Many of us live in rural and agricultural America and the success of our small towns ultimately spells the success of our schools, local businesses and civic organizations. But what do you do to help a town that seems to be vanishing, taking all of those important pieces of the community with it? I’ll take you to a place that perhaps looks at economic development a little differently and all of us could learn from their example. 

How will equipment change to meet the demands of farming in the future? Two young researchers based in Illinois known as the “Soil Sisters” are helping shape those changes and supplying farmers with the data they need to stay ahead on their operations. We’ll meet them and their important research. 

Jason Clay is back and brings with him many thought provoking ideas that can have an impact locally and globally. We discuss the push to grow more with less and how we get there. We discuss everything from school bonds vs. food bonds to potential changes in the farm bill of the future.

Many acres of pasture ground have been converted to row crops. Is there a future for grazing cattle? What could you do to make those pastures more profitable so that raising livestock makes sense? We explore technology that helps ranchers better evaluate the decisions they make and how to get more out of the acres that are grazed.

Most cattle producers put up hay to feed during the year, but do you really need to do so? Eric Bailey says there’s a better way to feed cattle that can increase profitability and better utilize forages. We discuss the changes we should consider to run a more efficient operation.

Crop margins are tight and every bushel counts. How do you make sure you get every kernel possible out of the field? We talk about pro harvest tips that will help us get the maximum out of our fields. 

Higher interest rates and lower commodity prices have put pressure on machinery prices. So is the time to make a deal? Machinery Pete is tracking the data and he says this may be the sweet spot to make a trade. We discuss what segments of the market are falling the fastest and where prices remain strong. 

Parts of northern Iowa and southern Minnesota were hard hit with too much rain early this season. We talk with farmer Lisa Peterson about her crop and where she’s seeing people tightening their budgets. Plus we talk about what it takes to come back to the farm, especially when no one expects you to make the move. How do you navigate conversations with your siblings so you maintain harmony maintain the farm acres to make a living?

Pro Farmer Crop Tour recently concluded and it appears a record harvest may be on the way. With lower commodity prices this fall, how should we look to market our grain? Is it the time to sell, store, or take another position in the market. We take a look at the big crop and what to do with it.

It appears that the U.S. will grow a very good, if not record crop this year. However, lower prices have decreased crop margins, making it more difficult to pencil a profit. How is that trend, as well as higher interest rates, impacting land and rental values? Are there signs of weakness? What other areas of the farm economy are being impacted by current trends? We talk about ways to operate with more discipline and evaluate changes in values to make the best plan for the road ahead. 

The cattle market continues to move steadily higher, reaching record setting prices. That leaves many people asking how long this trend can continue and what producers should do to protect their gains and prepare for the future. We’ll touch on those topics and much more. 

Many farm families have more than just one child in the family. Passing the operation onto the next generation can have challenges of course. Today we meet a farmer’s daughter who began full time production agriculture when her older brother transitioned out of that role. Learn how to think through the steps of moving a farm to a next generation and how to help your daughters succeed in production agriculture as well.

Davis Michaelsen is a man of many talents. We discuss global factors impacting crop and input prices. What are the areas to watch as we move into the second half of the calendar year? Plus, we discuss a new podcast features some of agriculture’s best “side hustles” to make extra cash on the farm.

Jimmy Emmons is always experimenting with ways to help his soil. It’s been a practice they’ve been using on their west Oklahoma farm for many generations. You’ll enjoy hearing about some of his latest experiments, what’s working, what’s not and his ideas that could work on our farms and ranches – including something called “Jimmy Juice” that is one of the formulas he’s developed for his farm. 

We hear a lot about immigration today and the challenges at the U.S. border with Mexico. How are those challenges impacting agriculture? How might the upcoming presidential election impact the need for labor in the ag industry? And, what are farms of all sizes doing to acquire the labor they need in a tight job market? We talk about these issues and much more on this edition of our show.

Kelly Garrett is always looking at better ways to grow his crops. He’s recently been replacing fungicide applications with micronutrients and making gains as a result. He’s also taking another look at where and how much Nitrogen he applies each year. His findings provide some very interesting information that can have a big impact on yields and the bottom line.

As we celebrate Independence Day weekend we take time to celebrate a part of American history. Out trip takes us to the Green River Valley of Wyoming where 200 years ago where a mix of mountain men, supply trains and Native Americans assembled for what were known as the Mountain Man Rendezvous. It’s an interesting piece of American history that speaks to the qualities of freedom, entrepreneurship and survival in the wild west. 

You hear the following question asked quite a bit in farm country and beyond – “How do I become a full-time farmer if I didn’t grow up on a farm or inherit a farm?” Matt Adams can help answer that question. While he was no stranger to agriculture, he built his farm from scratch and is today a successful full-time farmer. We talk about how he raised capital, purchased land and found ways to get started in the ag industry.

Many of us don’t care for pastures the same way most would care for row crops, yet those pastures are growing grasses and legumes that are critical to a cattle herd. So how do you begin to evaluate and renovate your pastures to improve the feed available to cattle? We talk with one farmer that has spent several years renovating his pastures and measuring the feed efficiency of his herd. It’s hands-on advice that could be helpful to many of us.

PJ Haynie farms ground in Virginia that his great, great grandfather purchased just after he came out of slavery in 1867. Today, the farm has not only grown in acres and locations farmed, but they are expanding the enterprises they cover, moving to a model that has their products positioned closer to the end user. We discussed how and why they’ve made those decisions to best position their operation for future success.

Donnell Brown and the RA Brown Ranch have long been known for their progressive view of the cattle industry. The way we may make genetic advances now and in the future is changing. How could we help create a herd that is more resistant to disease or may handle heat better in certain climates? Plus we discuss a way the ranch is implementing rotational grazing without moving a fence. 

Agriculture has been ranked last among U.S. industries in technological adoption. That may surprise many of us who feel we use plenty of technology every day in our operation. We take a look at where many of us are lagging and what technology we can adopt to help our bottom line. 

Imagine working hard to build your farm and then having the government step in and take everything from you – land, equipment and home. That is what happened to this man and many others in Northeastern Nebraska. The story is from many years ago, but it is a fitting tribute on Memorial Day weekend to look back at a story and a court case that every American should know.

Balance sheets for the year ahead show limited profit potential in many instances. An added concern for many producers are inflation and interest rates. What should we expect for the year ahead and how can we best position ourselves for the present and future goals we have in mind?

Many young farmers have dreams of building a large and profitable farming enterprise, but what’s the best way to do it? I visit with the Star Farmer of America about how he built his business, what he learned and the advice he would share with others. 

Your CI Score could be worth over $1 per bushel of corn. But that leaves many of us asking…what is a CI score? It’s a trend to keep an eye on because those scores may soon be tied to the crops we grow and it could be worth a significant amount of money.

Benjamin Franklin said nothing is certain is except death and taxes. We talk about both subjects with Paul Neiffer as we look at what is the best tax strategy in 2024 and beyond and how to reduce some of the tax implications when we do pass away.

Tighter crop margins lead us to believe the machinery market is beginning to weaken. Is that the case? Machinery Pete discusses what he sees across the industry. We take a look at market sectors that are strong and others that show weakness, plus we discuss things to keep in mind if you are buying or selling tractors and equipment. 

The cliché says to not put all your eggs in one basket. This past Top Producer winner is very successful in farming, but they have also diversified into several baskets, so-to-speak, and that has allowed them to develop income streams in a variety of markets in rural and small town America and help those very communities along the way.

USDA’s prospective plantings report showed a decline in the number of acres intended to be in corn production this year, but perhaps the biggest surprise is that there appears to be six and a half million acres of crop ground that is unaccounted for. Chip Flory and I discuss the year ahead, including tighter margins, marketing strategies and more. 

Buying, selling, trading and the like are a part of life and a part of business. How do you become a better negotiator and work to help both parties in the process? We take a look at some of the keys from an expert in the field. 

As we prepare to plant this year’s crop, margins are tight and it may be difficult to pencil a profit this year and perhaps for some time. Where should you cut costs and where should you invest in inputs? Ken Ferrie helps us evaluate those decisions, plus we discuss unseasonably warm weather in most parts of farm country and keys to keep in mind for those considering earlier than normal planting.    

The title alone, “Organic versus Conventional” implies there is a debate. Perhaps one is better than the other? Maybe consumers desire one and despise the other? Is that really the case for farmers or consumers? We have an enlightening conversation about where farming and food production is headed and how all of us can stay on the innovative and profitable side of change.

About three years ago we visited with former Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman about a new book he had just written. Many of his thoughts then still ring true today. I thought it would be fun to look back to hear him talk about life, agriculture, politics and more.

Many of us are after bigger yields, but what will it take for the country to average 100 bushel beans and 300 bushel corn? It’s a discussion that covers many topics and we visit with someone who looks at the challenges and possible solutions. 

Many of us listening to these broadcasts have a tie to agriculture. Perhaps you have a farm, business and or land that you will pass to a next generation or sell to others interested in the industry. Those generational transitions can be filled with emotion and doubt – wondering if we are doing the right thing to be fair to all and help everyone succeed. This week we discuss some of the common mistakes that are made in that process.

Last year most economic prognosticators expected a recession on the horizon. What has changed in the past year? Where are interest rates headed? What is the farm economic forecast for the year ahead. We talk to Nate Kauffman at the KC Fed to get his perspective. Plus, we’ll talk about some of the latest initiatives from the United Soybean Board to boost soy uses and prices. 

Just about all of us need insurance, but not all of us are adequately covered. In sometimes difficult to know if we are over insured, under insured or have missed some critical areas all together. This week we visit with a man with years of experience working with ag operations and he provides a perspective on the changing challenge for land owners and farm operators, including liability protection, insuring fleets of trucks and protecting against large claims. 

The annual Practical Farm Research data is something many farmers, including myself, use to make agronomic decisions. What are the key takeaways from the annual field trials and what should we consider for the upcoming season and beyond? 

Many of us listening to this broadcast are either from or live in and around smaller towns. We depend on those places for our schools, groceries, supplies and much more. But what do you do when buildings sit empty – sometimes for long periods of time. This small town had a unique way to start businesses and help their community meet the needs of its citizens. 

Scott Brown is a respected voice in the ag industry when it comes to evaluating domestic and global agricultural markets. His insights into economic trends are ones that often have him on the road speaking to many farm based groups and ag clients. We talked about where we stand and where we may be headed in 2024.

The pork industry is weathering a difficult time for many producers right now. Despite those challenges, there are reasons for optimism. We take a look at some of the opportunities in the pork sector and what those trends mean for all of us. What are the domestic and international hurdles to move pork producers’ bottom line back into the black and how do those forces impact the rest of the meat industry?

Dean Wysocki joins us to discuss the LRC model and what the long range weather forecast for the U.S this year. Which areas can expect drought and what regions will receive the best rainfall? Will it be an early or late planting season? We cover that and much more.

I think you’ll enjoy this week’s broadcast – I know I enjoyed talking with two individuals about practical, down-to-earth ways we can be a better leader, no matter whether we are the boss of a large business, or at the lower rungs of an organization. We all have ways to make a positive impact and as a sidelight, you’ll love the accent of our first guest! 

It’s happened again. Hundreds of people are wandering around Rob’s front yard out on his farmstead about five miles outside of Le Mars, Iowa. It’s a tradition about three decades old now and it all began with one farm family who put up Christmas lights around their home and barns. Today it is a free attraction that brings hundreds of people here almost every night and it’s raising donations for local causes. 

Just about anyone who has or does live in a rural area knows the challenges of connecting to the internet. Poor connectivity isn’t just a nuisance, it costs operators money. How can you help overcome those issues? Plus we discuss the challenges on the horizon for corn and soybean leaders and an outlook for the coming year. 

As farmers we hear about plenty of programs willing to pay us to use certain sustainable practices or perhaps pay a premium for commodities grown in a certain way. There’s nothing wrong with those programs but sometimes it’s difficult to sort through them all. Farmers for Soil Health is a new program supported by commodity groups through the USDA and could be a great option for many operations. 

Crops need nutrients to grow, but what and how we apply those nutrients continues to change with technology and sustainability programs. While the need for the big three, N, P and K remains, what does the supply and demand curve look like for these and other crop inputs? We discuss the coming year and beyond for fertilizer and how global conflicts are changing the flow of those crop nutrients to different nations. 

If land prices moved in tandem with interest rates, land sale prices would be down 30%. That has not happened, yet which leads many to wonder, will interest rates begin to stall farm growth moving forward? What are the top producers doing well that others are not in a time when interest expense is rising for many operations? Plus, in the second half of our show we have an interesting conversation about a time when it seemed the Future Farmers of America, the FFA, was perhaps going out of business. 

Depending on where you live or farm, there may be debate on whether you should use fungicide, just use it when you see disease pressure, or apply it every season no matter the weather. Something interesting happened this year on a farm in north central Iowa, and the results of one farmer’s test would up all over the internet. I’ll share what we learned.