Barn Talk

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this Thanksgiving episode, Tork and Sawyer bring holiday cheer (and pilgrim hats) as they answer listener questions and reflect on everything they're grateful for. The discussion covers farm life, market updates, family succession, and the future of small town America, along with some honest thoughts on health and favorite Thanksgiving foods. Tune in for practical insights...

Sawyer and Tork take on everything from ag market trends and farm finance headaches to the recent NYC mayoral election and rising concerns about socialism in America. They dig into consolidation in agriculture, challenges facing young people in today’s uncertain economy, and how war and technology are shaping our future. If you’re wrestling with big questions about politics, money, and opportunity...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, Sawyer and Tork are joined by brand builder, restaurateur, and bourbon aficionado Tim Jones. From his small-town Kentucky upbringing—where cattle farming, moonshining, and greeting card factories shaped his early days—to working with iconic bourbon brands like Buffalo Trace and Weller, Tim Jones shares his journey through the world of creativity and entrep...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, hosts Tork and Sawyer open up the barn doors and let it all out, tackling everything from current farm market updates to hot-button issues in agriculture and beyond. The guys dive into the realities of input costs, farmer bailouts, tariffs, and beef prices in America, giving honest—and sometimes blunt—takes on what’s really hurting farmers and the rural ec...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, hosts Tork and Sawyer welcome fifth-generation Iowa farmer and Iowa Corn Growers Association First Vice President, Steve Kuiper, for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about the realities of modern corn farming in America. Steve shares stories from his family’s multi-generational farm, the crucial role corn plays in everything from food and fuel to cloth...

Welcome to Barn Talk! Today’s episode is all about fresh starts and relentless hustle, featuring Grant and Spencer Hilbert—the Hilbert brothers. These first-generation Iowa farmers have built their operations from the ground up, documenting every step on YouTube and even branching into farming simulation gaming and ag software development. Sawyer and Tork sit down with Grant and Spencer to talk ab...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, we’re bringing you a truly one-of-a-kind conversation with NASCAR star and proud watermelon farmer, Ross Chastain. Sawyer and Tork sit down with Ross to dig into everything—from his eighth-generation family farm roots in south Florida to his meteoric rise in the racing world. You’ll hear Ross share stories of growing up surrounded by watermelon fields, lea...

Welcome to Barn Talk. From the ins and outs of this year’s harvest – including dryer breakdowns and yield surprises – to the realities of market updates, carbon credits, and the ever-evolving pressures on modern farmers, nothing’s off limits. The guys also weigh in on the changing landscape of agriculture, the future of beef prices, and even the controversy swirling around Jimmy Kimmel’s firing. T...

Welcome to Barn Talk. Today, we’re excited to bring you a conversation that truly celebrates the grit, diversity, and heart of Iowa agriculture. Our guest is Matt Kroul—an Iowa farm kid turned University of Iowa football standout, NFL lineman, and now a passionate advocate for the future of the family farm. Matt sits down with Tork and Sawyer to share his incredible journey—from growing up surroun...

Welcome back to Barn Talk, where what happens at the barn doesn’t always stay in the barn. Today’s episode is a somber one, as Tork and Sawyer come together to reflect on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah. With heavy hearts, the hosts share their thoughts and prayers for Charlie’s family and friends, acknowledging the deep impact of his loss on the country, especially among the yo...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In this special guest episode, hosts Sawyer and Tork open up the barn doors to welcome the crew from the Farm4Profit podcast—Corey, Dave, and Tanner—for a lively, wide-ranging conversation about life in agriculture, the world of ag podcasting, and so much more. From humble beginnings podcasting in a basement bedroom surrounded by spare blankets, to building a multi-host,...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In this episode, Sawyer and Tork welcome a very special guest—Jeff Crotwell from Easter Seals Wisconsin’s Farm Program. Jeff’s story starts on a dairy farm in southwest Wisconsin, where an accident changed his life at just 16 years old. Rather than letting it hold him back, Jeff turned his experience into an opportunity to help others in the agricultural community. He no...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, Sawyer and Tork are opening up the barn doors and getting real with a good old-fashioned Q&A session. From farm life to local politics—and even makeup tips—nothing’s off the table. The guys kick things off with a lively market update, diving into the latest prices and trends for corn, beans, livestock, and more, before shifting gears to tackle your bu...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, Sawyer and Tork welcome Doug and Amy Larson from Minnesota—well-known faces in the online ag community and the family behind a thriving YouTube channel documenting everyday life on their farm. The conversation kicks off with the Larsons sharing the heartfelt reason behind their trip through Iowa—supporting a friend’s family facing childhood cancer—bef...

In today’s episode, your hosts Tork and Sawyer are coming to you from the barn with a special hybrid episode—no guest this week, but they’re diving into a mix of hot topics and answering listener questions straight from the barn floor. The guys kick things off with their signature market updates, breaking down the latest in corn, beans, cattle, and hogs. They discuss the current state of the meat...

In this episode, Tork and Sawyer kick things off with a look at farm life, crop updates, and a hard-hitting market rundown—complete with plenty of honesty about the challenges currently facing agriculture. The guys don’t shy away from the tough stuff, diving into topics like tanking grain and meat exports, the impact of tariffs, and the shifting global economy. But it’s not all stats and politics....

In this Hot Topics episode, Tork and Sawyer pull back the curtain on a whirlwind of current events that have everyone talking. From the latest on the Iran bombings and what it could mean for global stability, to some market updates and inside scoops on life in the meat business, the guys tackle the big questions with their signature blend of humor, skepticism, and straight talk. They break down co...

In this episode, we’ve got a true pioneer in the barn—Zach Johnson, better known as the Millennial Farmer. Zach’s been at the forefront of sharing real, unfiltered farm life with the world, picking up a camera and showing millions exactly what goes down on his Minnesota family farm. In this special episode, hosts Tork and Sawyer dig into what inspired Zach to start documenting his journey, how soc...

In this episode, today’s episode is a special one—it's Tork’s birthday, and Sawyer isn't letting that milestone slide quietly. They kick off the show with a candid, unscripted vibe (even tossing the usual intro aside) and jump straight into good-natured ribbing, birthday shoutouts, and Tork’s reflections on 54 years of life. Sawyer and Tork talk about everything from starting new gym routines toge...

In this episode, we’re joined by Casey Maxted—a man whose resume reads like an adventure novel. From his roots growing up on an Iowa farm to serving as a Green Beret in the U.S. Special Forces and later as an FBI agent tackling violent crime and counterterrorism, Casey has seen it all. But his story doesn’t stop there. He’s now channeling his experience and passion into entrepreneurship, running m...

In this episode, Sawyer and Tork are letting it all out, diving into everything from the current state of food and farming in America to the rapidly shifting landscape of technology and business. They dish out their unfiltered takes on AI disrupting search engines, Tesla’s wild journey in the headlines, and the potential shakeup of Apple and Meta’s tech rivalry. The guys also offer a no-holds-barr...

In this episode, Tork and Sawyer open up the barn doors for another no-holds-barred Q&A, tackling questions submitted by you, the listeners. They kick things off with a quick update on the family farm—think muddy fields, stuck trucks, and the ongoing dance with unpredictable Iowa weather. After a rundown of the current ag markets and a few laughs over late-night pig loading adventures, the guys di...

Welcome back to another episode of Barn Talk! In today’s episode, Sawyer and Tork dive deep into the world of agricultural finance with special guest Jake Espenmiller, the new President and CEO of Conterra Ag Capital. If you’ve ever wondered how tariffs, interest rates, and the shifting economic landscape are impacting America’s farms—or you just want to know what it really takes to thrive in ag f...

Welcome back to another episode of Barn Talk! Today, Tork and Sawyer dive deep into a highly requested Q&A session. This episode is packed with valuable insights into the agricultural world and their personal business ventures. From discussing the impact of tariffs on U.S. businesses and agriculture to candidly addressing the complexities of running a sow unit, they unpack crucial details essentia...

Welcome back to another episode of Barn Talk! Today, we're lighting a fire under our discussion with a Hot Topics episode. Sawyer and Tork are here to break down the latest in farming developments, market updates, and the interplay of government and big news stories. We’re kicking things off with our market insights, diving into the latest from the USDA, and touching on the deeper complexities of...