Cattle Prices Are High — But So Is the Risk

I’ve seen too many producers go down at the top of the market.

And I’ll say this as directly as I can — cattle producers are some of the worst speculators on the market.

Not because they’re stupid or careless…
But because too many are making decisions based on emotion and neighbor talk rather than data and strategy.

Here’s the truth:

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Your friends, your neighbors, your coffee shop crew — they don’t have the information, education, or experience to be guiding decisions that impact your livelihood.

If you’re letting their opinions shape how you buy, sell, or hedge cattle, you’re setting yourself up for disaster.

Right now, the market’s at all-time highs.
Which means the downside risk has never been higher.

Think about that.
When you’re standing on the peak, there’s only one direction you can fall — and when prices start sliding while costs keep rising, that drop happens fast.

Feed, fuel, land, and interest — none of those are coming down anytime soon.
So the moment profitability slips, it’ll happen quicker than most are prepared for.

Be smart.
Be sensible.
And most importantly — surround yourself with people who actually understand the financial side of this business.

Because the ones who treat cattle like a lottery ticket are the same ones who lose everything when the market turns.