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.
Episodes
147 episodes
Dairy Consolidation, Feeder and Packer Margins, and a Bullish Start to 2027 Commodity Markets
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 st...
Special Episode: Nate Donnay from Stonex Talks Dairy Markets, Protein v. Fat, Exports, and Cattle Prices
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 d...
U.S./Mexico Dairy Relations, The Cap on Beef Industry Shrinkage, and the Need for Temporary Grain Storage
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.
Dairy Supply Tightens, New World Screwworm Subsides, Corn and Soybean Storage Options
Today we start with a look at dairy supply and how that's starting to tighten, then switch to an update on new world screwworm. We finish with a look at options for corn and soybean storage.
Three New Strategies for Dairy Producers, A Better Cattle Market, ADM to Crush More Soybeans
Today we start with a look into what large, progressive dairy producers see as the greatest challenges to their business in the near future. Our second story is a deep dive on cattle markets and how they've turned around recently, then finish u...
Data Security, Being Patient in Cattle Markets, and Dry Weather Impacting Corn Yields
Today we start with a look at the why's and how's of keeping your data secure, then turn to how those in cattle markets need to be patient when they see the market fluctuations like we've seen in the past few days. We finish up with how the rec...
Managing Tight Margins, A Drop in the Cattle Complex while Corn Rallies and Soybeans Slide
Today we start with a podcast review from Peggy Coffeen At Uplevel Dairy and an interview she did with Pauly Paul. He goes into detail about how dairy producers, and all farmers, can manage tight margins and constricted cash flow. We shift to c...
Mexico Will Be Biggest USMCA Test, The Mexican Border Will Open Soon, and It's Dry Out
Today we start with a look at the issues related to Mexican trade as part of the USMCA negotiations, then review when the border will reopen to Mexican cattle in August. We wrap up with a look at just how dry it's been in corn-growing states.&n...
Dairy Cull Cow Numbers, USDA Cattle on Feed Report, and Government Support Payments
Today we get an update on dairy cull cow data, a review of Friday's USDA Cattle on Feed report, and the potentially harmful affect regular government support payments could be having on agriculture.
Heat's Affecting Cheese Markets, COOL Will Cost $1B, Corn's Getting Close to $5
Today we talk about how the hot weather is boosting cheese markets and hurting the butter complex. A Meat Institute study suggests Country of Origin Labeling will cost the industry $1 Billion annually. Corn and soybeans continue to rally. ...
June USDA Milk Production Data, Tightening Feedlot Margins, Grain and Soybean Markets and a Wall Street Update
Today we start with the June USDA milk production report. Guess what? More cows made more milk and production continues to rise. Feedlot margins tightened last week, and grain and soybean markets improved. Stocks were basically unchanged even t...
Tariffs on Canadian Dairy, A Cattle Market Rebound, and A Report on Equipment Sales
Today we start with a look at the 50% tariffs President Trump imposed on Canadian dairy, and whether the recent uptick in the beef market is here to stay. We wind up with a look at the market for big tractors and combines.
A Look At Cybersecurity Threats, Product of the USA Labeling, and the Competiveness of U.S. Farmers
Today we look at cybersecurity threats in the U.S. dairy industry and a new push toward Product of the USA labeling in the beef market. We wrap up with a look at what may be holding back U.S. farmers.
A Focus on Markets: Dairy Stays High, Cattle Markets Continue Slide, Grain Markets Keep Rally Going
Today we spend our time on market updates. Federal Milk Marketing Order Prices are out for June, and milk prices keep doing well. Cattle markets, on the other hand, have hit a record 15-day slide and we ask if the bottom is near. On the grain s...
How Protein Demand Is Impacting Class III Prices, Reopening the Mexican Border, and Maximizing the Grain Rally
Today we start with a look at how GLP-1s and other health trends are increasing demand for dairy proteins, which is bolstering Class III milk prices. We then look at why Mexico wants to get the border reopened to live cattle, and how farmers ca...
Dairy Consolidation, Beef Market Insights, and Commodity Market Rebounds
Today we're going to look at the impact dairy consolidation on the producer side will have on the future of the industry, plus a close look at trends in the cattle market that will impact decisions for the balance of 2026. We wrap up with a qui...
The Power of U.S. Dairy, a Heat Wave Destroying Pastures, A Crop Marketing Update
Today we start with a look at how the U.S. is gaining significant ground on Europe in the global dairy market, plus how a heat wave is destroying already dry pastures. We then look at a mid-year crop marketing outlook, and a potential new hando...
Dairy Margins Stay Strong, Beef in the Dog Days, Grain Rally Follows Oil, While Oil Prices Surge
Today we look at how milk prices are outpacing feed costs, and grain rallies stay strong (but for how long). Beef is in the doldrums, and oil prices jump, again.
What Makes Land An Attractive Investment: A Chat About Land Values with Matt Erickson from Terrain
Today we have a special episode featuring a conversation with Matt Erickson, senior analyst with Terrain. We talk about land values, including what goes into setting the market, why land values can be a good investment, and what to consider if ...
Lock in Feed Costs, Choosing Technology on Ranches, Dropping Fertilizer Costs
Today we look at a great opportunity for dairy producers to lock in feed costs for the balance of 2026, then shift to a look at how to determine if technology is right for you on the ranch. We look at a drop in fertilizer prices before wrapping...
Global Dairy Prices Drop, We're Reaching Beef-On-Dairy Maturity, What's Ahead for WASDE and Oil Jumps
Today we look at a drop in prices at the latest Global Dairy Trade auction, plus how we may be reaching maturity in the beef-on-dairy market. We look ahead at what to expect for the July WASDE report and a jump in oil prices thanks to a potenti...
What Dairy Producers Can Expect for the Rest of 2026, Confusion in Cattle Markets, Grain Market Trigger
Today we focus on what dairy producers can expect in terms of milk prices for the rest of 2026 and into 2027, and a deeper dive into what's going on in the cattle markets. We finish with three triggers to watch out for in grain markets.
A Summer Reset for Dairy Prices, Beef Export Numbers Out of Whack, Wet Growing Conditions in Corn States
Today we get a report from Ben Laine at Terrain and a reset on milk prices for the balance of 2026. Then we look at USDA beef export numbers and why they don't jive with market activity. We read a report on growing conditions in corn states and...
Expanded Access to H-2A Workers, A Look at Heifer Retention, Weather-Impacted Grain Markets
Today we start with information on expanded access to H-2A workers for dairy farmers, and information on what lower heifer share of marketed animals means for herd expansion. We then look at how to adjust for weather-impacted crop markets, and ...
A Drop In Two Milk Classes, Cattle Futures Fall a Bit, USMCA Updates and Stocks Continue Strong
Today we start with a look at a bit of a drop in Class III and Class IV milk prices, then also talk about a short blip in cattle futures and what packers are doing about it. We take a look at the future of the US Mexico-Canada trade agreement, ...