AgriTalk AM & PM

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa joins us to discuss what he hopes to hear from President Trump during the State of the Union address tomorrow, plus his thoughts on the Supreme Court's ruling on the tariffs, the situation in Iran and more. And our pal Machinery Pete took a bit of a tumble and got bit of an injury. He's okay, and tells us what happened. Plus, of course, his Pick of the Week and an upcoming auction from a retiring farmer.

Host Chip Flory with details of this afternoon's Cattle on Feed Report. Guest analyst Jamey Kohake, Paragon Investments, with perspective on the day's trade, trends in livestock and grain markets. Dan Halstrom, CEO USMEF, with a 2025 meat export wrap-up and perspective on new U.S. trade deals.

There's no shortages of news this day/week so that perfectly sets up the Friday Free-for-all featuring panelists Jim Wiesemeyer of Wiesemeyer's Perspectives and Shaun Haney of RealAg Radio. Topics include the Supreme Court ruling on tariffs, USDA AMS purchases, trade with Indonesia, glyphosate and a lot more.

Dave Chatterton of Strategic Farm Marketing joins us this afternoon to discuss the markets and USDA's Ag Outlook Forum. Oliver Sloup of Blue Line Futures has price action analysis. And we have a clip from Tyne Morgan's conversation with USDA Chief Economist Dr. Justin Benavidez.

There was breaking news at the start of the program that USDA AMS announced $263 million in commodities orders, including significant purchases of dairy products. We get perspective from National Milk Producers Federation president and CEO Gregg Doud. But first, we talk about the latest Ag Economist's Monthly Monitor with Grant Gardner, University of Kentucky Assistant Extension Professor, Grain Marketing. Then Krista Swanson, National Corn Growers Association chief economist, shares details of NCGA's recently released report, America's Crop at Risk: The Future of Corn and Family Farms.

Senior grain and livestock analyst Brian Grete of Commstock Investments is our guest analyst this afternoon. Price action perspective with Todd Horwitz of bubbatrading.com. And Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam joins us to discuss the situation concerning local wildfires, made all-the-more dangerous from high winds. For more info, visit agriculture.ks.gov/recovery

Dr. Gary Adams, president and CEO of the National Cotton Council, joins us to discuss the challenges of the cotton producing industry in the U.S. and the campaign to bring purchasers back to U.S. cotton. And then we have a Farmer Forum with Scott McGregor of Iowa and Rock Katschnig of Illinois.

Karl Setzer of Consus Ag Consulting joins us to talk about grain and livestock fundamentals and helps us preview USDA's Ag Outlooks Forum.

We chat with Randy Dowdy and David Hula of Breaking Barriers with R&D about the importance of having a budget. Farm Journal reporter Michelle Rook shares details from her conversation last week with Minister Lyu of Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. And we have this week's weather update witth Bret Walts of BAMWX.com

The markets are closed for President's Day but we have a conversation with Mark Welch, professor and extension economist for grain marketing at Texas A&M, to help us prepare for USDA's Ag Outlook Forum happening later this week.

It is President’s Day but we have a new conversation with Greg Peterson – Machinery Pete, who reports on his experience at Farm Machinery Show in Louisville last week. U.S. Cattlemen’s Association president Justin Supper joins us to discuss the executive order to import beef from Argentina into the U.S. And Mitchell Hora of Continuum Ag gives us an update on 45Z.

We wrap up the week of ag commoditites trading with Ben Rand of Blue Line Futures and the Federal Crop Agency, and he shares his considerable knowledge on crop insurance.

Jim Wiesemeyer of Wiesemeyer's Perspectives and Shaun Haney of RealAgriculture join Chip Flory for the Friday Free-for-all. Topics include trade with India, China and Taiwan, reviewing USMCA, deregulation by EPA, and various deadlines for things like bridge payments.

David Delaney of Ever Ag joins us to talk about hog and cattle markets plus Oliver Sloup of Blue Line Futures share price action perspective.

Economist Gretchen Kuck with the National Corn Growers Association joins us to discuss their recent research and report detailing the economic impacts of USMCA. While down in Nashville for Top Producer Summit Chip Flory had an opportunity to have a conversation with Raphael Bostic, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Plus Margy Eckelkamp interviews Will Bramblett, CEO of Weskan Grain about a lawsuit against two railroad companies.

Ted Seifried of Zaner Ag Hedge sits in for Chip and his guest analyst is Brian Splitter of AgMarket.net plus Karen Braun, also of Zaner Ag Hedge, stops by to share perspective from her recent visit to Brazil.

We wrap up Top Producer Summit 2026 with coverage sponsored by Alltech Technology Group. This morning we have conversations with Top Producer Award finalists Edward and Rebecca Dalton of Dalton Farms along with Janna and Matt Splitter of Splitter Farms. Then we welcome Top Producer of the Year winner Larry Alsum and his daughers Wendy Dykstra and Heidi Randall of Alsum Farms and Produce. Finally, Next Gen winner Tim Nuss of California joins us to share his story.

This afternoon's coverage of Top Producer Summit 2026 is sponsored by CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA). We catch up with former USDA Chief Economist Dr. Seth Meyer, who has returned to FAPRI at the University of Missouri as its director. And Dan Basse, president and founder of AgResource Company, joins us to discuss geo-political impacts on commodities here and abroad.

It's Day Two of our coverage of Top Producer Summit 2026 with coverage sponsored by BASF. This morning we talk weather with Matt Reardon, senior atmospheric scientist at Nutrien Ag Solutions. And we have a conversation with Gregg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.

We're at Top Producer Summit in Nashville, Tennessee with coverage sponsored by Pivot Bio. We get to know this year's Women in Ag winner, Helle Ruddenklau and hear her story. Then Hillari Mason of Pro Farmer joins us to discus the markets.

Greg Peterson – Machinery Pete – reports on recent auctions of used machine equipment, including his Pick of the Week, and he previews some upcoming auctions. Former NCGA CEO Jon Doggett of Camas Creek LLC joins us to discuss bring part of a group of retired agriculture leaders who sent a letter to Congress warning about a farm economy in crisis.

Naomi Blohm of Total Farm Marketing by Stewart-Peterson is our guest analyst this afternoon and she helps us put a wrap on the week's market action. And Chris Swift of Swift Trading Company hops in for a quick visit as we enjoy his hospitality in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Friday Free-for-all this week features panelists Jim Wiesemeyer of Wiesemeyer's Perspectives and Shaun Haney of RealAgriculture plus U.S. Congressman Dusty Johnson (SD-At Large) joins us for part of the conversation. Topics include U.S. farm income, 45Z, E15, UP-NS rail merger, and a lot more.

We wrap up our coverage of NCBA's CattleCon in Nashville, sponsored by Corteva Agriscience. We talk about the demand side of protein with economist Brian Earnest of CoBank. Then Don Close, senior animal protein analyst at Terrain Ag joins us for a market download.

Day Two of our coverage of NCBA's CattleCon in Nashville and this morning's show is sponsored by Merck Animal Health. Joining us is National Cattlemen's Beef Association senior vice president of government affairs Ethan Lane and Jessica Lancaster, senior director of product quality & safety research at NCBA. Plus, Merck's message about dealing with New World screwworm.

Our coverage of NCBA's CattleCon in Nashville continues, sponsored by Bimeda. Professor Derrell Peel, extension livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University, joins us to discuss the complex cattle market. And Shalene McNeill, executive director of nutrition science at NCBA, talks about the new food pyramid.

We're in Nashville, Tennessee at NCBA's CattleCon sponsored by Henry Repeating Arms. Dave Weaber, senior animal protein analyst at TerrainAg, joins us to discuss the cattle and beef industry. And our Farmer Forum has Logan Pribbeno of Wine Glass Ranch in Nebraska and Rachel Gray of Little Timber Farms in Minnesota plus Angie Stump Denton of Drovers.

We welcome a new voice to AgriTalk – Spenger Langford, who hired on at Pro Farmer about six months ago, joins Davis Michaelsen to run through the markets and the ag economy. And Dr. Stephanie Mercier, senior policy advisor for Farm Journal Foundation, joins us to discuss her research on the impact of pests and disease in ag and preview a panel discussion on the subject next week at Top Producer Summit.

Randy Dowdy and David Hula of Breaking Barriers with R&D join us to share insight and advice for farmers during this planting planning season. Chairman of the Senate Ag Committee U.S. Senator John Boozman of Arkansas chats with Chip Flory about several topics, including support for E15, tariffs, whole milk in schools and more. Dr. Jim Mintert, Professor Emeritus at Purdue University breaks down the latest Ag Economy Barometer.  

Jim Emter of Van Ahn Company joins us this afternoon to discuss market fundamentals and risk management plus Jack Scoville of The Price Futures Group shares price action analysis and Cary Artac of artacadvisory.com and wickedstocks.com has a chart update and stock watch.

Greg Peterson – Machinery Pete – joins us to report on recent auctions, including online, and share his Pick of the Week. And we catch up with Corey Lavinsky, vice president of renewables policy at Montata Renewables, and discuss the latest on renewable fuels policy and why they're important.

Ted Seifried of Zaner Ag Hedge is our guest host this afternoon and Karen Braun, also of Zaner Ag Hedge, is our guest market analyst. They discuss her up-coming visit to Brazil, the grain markets, and later Ted shares perspective on USDA's biannual cattle report released today.

A little shake-up with this week's Friday Free-for-all...he have Shaun Haney moderating and he's joined by panelists Tyson Redpath of The Russell Group and Monte Shaw of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. They tear through the news that happened this past week, including President Trump's visit to Iowa, plus look ahead to another possible Federal Government shutdown.

Mike Minor of Professional Ag Marketing joins Michelle Rook to discuss all aspects of the markets and Oliver Sloup has price action analysis.

Davis Michaelsen hosts a packed show this morning, starting with an extended weather conversation with Bret Walts of BAMWX.com, followed by Dr. Michael Cordonnier of Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc. who shares his background with South American crop production and talks about current crop estimates, and finally The Farm CPA Paul Neiffer joins us to preview Top Producer Summit and answers a common question he hears about payments.

Michelle Rook sits in for Chip Flory this afternoon and Alan Brugler of A&N Economics is this afternoon's guest market analyst plus Lane Akre of Pro Farmer shares price action perspective.

Following President Trump's visit to Clive, Iowa yesterday we have reaction and perspective (especially regarding E15) from Jim Wiesemeyer of Wiesemeyer's Perspectives podcast and Iowa Farmer Tim Burrack, who was in attendance and met the president. More reaction from our Farmer Forum with panelists Iowa State Representative Chad Ingels (68th District) and Iowa farmer Scott Berger.

Andy Shissler of S&W Trading joins us this afternoon for a conversation on market fundamentals, price outlook, China's trends, and risk management. Matt Bennett of AgMarket.net shares perspective on price action.

Dr. Vince Malanga of LaSalle Economics shares his perspective on economic conditions and trends plus Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor then Clean Fuels Alliance America vice president Kurt Kovarik talk about where things stand with E15 and strategy going forward, including what President Trump's visit to Iowa today might mean for biofuels.

Joining us this afternoon is Scott Davis of Bullpen Trading for a conversation about grain and livestock fundamentals and risk management. Jack Scoville of The Price Futures Group talks price action and Cary Artac of artacadvisory.com & wickedstocks.com has a chart update and stock watch.

Greg Peterson – Machinery Pete – shares his latest report on recent and future auctions of used equipment plus his Pick of the Week. And Farm Bureau vice president of public policy and economic analysis John Newton joins us to review the recent FB event plus discuss the E15 situation.

We wrap up the week's active trading with Austin Schroeder of Brugler Marketing & Management. We cover livestock, grains and even metals.

Our Friday Free-for-all this week again features Jim Wiesemeyer from Wiesemeyer's Perspectives and Shaun Haney of RealAgriculture. Topics include another failure to get year-round E15 done, potential additional farm aid from Congress, potential Federal Government shut down, and a lot more.

Curtis Bosma of HighGround Dairy is our market analyst this afternoon and we discuss the challange of balancing strong demand with heavy supplies plus Oliver Sloup of Blue Line Futures shares price action perspective.

National Corn Growers Association president Jed Bower shares the latest on the continuing and frustrating campaign of trying to get year-round E15 legislation passed. Bill Baruch is the president and founder of Blue Line Futures and he joins us to discuss the market break out of precious metals like gold and silver. USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden was interviewed by Harrison Pittman, director of the National Agricultural Law Center. We have a clip from that interview on the cost of fertilzer. Then Lane Akre, economist at Pro Farmer, shares his reaction and previews his panel discussion on fertilizer at this year's Top Producer Summit.

Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek Trading joins us to discuss all things in the cattle and beef markets plus Todd Horwitz of bubbatrading.com shares perspective on an active day in the markets.

USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce joins us today to discuss a wealth of topics, including farm provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill, the Farm Bill, HHS dietary guidelines, regenerative agriculture, status of the bridge payment, and status of $1 bil for specialty crops. Our Farmer Forum this week features Tim Burrack of Iowa and Quentin Bowen of Nebraska.

Jody Lawrence of Strategic Trading Advisors is our guest market analyst this afternoon plus Brian Splitt of AgMarket.net share price action perspective.

Randy Dowdy and David Hula of Breaking Barriers with R&D join us to discuss strategy for controlling costs as budgets get tight. And we have an extended conversation with Bret Walts of BAMWX.com about the current wintry weather situation plus a forecast for various parts of the country.