Blog—July 25, 2025—10-11—It’s YOUR Agri Business

  Our It’s YOUR Agri Business Show---shared story lines in agriculture and rural South Dakota---on this last Friday of July.

  Darren Hefty—Ag PHD is readying for an expected 10,000 that will be on the Hefty property this coming Thursday—the last day of July.

  It’s become quite the tradition as people from around the country, around the world and yes the neighbors from the Dakotas, Minnesota and Iowa---head to the Baltic homestead.

 Darren does not only our weekly radio show—but Sirius 143 or is it 147 that broadcasts mid-afternoon. They are believable—they are good at what they do--- and so many people talking agriculture—how visitors and followers can learn—and be more successful tomorrow.

  I’m always interested in the young people who do get lunch out of it as well as all on the ground----learning the inside and outside of agriculture in 2025. We’ll follow along and see who is attending--- and what they thought of just how the Hefty’s do such a good business.

  With all the scholarships –information flow and so much more—the Hefty’s even though I’m shorter—will always look up to.

  Roger Chase—is the State Executive Director of the Farm Services Agency---and we had the go ahead to talk about the current Grasslands CRP Signup deadline that is August 8th. It is designed to help landowners and operators protect grassland, including rangeland, pastureland, and certain other lands while maintaining the areas as grazing lands.

  FSA provides annual rental payments to participants in return for implementing conservation measures into a haying, grazing, idle or wildlife habitat plan.

  Through the conservation of America’s essential grasslands, Grassland CRP supports continued ag productivity while at the same time prioritizing land stewardship. By offering landowners the best of both worlds, economic viability and working lands preservation—Grassland CRP provisions support USDA’s commitment to Farmers First.

   Congressman Dusty Johnson was on the road---and we talked about the military side he was recognizing today—as well as his decision to run for Governor. He’ll have opponents----but sometimes the stories you hear about other former governors were just not true. Dusty’s family and his constituents are watching—and we know it’s a number of months away---and he’s got work to do in the house. We’ll keep a close eye on him----as well his family---and keep you posted on what he'll do next.

   Sarah Heinrich—had the Growing Harvest Network from KFGO in Fargo—Matt Swenson—looked at the morning commodities—and yes the big Board on Wall Street thru Swenson Commodities.

   We have been opening our radio shows with the Blacburn Studios lead in—and the music---This Ole House. This last week from Eastern Sioux Falls to a good part of South Dakota—4 inch rains were common. Blackburn Foundation Repair was at work----we got the play by play from Zack Appletoft and Miguel LaVoy---who were busy when the calls started coming in asking for help. We took them thru what to do---how long it can take to get around to being helped---and how to watch your basement so that you’ll be ready. We learned about the Triple Safe Sump Pump and the safeguards that are put in place to make sure a sump pump failure doesn’t happen. Both them can swim if needed but more importantly they can help those home owners that are learning about waterproofing—clean space and drainage.

   Zach and Miguel were able to answer my questions----and they can answer yours if you are ever in that 4 inch rain that didn’t want to stay outside-but head to your house.

  The Storms are going to happen -and we’ll continue to work with Blackburn—to teach and keep you ready when the emergency comes—and they will.

   Melissa and Brenda Dryer have taken us on a journey this week with what they call Cut Flower Farm Tour that began today at 9AM at Eden Acres near Alpena.

   South Dakota Producers are growing their own veggies -just look at the farmer’s markets—today—they were growing flowers-people were having lunch—and we learned about the event with the coordination of the SD Special Producers and SD State University –quite the event and a Pumpkin event that was planned had to be cancelled because of the storm this week.

   We’ll do that tour again.

   Then we heard from Mr. Tree John Ball—coddling moth and apple magnets were making news. Works were invading apples and orchards. Tree talked us thru what we should know is happening—and the fact that he actually teaches at SDSU---about orchards—warms and neat things your youngsters may really want to know.

   Our It’s YOUR Agri Business Show---got quite the road trip in this show---but we shared things we had been taught this week—and hopefully it will help you.

   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 schedule the guests-learn what they will be sharing—so that we can have quite the conversation on our air-waves. I write the podcast to inform you some of the things in the show—and what we can give you help with.

   Questions for me—feel free to call/text at 605-728-2455 (BILL) or email me at bill.zortman@mwcradio.com.