Tractors And Troubadours

Ep. 148: Controlling Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, cattlemen look to November, improving soil fertility, the music of Whey Jennings

On this episode, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was the topic of a special gathering of ag and federal regulatory officials in North Carolina. We’ll detail their concerns. Also, cattlemen are keeping a close eye on Washington, D.C. as Congress returns to town and as the November elections approach. We’ll hear form a representative of the Idaho Cattle Association, then we’ll get some perspective from the American Farm Bureau Federation. We’ll introduce you to a new soil fertility specialist at the University of Illinois, and a key University of Missouri report is out an it will help frame the discussion on global agricultural stocks. Also keeping a close eye on those stocks is Rabobank’s Stephen Nicholson. We’ll get his take on what the markets could look like once all that grain is harvested. Dairy prices have experienced some late-summer fireworks and we’ll tell you why, and what it could mean for dairy farmers. In our “Meat Monitor” segment, we learn about the U.S. Meat Export Federation and red meat producers’ effort to take importers from Mexico, Central America and South America to school at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and in “Bushels and Cents,” Ray Bohacz says proper preventative maintenance on your generator could help you avoid problems in crucial situations. The episode also features the music of Whey Jennings.  Timestamps Intro and news: 0:00 Steve Troxler (North Carolina Ag Commissioner), Robert Califf (FDA): 6:47 Cameron Murony, Idaho Cattle Association: 9:46 Ryan Yates, American Farm Bureau Federation: 11:12 John Jones, University of Illinois: 12:47 Dr. Pat Westoff, University of Missouri: 14:20 Stephen Nicholson, Rabobank: 15:56 Ryan Yonkman, Ever.Ag: 18:57 Dave Bruntz, Valery Ways, Manuel Jarpa, USMEF: 21:34 Ray Bohacz, “Bushels and Cents”: 22:54 Whey Jennings: 24:32

Ep. 147: Farm Progress Show, keeping moisture in the soil, ProFarmer Crop Tour Eastern Leg Results, the music of Randy C. Moore

On this episode, the Farm Progress Show was held this week in Boone, Iowa, and we hear from show manager Don Tourte about what this year’s show offered. Also, the U.S.’s ag trade deficit continues to grow and we’ll delve into the “why.” And, the USDA’s Climate Smart Commodities Program continues to grow, and this week U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Wisconsin this week to tout some of the latest developments. Cover crops are an important part of that program and this week we find out how they play a role in keeping moisture in the soil. Also, we revisit the Pro Farmer Crop Tour with a look at Eastern Leg results. And, DEKALB is back as a key partner in one of the most iconic baseball movie settings in Cinematic history: the “Field of Dreams” diamond in Dyersville, Iowa. We also take you to San Francisco, where United Soybean Board leaders met recently to share their story with global buyers to educate them on U.S. soybean farming. In our “Meat Monitor” segment, we learn more about efforts to build trade relations between the U.S. and Colombia, and in “Bushels and Cents,” Ray Bohacz discusses the importance of flushing sprayers after use. The episode also features the music of hit singer/songwriter Randy C. Moore, whose latest single is a tribute to the originator of the Parrot Head lifestyle, Jimmy Buffett. Timestamps Intro and news: 0:00 Don Tourte, Farm Progress Show: 6:31 Betty Resnick, American Farm Bureau Federation: 8:02 Tom Vilsack, U.S. Department of Agriculture: 10:00 Jimmy Emmons, Dewey County Conservation District, Oklahoma: 10:51 Brian Grete, Mark Bernard, Mike Zuzolo, ProFarmer Crop Tour: 12:34 Jamie Horton, DEKALB: 14:52 April Hemmes, United Soybean Board: 16:24 Courtney Heller, U.S. Meat Export Federation: 20:18 Ray Bohacz, “Bushels and Cents”: 23:32 Randy C. Moore: 25:10

Ep. 146 ProFarmer Crop Tour, weighing on-farm crop storage, caring for mental health on the farm, the music of Sienna Rose

On this episode we hear a  recap of corn and soybean conditions from participants of the ProFarmer Midwest Crop tour. Also, with harvest approaching, is bin storage on the farm in your best interest? And, a cause for optimism for dairy farmers, and a U.S. Representative’s take on farm bill proceedings. We’ll also hear about some great mental health work being done in the agricultural industry by the Wisconsin Farm Center. In our “Meat Monitor” segment, U.S. Meat Export Federation Chair Randy Spronk recently made his way to Indonesia to try to five the U.S. pork industry a boost in that country, and in “Bushels and Cents,” Ray Bohacz wants to know if you’re treating all of your equipment equally. The episode also features the music of Sienna Rose. Timestamps Intro and news: 0:00 ProFarmer Crop Tour: 6:12 Frayne Olson, North Dakota State University: 11:10 Shawn Hackett, Hackett Financial Services: 12:42 Nikki Budzinski, U.S. House of Representatives: 14:20 Karen Endress, Wisconsin Farm Center: 17:02 Randy Spronk, U.S. Meat Export Federation: 20:05 Ray Bohacz, “Bushels and Cents”: 22:35 Sienna Rose: 24:01

Ep. 145: Farm transition planning, a closer look at key USDA grain estimates, Harvest Safety Week, mitigating cattle heat stress, the music of Austin McKedy

On this episode, we talk farm transition planning with Tim Cobb, the owner and president of Farmland Company. Then, Harvest Safety Week is coming up and we’ll tell you how you can sharpen your awareness with some special resources. Also, some key USDA grain projections are out and we get some important context from University of Illinois economist Joe Janzen. And, the American Bankers Association is pushing for the passage of the ACRE Act. Find out why, and what, it could mean for the future of farm lending. Then, the issue of liver flukes in cattle doesn’t seem to be going away. We’ll tell you what you need to be on the lookout for. We also tell you about some groundbreaking research that could keep calves out of harm’s way in extreme hot weather. In our “Meat Monitor” segment, we take a look at U.S. red meat exports for the first half of 2024. In “Bushels and Cents,” Ray Bohacz says don’t jump to conclusions if you see blue smoke coming from the tailpipe of your automatic transmission farm truck. The episode also includes the music of Clarksville Creative Sound recording artist Austin McKedy. Timestamps Intro and news: 0:00 Tim Cobb, Farmland Company: 6:33 Jess McCluer, National Grain and Feed Association: 8:33 Joe Janzen, University of Illinois: 11:26 Ed Elfmann, American Bankers Association: 13:38 Dr. Jody Wade, Boehringer Ingelheim: 15:15 Grace Larsen, University of Wisconsin: 17:44 Dan Halstrom, U.S. Meat Export Federation: 22:24 Ray Bohacz, “Bushels and Cents”: 24:50 Austin McKedy: 26:24

Ep. 144: FFA hits membership milestone, talking biologicals with Helena, mitigating red crown rot, ag bioscience legislation could be a boon, the music of Mackynsie McKedy

On this episode, National FFA Organization hits the 1 million-member mark, Helena offers up biological option for getting crops across the finish line, a closer look at rising farmland values, and farmers are on the lookout for red crown rot in their soybean crop. Also, the Plant Based Product Council believes new ag bioscience legislation could prove to be a boon to the agriculture industry, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is working to bring young producers into the fold, tips for mitigating outdoor allergies, and in our “Meat Monitor” segment, we learn about the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s efforts to bring high-quality U.S. beef and pork to Sam’s Club stores in China, and in “Bushels and Cents,” Ray Bohacz discusses starter troubles. The episode also features the latest single from Clarksville Creative Sound recording artist Mackynsie McKedy. Timestamps Intro and news: 0:00 Kristy Meyer, National FFA Organization: 6:07 Danny Munch, American Farm Bureau Federation: 7:46 Mike Powell, Helena Products Group: 9:29 Boris Camiletti, University of Illinois Extension: 12:46 James Glueck, Plant Based Products Council: 14:05 Colin Woodall, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association: 17:20 Kenneth Mendez, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: 19:41 Jihae Yang, U.S. Meat Export Federation: 21:51 Ray Bohacz, “Bushels and Cents”: 24:00 Mackynsie McKedy: 25:25