a price floor in cattle markets and how tools like crop insurance/ECO can fit into a broader marketing strategy.

If you’ve been feeling the “information overload” effect, this episode is built to be a clear, producer-focused reset: what matters, what’s noise, and how to make decisions that fit your operation.

This recording is provided for general education and market commentary only and is not individualized trading, hedging, or insurance advice, and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any futures, options, or other commodity interests. Trading futures and options involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Crop insurance coverage, premiums, eligibility, and program rules vary by operation and location—consult your advisors and a licensed agent regarding decisions for your farm.