April 21, 2026---10-11---It’s Your Ag Business show—51-79

(((FROM the BLACKBURN STUDIOS in Downtown Sioux Falls BECOME A BLACKBURN PROTECTED HOME

 

(((THIS OLE HOUSE))))

 

(((YEE-HAH---I’m Bill Zortman and WELCOME to OUR FACT FED, FRIENDLY FARM SHOW---we KNOW THAT AGRICULTURE  is #1 In South Dakota and our SURROUNDING STATES AS WELL—this is SHOW 51-79

 

   Lots of headlines about Dusty UP----and the Governor numbers fading this morning-----

 

   We invited top 2 candidates for Governor-----but we know they are a little busy looking for what happened to their votes----Dusty said yes to Friday------but too many sites smiling—answering---and floating towards what appears to be a landslide.

 

   Casey Crabtree----has spent time this year as a Candidate---and he knows what is happening out there---and we asked him to join us---

 

------------Casey---------Taped/or LIVE---------

   --------The RACE for GOVERNOR---where it’s going---

   ---------Anything the incumbent can do----or the other “IN BETWEEN” candidates---- do they matter----

------------Concerns South Dakotans have---crops---economy----or?

 

   Gerri Eide---FFA of South Dakota they are meeting in Brookings---and if you will tell us what you see---from this conference---the mood---and what seems to be the theme for all of us to follow and hope this event will help give us the best in Ag and other areas ----

------------------Gerri----------------(probably a guest too)

 

    When we come back---we’ll visit with our friends from Plains Commerce Bank-----and from KFGO Fargo---the Growing Harvest Network---

10:20/00—KELO Commercials

10:21 /00---Ag Business 2

   Brent Baloun back with us this morning from Plains Commerce Bank—what are you hearing---seeing—and yes feeling from those that count on Plains Commerce Bank to keep their livelihood flying---

--------------------Brent----------------------

   The Plains Commerce Difference for all ages---those in agriculture---and those just wanting to be part of South Dakota---

--------------------Brent----------------------

 

   Thanks for the visit—and how do they reach your Plains Commerce Team----

--------------------Brent-----------------------

  ---------Sarah Heinrich—KFGO Fargo—has the Growing Harvest Network---NOW---

10:24/00—Sarah Heinrich—Growing Harvest Network---

10:27/00---KELO Commercials

 

10:30/00---Ag Business 3

   Matt Swenson joins us about this time every week-day morning—he has the first important numbers of the morning---the MARKETS---

------------Matt what are you seeing at this hour----

-----MARKETS---PRICES ---and----- Big Board on Wall Street----

-----------------Matt------------------

 

   Gerri Eide-----another guest---and what is important from Brookings and FFA-------

-------------Gerri-----------guest----and her choice

BROOKINGS, S.D. — The Jason and Jennifer Hofer family of Bridgewater were recognized as the 2026 South Dakota FFA Family of the Year at the 98th South Dakota FFA State Convention on Monday, April 20 during the first session at First Bank and Trust Arena, sponsored by Raven.

   Each year, the South Dakota FFA Foundation selects a Family of the Year to honor a family that demonstrates long-term involvement in agricultural education and supports FFA at both the local and state levels. Jason and Jennifer Hofer farm near Bridgewater, raising corn and soybeans and previously producing swine.

  They have been actively involved with the Bridgewater-Emery FFA Chapter and represent a multi-generational connection to agricultural education. Jason Hofer was an active FFA member in high school, serving as chapter vice president, competing in Career Development Events, and earning both his State and American FFA Degrees before attending Mitchell Technical College and returning to the family farm. His father, Arlo Hofer, was also involved in the Bridgewater FFA Chapter, continuing a third-generation tradition of FFA involvement.

    Together, Jason and Jennifer raised their children—Haley (Hofer) Nelson, Marah (Hofer) Meyer and Carter Hofer—on the family farm, where agriculture and FFA became a central part of their upbringing. All three were active members of the Bridgewater-Emery FFA Chapter, participating in Career and Leadership Development Events, land judging, chapter officer teams and degree programs. Their involvement has continued beyond high school, reflecting the lasting impact of

agricultural education on the family.

    The Hofer family has supported agricultural education through a variety of efforts, including assisting with the Safety of Farm Youth (SOFY) Camp, hosting Career Development Events, supporting district star interviews and helping with state proficiency judging. Since 2023, they have helped lead agronomy and nursery/landscape CDE events.

  ----when we come back---Ukraine—and our South Dakota adopting Alla from Ukraine gives us an update

 

10:40/00—KELO Commercials

10:41/30---Ag Business 4

  ------we have traveled across South Dakota with businesses looking to adopt Ukrainians that have come to our home state…

 

  Alla is with us-----

 Bill i can be available the regular time today. For Ukraine - still a lot of uncertainty. It was bad enough when this was the only large conflict in the world, and nobody still could stop it. now this war is just a part of other conflicts, so Ukraine and Ukrainians are ready for a long war. russia is still attacking ukrainian cities and villages. While ukraine is fighting back, they are making news for attacking russian oil refineries and oil storage facilities. not what i am proud of, but ukraine has to fight back. for the first few years of the war international community was not in support of ukraine firing back, and ukraine listened to the voices of ot's allies. now everyone is in agreement that russia needs to be striked back.

   Ukraine continues to innovate in the times of war - we are still seeing production of drones up, they are manufacturing other military equipment and repurposing automation from different industries to use as fighter robots in the battle field.

 

    the world is learning a lot from the warfare in ukraine. but i still wish ukraine was the country nobody ever heard about, like before the war.

 

    Here in US, many ukrainian families are still stuck in the limbo of paperwork and approval delays. many are choosing to leave when they are not able to work legally and support themselves.

 

 We’ll get you a final look at our weather ---what expect---and what we will include on our Working on Wellness Wednesday---and the ag show too

 

10:53/00—KELO Commercials

10:55/00---Ag Business Final

-----weather or not to expect------

 

-----our time is up---thank you for yours

April 21, 2026---10-11---It&rsquo;s Your Ag Business show&mdash;51-79
(((FROM the BLACKBURN STUDIOS in Downtown Sioux Falls BECOME A BLACKBURN PROTECTED HOME
&nbsp;
(((THIS OLE HOUSE))))
&nbsp;
(((YEE-HAH---I&rsquo;m Bill Zortman and WELCOME to OUR FACT FED, FRIENDLY FARM SHOW---we KNOW THAT AGRICULTURE&nbsp; is #1 In South Dakota and our SURROUNDING STATES AS WELL&mdash;this is SHOW 51-79
&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp; Lots of headlines about Dusty UP----and the Governor numbers fading this morning-----
&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp; We invited top 2 candidates for Governor-----but we know they are a little busy looking for what happened to their votes----Dusty said yes to Friday------but too many sites smiling&mdash;answering---and floating towards what appears to be a landslide.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp; Casey Crabtree----has spent time this year as a Candidate---and he knows what is happening out there---and we asked him to join us---
&nbsp;
------------Casey---------Taped/or LIVE---------
&nbsp;&nbsp; --------The RACE for GOVERNOR---where it&rsquo;s going---
&nbsp;&nbsp; ---------Anything the incumbent can do----or the other &ldquo;IN BETWEEN&rdquo; candidates---- do they matter----
------------Concerns South Dakotans have---crops---economy----or?
&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp; Gerri Eide---FFA of South Dakota they are meeting in Brookings---and if you will tell us what you see---from this conference---the mood---and what seems to be the theme for all of us to follow and hope this event will help give us the best in Ag and other areas ----
------------------Gerri----------------(probably a guest too)
&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; When we come back---we&rsquo;ll visit with our friends from Plains Commerce Bank-----and from KFGO Fargo---the Growing Harvest Network---
10:20/00&mdash;KELO Commercials
10:21 /00---Ag Business 2
&nbsp;&nbsp; Brent Baloun back with us this morning from Plains Commerce Bank&mdash;what are you hearing---seeing&mdash;and yes feeling from those that count on Plains Commerce Bank to keep their livelihood flying---
--------------------Brent----------------------
&nbsp;&nbsp; The Plains Commerce Difference for all ages---those in agriculture---and those just wanting to be part of South Dakota---
--------------------Brent----------------------
&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp; Thanks for the visit&mdash;and how do they reach your Plains Commerce Team----
--------------------Brent-----------------------
&nbsp; ---------Sarah Heinrich&mdash;KFGO Fargo&mdash;has the Growing Harvest Network---NOW---
10:24/00&mdash;Sarah Heinrich&mdash;Growing Harvest Network---
10:27/00---KELO Commercials
&nbsp;
10:30/00---Ag Business 3
&nbsp;&nbsp; Matt Swenson joins us about this time every week-day morning&mdash;he has the first important numbers of the morning---the MARKETS---
------------Matt what are you seeing at this hour----
-----MARKETS---PRICES ---and----- Big Board on Wall Street----
-----------------Matt------------------
&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp; Gerri Eide-----another guest---and what is important from Brookings and FFA-------
-------------Gerri-----------guest----and her choice
BROOKINGS, S.D. &mdash; The Jason and Jennifer Hofer family of Bridgewater were recognized as the 2026 South Dakota FFA Family of the Year at the 98th South Dakota FFA State Convention on Monday, April 20 during the first session at First Bank and Trust Arena, sponsored by Raven.
&nbsp;&nbsp; Each year, the South Dakota FFA Foundation selects a Family of the Year to honor a family that demonstrates long-term involvement in agricultural education and supports FFA at both the local and state levels. Jason and Jennifer Hofer farm near Bridgewater, raising corn and soybeans and previously producing swine.
&nbsp; They have been actively involved with the Bridgewater-Emery FFA Chapter and represent a multi-generational connection to agricultural education. Jason Hofer was an active FFA member in high school, serving as chapter vice president, competing in Career Development Events, and earning both his State and American FFA Degrees before attending Mitchell Technical College and returning to the family farm. His father, Arlo Hofer, was also involved in the Bridgewater FFA Chapter, continuing a third-generation tradition of FFA involvement.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Together, Jason and Jennifer raised their children&mdash;Haley (Hofer) Nelson, Marah (Hofer) Meyer and Carter Hofer&mdash;on the family farm, where agriculture and FFA became a central part of their upbringing. All three were active members of the Bridgewater-Emery FFA Chapter, participating in Career and Leadership Development Events, land judging, chapter officer teams and degree programs. Their involvement has continued beyond high school, reflecting the lasting impact of
agricultural education on the family.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Hofer family has supported agricultural education through a variety of efforts, including assisting with the Safety of Farm Youth (SOFY) Camp, hosting Career Development Events, supporting district star interviews and helping with state proficiency judging. Since 2023, they have helped lead agronomy and nursery/landscape CDE events.
&nbsp; ----when we come back---Ukraine&mdash;and our South Dakota adopting Alla from Ukraine gives us an update
&nbsp;
10:40/00&mdash;KELO Commercials
10:41/30---Ag Business 4
&nbsp; ------we have traveled across South Dakota with businesses looking to adopt Ukrainians that have come to our home state&hellip;
&nbsp;
&nbsp; Alla is with us-----
&nbsp;Bill i can be available the regular time today. For Ukraine - still a lot of uncertainty. It was bad enough when this was the only large conflict in the world, and nobody still could stop it. now this war is just a part of other conflicts, so Ukraine and Ukrainians are ready for a long war. russia is still attacking&nbsp;ukrainian cities and villages. While ukraine is fighting back, they are making news for attacking&nbsp;russian oil refineries&nbsp;and oil storage facilities. not what i am proud of, but ukraine has to fight back. for the first few years of the war international community&nbsp;was not in support of ukraine firing back, and ukraine listened to the voices of ot's allies. now everyone is in agreement that russia needs to be striked back.
&nbsp;&nbsp; Ukraine continues to innovate&nbsp;in the times of war - we are still seeing production of drones up, they are manufacturing&nbsp;other military equipment and repurposing automation from different industries to use as fighter robots in the battle field.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; the world is learning a lot from the warfare in ukraine. but i still wish ukraine was the country nobody ever heard about, like before the war.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Here in US, many ukrainian families are still stuck in the limbo of paperwork and approval delays. many are choosing to leave when they are not able to work legally&nbsp;and support themselves.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;We&rsquo;ll get you a final look at our weather ---what expect---and what we will include on our Working on Wellness Wednesday---and the ag show too
&nbsp;
10:53/00&mdash;KELO Commercials
10:55/00---Ag Business Final
-----weather or not to expect------
&nbsp;
-----our time is up---thank you for yours

Bill Zortman brings entrepreneurs and community and state leaders together to talk about business.