The Commodity Kitchen with David Maloni & Jerry Dalton

David
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Twice a month, David Maloni serves up a fast, focused look at the world of commodities—covering everything from major food ingredients to energy and beyond. With over 50 years of combined experience advising some of the world’s largest commodity buyers, they bring unmatched insight and practical perspective to the table. Each episode delivers a market update, the key news and trends they’re watching, and occasional guest perspectives—all in under 15 minutes.

  1. DEC 10

    Markets on the 50-Yard Line

    In this episode of The Commodity Kitchen Podcast, David Maloni and Gerry Dalton break down the key commodity market drivers for the week ending December 6, with a focus on grains, dairy, proteins, and macroeconomic signals influencing market conditions. While energy markets and the U.S. dollar remain relatively rangebound, several important shifts are emerging beneath the surface—particularly in soybeans and soybean oil, dairy supply fundamentals, chicken production, and U.S. beef imports. The hosts examine changing supply dynamics across major protein categories, review recent USDA data showing a month-over-month decline in the U.S. milk cow herd, and discuss the Trump administration’s decision to ease beef import tariffs. They also highlight signs of ongoing consumer pressure, including increased discounting and weakening labor data, and explain how recent softness in the U.S. dollar could provide support for commodity prices. Connect with out hosts: David Maloni’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ Jerry Dalton's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-dalton-0324a821/  Click here to find out more: https://datumfs.com/

    10 min

  2. NOV 19

    Cattle Pull Back, Milk Surges: Key Market Moves Ahead of Thanksgiving

    In this pre-Thanksgiving episode, we break down major moves across cattle, dairy, grains, and protein markets. Live cattle and feeder cattle futures—after hitting record highs—have now pulled back to levels last seen in July, though they remain historically elevated. September milk production surged 4% year over year, and the milk cow herd climbed 2.5%, marking its biggest increase in decades. Grain markets continue to firm, with nearby soybean futures reaching their highest price since June 2024, supported by tighter-than-expected soybean supplies and increasing demand tied to biofuel mandates. We also analyze key protein dynamics: chicken output is running about 3% above last year, with whole birds holding steady at $1.05/lb; beef cutouts have begun drifting lower but remain higher year over year; and lean/fat trim prices continue moving in opposite directions due to limited government production data during the shutdown. Tyson and Pilgrim’s Pride both expressed confidence in strong chicken demand for 2026 despite today’s lower prices. Tune in to hear the full discussion and understand how these trends may shape commodity decisions heading into the holiday season. Connect with out hosts: David Maloni’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ Jerry Dalton's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-dalton-0324a821/  Click here to find out more: https://datumfs.com/

    10 min

  3. NOV 5

    Meat and Dairy Thrillers

    Welcome back! We open with a couple of Halloween scare stories before diving into markets: cheese is around recent highs (discussed near $1.80/lb) with a long-run support near $1.50/lb that hasn’t held below for long over the past 10–15 years; we’re not especially bullish on cheese here. Butter remains around the 1.60 level and relatively rangebound despite holiday demand. On proteins, retail beef prices in September rose 14.7% YoY to a record high, likely starting to curb consumption, while pork (+1.6% YoY) and chicken (+1.5% YoY) present better value. We also flag a potential resumption of Mexican cattle imports (no date yet) that could help beef supplies in 2026. Give the full episode a listen for our take on price floors, value spreads across proteins, and what these developments could mean in the weeks ahead. Connect with out hosts: David Maloni’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ Jerry Dalton's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-dalton-0324a821/  Click here to find out more: https://datumfs.com/

    12 min

  4. OCT 15

    Markets Under Pressure: Dairy Down, Tariffs Rising

    In this episode, we take you through the latest movements across food, energy, and agricultural markets. The Datum FS Commodity Index is down 6% month over month, driven largely by steep declines in dairy and poultry. We unpack what’s behind the sharp drop in chicken breast, wing, and tender prices, the continued weakness in butter, and the broader trends putting pressure on nearly every major commodity. You’ll also hear our thoughts on how these shifts compare to past market lows and what might signal a turnaround. We also zoom out to the bigger picture—how government shutdowns, renewed tariff discussions with China, and record corn harvest expectations could reshape the landscape for U.S. producers and global trade. From rare earth mineral tensions to multi-year lows in grains and oilseeds, we explore the forces at play and what they could mean for feed costs, pricing stability, and market confidence heading into the end of the year. Connect with out hosts: David Maloni’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ Jerry Dalton's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-dalton-0324a821/  Click here to find out more: https://datumfs.com/

    10 min

  5. OCT 1

    Big Herd, Low Prices: This Week in Commodities

    In this first episode of The Commodity Kitchen Podcast, we dive into the latest moves across the commodity markets. From the sharp drop in chicken prices to ongoing weakness in dairy and record cattle herds, we break down what’s driving these shifts. We also touch on feed costs, seasonal production changes, and government policies shaping the outlook. Our goal is to help you make sense of the trends that matter most right now. Connect with out hosts: David Maloni’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ Jerry Dalton's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-dalton-0324a821/  Click here to find out more: https://datumfs.com/

    11 min

  6. MAY 15

    Feeding Millions on the Move: Arah Tan Talks Supply Chain, Inflation, and Innovation

    Welcome to Farm to Fork: The Innovators. Today’s guest is Arah Tan, the Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and Logistics at OTG Management—a leading foodservice company operating in high-traffic venues like LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark Airports. In this episode, we dig into the unique challenges of airport food operations. Arah shares how OTG navigates complex logistics, vendor contracts, and the unpredictable nature of disruptions—from hurricanes to global pandemics. She brings a unique lens as someone who started in restaurant operations and climbed into supply chain leadership, making this conversation especially insightful for those curious about the intersection of hospitality, logistics, and innovation in constrained environments. Host and Guest Social Media Links: David Maloni’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ Arah’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arahtan/ Timestamps 00:00:00  00:01:17 – David introduces the podcast and Arah’s role at OTG 00:02:09 – Overview of OTG’s operations and Arah’s responsibilities 00:04:13 – How OTG operates both national and proprietary food brands in airports 00:07:14 – Security and logistical barriers to airport food supply 00:09:09 – Arah’s career journey and how she got into supply chain 00:13:05 – The COVID-19 pandemic as a turning point in supply chain strategy 00:16:20 – Complexity of managing supplier relationships across locations 00:20:07 – Leveraging vendor flexibility while meeting brand requirements 00:22:07 – Impact of airport type and seasonality on supply chain demands 00:25:21 – Economic conditions and their effect on travel and food sales 00:27:08 – Preparing for disruptions and maintaining resiliency 00:30:13 – Operations experience informs better supply chain decisions 00:33:01 – Importance of food safety and proper packaging in airport delivery 00:34:09 – Arah’s vision for technology and transparency in the next decade 00:36:05 – Sourcing locally and partnering with community vendors 00:37:00 – Arah’s pick for best airport food: Bobby’s at LaGuardia 00:39:23 – Reflections on motherhood’s role in shaping leadership I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company. Click here to find out more:  👉 https://datumfs.com/datum-advisors #SupplyChain #FoodService #AirportLogistics #HospitalityIndustry #SupplyChainInnovation #OTGManagement #DavidMaloni #FarmToFork #FoodSupplyChain #ArahTan #AirportOperations #TravelIndustry #RestaurantLogistics #FoodTech

    41 min

  7. APR 21

    Inside the Cattle Business with Aaron Cooper of 33 Ventures and Cooper Family Akaushi

    On this episode, I’m joined by Aaron Cooper, an expert in the beef cattle industry and founder of 33 Ventures and Cooper Family Akaushi. With over a decade of experience breeding and marketing premium red Wagyu (Akaushi) cattle, Aaron offers rare insights into both the commodity and specialty beef markets. We discuss why many ranchers are still hesitant to rebuild herds despite record-high prices, how input costs and land access impact profitability, and the surprising truth behind imported beef in the U.S. We also dive deep into Aaron’s transition from academia to ranching, his role in international Wagyu consulting, and what truly differentiates commodity cattle from premium Wagyu. You’ll learn how his values around sustainability, genetics, and craftsmanship are helping redefine the future of beef production. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the complexities of the modern beef supply chain—and where it’s headed next. Host and Guest Social Media Links: Include the following: David Maloni’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ Aaron’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-cooper-ph-d-7b7712146/ Aaron’s Website: https://cooperakaushi.com/  Timestamps:00:00 – Why Ranchers Aren’t Rebuilding Herds Yet 01:13 – Meet Aaron Cooper & Cooper Family Akaushi 03:05 – What Makes Wagyu (Akaushi) Different? 06:25 – How Aaron Got Into the Cattle Business 10:06 – From Academia to Ranch Life 13:06 – How Commodity Beef Moves from Calf to Shelf 15:12 – Why the U.S. Imports So Much Beef 17:23 – Economics of Ranching Today 22:16 – How COVID & Droughts Shaped the Industry 25:30 – Why Heifer Prices Are Stalling Herd Expansion 29:36 – High Prices Threaten Niche Wagyu Markets 32:23 – Centralization vs. Local Cattle Production 36:08 – What Sets Akaushi Apart in Flavor & Nutrition 45:30 – How Fat Composition Affects Health & Taste 49:32 – Why Aaron Focuses on Craft Beef 50:39 – Traceability & Storytelling in Premium Beef 52:17 – Questioning Cattle Vaccine Norms 53:52 – How to Buy from Cooper Akaushi I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company. Click here to find out more: https://datumfs.com/datum-advisors #BeefIndustry #CattleRanching #WagyuBeef #Akaushi #FoodSupplyChain #FarmToFork #Agribusiness #SustainableFarming #USBeef #RanchingLife #PremiumBeef #FoodInnovation

    56 min

  8. APR 7

    Trump Tariffs with Tom Healey, CPG and Foodservice International Supply Chain Executive and Datum Advisor

    Welcome back to Farm to Fork the Innovators! Today we dive deep into a hot-button topic impacting our food supply chain: tariffs. Joining me is Tom Healy, a seasoned international sourcing executive with extensive leadership experience at renowned brands like Dairy Queen, Heinz, and Jack Link’s. Tom brings a wealth of expertise, having managed sourcing strategies across 26 countries during pivotal trade disruptions. In this conversation, Tom sheds light on how major U.S. brands adapted their sourcing strategies during the first wave of Trump tariffs, emphasizing the importance of local sourcing within countries to mitigate geopolitical risks. He clarifies common misconceptions surrounding current tariffs, particularly highlighting exemptions within the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). We explore practical best practices for international sourcing during trade wars, and Tom identifies commodities likely to face challenges. It's an enlightening discussion filled with actionable insights to help your business navigate uncertain tariff environments effectively. Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/ https://datumfs.com/ Connect with Tom Healy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-healey-0101a89/ Episode Timestamps: 00:00 | Preview 01:49 | Meet Tom Healy: Extensive Background from Farm to Table 02:57 | Overview of International Sourcing and its Complexities 05:44 | Tariff Challenges: Tom’s Experience at Dairy Queen During Trump’s First Tariffs 07:36 | Shifting Sourcing to Mainland China: Strategy and Results 10:07 | What's Different About the New Round of Trump Tariffs? 13:21 | Key USMCA Exemptions Explained (Produce, Cattle) 15:31 | Spotlight on Beef Imports: Why Lean Beef Trim Matters 20:22 | How Countries Work Around Tariffs: Examples from Asia and Latin America 22:04 | Other At-Risk Commodities: Dairy Imports Highlighted 23:35 | Impact of Retaliatory Tariffs on Major Export Commodities 26:06 | Tom’s Actionable Tips for Businesses Facing Tariff Uncertainty 28:24 | Consumer Impact: Guidance for Restaurants and Foodservice Brands 30:10 | Conclusion & Final Thoughts from Tom Healy 30:45 | Outro and Invitation to Engage with Farm to Fork the Innovators I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company.Click here to find out more:  https://datumfs.com/datum-advisors

    31 min
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4.7
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Twice a month, David Maloni serves up a fast, focused look at the world of commodities—covering everything from major food ingredients to energy and beyond. With over 50 years of combined experience advising some of the world’s largest commodity buyers, they bring unmatched insight and practical perspective to the table. Each episode delivers a market update, the key news and trends they’re watching, and occasional guest perspectives—all in under 15 minutes.

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