A Year of Volatility, Lessons, and What’s Next

Newsletter #7

Hello friends,

If you’re thinking, “Did Arrow Consulting fall off the face of the earth?” — you’re not wrong to ask.

Our last newsletter went out in April 2-25, and since then life (and cattle markets) have been moving fast. We figured instead of pretending we’ve been perfectly on schedule, we’d be honest, catch you up on where we’ve been, and share where we’re headed as we wrap up 2025 and look toward 2026.

Where we’ve been —

Henry’s view:
2025 has been defined by cows — specifically feeding cull cows. What started as an opportunity turned into a full-blown education in margin management, risk, and timing. It’s been equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking in a volatile market, but it’s also sharpened our understanding of feed efficiency, cash flow, and decision-making under pressure — lessons we bring directly into our consulting work.

Mike’s view:
Mike has spent the year with boots on the ground at over 100 cattle sales, watching the market move in real time. He’s seen prices swing dramatically — sometimes up and down in the same day — and that first hand exposure matters. It’s one thing to talk about market trends from a distance; it’s another to feel them live, in the seats, sale after sale. That perspective continues to shape how we think about timing, strategy, and managing risk in unpredictable markets.

Sara’s view:
This year also marked a big shift personally — moving to working at the ranch full time. Days are now filled with feeding and processing lambs, coordinating loads, and shipping fat lambs to Canada. Being involved in day-to-day production has reinforced what we’ve always believed: the best strategies are built for real operations, real people, and real constraints — not spreadsheets that only work in theory.

On top of that, Sara has been invited to speak at several upcoming conferences on creative marketing in agriculture — something she’s incredibly excited about (and honestly, just as excited to put on some town clothes again). Sharing real-world marketing strategies with other producers and ag businesses feels like a natural extension of the work we’re already doing every day.

Wrapping up 2025

If we had to sum up this year in a few words, it would be: hands-on, humbling, and informative.
Markets tested everyone. Operations adapted. And the value of practical, experience-based insight became more obvious than ever.

Where we’re headed in 2026

As we look ahead, Arrow Consulting is doubling down on what we do best:

Grounded, real-world strategy
Clear-eyed market perspective
Practical tools that work in volatile conditions
Helping producers and ag businesses make confident decisions — even when the market feels anything but steady

You’ll be hearing from us more consistently in 2026 (promise). More insights from the sale barn, more perspective from the feed bunk, and more practical guidance shaped by what we’re seeing every day.

Thanks for sticking with us — even during the quiet months. If you’ve got questions, ideas, or just want to talk markets, we’re always up for the conversation.