284: What the Strong Cattle Market Tells Us Right Now and Why the JBS Shutdown Matters

Lauren sits down with John Campbell to talk through what we’re seeing in the cattle market right now after another strong week of sales across the region. John shares updates from the sale barns, explains why demand for stocker and feeder cattle is holding strong despite volatility in the futures market, and answers questions he’s been hearing from producers about where the market may be headed. The conversation also dives into the shutdown of the JBS packing plant in Greeley, Colorado, what led up to the labor dispute, and what the closure could mean for packer capacity and the broader cattle industry.LinksNominate or request to be a guest - forms.gle/fRkvzRenh7mqkDXV7 CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/premiumCattleUSA 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/Takeaways• Strong demand helped keep cash cattle prices steady despite volatility in the futures market• Winter Livestock’s anniversary sale in La Junta saw strong prices across calves, stockers, and feeder cattle• Supply and demand dynamics are very different from last fall, helping support stronger prices this spring• Buyers are still actively looking for cattle to place on grass as grazing season approaches• The JBS packing plant in Greeley, Colorado shut down after a labor dispute with union workers• The plant processes roughly 30,000 head of cattle per week• Some of that capacity may be absorbed by other packing plants currently running slower rail speeds• Contract cattle may need to be shipped to other plants, which could affect freight costs and carcass yield• The situation highlights ongoing concerns about consolidation and market power among major packing companiesChapters00:00 Introduction and episode overview01:03 John Campbell joins the podcast01:30 La Junta market recap and anniversary sale results04:20 Regional cattle market updates09:00 Why demand stayed strong despite futures volatility11:30 How supply and demand dynamics differ from last fall14:30 Breaking down the JBS Greeley plant shutdown18:00 What the closure could mean for producers and packers22:00 Weather outlook and spring grazing conditionscattle market update, feeder cattle prices, stocker cattle market, cattle auction report, Winter Livestock La Junta sale, cattle industry news, JBS Greeley plant shutdown, cattle packing plant capacity, beef industry analysis, cattle supply and demand, livestock market update, ranching market outlook, CattleUSA Daily Podcast