Chat BDC
Chat BDC is the executive briefing for farm CEOs, CFOs, and senior managers running America's largest farms. Each episode delivers concise, actionable business intelligence across all market categories. Hosted by Mike Opperman, Chat BDC delivers concise market information to help farmers make more informed business and investment decisions. Whether you manage 2,000 cows or 20,000 acres, this is the ag business podcast built for farmer CEOs.
Federal Debt, AI, Farm Tax Strategies and Market Uncertainty
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Today we look at how federal debt and artificial intelligence is going to affect your dairy business, and tax strategies for the last few weeks of 2026. We then look at uncertainty in the corn and soybean markets as both look for direction after this week's WASDE report, and even more uncertainty on Wall Street as Nvidia's CEO steps down.
Highest Milk in 30 Years, Protein Markets Disfunction, WASDE Reaction, Good Leadership
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Today we start with a look at the case of milk production in the U.S. and what to do with all of the milk we're producing. Then we review a CoBank report on protein markets and how they all seem to be moving in different directions. We then go to how corn and soybean markets reacted to the WASDE report, and finish with a look at what it takes to be a great leader.
Dairy Exports Climb, Inflation Pressures Consumers, WASDE Report, and Cattle Market Rebound
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Today we start with a look at U.S. dairy exports, then switch over to financial markets for a look at how inflation is impacting consumers. We then pivot to the latest WASDE reports and how it affected corn and soybean markets, and finally an upswing in cattle markets.
10 Million Dairy Cows, 027 Feed Costs, Farm Bill Roadblocks
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today we look at if and when the U.S. dairy herd will hit 10 million cows, and what Rabobank says feed costs will look like in 2027. We finish with the road blocks ahead for the Farm Bill in the lame duck administration.
Dairy in 2027, Beef Exports, and A Corn Market on Life Support
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Today we start with a look into 2027 for the dairy market, and a report on beef exports. We finish with a look at how corn markets are looking for a positive WASDE report tomorrow for a spark.
Milk Price Updates, Cattle Market CAB Report, John Deere Closing Plants
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Today we get an update on Class milk prices, then a Certified Angus Beef report on cattle markets. We finish with the news about John Deere closing plants over the next 24 months.
Beef-Dairy Cross Numbers, Cattle Market Uncertainty, What Ag Lenders Worry About
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Today we start with a look at how beef-dairy crosses are impacting feedlot numbers, and where the uncertainty lands in the cattle markets. We finish with a look at what ag lenders worry about with farmer loans.
The Fat and Protein Imbalance, Why Rebuild Isn't Happening, and a Soft Soybean Market
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Today we start with a look at the imbalance between fat and protein in the dairy market, thanks mostly to the increase in cows and production. We also look at why the beef herd isn't rebuilding and probably won't anytime soon, and how soybeans took it in the pants recently and what that might mean going forward.
Your Dairy's Worth, Cattle Market Updates, Grain Markets Look for Stability
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Today we start off with an Uplevel Dairy podcast on understanding what your dairy is worth, then switch over to a cattle market update and a check in on how various sectors are performing. We finish with an update on commodity markets as they look at finding stability as harvest rolls on.
A DMC Trigger, Drop in Cattle Markets, And What To Expect from the Midterms
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Today we start with an update on Dairy Margin Coverage payments and a look at dairy margins through the end of the year. We also take a look at cattle markets, and a peak at what we can expect in tomorrow's midterm elections.
Dairy Processing Investment, Protecting the Ranch Legacy, Prep for Loan Conversations
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Today we start with a report from IDFA on the $15 billion in processing investments going on in dairy, then switch to how ranchers can protect their legacy and transition the business to the next generation. We wrap up with what farmers can do to be prepared for loan conversations going into 2027.
Dairy and SNAP, Packer Margins, GOvernment Commodity Programs
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Today we start with a look at the level of dairy's contribution to SNAP purchases, and an update on packer and feedlot margins. We finish with government risk management programs available to corn and soybean growers.
New HPAI Cases, New Government Programs for Cattle Producers
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Today we review several new cases of HPAI in dairy herds in Washington, Texas, and Kansas. We also review new government programs for cattle producers up and down the supply chain.
Dairy Cow Slaughter, Cattle Market Rallies, Brazilian Elections and U.S. Commodities
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Today we get an update on dairy cull cow numbers and a report on how cattle markets seem to rally on Fridays. We finish with a look at how Brazilian elections will impact U.S. commodities.
Milk Production Rises, Cattle Placements Fall, And USDA Admits Mistake
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Today we start with the October Milk Production report with milk production continuing to rise on more cows. We also look at the latest Cattle on Feed report and a third straight month of double digit drops in cattle placements. We finish with a data error admitted USDA on corn yield data, but no revisions to estimates in sight.
Class I Above $20, A New USDA Cattle Report, The Bottom of the Corn Market
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Today we start with a report on the November Class I uniform price going above $20 for the first time since July. We also learn about a new USDA cattle report that will take out a big "black hole" in the market. We finish with a look at corn markets looking for a bottom.
New IDFA Leadership, The BRAND Problem, and Building Solid Partnerships
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Today we review the new President and CEO that will lead the International Dairy Foods Association, then pivot to a look at how USDA's new heifer retention insurance for cattle producers will impact markets. We wrap up with a quick look at five tips for establishing a strong farm partnership.
Cheese Slides, Cattle Rally, Diesel Payments
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Today we start with a look at how cheese prices are sliding thanks to changing consumer habits, then pivot to a look at whether cattle markets can continue a bull run after last week's success. We finish with an announcement from USDA that there will be support for high diesel prices.
Dairy Had A Bull Run, Dissecting the Rebuild Dilemma, El Nino Is Coming
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Today we start with a look at a bullish run in dairy markets last week, then pivot to a deep dive on the beef cow herd rebuild. We finish with a look at how El Nino could finally be here and how it could impact spring planting.
September Milk Prices Slump, Fall Calves Aren't Filling Auctions, How to Transition the Business
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Today we start with a report on September uniform milk prices and how they continue to slide. We then transition to auction markets and how we're not seeing fall calves coming to town. Finally we look at how transitioning the farm business is more than just assets. It's an opportunity to leave a legacy and mentor the next generation.
Protein Drives Whey Prices Higher, High Cost Females are Slowing Rebuild, and Think Before Selling Grain
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Today we talk about how protein prices are driving up the cost of whey, and how replacement beef female prices are rising, which is slowing the herd rebuild. We finish up with what to consider before selling grain this fall.
Chaos In The Cattle Complex and Tax Tips for Buying and Selling Farmland
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Today we focus on two topics. First is the convergence between a tight supply of beef and the stalling of prices in wholesale beef markets. We finish with a look at tax tips for those buying or selling land before the end of the year.
Powder Strengthens and Cheese Rebounds, Cattle Rally, Payments Offset Higher Crop Costs
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Today we start with a look at how milk powder prices continue to strengthen as cheese prices rebound, but butter continues to slump. We also look at how cattle prices rallied late last week and what could be on the horizon. We finish with how government payments could help offset higher input crop input costs, including diesel prices.
New Dairy Checkoff Leadership, New USDA Grazing Initiatives, Corn Futures Rebound
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Today we start with news on the new Dairy Checkoff leader, then pivot to new initiatives from USDA for grazing lands allotments. We finish with and update on commodity markets after the WASDE surprise from last week.
A Drop In Milk Production Forecast, Bumpy Roads Ahead for Cattle, and A Corn Surprise
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Today we start with a look at the latest WASDE report and a drop in milk production forecast. Then we go through a report from Dave Weaber at Terrain regarding Q4 cattle markets, and finish up back at the WASDE report and a surprise increase in projected corn yield.
Dairy Export Rebound, Risk Management for Fall Feeder Calves, and Commodity Market Volatility
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Today we start with a look at dairy exports from the August USDEC report, then offer some tips on risk management practices when purchasing fall feeder calves. We finish with a look at volatility in grain and oilseed markets.
Protein Is King, Feeder Margins Stink, and Get Your Red-Dye Diesel
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Today we start off with a look at how protein is reshaping the dairy market from farm to table. We shift over to a look at plunging feeder margins, and wrap up with the news from the White House about making red-dye diesel more available.
A Dairy Workforce Plan, ICE Impact in Kansas, and Five Tips for Financial Success
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Today we briefly talk about a new workforce option for dairy farmers, then we shift to an update on the Kansas ICE raids and how that impacted the beef industry in southwest Kansas. We finish up with a look at five tips to help your farm reach financial success.
Dairy Diverges, Fall Marketed Calves, and Advantages of Leasing or Buying Equipment
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Today we start with how the dairy market continues to diverge toward protein products. We then talk about the advantages beef producers will have when marketing fall calves. We wrap up with the IRS implications of leasing or buying equipment.
Milk Prices And Beef Crosses, Japanese Demand for U.S. Beef, and a New Farmworker Minimum Wage
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Today we start with a look at how the value of beef cross calves is keeping milk prices from growing, and how Japanese consumers are driving demand for U.S. beef. We also look at new legislation in California that raises the farmworker minimum wage to $19.75.
Class IV Rebounds, Ranchers Push Back on Imports, Commodity Stock Surprise, and A Strong Q2 Economy
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Today we start with a report on Class milk prices, with a rebound on Class IV. Then we see how ranchers are pushing back on beef imports and asking President Trump to calm down on his import plans. We then look at USDA Stocks report and an analyst surprise, then finish up with a financial report on a positive Q2 economic summary.
Dairy DMC Triggered, Dealing with Low Beef Cull Cow Prices, and Maintaining Farm Cash Flow
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Today we start with a report on the triggering of DMC payments in dairy, then pivot to how beef producers can deal with lower cull cow prices. We wrap up with opportunities to manage cash flow on farms.
A Beef Cattle Outlook, A Harvest Update, and Despondent Consumers
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Today we catch up on a beef outlook through a CattleFax report, then take look at harvest progress. We finish with a report on how consumers aren't digging the current economic situation.
New Processing Plant in Missouri, The Benefits of Beef Imports, Bears After China Visit
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Today we offer news of a new processing facility in Missouri thanks to Schreiber. We then go into detail on the actual benefits of beef imports, then we look at the bears in the market after the non-news of the China visit last week.
The Impact of Components on Milk Checks, ICE Raids in Kansas, Experts Predict Commodity Markets
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Today we start with a CoBank report on how components are impacting milk prices, then follow that up with a look at the impact of ICE raids on Kansas agriculture facilities. We wrap up with a look at what experts thinks will happen in commodity markets.
A Milk Production Update, A Cattle Market Looking for Direction, and the Commodity Financial Picture
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Today we get the September milk production update, and insights on the sideways direction the cattle market is going, looking for indicators that will push it up or down. Finally we get a report from Jacqui Fatka on the headwinds and opportunities happening in commodity markets.
Manage Costs to Manage Risk, Former Ag Secy Opposes Beef Imports, Soybeans at $14
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Today we look at how managing costs can reduce risk on dairy operations, and how former ag secretary Mike Johanns opposes the current administration's activities around beef imports. We wrap up with a look at the potential for $14 soybeans.
Fluid Milk Is Doing Well, A New Carcass Value Calculator, and Will China Start Buying More U.S. Product
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Today we start with a look at fluid milk sales and how whole milk is making a comeback. We then look at a new calculator that helps estimate red meat yield, and finish up with a report on whether China is going to be in the market for more U.S. ag products soon.
The Cattle On Feed Report, Ag Committee Changes on Capital Hill, And Companies Getting Squeezed
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Today we dive into the September Cattle On Feed report, with marketings the lowest in 30 years. We also look at upcoming changes to the House and Senate Ag Committees, and how companies are getting squeezed in the current economic climate.
A Regional Dairy Shift, A Deep Dive Into Beef Herd Expansion, and Interest Rates
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Today we start with a look at the cosmic regional shift in dairy regions, and a deep dive into what will drive beef herd expansion. We end up with a look at how we'll all be affected by the interest rate hike.
