342: The Fundamentals Are Bullish... So Why Is the Cattle Market Falling? with Samantha Cozza-Wright

On today’s episode of the podcast, Lauren is joined by Samantha Cozza-Wright for another cattle market update as volatility continues to dominate the conversation across cattle country. The two break down softer feeder cattle prices, uncertainty in the futures market, drought-driven calf movement, consumer beef demand, and the big question many producers are asking right now: are we actually expanding the U.S. cattle herd or simply maintaining it? Samantha also shares her thoughts on beef demand, market risk, and why producers need to be thinking strategically about protecting profitability in one of the most volatile cattle markets in history.Connect with Samantha:Email - samantha@cattleusainsurance.com Phone - 785-940-5533CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/CattleUSA App IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cattleusa/id1673147759CattleUSA App Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edgarmcbee.cusamobile&pcampaignid=web_shareFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusa.shop/products/cattleusa-drive-premium-daily-newsletter?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&brid=YWdncwFNXt0EmdzFy5cJJBp84J9gCattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Key Takeaways:Volatility continues to be the defining theme of the cattle marketFeeder cattle prices have softened after rapid spring ralliesFutures markets remain disconnected from short-term cash market signalsConsumer beef demand remains stronger than many expectedRetail beef movement continues supporting the marketNew World Screwworm concerns remain on producers' radarDrought conditions are pushing more calves to market earlier than normalQuestions remain about whether the U.S. cattle herd is truly expandingCow slaughter continues trending lower while heifer retention increasesRisk management becomes increasingly important as cattle values riseChapters: 01:30 Rainfall across cattle country and drought relief03:00 Why cattle markets remain extremely volatile05:00 Feeder cattle weakness and futures market concerns07:00 New World Screwworm rumors and market implications08:30 Cash cattle, packers, and beef demand11:00 Why retail beef demand remains surprisingly strong13:00 Early calf movement and drought pressure15:00 Are we actually expanding the U.S. cattle herd?17:00 Cow slaughter, heifer retention, and future supply19:00 Why profitability still comes with major risk21:00 Protecting cattle values in a volatile market22:00 Final thoughts and market outlookcattle market, cattle market update, Samantha Cozza-Wright, feeder cattle market, cattle futures, live cattle futures, cattle prices, beef demand, cattle industry, ranching, cow calf producers, drought and cattle, cattle herd expansion, heifer retention, cow slaughter, New World Screwworm, beef market outlook, feeder cattle prices, cattle volatility, risk management, LRP insurance, cattle producers, livestock markets, beef industry, ranch management, cattle market news, agriculture podcast, cattle cycle, beef demand outlook, cattle market analysis, livestock industry, U.S. cattle herd, cattle economics, ranching podcast, beef production