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.
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.
The Farm Bill Is Out of Committee, and The Fed Raised Interest Rates
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Today we focus on policy, with a report on how the Farm Bill got out of committee. We end with a look at how and why the Federal Reserve raised interest rates this week.
A Dairy Price Update, Safety Net for Beef Heifers, A Brewing Fertilizer Crisis
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Today we get an update on dairy prices, plus information about a pending government insurance program to provide a safety net for beef breeding heifers. We wrap up with a look at the sulfur issue and pending fertilizer crisis.
How Diesel Prices Impact Dairy, A Look at the Cattle Market, and An Ag Equipment Update
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Today we start with how rising diesel costs are impacting dairy margins, eight factors that are affecting beef business sustainability, and an update on ag equipment markets.
WASDE Reports for Dairy, Corn and Soybeans, Plus What Will Sustain the Cattle Rally
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With the September WASDE report on last Friday, we cover off on what USDA estimates for dairy, corn and soybeans. Also, cattle markets hit a short rally last Thursday and Friday, and we'll look at what it will take to sustain those markets.
When Will DMC Come Back, Red Feedlot Margins, Sell 2027 Corn and Soybeans?
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Today we look at what will need to happen to margins to have the Dairy Margin Coverage payments kick in. We take a sobering look at feedlot margins, then wrap up with factors to consider if you want to sell your 2027 corn and soybean crops.
U.S. and Canada Trade War, Cattle Rally Struggles, USDA Payment Options
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Today we look at the latest in the U.S./Canada trade war with the U.S. banning several dairy product imports from our northern neighbors. We also look at an anchor to the cattle rally, and what type of farm business you need to be to take advantage of higher government payments.
Dairy Exports Fall in July, Executive Order Impact, What's Up for WASDE
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Today we look at dairy exports and how they dropped 5% in July, and what impact President Trump's most recent executive orders have had on cattle markets. We finish with what to expect from Friday's WASDE report.
Processors Fall Behind Extra Production, Beef Exports, And New WOTUS Proposals
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Today we talk about how processors are straining to keep up with the extra milk production, how beef exports are doing given the current price climate, and new definitions for EPA and WOTUS.
Chat BDC Conversation with Terrain's Don Close: Where We're Headed in the Beef Market
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Today's special Labor Day conversation is with Don Close, chief protein analyst with Terrain. We go through a lot of issues related to cattle markets, from the current topics around the new Rancher's Initiative and President Trump's actions, to the potential for $7 corn and what the next quarter looks like.
Class III Milk Prices, Cheap Ground Beef, Commodity Margins
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Today we take a look at an update on Class milk prices. Class III went up in August while all others fell off. Drovers has a great article comparing ground beef prices to other things consumers spend money on. And we look at commodity margins with higher grain prices but rising input costs.
Dairy's Fat Dilemma, Analyst Reaction to the Ranchers Initiative, and Yield Updates
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Today we look at how the growth in butterfat production is upending markets, analyst response to USDA's new rancher initiative, and an update on crop yields as we get closer to harvest.
A DMC Update, A Look at Feed Prices with $7 Corn, and Grain Market Updates
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Today we focus on the status of the latest Dairy Margin Coverage payments, and a look at feed costs if and when corn prices get to $7 per bushel. We wrap up with a look at where grain markets are and where they're headed.
Dairy Margins Are Tightening, and the Ranchers First Initiative
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Today we just focus on dairy and beef. First we look at how margins are tightening on dairy operations, then we take a skim of the new Ranchers First Initiative announce at Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins yesterday.
New York Is The New California, Are Trump's Threats Real, and High Diesel Prices
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Today we start with a look at the new New York dairy industry and how it's set up for future growth and success. Then we look at the meat processing industry and whether President Trump's latest threats are actually real. And we wrap with a look at historically high diesel prices just as farmers are setting up for harvest.
Shifts in the Global Dairy Market, Higher Carcass Values, and Upside Flexibility in Corn Markets
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Today we focus on a Rabobank report looking at the changes in the top 20 dairy companies, then shift to a look at how higher carcass weights are impacting carcass quality. We wrap with a quick look at creating flexibility in corn markets.
Tariffs Will Impact Beef-On-Dairy, Trouble Is Brewing in Cattle Markets, and Corn is Heading to $6
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Today we focus on the impact tariffs will have on the beef-on-dairy market for dairy producers. We also look at the real numbers showing how there may be dark clouds ahead for the cattle markets. And we finish with what investors are doing in corn markets.
Dairy Cull Cow Numbers, Cattle Market Reaction to Border News, Commodity Market Updates
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Today we look at the USDA dairy cull cow report and how culling numbers continue to climb in line with the increase in size of the nation's dairy herd. We also talk about how markets reacted to the border opening and other political news, and finish up with a look at commodity markets.
A Chat With Ben Laine, from Terrain, About What Dairy Will Look Like in 2030 and Who Will Survive
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Today is a special conversation with Ben Laine from Terrain. We dive into what the dairy industry may look like in 2030 and beyond, and what it will take for producers to be one of the one's still in business.
USDA Says Milk Production Continues to Climb, Cattle on Feed Higher, Soybeans Yields May Be a Record
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Today we focus on two USDA reports, including the July Milk Production report and the August 1 Cattle on Feed report. We also look at results of the ProFarmer Crop Tour which predicts a corn crop that will come in second to last year, but a soybean harvest that could break records.
More Structural Change in Cattle Markets, A Look at Futures Spread and Basis, and Treasury Yields
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Today we start in cattle markets looking at how processing plant capacity is changing and what that means for plants going forward. Then we switch to commodity markets and the opportunity to review futures spread and basis, and we wrap up with a look at financial markets and treasury yields.
How Dairy Demand Will Soak Up Production, Packer Margins and Farmland Values
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Today we explore how increased dairy demand is going to soak up all of the extra production. We switch to get an update on packer and feedlot margins, plus an update on farmland values.
Milk Prices Drop After Six Month Rally, Lockout Ends at Cargill Plant, Crop Tour Updates
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Today we take a look at July federal milk marketing order prices and the first drop in prices across the board in six months. The lockout at a Cargill meat plant ends, and the Pro Farmer Crop Tour sees vastly different crop situations from West to East.
What Makes Top Farm Businesses Unique, Get another $136 More For Calves, Seed Selection Tips
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Today we focus on an Uplevel Dairy podcast that looks at what makes the top 20% of farm businesses unique, plus tips on how to add value to your feeder calves. We wrap up with seed selection tips, since it's getting that time of year, and a look at what could impact social security decisions.
How Dairy Will Grow 15 Billion Pounds with Half the Farms, and A Deeper Look at What Tyson Is Doing
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Today we focus on how dairy is going to grow by 15 billion pounds by 2030 with half the farms, and what Tyson is thinking with the latest plant closure and a 10,000 head reduction in daily processing.
The Packers Supply Squeeze, Commodity Reactions to WASDE, and Five Investment Tips
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Today we focus on how packers are adjusting to the supply squeeze, how commodities reacted to USDA's WASDE report, and five common investment mistakes people make and how to over come them.
Big Focus on WASDE Today in Corn, Soybean, Cattle and Dairy Markets
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Today we focus on USDA's World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report that looks at markets across all grains and oilseeds, livestock and dairy markets.
Dairy's Impact on the Cattle Herd, Updates on Cattle and Grain Markets
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Today we look at how the dairy herd is playing a role in the stabilization of the beef cow herd, how the cattle markets had a whacky week last week, and the potential for strong fluctuations in grain markets.
Dairy Exports, Cattle Markets, and A Dry July Impacts Corn Yields
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Today we start with a look at dairy exports for the first six months of the year. We also get an update on cattle markets, and a look at how July weather could impact corn yields.
Seasonal Demand Boosts Milk Prices, Mandatory Labeling, and Commodity Markets
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Today we look at how schools opening and holiday demand will support milk prices, Senate passing mandatory labeling, and a look at how commodities ended last week.
Class III and Class IV Milk Prices, Mandatory Labeling, Farm Bill Update
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Today we talk about how Class III and Class IV milk prices are getting closer, the ongoing debate over mandatory country of origin labeling, and an update on the Farm Bill.
Dairy Consolidation, Feeder and Packer Margins, and a Bullish Start to 2027 Commodity Markets
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Today we start with a report from Terrain on consolidation in the dairy market and how that will impact the future. We turn then to an update on feeder and packer margins, before looking at opportunities that will set the stage for a bullish start to 2027 for commodity markets.
Special Episode: Nate Donnay from Stonex Talks Dairy Markets, Protein v. Fat, Exports, and Cattle Prices
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Today we have a special episode, a conversation with Nate Donnay, director of market insight at StoneX. Nate helps us understand a few things:
- Protein is the hot topic, but let's not forget about fat
- Cheese is still the market driver, and the most dominant product on export markets
- Without the high cattle prices, dairy producers would be hurting. Dairy producers need to ride these prices for as long as possible.
U.S./Mexico Dairy Relations, The Cap on Beef Industry Shrinkage, and the Need for Temporary Grain Storage
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Today we start with a look at a meeting between U.S. and Mexico trade officials, and the prospect of the slowdown in beef market constriction. We finish up with the need for temporary grain storage this fall.
