Blog---August 22, 2025—10-11—It’s YOUR Agri Business

  Our It’s YOUR Agri Business Show continues to approach the 5,000 number—but we always do it –one show-one guest at a time.

  In this show—Agri Business ---we talked with Darren Hefty Ag PHD---about---key factors that made a lot of sense

• Farmers-what they are seeing at the end of the season
• Darren spent time in Minnesota—and during this week he saw rainfalls 4-8 inches in some places
• Kids in most places have returned to school. The season has and is changing
• Plus he gave some insight into the crops themselves—and where they probably are headed as harvest time moves closer if not already here.

    Danita Murray—who heads up South Dakota Corn talked with us---she gave us a discussion on the hopes the corn growers have as we approach some harvesting but so much to come. You’ll see Danita again this week on the road—with the South Dakota State Fair--- and yes we are all concerned about tariffs, market prices, and what the bottom line will be with those with ears of corn they want to get to market.

    We talked with Christy Vantenhout—about the big event at McCrossan Boys Ranch coming at 5PM Saturday. She shared it is the most jaw dropping, extreme action packed event with the rodeo, barrel racing, mutton bustin and bull riding.

    As usual we talked about buying early to save money----which can include Hagele’s Western Store, both Running locations or the McCrossan Visitors Center.

    McCrossan Boys Ranch has now been serving at-risk youth for 70 years this year. She explained more in our 1 on 1 event hoping to get folks in the seats—to support this highly important scenario.

    We heard from Sarah Heinrich—Growing Harvest Network in Fargo---Matt Swenson gave us the morning grains, meat, and big board on Wall Street.

    The President of South Dakota Soybeans—Kevin Deinert—a Mt Vernon farmer talked to us about a few of the key factors we needed updating on:

• New High Plains Soybean Plant
• New Crop Potential
• Trade/Tariffs
• New Crop potential –and what he sees leaving the field really soon.

     As we have done for almost 4 years now—Alla from Ukraine along with her family—talked us thru what she is seeing as she and farm reporters like me visit communities across South Dakota. What we hear is the need to have more Ukrainians in our state. They are hard workers and for the most part South Dakota needs more and more hard workers. Having made the rounds in South Dakota to a number of regional meetings I have been surprised at the number of those looking for workers want the Ukrainians. They are described as like the hardest working South Dakota residents----and if they are not happy in other states we need to get them here. It is surprising---but labor is a key ingredient in South Dakota---and these folks have earned what is being said about them.

     We talked with Candi Briley---about the South Dakota State Fair that happens this coming week. We’ll be live on location in Huron at the Fairgrounds to do our 9-11 show on Friday August 29th. It’s a trip we like to make each year---talking to not only in agriculture, the kids, statewide leaders, and people that really show up in large numbers. Candi shared in 2024—we had 186,000 who attended the Fair.

    Laura Edwards—South Dakota State Climatologist—set the stage for fair week weather---what she is seeing statewide in South Dakota---and our hopes for the harvest season---and weather that will cooperate.

    Our It’s YOUR Agri Business show--- is designed to follow South Dakota’s #1 Industry--- we work with Farmers Union, Farm Bureau, youth organizations, corn and beans, yes all ages talking about today, tomorrow and beyond.

    Listen live to the show at 1320, 105.1, 107.9—use the KELO App—streaming on line or just ask Alexa. Norm Anderson posts the show as a podcast. My job is to write the show, schedule the guests, and complete this blog that tells you whats in the show. Questions for me feel free to call/text at 605-728-2455 (BILL) or email me at bill.zortman@mwcradio.com.