In this episode, Paul visits with Dave Nichols, an emeritus professor at Kansas State University about his experiences as a livestock judge and educator, discussing opportunities to bridge the gap between agriculture and consumers. David also visits with K-State ag economist Ted Schroeder about the changing elements in the cattle markets, and the potential pitfalls of mandating cash cattle markets. David, Paul and Carrie also share a preview of the November issue, and share what they're grateful for this Thanksgiving season.

Both feedlot inventories and cattle slaughter have remained stubbornly high this year due to drought-forced movement of cattle out of the country. Feedlot production, cattle slaughter and beef production are all expected to decrease sharply in 2023.

Aided and abetted by the drought, feedlots put together another month of large placements in July.

At the close of the year’s second quarter, beef cattle producers continue to cull a large portion of their breeding herds, as shown in Figure 1 of weekly volumes of federally inspected beef cow slaughter for the previous three years.