On Tuesday, May 2, Chicago wheat prices dropped to a 25-month low. Then prices whipped back on Wednesday and Tuesday.

What's behind all the volatility? Is it Russia? Weather? Or something else entirely that farmers should keep an eye on?

Tune in as Jacqueline Holland explains the current fundamentals influencing the wheat complex, and where prices could be headed as U.S. farmers get closer to harvest.

Sledge Taylor, who farms in northern Mississippi, discusses why he joined the program, the process involved and offers some insight into why other farmers should join, no matter their farm size. It’s an interesting program with aiming to show a competitive world market that U.S. farmers are ahead of the curve.

Inflationary pressures are finally beginning to ease in other areas of the U.S. economy. While the slower pace of increasing prices may seem like a blessing for farmers, it is actually a bit more complicated than that – and potentially not quite as rosy.

Tune in as Jacqueline Holland explains the relationship between commodity prices and inflation, the role of hedge funds, and the potential for "sticky inflation." Also, learn why it's more important than ever to focus on marketing plans and banking relationships during the 2023 growing season.

Stay up to date on the latest market commentary by subscribing to our free Farm Futures Daily newsletters sent every weekday morning and afternoon.

Then the podcast shifts gears and takes on the topic of medically important antibiotics and their availability to beef producers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is promulgating new rules on the issue but the gist is that what was once available over-the-counter, will no longer be offered that way.

Betty Haynes, Prairie Farmer, talks with Julia Herman, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association cattle specialist and veterinarian, about the issue.

On this episode, Farm Futures market analyst Jacqueline Holland interprets the main corn, soybean and wheat data from USDA's March 31 prospective plantings report. The acreage estimates from the National Agricultural Statistics Service provide the first official estimates of U.S. farmers’ 2023 planting intentions.

So, as a farmer, what do these numbers mean? How can you adjust your marketing plan, and what factors should be on your radar as planting takes off? Tune in to find out.

Learn more about USDA's March 31 reports from the Farm Futures team. Stay up to date on the latest market commentary by subscribing to our free Farm Futures Daily newsletters sent every weekday morning and afternoon.

Curt Arens, Nebraska Farmer, digs in on a recent story he wrote about a farmer in western Nebraska who innovated an approach to planting trees after a wildfire.

Betty Haynes, Prairie Farmer, talks with Julia Herman, NCBA beef cattle specialist and veterinarian, who discusses biosecurity, Beef Quality Assurance and the opportunities for producers.

Jennifer Carrico, Wallaces Farmer, talks with Mark McCully, CEO of the American Angus Association. They discuss the electronic identification system the association is encouraging seedstock producers to use.

First up, Fran O’Leary, Wisconsin Agriculturist, shares insights about the Conservation Reserve Program she gathered in a recent feature. We wrap up with an interview Betty Haynes, Prairie Farmer, did with Norman Voyles Jr., former Cattlemen’s Beef Board chair and Indiana native.

Recently, Haire was part of the program recognizing the 2023 High Cotton Award winners at the MidSouth Farm and Gin Show. He discusses that award, and highlights this year’s winners and their operations. He also discusses the upcoming Peanut Efficiency Award, sharing how that program focuses on sustainability.

We connect with the report's authors to discuss what they found and factors that could drive greater adoption of agtech in the future.

Mike Tweedy, vice president of sales; and Danielle Watts, vice president of data science, both with Pattern Ag, discuss the process they’ve created.

Chris Torres, American Agriculturist, offers a sneak peek at the show including an interesting, one-of-a-kind tractor demonstration visitors can enjoy. In addition, he discusses the new products on hand along with the expanded exhibitor list. In addition, a full slate of programs are on tap for beef producers and those managing forests and woodlands.

Jacqueline Holland, market analyst, Farm Futures, compiles information from the series of surveys the brand conducts. Her work at analyzing responses provides valuable insight to readers, and the market. But each survey digs deeper, learning more about important topics on the farm including mental health insights, or how inflation impacts your operation.

In this episode of Around Farm Progress, she shares what she learned and offers some behind-the-scenes insights on the installation of this innovation. Turning to renewable fuel as a source for drying grain could be a choice for more farmers, provided they work through the logistics and the investment.

The key is helping consumers and government officials realize the value and necessity of the technology farmers will need to meet those future food needs.

Pairwise, a startup focused in gene editing technology, is seeing success with the tool in the development of greens with a higher nutrition profile. Haven Baker, chief business officer, Pairwise discusses a new product coming to food service soon and grocery stores later in 2023. It will use the brand Conscious Foods.

Mike Wilson, executive editor, Farm Futures, got an idea for an event more than 15 years ago focused on helping farmers keep getting better. That’s the Farm Futures Summit, and a few years after it started, the Farm Futures Ag Finance Bootcamp was added. Listen to learn more about how this information-packed event is helping farmers keep getting better.

JonEbert, manager, North American public and industry relations, discussed the move in the latest episode of Around Farm Progress. The company had been at CES in a smaller way before 2019, but that year the company had a bigger exhibit, and has been at the show ever since.

Amy Kremen is associate director of IIC, and she discusses the work of the organization, as well as how data is being put to use for agriculture. One topic she also explores is an attempt by several universities to work on creating a Master Irrigator program to boost knowledge and training for farmers who want to be even better stewards of the water they have available. She explores those topics in the latest episode of Around Farm Progress.

In their discussion, Hamilton outlines trade work the organization does to support the almond industry, which helps the U.S. maintain it’s No. 1 position.

Todd Taylor, an attorney with the Minneapolis firm Avisen, is involved with new businesses, and innovations in a range of industries and he has his eye on renewable natural gas. In this episode of Around Farm Progress, he discusses the opportunities ahead and shares why it matters to farmers. A key is that renewable natural gas production is now on the same footing as solar and wind power in the eyes of financial incentive programs focused on renewable energy.

And in 2023, farmers will be hearing more about a product called CropWise. This isn’t an ad for the service, but a discussion about how digital farming is changing and what it can mean for most farmers, including those just figuring out how best to use the information they have on hand. Rod Cowman, head of digital agriculture solutions at Syngenta, discussed the challenge of turning data into knowledge, and offers some insight into the future use of these tools.

Curt Covington, senior director of Institution Credit, AgAmerica Lending, has long followed the ag economy and the policies that shape the industry. He discussed the next farm bill and what may be ahead for the new Congress. And the conversation veered farther than just discussing the mid-terms.

Curt Arens with Nebraska Farmer share the story of a trip taken by Dick and Carolee Ourada from Imperial, Neb., to Fairbanks, Alaska. The Ouradas made the trip by tractor, specifically an International Harvester 574, traveling at the top speed of 20 mph.

Liz Hunt, head, Sustainable and Responsible Business, Syngenta, explored the concept in the latest episode of Around Farm Progress. While that word, sustainability, has many definitions, Hunt helps narrow the scope and discusses practices farmers may already be doing that can help.

Betty Haynes lives on an Illinois diversified farm that includes corn, soybeans and cattle. She's the new associate editor for Prairie Farmer.

Whitney Haigwood lives on a diversified operation in Arkansas raising rice and other crops. She's the new writer for Delta Farm Press.

Both women share their insights, why they want to write about agriculture. It's a chance to get to know our the writers who provide information for our audience.

An artificial intelligence system is essentially a thinking computer, and the University of Florida is working to bring this technology to a wider range of industries. Scott Angle, senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, is part of that effort.

Angle explores the significance of this work for the university and for society.

Rethinking the crops raised on the farm can bring more profit, or improve ways farmers can engage with the local community. These are two examples from Farm Progress editors John Hart from Southeast Farm Press and Jennifer M. Latzke with Kansas Farmer.

Ginger Rowsey, Delta Farm Press, has been following this ongoing river issue and she discusses what she’s learned so far. And she shares what she learned talking with Tug Captain, Eric Badeaux, a 40-plus year river veteran. He discussed what’s been happening to him on the river. Rowsey also points out that while grain flows are limited which is weakening basis at river terminals, there is another challenge – moving fertilizer for the 2023 crop.

Recently CoBank issued a comprehensive look at the renewable fuel industry including ethanol demand and the changing nature of renewable diesel. We turned to Ken Zuckerberg, lead economist, CoBank, and author of the report to get more insight into what he found.

Farm Progress caught up with Zach Worden, sales manager at Agrian by Telus Agriculture to discuss farm data use. Agrian is a dealer-focused data management platform that can bring in farmer data for trusted advisers to use for creating recommendations. But there’s a key to making it more efficient, and Worden discusses the one tool that can help farmers really maximize data.

John Shutske, agricultural safety and health specialist at the University of Wisconsin, offers up his top five areas to focus on during the busiest times of the year. And while Farm Safety and Health Week is winding up, in fact, farm safety is a year-round issue. From lighting and the power of the slow-moving-vehicle sign to the importance of proper training, Shutske offers valuable tips.

The Around Farm Progress podcast caught up with Paul Welbig, Raven Industries, to discuss what that company is learning about deployment of driverless technology in the field.

Mike Rahm an independent consultant with more than 35 years in the fertilizer industry, shares his insights on just what factors are influencing prices – especially for nitrogen.

It’s the first time the show has been in Boone since 2018, but Wild was on hand back then. He shares some of the key issues that happen when you have a four-year gap.

But what will visitors find at this year’s show? Marsha Cheyney, outreach specialist, Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health at the University of Iowa, is coordinating the Health and Safety Tent for the show this year. She shares insight on what farm families will find when they stop by, and there’s plenty to see during a visit.

What could this market mean for farmers? And what are the challenges that make converting the airline industry to sustainable aviation fuels difficult? In this episode of Around Farm Progress, we turned to Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo, an energy company making a significant investment in sustainable aviation fuels. In addition, Gevo has already signed significant deals with major airlines to supply these fuels in the future.

While that listing has no impact on local action regarding the butterfly, the move is a concern for the ag industry. And the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did consider adding the monarch to the Endangered Species List in 2020 but put off that decision at the time. The IUCN listing raises concern that the Service may reconsider the status of the monarch in the course of its future deliberations.

This podcast premiers one-month and one-day ahead of the big show, but what will farmers see? Matt Jungmann, events director, Farm Progress, took time from his pre-show craziness to discuss the show in this episode of Around Farm Progress.

Jennifer M. Latzke, Kansas Farmer, talked with Brian Briggeman, ag economist, Kansas State University about those issues. In their talk, he offered some solid tactics farmers can use to deal with rising costs to preserve as much profit as possible.

The conversation started with his perspective of the bipartisan Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act which recently moved out of committee. He explains what drove creation of the measure and the support it has in the Senate.

Shelley Huguley, Southwest Farm Press recently explored that idea in an editorial column and shared her personal experience with the concept.

Ginger Rowsey, Delta Farm Press, recently featured farmers who are adding solar panels to their farms, she shares what she's learned.

Recently, Pioneer released information from a survey of 600 farmers, and the company also conducted field sampling research for the pest. To get a better idea of what they found, Farm Progress talked with Mary Gumz, agronomy science manager, at Pioneer to learn more.

During this podcast discussion, Gumz offers insight into resistance management, tactics to push down populations and how new tools can help farmers preserve and improve yields.

Floyd Vergara, director of state governmental affairs at Clean Fuels America Alliance, discusses the study and the benefits. It's a story farmers can share with folks unaware about bio-diesel based diesel benefits.

A big part of her work was explaining the role of modern agriculture as a tool for increasing global sustainability.

Jacqui Fatka, policy editor, Farm Progress talks with Zach Ducheneaux, administrator of USDA's Farm Service Administration, for an update on a change for Conservation Reserve Program acres, and new about disaster payments.

Haire offers a frank look at his run-in with skin cancer in the past, and recent news in his personal life. It's a lively conversation about an important topic.

And we talk herbicide resistance with Brad Haire, Southeast Farm Press, with news that Palmer amaranth may have developed a new resistance, causing more challenges for growers.

Royse shares some interesting insights into how the ag startup world has changed too and what farmers should care.

We talk with Tom Bechman, Indiana Prairie Farmer, about the latest long-range weather forecast through planting season. Then we look at the grassland wildfire issue hitting the high plains with Curt Arens, Nebraska Farmer, and Jennifer Latzke, Kansas Farmer.

The Around Farm Progress podcast connects with Matt Jungmann, events director, Farm Progress to discuss a little bit of magic. Jungmann and his team put on two of the largest outdoor farm shows in the country just two weeks apart.

Learn more at FarmProgressshow.com and HuskerHarvestDays.com

We talk with two farmers fully engaged in the process of raising food and returning what they use to the soil while extracting value. It's an interesting conversation.

He shares how the problem is growing, and shares insight into the challenges faced when you discover someone in your family is addicted to opiates. It's a different kind of episode for Around Farm Progress, but worth a listen. You can learn more about the "one pill can kill" problem at dea.gov/onepill.

It turns out there is. Guayule - pronounced "y-you-lee" - is a desert plant that thrives in places like Arizona and New Mexico and is a source of natural rubber. Bridgestone-Firestone is working on new production facilities to make rubber from the plant. In this episode, we talk with David Dierig, manager of agro operations, Bridgestone-Firestone to learn more about the plant, and the farm opportunity it might bring for producers who can raise guayule on their farms.

Then Vincent Orliange shares some insight baseball engineering details of the joint venture's approach to targeted spraying systems. It's an in-depth look at how technology is being applied in new ways on the farm.

He shares his insight on a number of issues impacting the farm equipment business.

We talk with company leaders about the new technology, it's development and what it means for farmers.

Company co-founders discuss the move and future work they'll be doing with others in the industry including John Deere. Listen in to learn more about the future of this innovation that helps users reduce their carbon footprint, and broadens the potential market for ethanol.

The Around Farm Progress podcast returns bringing new information from Farm Progress for listeners.

There's also a discussion of a new national program - U.S. Identity Preserved - designed to add value to commodity crops by better linking consumer, processor and farmer. Eric Wenberg, executive director of the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance shares insight on the new program.

We talk with Chris Torres, American Agriculturist, about this big Northeast farm show and what it offers as the doors open in February - yep an early preview. Then we connect with Rich Ansell, vice president, marketing, Roxor, about the return of this heavy-duty vehicle.

Thanks to Sarah McNaughton, Dakota Farmer, and John Hart, Southeast Farm Press, for joining the podcast this week.

Then she offers a sneak peek at a new editorial series she's starting working with grant recipients of the Farmer Veteran Coalition. Hear what she's learning.

Tom Bechman, Indiana Prairie Farmer, and Jacqeline Holland, Farm Futures, offer in-depth perspective on this very hot topic.

Then Fatka turns to Zochitl Torres Small the recently confirmed undersecretary for rural development to learn more about her priorities leading the agency forward.

Curt Arens, Nebraska Farmer, discusses a new invention that could keep farmers out of grain bins by doing the hard work of breaking up crusted grain with no operator.

We talk employee recruitment and retention with Ben Potter, Farm Futures. Then there's an interesting look at a big change in one kind of peanut grown in the Southeast. John Hart, Southeast Farm Press, shares that story.

Check in as we talk with Tom Eickhoff, The Climate Corporation; and Orland Saez, Aker Ag, to learn more about data, and new ways to capture it from your farm.

Editors Mindy Ward, Missouri Ruralist and Curt Arens, Nebraska Farmer, offer a preview.

The show runs from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 and is live for the first time in two years.

And we turn our attention to a hot topic in corn country - corn rootworm. We get the scouting lowdown and the new for 2022 isn't good.

Dena Morgan, sponsorship and activation manger, Farm Progress offers the details on many upcoming features of the show.

In this episode, Zach Ducheneaux, FSA administrator, talks with Jacqui Fatka, policy editor, Farm Progress, about a wide range of issues from pandemic-related livestock indemnity payments to the spreading drought. He shares insight on a range of topics.

John Buckley covers some wide-ranging territory in the interview including some thoughts on resilience, innovation and seeking opportunities to grow. Some of those very ideas have application on the farm.

In this episode, Jennifer Kiel, American Agriculturist, shares news of a new domestic source of this important crop nutrient that will come from Michigan.

To get perspective on that Tim Hearden and Todd Fitchette with Western Farm Press share their insights on what is becoming a more complicated issue. As reservoir levels drop, cities make their pull on water and government regulators choose subdivisions over farmland, food production will take a hit.

To get the lowdown on the big events, the Around Farm Progress podcast connected with Matt Jungmann, events manager, during another live event to learn more.

Tom Bechman, Indiana Prairie Farmer, offers some insight on his 2021 crop plots; John Hart, Southeast Farm Press, shares news from a recent small grains field day; and Jennifer M. Latzke, Kansas Farmer, offers a look at the hybrid wheat program at BASF.

Check it out.

Holly Spangler, editor of Prairie Farmer, looked at the phenomenon the best way possible – sharing the stories of women on different farms who are taking over. She shares some insights on her recent coverage of the topic. She shows how coming back, and what it means for state agricultural

He chats with Dick Wittman, nationally known farm business management consultant; and Darren Frey, Waterstreet Solutions, discusses an interesting concept in management. Both have insights that can help farmers set a solid course for the future.

Dan Glickman served as Secretary of Agriculture in the Clinton Administration, but he's done more than that and has a new memoir documenting his story - Laughing at Myself: My Education in Congress, on the Farm, and at the Movies. Jennifer M. Latzke, editor of Kansas Farmer, caught up with Secretary Glickman to talk about the book, and some of the milestones in his life.

The Farm Futures Business Summit runs June 16 to June 17. It is preceded by the Ag Finance Boot Camp on June 15. You can learn more at FarmFuturesSummit.com. Note, that during the podcast you can also hear about a special discount offer.

There are new, younger farmers entering the business. They're working hard to be part of the industry and while some are joining the family operation, often bringing new business opportunities, others are first-generation farmers entering ag for the first time. Mindy Ward, Missouri Ruralist, shares some of those stories, and discusses a new project at Farm Progress focused on these next-generation farmers.

He shares insights on the new branding strategy, and talks about the fieldwork done in 2020 in advance of full launches for two major products – the DOT Technology driverless tractor, now known as OMNiPOWER; and AutoCart, the driverless tractor/grain cart system now known as OMNiDRIVE. 

Arama Kukutai, a partner at Finistiere Ventures, discusses a new report digging into the investments in agtech and food tech and discusses them in this latest episode. 

Creating a useful, information-packed event that brings farmers back year after year isn't easy, but Mike Wilson, his editorial team and the events group at Farm Progress are making it happen and the event returns in 2021 live but moved from January to June. The official dates or June 15 for the Ag Finance Boot Camp, and June 16 and 17 for the Business Summit. 

The 735-acre facility is celebrating its 75th year serving the state and Jennifer Latzke, editor of Kansas Farmer, caught up with leadership for the organization to look back at the camp's founding. And she also looks to the future with the group. 

She took on the job late in 2020, and the company recently issued an in-depth sustainability report. Just what does sustainability mean for a farm equipment manufacturer? Parker-Smith shares insight on Agco's approach including the company's work in animal agriculture too. It's an opening conversation on corporate sustainability and offers insight into what that means for the company and its customers for the future.

We turn then to an issue we covered recently – the lack of shipping containers for ag products – and Jacqui Fatka interviewed Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., about this issue and the big infrastructure package proposed by the Biden Administration. 

Sarah McNaughton is the new editor of Dakota Farmer and shares her insight into what she'll focus on in her new role. Jennifer M. Latzke takes on Kansas Farmer and discusses what she sees as important topics as she takes over that brand. And Sierra Day enters the world of agricultural journalism as the new field editor of Prairie Farmer.

New faces bring new perspectives and new kinds of content. Get a sneak peek at what that might mean by listening to this week's episode.

Curt also did a little time traveling by going back into a 1955 edition of Nebraska Farmer to look at the state of irrigation then compared to now. Nebraska is the No. 1 irrigation state, and home to many major pivot manufacturers. He shares his insight on what he learned, including a discussion of how the irrigation industry has changed. And check out his look at the historic rise of irrigation.

Todd Fitchette, Western Farm Press, discusses issue, which is impacting not only farmers in the West, but producers in other parts of the country. He's been writing about the topic.

And Jacqui Fatka, policy editor, Farm Progress talks Jimmy Bramblett, deputy chief, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation service about a program that brings new money to innovative and non-traditional approaches to conservation solutions. They discuss the priorities for the funding, including climate smart farming. She also offers coverage about the topic online.

In this episode of Around Farm Progress, we look at some innovations that some may have missed in the big announcement including the launch of Deere's first central tire inflation system. We also cover – in more depth – what See and Spray Select really means to the market. And finally we dig into a product that may not be new, but one that's gaining more attention for crop spraying .

We turn to Holly Spangler, editor of Prairie Farmer. She recently covered this topic and offers up some highlights on that story, and some insights on how you should engage these new ideas on the farm. She explored that question recently in her story What's the right thing to add?

Temperatures dropped into the single digits during the second week of February and yet a week later, they rose back into the 70s. We wanted to get a closer look, so we turned to Shelley Huguley, Southwest Farm Press, for her insight, and while she found plenty of bad news, there was one silver lining.

Photo: Shelley Huguley

Tim Hearden with Western Farm Press shares some insights on a new initiative in the West that has implications for specialty crop producers in other states and around the world. He shares some of what he's learned, and what it might mean. And even for a row crop farmer this move to mechanization in non-traditional crops is interesting.

Photo: Vineyard tech Kaan Kurtural/UC Davis

It's an interesting look at the project, it's cost and even the relationship the Nugents have with a neighbor sharing a heated shop for the project. Tom offers more details about this machine, including some of the tech the farm is using.

And there are some more details about the Rivian electric pickup mentioned in last week's podcast. The specifications for this zero-emission vehicle will surprise most gearhead listeners. Could the truck be a game-changer? Possibly. Does the podcast host still want that test-drive? Definitely. 

Photos: Planter, Left- Tom Bechman; Rivian Truck – Willie Vogt

Then the discussion turns to technology and a recent digital posting with a look at new tools from CES, the former Consumer Electronics Show. The lineup of ideas they discuss is diverse, but the aim was to showcase some tools farmers might find interesting. The listener will have to be the judge, but you can check out the technology they discuss online.

Photos: 360 Rain/360 Yield Center; Robot Kitchen/Moley Robotics

Then we turn to Tracy Uhlman, go-to-market manager for imbedded systems at John Deere. When John Deere launched AutoPath late in 2020, a Twitter post and questions in replies got our attention. We turned to Uhlman for some more answers about this new tool and how it works. We even learned how it helped one test farm after that derecho.

Photos: Flattened corn - Meaghan Anderson, Iowa State; AutoPath screen – John Deere

Then we turn our attention to corn, fertility and a new tool that may help you maximize nitrogen use. Adam Litle, CEO of Sound Agriculture, shares insight on the new SOURCE product. He explains how it works, and some results they've seen. It's an interesting way to boost nitrogen availability to your corn crop and has shown promise on other crops too.

Photos: Cattle - Jacqueline Nix; Corn - Willie Vogt

We wanted to get a sense of what that means so we connected with two editors from Western Farm Press, Todd Fitchette and Tim Hearden.

Photos: Coffee – Todd Fitchette; Drought – Stevanovicigor/Getty Images

We connected with Mindi Vanden Bosch, who heads up the forage solutions group at Vermeer; and Mark Core, executive vice president and chief marketing officer to talk about the company's history. Since Vermeer was founded in 1948, we wondered what Vermeer was doing before he built that first large round baler.

Photos courtesy of Vermeer

Happy New Year! We're wrapping up 2020 with a little look back on some favorite stories or hot topics from last year that could be something to watch in 2021.

First up, Shelley Huguley, Southwest Farm Press, refuses to be held to just one of her favorites, so she picks three. What she shares is fun, informative and heartfelt.

Jennifer Kiel, American Agriculturist, offers a discussion about regenerative agriculture, which started with a story she did in 2020 and expects to keep following this year. She notes that for the idea to succeed regenerative agriculture must offer one feature – profit for the farmer.

And Tom Bechman, Indiana Prairie Farmer, talks agriculture technology. He shares what he learned getting a look at new tools and discusses automation, safety and even some ideas on future university research.

Photos by, from left, Shelley Huguley, Jennifer Kiel and Austin Keating

Chris Torres, American Agriculturist, shares a story he did in 2020 focused on a farmer who got COVID-19.

John Hart, Southeast Farm Press, shares the story of a family who weathered a challenge with their newborn son – it turned out well – but from that experience got the idea for a new business that uses some of their cotton.

Holly Spangler, Prairie Farmer, who talks about her in-depth profile of Orion Samuelson, an icon in agriculture.

Photos by, from left, Travis Duffy, John Hart, Wales Hunter, NAFB

And just how have consumer attitudes about food been changing under the pandemic? We got some insight from Michael Uetz, principal at Midan Marketing, an agency that does a lot of work in the meat industry. The marketing firm has been conducting monthly consumer surveys, and he shares what they've learned.

Photo: Vilsack-Willie Vogt; Survey-aydinynr/Getty Images

So how is your farm's broadband internet? Do you have any? It turns out this country has a long way to go before we can close that digital divide, but we wanted more insight on the issue.

We turned to Jon Conradi, outreach director, Connect Americans Now, a coalition of more than 275 public and private companies and groups focused on this critical issue. He talks about the group, the issues ahead and ways this group is working to close that gap. And that's no easy task.

Listen in as Conradi shares the work of his group and helps define the challenge for rural America.

Photo: solitude72/iStock/Getty Images Plus

The conversation around extreme weather is heating up as new opportunities to get paid for carbon become available, but there's more. Regulations could be coming to agriculture, but there's a diverse group of ag-focused interests that have worked hard to have a seat at the table when those talks begin. Jacqui Fatka, policy editor, Farm Futures, has been covering this issue and shares what she's learned about this group and the work they've undertaken.

Photo: hauged/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Mike Wilson, editor of Farm Futures, discusses the factors surrounding equipment replacement, why a 7-year-old machine may need to be upgraded and some financial considerations for those in the market. And he discusses how automation and technology could make a difference in the future.

Photo: Willie Vogt

More farmers are looking at managed drainage. In effect, this involves installing control structures on a tile system that can shut a tile to keep water in the soil profile, but later be opened to drain. With this approach the producer has better control of crop access to water through the season, and there's a stewardship benefit too.

Curt Arens with Nebraska Farmer and Dakota Farmer recently wrote about the practice working with a South Dakota producer. In this week's episode of Around Farm Progress, he shares how it works and what the installation has meant to that farmer.

Photos: Curt Arens

When you can't go to school and your best fund-raising event – a state fair – shuts down, what can an FFA Chapter do? Tom Bechman, editor of Indiana Prairie Farmer shares news on that topic that shows these groups can pivot with the best of them. Check out what he has to say on that topic.

Then we turn to Wisconsin where Fran O'Leary, editor of Wisconsin Agriculturist, shares news of a dairy operation that's producing renewable natural gas from its own methane, and from digester methane trucked in from other dairies. The rising need for low carbon fuel could be a new opportunity for Midwest livestock operations.

Photos: FFA logo – FFA; Renewable natural gas tanks – U.S. Gain

In this episode of Around Farm Progress, both topics get a deeper look. PJ Griekspoor, editor of Kansas Farmer who shares the story of some new technology for tracking cattle. Using just your smart phone and access to the cloud, researchers have developed a facial recognition tool for cattle. Yep, you heard that right and she shares details of how it works.

Then PJ and podcast host Willie Vogt discuss some big news from out West, the find and eradication of the first Asian giant hornet's nest in the United States. The story of the hunt and eradication effort undertaken by the Washington State Department of Agriculture is very interesting, but it also doesn't mean the end of the Asian giant hornet story.

Photos: Cattle-PJ Griekspoor; Asian giant hornet – Washington State Department of Agriculture

To get some perspective about what's a play here, we connected with Jacqui Fatka, policy editor for Feedstuffs and Farm Futures to learn more. She shares some history on the issues, how regional differences impact the beef market and looks at a two-track plan in the works, one voluntary and the other mandatory.

Then she turns her attention to the railroad industry. Consolidation in the industry, and a pandemic, have impacted how freight moves in this country. She sat in on a hearing recently and learned plenty, which she shares in the podcast. About 25% of the grain raised in the United States still moves to market by rail.

Photos: Beef – Steve Oehlenschlager; Railroad – BCFC – iStock/Getty Images Plus

In this week's episode of Around Farm Progress Mindy Ward, editor of Missouri Ruralist, shares the story of one startup that has opened a new headquarters and is working with farmers across the country to bring its tools to market. She talked with one farmer who has planted new high-oleic soybeans and shares what she learned.

Mindy then quizzes the podcast host about a recent trip he took to visit a significant new startup in agriculture just before it's full-size manufacturing plant goes online. Willie Vogt has followed Anuvia since 2016 and offers insight into this innovative fertilizer technology that adds carbon back into the soil and provides a new way to put waste to work on the farm.

Photo: Willie Vogt

In this week's episode of Around Farm Progress we're taking a little different approach and focusing on one topic – farm safety. But stick with us we're not aiming to preach but to inform and the focus is on how can we keep our kids safe. With many now having more time to help, given changing pandemic school schedules, it's worth discussing.

We turned to Holly Spangler, editor of Prairie Farmer, who has some personal experience related to keeping her kids safe. She shares those stories, but also insights she's picked up on this important topic. She has written two relevant items, one offering tips on ways to keep your children safe; and the other about her personal experience (hence the bubble wrap).

And check out the Farm Progress Virtual Experience breakout on grain bin safety for more tips.

Photo: Holly Spangler

Over in Kansas, there's a growing interest in protecting watersheds, and cover crops may be the answer, but is flying them on the only way? Turns out, there's another way and the state is providing it with new machines hard at work using drop tubes and an onboard air seeder. P.J. Griekspoor, editor, Kansas Farmer is covering the development and you can see more coverage in her story, which includes video.

Image: Combine cab – Chad Colby; cover crop seeder – P.J. Griekspoor

Brad Haire, editor, Southeast Farm Press, is covering the hurricane damage sweeping the South, but with a little help from an important resource – County Extension. He discusses the damage and more in this week's episode.

We wrap up with Shelley Huguley, editor, Southwest Farm Press, who shares the story of the Gaona family and how it got its start in farming. This is an immigrant story worth checking out.

Image: Rowsey – Tory Salvador, UT; flooded peanuts – Libbie Johnson; Richard Gaona – Shelley E. Huguley

Mike Wilson, editor of Farm Futures, has found that this is a very complicated topic, one that can't be written in one story. So far, he's written six. It started with Will farmers get paid to save the planet? And he's expanded from there. We wanted to know more so we asked him to join us.

One tactic that could be part of what farms do to boost carbon storage in the soil is to use cover crops. There are concerns that they're an added cost, but the latest National Cover Crop Survey shows some different results. We dig into the survey with Fran O'Leary, editor, Wisconsin Agriculturist.

Image: carbon credit-Visual Generation/iStock; cover crop-Willie Vogt

Holly Spangler, editor, Prairie Farmer, and Jacqui Fatka, policy editor for Farm Futures and Feedstuffs, share a look behind the curtain at creating a major feature by connecting with the campaign staffs of both Trump and Biden. The result is, posted Friday, Sept. 11 is Trump and Biden: What solutions do they bring to ag?

The feature offers insight on key policy issues of importance to farmers. Holly and Jacqui discuss some of the interesting details of the process of working with the candidates' staffs. And they offer some added perspective on what they learned.

This week we talk Hanna, Laura and the farm with two editors from the Farm Press team. Shelley Huguley, editor of Southwest Farm Press discusses the weather. From the crop-crunching drought north of the hurricane swamped coast, to the soggy fields to her south.

Then Alaina Dismukes with Delta Farm Press discusses what she's learned talking to farmers in Louisiana and Arkansas where Hurricane Laura brought plenty of rain, but also roared in with hit, or miss, winds and damage to farms across the region.

Photo: Joe Readle/Getty Images News

And Matt Jungmann, events manager, Farm Progress, shares just how his team is working to recreate – as close as possible – the field demonstration experience farmers have come to know and love. And he offers a sneak peek at a unique piece of equipment that will be on hand for a special ride and drive experience.

Photo: Computer: HAKINMHAN/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Then we take a closer look at the opportunities for selling direct from farm to consumer with Curt Arens, field editor for Nebraska Farmer. He shares insights on how this trend is helping farmers and may have added benefits for bringing in the next generation.

Then Chris Torres, editor, American Agriculturist, delves into a dairy pricing conundrum that's pandemic related. At a time when cheese is flying out off the stores and warehouses to pantries and restaurants, raising the Class III price, farmers are getting discounts in their milk checks. It turns out the way milk is priced in this country is complicated. Torres explains the process and how it's bitten dairy farmers right in the wallet.

Photos: Flattened corn - Meaghan Anderson, Iowa State; Milk – Jack Anderson, Getty Images

For those of you who like to learn more about agriculture history, we check in with Ron Smith who looks back on his 42-year career with Farm Progress as part of the Farm Press team. He's retiring as editor of Delta Farm Press and shares the changes he's seen not only in agriculture but also in rural America. It's a fascinating conversation. As part of his retirement, the Farm Press team also built this slideshow that offers comments and history of Ron's career with the company.

Photos: Kids in quarantine – Holly Spangler; Ron Smith (right) – Plains Cotton Growers

Griekspoor is also following a three-year project supported by General Mills focusing on regenerative agriculture. She offers some background on the farmers involved and the work ahead.

Burt Rutherford, editor, BEEF Magazine, got to do something few have done in recent weeks – attend a meeting. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association held its summer business meeting in-person, and virtually, in Aurora, Colorado, and he attended. He offers a look at the business conducted. And even shares that while he was following those social distance and mask rules, that can still be hard.

Photo: Mosquito: nechaev-kon/iStock; regenerative: Willie Vogt; Beef: SteveOehlenschlager/iStock

This week we're digging in to answer a lot of questions about something new – the Farm Progress Virtual Experience. This special online event, free to farmers, will fire up starting September 15 and run through September 17, but there's more. We turned to Matt Jungmann, events manager, for Farm Progress to learn all the ins and outs of this new virtual event, including new ways to do field and product demonstrations that will be an eye opener for all who check in.

In this episode of Around Farm Progress, Paula Mohr, editor of The Farmer magazine in Minnesota, shares that the state has developed a framework for farmers to use in developing their own COVID-19 response plans. And Mohr offers a warning on the crops side for two newer diseases farmers should be on the lookout for in 2020.

Ann Hess, editor of National Hog Farmer, has focused plenty of effort on coronavirus coverage, but the swine industry is dealing with some other issue too. Announcement of the new foot-and-mouth-disease vaccine bank being created is good news for the industry and she discusses what that move means. She also shares insight on further research being done with African Swine Fever.

Photo: Corn, Willie Vogt; Pigs, National Pork Board

In this episode of Around Farm Progress, we get a look at those operations from the editors that profiled the farmers, and get a look at key concepts they picked up. You'll hear from Ron Smith, Delta Farm Press, Shelley Huguley, Southwest Farm Press, and John Hard and Brad Haire, Southeast Farm Press. The insights they picked up from these forward-thinking peanut farmers have value to any in agriculture.

You can also read the farmer profiles online.

Photo: Brad Haire, Farm Press

Beef, it's on the grill this summer. But there's more going on with the beef industry, from how to cook the high-quality protein properly, to climate change, to a changing competitive landscape.

To explore those topics, in this episode of the podcast Around Farm Progress, Amanda Radke, long-time blogger for BEEF Magazine offers insight on a few hot topics, from grilling resources, to climate change and she even discusses the marketing approaches taken by meat-alternative companies. Oh, and she has an up-and-coming competitor in promoting beef, her daughter Scarlett.

Photo: Steak: Carsten Koall/Getty Images; Sign: Willie Vogt

And check out this related link to the conversation - 5 things you should know about the Bayer settlements

Photo: Delta Farm Press staff

This episode of Around Farm Progress digs into a tough topic – farm policy and support for agriculture during coronavirus. Guest editor Jacqui Fatka, policy editor for Feedstuffs and Farm Futures, offers insight on a range of topics farmers will want to check out.

Then we dig into the dairy industry, where a price spike is good news, but for how long? Fran O'Leary from Wisconsin Agriculturist covers the dairy industry and offers some perspective. She also has a look at how coronavirus is changing consumer eating habits.

Photos: Capitol – Shaun Egan; Dairy – the_guitar_mann – both iStock/Getty Images Plus

It seems in agriculture there may be a new phrase "mixed bag" and given what's been discussed in recent episodes of the podcast Around Farm Progress it could be the new watchword for the industry.

In this week's episode, Shelley Huguley, editor, Southwest Farm Press, shares insight on the wheat harvest, and how the weather is shaping up this summer to challenge the 2020 crop, from drought to windstorms. And we touch on the impact of the Ninth Circuit Court ruling on dicamba.

Mindy Ward, editor of Missouri Ruralist, builds on the dicamba conversation discussing the ruling, the confusion and what all this might mean for the future of crop protection. And she turns the tables on the podcast host to discuss how agtech might be impacted.

Photos: Wheat harvest – Shelley Huguley; Spray nozzles – Holly Spangler

Wet weather has plagued eastern growers, but the situation in the Great Plains is a little different, especially in Western Kansas. Meanwhile, out East the weather has been tough but so has the dairy market.

In this episode of Around Farm Progress, P.J. Griekspoor, editor, Kansas Farmer, shares insight on drought in Western Kansas, changing water practices, and her in-depth look at the state's beef processing industry.

Out East, wet and cold weather has been hard on crops, but the bigger issue is dairy farms. Chris Torres, editor, American Agriculturist, offers a crop update and discusses innovation and creativity he's found in the region's dairy business.

Photos: Irrigation – YuraWhite; Milk – Jack Anderson; both iStock/Getty Images Plus

For many, it may be a surprise at the diversity of crops in Michigan. In this episode of Around Farm Progress we catch up with Jennifer Kiel, editor of Michigan Farmer and Ohio Farmer magazines. She talks about a late freeze that took a bite out of the sour cherry crop, as well as other crops, and she discusses the ongoing impact of flooding in the center of Michigan.

Down south we connect with Ron Smith, editor, Delta Farm Press who shares a planting update, but also offers some interesting ag facts for a crop many may not understand – rice. And there's a double-crop for some rice producers that may surprise some listeners. In Louisiana, rice growers also raise crayfish, or is that crawfish?

Photos: Cherries – Bhofack2; Crayfish – Owen Franken. Both iStock/Getty Images Plus

Rod Swoboda, editor, Wallaces Farmer, offers insight on the topic including a discussion regarding areas of agriculture in Iowa, and the Midwest, that won't see immediate support including the egg and ethanol industries. He also discusses the impact of the pandemic on ethanol production.

Out West, farmers are turning crops under or sending them to food shelves due to destroyed demand. Meanwhile, laws put in place a couple years ago are impacting producers in new ways too. Todd Fitchette, Western Farm Press, offers some insight. And he discusses drought challenges for the West too.

Photos: USDA building Willie Vogt; Sheep Spondylolithesis/iStock/Getty Images Plus

In this week's edition of the Around Farm Progress podcast, it's a look at the challenges facing swine producers; some insight on cattle producers; and an innovative way one state is working to help assure a farmer's seed investment pays off.

Editors on tap this week include Ann Hess, National Hog Farmer; Lon Tonneson, Dakota Farmer; and John Hart, Southeast Farm Press. Listen to learn more about some key topics impacting agriculture in different parts of the country.

Ann also mentions the Global Industry Virtual Conference, May 27 and 28. This online event offers visitors critical management insight and information for a fast-changing swine industry. Make plans to attend.

Photos: Hogs deyanarobova/Getty Images; Beef Steve Oehlenschlager/Getty Images; and Cotton Willie Vogt

Today's news is swallowed up by coronavirus and Farm Progress is not ignoring the issue. In this latest episode of the podcast Around Farm Progress, three editors dig into some key ag topics.

In Illinois, Austin Keating, Prairie Farmer magazine, offers a deep dive on hemp production. This super-hot crop from 2019 may have cooled some, but farmers are still interested in the market potential. But there are some stumbling blocks to consider and Keating has been following the issue. He shares details on testing, interstate transport and the challenge of marketing this crop.

In the Southeast, pictures of crops rotting in the field are as hard on the farmers as they are on a hungry public. Brad Haire, Southeast Farm Press, shares news of growers who have pivoted as the market changed, creating new ways to put fresh crops in the hands of consumers. He also shares some good commodity news in the wake of coronavirus, and least for peanut and rice growers.

In Nebraska, the editorial team at Nebraska Farmer watched schools close and decided they had an opportunity. Curt Arens of the team shares how their online galleries for historic places in the state are gaining some attention not only from history buffs but students and teachers seeking new material for distance learning. And Arens has a teacher in the house who's learning on-the-fly how to teach remotely.

Photo: Arina Bogachy/iStock/Getty Images Plus; Jessica Brim Kirk/Lewis Taylor Farms; Peter Dazeley/iStock/Getty Images Plus

It's like there's nothing to talk about but coronavirus. And while that is true in many cases, the work of agriculture also continues. In the latest episode of Around Farm Progress, three editors share their insights from across the Corn Belt.

In Indiana, Tom Bechman, editor, Indiana Prairie Farmer, offers a look at the impact of two swine packing plant closures in that state. He also offers a look at how planting is going, including his own research corn plots at the Throckmorton Purdue Agricultural Center. He and Bob Nielsen, Extension agronomist, are conducting one of the few field tests going on at the facility in 2020.

In Illinois, packing plant closers are a kind of background worry for cow-calf producers for now, but there are concerns if trouble lingers. Holly Spangler, editor, Prairie Farmer offers insight on that issue, but also discusses how coronavirus is impacting other portions of Rural America, including healthcare. And she offers a look at the 2020 planting season from her farm.

And we wrap up in Nebraska with Tyler Harris, editor, Nebraska Farmer, who shares insight from a state where the Governor wants to reopen businesses, but some counties are hampered by flareups of coronavirus. And Tyler shares a planting update too, including a look at how different the weather is in 2020 versus 2019. Operative word: dry.

Comments? Questions? willie.vogt@farmprogress.com

First up, we dig into the ag-focused aid announced by Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue with Jacqui Fatka, policy editor for Feedstuffs and Farm Futures. She also shares some insight into increased ag market scrutiny from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Farmers are getting some aid, but there are concerns about future market impacts of COVID-19 and packer closings.

After that, we turn to the future and the 2020 Farm Progress Show and Husker Harvest Days with Matt Jungmann, national events manager, Farm Progress. He shares an update on planting progress, then digs in on what's coming to these big shows for 2020, including the Hemp Pavilion and the Autonomy Showcase. Jungmann also discusses what makes the two shows different, and special, for the markets they serve.

He also shares a little insight on something called the "good idea fairy" which long-time show visitors will enjoy learning about. Oh, and he discusses an interesting challenge of planting a hemp plot at the show sites: a need to get his fingerprints to the FBI. Give the podcast a listen to learn more.

Comments or questions? Just send a note to willie.vogt@farmprogress.com

What do you do when you can't hold meetings to keep farmers informed? With ethanol demand collapsing, plants are turning to making sanitizer, but there are other impacts as well. And while California is dealing with coronavirus, there's another approaching issue – drought.

The latest episode of Around Farm Progress visits with two Farm Progress editors to get the lowdown on those hot topics.

Mindy Ward, editor, Missouri Ruralist, shares insight on how Extension experts are able to reach out to farmers in new ways from statewide town halls to video chats to texting. And she offers some insight into what the collapse of ethanol demand looks like not only for the plants but for farmers that rely on feed byproducts.

Out west, the diverse agriculture of California is under pressure from coronavirus, and Tim Hearden, Western Farm Press, shares insight on that issue. He also raises a non-COVID-19 issue that California farmers will be facing in 2020 and that's water access with drought appearing in the state.

Ward and Hearden offer their local view of how these issues are impacting farmers and the people who support the industry.

Plants shuttered as workers get sick from COVID-19 even as farmers are loading animals into trailers to head to market. At the other end of the supply chain, supermarkets struggle to keep food on the shelf. In this dynamic and volatile market, the farmer is getting squeezed.

In this Around Farm Progress Xtra episode, editors from National Hog Farmer offer the latest insights into how COVID-19 is hurting farmers, specifically the pork industry. Editor Ann Hess and Senior Staff Writer Kevin Schulz share insight on the issues with new information from the industry about the potential impact of this changing market demand, and the programs available to farmers that could help.

Hess was a guest during the April 10 episode of Around Farm Progress and just after her interview Smithfield closed its Sioux Falls, S.D. plant after more than 200 employees were diagnosed with coronavirus. This after an Iowa pork processor closed its doors. The situation is fluid with changes happening daily. Hess and Schulz discuss key issues being raised by the industry with USDA and government leaders to bring aid to farmers, including a loan program that may help many producers.

Readers can catch the Farm Progress coverage of COVID-19 by visiting the special coronavirus online channel. Farm Progress editors are covering this event from across the country providing both local and national insight into how it impacts all of agriculture. Just visit FarmProgress.com/coronavirus.

This special edition of Around Farm Progress was produced to help keep farmers informed as news breaks. Regular episodes of Around Farm  Progress go live online at 3 p.m. Central time on all Farm Progress websites. To find those episodes you can also visit the Podbean podcast home page to catch earlier episodes and subscribe to the show.

The weekly podcast features editors from Farm Progress who cover agriculture across the country.

Farm Progress is a leader in reaching them as needed. From top magazines around the country to one of the first agriculture-focused mobile apps from Farm Futures, to the leading television presence with This Week in Agribusiness, the company covers all media for agriculture.

Comments or questions? Just send a note to willie.vogt@farmprogress.com

Photo: Camij/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Guests this week involve editors from a state magazine as well as BEEF magazine and National Hog Farmer.

Fran O'Leary, editor, Wisconsin Agriculturist, opens the podcast to discuss how milk dumping is now a business necessity as the very nature of the markets dairy producers serve is changing. The collapse of the restaurant and institutional food industries is hitting dairy processors and that's trickling down to dairy farmers across the country. She shares what she's learned in Wisconsin and offers some perspective on ideas aimed at helping alleviate the problem.

The beef industry is no stranger to outside events influence the trade. Burt Rutherford, editor, BEEF Magazine, provides insight into what's happening now, but also offers a historical perspective on the issues. Calling them "black swan" events, he notes in his history of covering the industry he's seen a half dozen, but none quite like this.

And Ann Hess, editor, National Hog Farmer, shares insight into how the hog market is being impacted by changing consumption patterns, and even how coronavirus is impacting processing plants. She also shares how the industry is ramping up to promote pork to consumers, perhaps many new to cooking these products, for the spring and summer.

Thanks for listening.

In this week's episode, we visit with Farm Futures editors to talk markets; and we feature a special guest to dig into what the weather looks like for this crop season. Welcome to the weekly Around Farm Progress podcast from the nation's leading agricultural information source. Each week we "travel" around the country talking with Farm Progress editors to explore hot topics and ideas for the industry.

In this edition we talked with Jacqueline Holland and Ben Potter from Farm Futures. And we checked in with Greg Soulje, agricultural meteorologist for This Week in Agribusiness. From the USDA report to planting weather, this episode covers it all. We even got a checkup on farmer mental health from the new Farm Progress Panel. Give it a listen.

Welcome to the weekly Around Farm Progress podcast from the nation's leading agricultural information source. Each week we "travel" around the country talking with Farm Progress editors to explore hot topics and ideas for the industry. This week we're focusing on planting, and the spring work ahead.

With planters rolling down south the podcast kicks off talking with Shelley Huguley, editor, Southwest Farm Press, where a little extra help is a good thing, and it appears the weather is cooperating. Next, we talk with Holly Spangler, editor, Prairie Farmer, about the Midwest situation including her conversations with suppliers about how the planting season is shaping up. And we wrap up with a trip to Georgia to talk with Brad Haire, editor, Southeast Farm Press. Planter are rolling, but coronavirus is causing a different problem – it's putting a crimp in 2020 university research. 

Keep up with Farm Progress coronavirus coverage at FarmProgress.com/coronavirus

Photos: Farm Progress

Welcome to Around Farm Progress a new podcast from the nation's leading agricultural information provider. Each week we'll connect with different Farm Progress editors around the country to explore hot topics and ideas of interest in agriculture. This week we're talking about coronavirus, or COVID-19, and how that impacts different parts of our industry.

On our virtual journey today, we'll start in the Northeast to talk about farm labor, we'll head to Kansas to talk about logistics, and farm support. And finally, we touch down in Indiana where we discuss just what social distancing means, and we even get a taste of some home school creativity.

Photo: Maksim Tkachenko/iStock/Getty Images Plus