USDA crop reports influence billions of dollars in agricultural markets—but what if the system behind them is overdue for a major overhaul?

This week on Unscripted, Tyne Morgan and Clinton Griffiths sit down with former U.S. Ambassador and Indiana farmer Kip Tom, who has been tapped by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to help modernize the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Kip shares how new technologies—including satellite imagery, digital farm data, and AI—could improve the accuracy, transparency, and frequency of USDA crop reports while giving farmers better information to make marketing decisions. He also explains why producer participation matters, what he learned from evaluating cutting-edge ag technologies, and how USDA plans to gather farmer input through nationwide listening sessions.

USDA crop reports influence billions of dollars in agricultural markets&mdash;but what if the system behind them is overdue for a major overhaul?
This week on Unscripted, Tyne Morgan and Clinton Griffiths sit down with former U.S. Ambassador and Indiana farmer Kip Tom, who has been tapped by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to help modernize the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
Kip shares how new technologies&mdash;including satellite imagery, digital farm data, and AI&mdash;could improve the accuracy, transparency, and frequency of USDA crop reports while giving farmers better information to make marketing decisions. He also explains why producer participation matters, what he learned from evaluating cutting-edge ag technologies, and how USDA plans to gather farmer input through nationwide listening sessions.

Unscripted is a show where scripts take a back seat. Hosts Tyne Morgan and Clinton Griffiths put down the teleprompters and let the conversations flow naturally. Each week, they bring in fellow Farm Journal hosts and editors to share behind-the-scenes insights on the stories we've covered, giving you a chance to meet the personalities behind the personalities.

Unscripted is a show where scripts take a back seat. Hosts Tyne Morgan and Clinton Griffiths put down the teleprompters and let the conversations flow naturally. Each week, they bring in fellow Farm Journal hosts and editors to share behind-the-scenes insights on the stories we've covered, giving you a chance to meet the personalities behind the personalities.

Unscripted

Unscripted: Inside USDA's Plan to Modernize Crop Reports with Kip Tom

Country music star and newly appointed Special Envoy for American Landowners John Rich joins Unscripted for an in-depth conversation about the growing fight over private property rights in rural America. Rich explains why he accepted the role, how he's working with the Trump administration to advocate for farmers and ranchers, and why he believes protecting farmland is a matter of national security.

Then, Washington ranchers Wade and Teresa King share their firsthand account of a years-long legal battle with state agencies after routine maintenance on livestock stock ponds led to investigations, fines, and criminal allegations. They discuss the financial and emotional toll, why they're continuing to fight, and what they believe is at stake for family farms across the country.

Join Tyne Morgan and Clinton Griffiths as they explore the challenges facing America's landowners, the future of property rights, and why these battles could have lasting implications for agriculture nationwide.

Country music star and newly appointed Special Envoy for American Landowners John Rich joins Unscripted for an in-depth conversation about the growing fight over private property rights in rural America. Rich explains why he accepted the role, how he's working with the Trump administration to advocate for farmers and ranchers, and why he believes protecting farmland is a matter of national security.
Then, Washington ranchers Wade and Teresa King share their firsthand account of a years-long legal battle with state agencies after routine maintenance on livestock stock ponds led to investigations, fines, and criminal allegations. They discuss the financial and emotional toll, why they're continuing to fight, and what they believe is at stake for family farms across the country.
Join Tyne Morgan and Clinton Griffiths as they explore the challenges facing America's landowners, the future of property rights, and why these battles could have lasting implications for agriculture nationwide.

Unscripted: John Rich's Fight to Protect Americans' Property Rights

As New World screwworm reaches the United States and uncertainty continues around the U.S.-Mexico border, Oklahoma State University livestock economist Derrell Peel joins Tyne Morgan and Clinton Griffiths for a wide-ranging conversation on the issues shaping the cattle industry.

Peel shares insights from nearly four decades studying cattle markets, explains how Mexico's cattle industry has evolved, and discusses what border closures could mean for producers on both sides of the border. The trio also dives into drought concerns, herd rebuilding challenges, beef demand, and why record cattle prices may have further room to run.

From market fundamentals to policy debates, this episode cuts through the noise to provide perspective on one of the most complex and consequential moments the cattle industry has faced in years.

As New World screwworm reaches the United States and uncertainty continues around the U.S.-Mexico border, Oklahoma State University livestock economist Derrell Peel joins Tyne Morgan and Clinton Griffiths for a wide-ranging conversation on the issues shaping the cattle industry.
Peel shares insights from nearly four decades studying cattle markets, explains how Mexico's cattle industry has evolved, and discusses what border closures could mean for producers on both sides of the border. The trio also dives into drought concerns, herd rebuilding challenges, beef demand, and why record cattle prices may have further room to run.
From market fundamentals to policy debates, this episode cuts through the noise to provide perspective on one of the most complex and consequential moments the cattle industry has faced in years.

Unscripted: Why Record Cattle Prices May Still Have Room to Run Despite New World Screwworm Concerns

On this episode of “Unscripted,” hosts Tyne Morgan and Clinton Griffiths throw out the script for a wide-ranging conversation on the growing divide between rural America and Washington, D.C.

Political strategist Michael Amato breaks down exclusive new polling of nearly 1,000 farmers and ranchers, revealing mounting frustration over rising input costs, volatile markets, trade policy, and whether elected officials truly understand life on the farm. Then, rural politics expert Nicholas Jacobs joins the conversation to explore how rural voters are shaping America’s political landscape, why community matters more than individual economics in rural decision-making, and whether the country can overcome the growing “us versus them” divide.

From diesel prices and midterm elections to trust in government and the future of rural America, this episode delivers an honest, thoughtful discussion about the pressures facing farmers and the voices behind the headlines.

On this episode of &ldquo;Unscripted,&rdquo; hosts Tyne Morgan and Clinton Griffiths throw out the script for a wide-ranging conversation on the growing divide between rural America and Washington, D.C.
Political strategist Michael Amato breaks down exclusive new polling of nearly 1,000 farmers and ranchers, revealing mounting frustration over rising input costs, volatile markets, trade policy, and whether elected officials truly understand life on the farm. Then, rural politics expert Nicholas Jacobs joins the conversation to explore how rural voters are shaping America&rsquo;s political landscape, why community matters more than individual economics in rural decision-making, and whether the country can overcome the growing &ldquo;us versus them&rdquo; divide.
From diesel prices and midterm elections to trust in government and the future of rural America, this episode delivers an honest, thoughtful discussion about the pressures facing farmers and the voices behind the headlines.

Unscripted: Inside USDA's Plan to Modernize Crop Reports with Kip Tom

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