385: How Cattle Buyers Determine What Your Cows Are Worth with Michael Pilot

Ever wondered what happens after your cull cows leave the farm or how cattle buyers determine what they're worth? In this episode, Lauren sits down with Michael Pilot, a cattle buyer who purchases cull cows directly from producers across the Upper Midwest. Michael shares how he got his start in cattle procurement, what he looks for when evaluating cattle, and how relationships with producers have shaped his business over the last eighteen years. The conversation also dives into changes within the dairy industry, the importance of packing plant capacity, the current cattle market, and an honest discussion about mental health in agriculture and supporting the people who feed our country.Links:CattleUSA 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/Chapters:00:00 – Meet Michael Pilot01:04 – From Hockey Player to Cattle Buyer04:03 – How the Dairy Industry Has Changed06:18 – What Cattle Buyers Look For12:48 – Stories from Life on the Road16:24 – Mental Health & The Future of Agriculture19:52 – Packing Plants, Markets & Industry Challenges22:52 – Final Encouragement for Producerscattle buyers, cattle buyer, cattle procurement, cull cows, cull cow market, how cattle buyers determine value, cattle prices, cattle marketing, livestock marketing, beef industry, cattle industry, beef supply chain, packing plants, beef processing, dairy industry, dairy cattle, agriculture, ranching, cattle producers, beef cattle, livestock hauling, farm management, agricultural business, cattle market, livestock industry, producer relationships, mental health in agriculture, rural America, Lauren Moylan, Michael Pilot, Cattle USA Daily Podcast, agricultural podcast, beef production, cattle marketing strategies