The Bushels and Beef Podcast

Register for the Bushels and Beef Farm Tour Want the Logic Ag crew to stop by your farm this August? Register for the Bushels and Beef Farm Tour at logicag.com/bushels-beef-tour . Producers who register will be entered for a chance to win the Nashville trip giveaway, along with other tour prizes. In this episode of the Bushels and Beef Podcast, Shane Holtorf explains what makes the Bushels and Bee...

Major LRP/LGM Changes for 2027 are coming for livestock producers, and several updates may affect how cattle and hog producers evaluate risk-management coverage. In Episode 25 of the Bushels and Beef Podcast, Adam Friedrichsen breaks down the 2027 updates to LRP (Livestock Risk Protection) and LGM (Livestock Gross Margin), including expanded coverage options, new flexibility for using LRP and LGM...

The June WASDE Report offered few major surprises, but it provided important context for grain producers navigating lower prices, strong crop conditions, steady demand, and a weather-driven summer market. In Episode 24 of the Bushels and Beef Podcast, grain market advisor Preston McCoy breaks down the latest June WASDE Report, including the USDA’s outlook for corn, soybeans, wheat, domestic suppli...

Replant season is here—and crop insurance details matter when weather, stand issues, and deadlines collide. In this episode of Bushels and Beef, crop insurance agent Jordan Hinkeldey breaks down what he’s seeing across the Midwest, how producers are handling replant decisions, and the key crop insurance deadlines and paperwork that can impact claims and coverage. Jordan walks through the first ste...

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 wha...

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 captur...

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 h...

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 Plai...

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-...

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 d...

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,...

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 c...

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:...

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...

Crop insurance spring prices are out, which means producers can start dialing in Revenue Protection (RP) decisions for the 2026 crop year. In this episode, Nick is joined by Jordan Hinkeldey, a crop insurance agent from Alta, Iowa, to break down what the spring price release means for guarantees, how RP works, and what producers may want to review before the sales closing deadline. They also cover...

Cash is doing the talking—and the rest of the board is trying to keep up. 🎙️ In Episode 8 of Bushels and Beef , Nick sits down with Seth Vander Weide and Jason Noteboom to unpack what’s driving cattle markets, why more producers are looking at LRP as a price floor without the margin-call headache, and how they’re thinking about supply, heifer retention, and risk. They also pivot to the grain side...

This week on The Bushels and Beef Podcast, Nick is joined by Adam Friedrichsen (Logic Ag Marketing) to break down the latest WASDE report, why corn and beans reacted differently, and what headline-driven trade (including China demand rumors) can do to volatility. They also cover South America weather (Brazil harvest delays vs. Argentina dryness), and shift gears to livestock with the latest chatte...

In this episode of the Bushels and Beef podcast, host Nick discusses the evolving landscape of crop insurance with expert Jordan Hinkeldey. They delve into the significance of the ECO program and its subsidies for 2026, the savings on MPCI premiums, and the support available for beginning farmers. The conversation also highlights the importance of integrating insurance with marketing strategies to...

In this episode of the Bushels and Beef podcast, host Nick and guest Dan Gerhold discuss the current state of the cattle market, recent trends in hog prices, and the impact of new food guidelines on consumer behavior. They delve into the fragility of the market, influenced by social media rumors, and the importance of understanding demand versus supply dynamics. Dan shares insights on the cattle s...

In this episode of the Bushels and Beef podcast, Shane Holtorff and Melissa Schmidt from Logic Ag Marketing discuss the latest WASDE report and what it could mean for corn producers. They talk through the surprise increase in yield, acres, and ending stocks, the range of reactions they’re hearing from farmers, and how they are thinking about today’s grain markets and production costs. The conversa...

In this episode of the Bushels and Beef podcast, host Nick interviews Fenton Nelsen, a cattle producer and rodeo competitor, about Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) and its significance for cattlemen. Fenton Nelsen shares insights from his experience in the cattle industry, discussing market trends, common producer concerns, and the cost-effectiveness of LRP. He also highlights the importance of gov...

In this episode of the Bushels and Beef podcast, host Nick visits with guests Rich and Steven about ranch life and risk management. They talk about how Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) can be used as one tool to help manage market ups and downs. The conversation includes personal ranching experiences, thoughts on learning about different risk management options, and ideas for young ranchers as they...

In this podcast episode, Shane Holtorff from Logic Ag Marketing discusses the challenges farmers face with complicated software and the importance of simple, effective tools for grain marketing. They delve into the services offered by Logic Ag, including grain basis and risk management strategies, while sharing personal anecdotes and insights into the agricultural industry. The conversation emphas...