Dr. Matt Diersen of South Dakota State University joins Lauren on the Cattle USA Daily Podcast to discuss the current cattle market and how global economics, international trade, and changing input costs affect producers. He breaks down rising cattle prices, fall calf marketing decisions, and the relationship between corn prices, feeding costs, and profitability. Matt also explains how fuel prices, trade policies, cattle imports from Mexico, and international beef demand influence the U.S. market. Plus, he discusses Livestock Risk Protection (LRP), managing price risk, and what it may take for the U.S. cattle herd to begin expanding after years of tight supplies. Links: Matt Diersen at SDSU: https://www.sdstate.edu/directory/matthew-diersen Connect with Dr. Diersen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-diersen-19ab9a66/ 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/ Key Takeaways: -Strong calf prices and opportunities for cow-calf producersBalancing cattle prices, corn costs, and feeding expenses- Using feed availability to guide cattle marketing decisionsManaging price risk with Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) Global economics, fuel prices, and international trade influence transportation costs, beef demand, and the broader cattle marketFeeder cattle imports from Mexico have resumed graduallyTight cattle supplies and strong calf prices may encourage heifer retentionProducers should not abandon price protection simply because the market is strong Chapters: 01:54 Current Cattle Market Conditions03:13 Managing Cattle Prices, Corn Costs and Risk05:03 Differences Across Cattle and Grain Sectors06:36 Making Fall Calf Marketing Decisions08:29 Feed Availability and Timing Cattle Sales10:21 LRP Insurance, Hedging and Price Protection12:38 Global Economics and the Cattle Market15:00 Mexico, Trade and Feeder Cattle Imports16:40 International Demand, Tariffs and Fuel Costs18:41 Tight Supplies and the Future of Herd Expansion22:15 Why Producers Shouldn't Ignore Price Protection Matt Diersen, South Dakota State University, Cattle USA Daily Podcast, cattle market outlook, cattle market analysis, global economics and agriculture, international trade and cattle markets, cattle prices, feeder cattle prices, fed cattle prices, calf prices, cattle marketing decisions, cattle risk management, Livestock Risk Protection, LRP insurance, cattle price protection, cattle futures, cattle hedging, cattle supply and demand, U.S. cattle herd, cattle herd expansion, heifer retention, cattle cycle, cow-calf profitability, cattle feeding margins, corn prices, feed costs, grain markets, agricultural economics, global beef market, beef demand, beef exports, cattle imports, Mexican feeder cattle, trade policies and agriculture, tariffs and cattle markets, fuel costs, diesel prices, cattle market forecast, cattle industry news