Barn Talk

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...

Welcome to Barn Talk! Today, we're diving deep into the world of meat businesses and innovative farming with our special guest, Blake Albers. Blake is a fifth-generation cattleman from Nebraska, who's bridging traditional farming with modern marketing tactics. From launching a direct-to-consumer meat business to navigating the complexities of building a USDA-inspected processing facility, Blake sh...

Welcome to Barn Talk! Today, we're bringing you an inspiring conversation with Richie Parker, whose journey from an aspiring problem solver to a renowned race car engineer at Hendrick Motorsports is nothing short of remarkable. Richie shares his transformative story, detailing how he overcame everyday obstacles, engineered his path to success, and navigated new ventures beyond the racetrack as a m...

Welcome to Barn Talk! Today, we're thrilled to welcome Jason Mauck to the barn for a conversation that's sure to inspire and inform. Jason is a well-known figure on Ag Twitter, or Ag X, and is recognized for his innovative and outside-the-box thinking when it comes to farming practices. Early on, Jason didn't lean on the phrase "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Instead, he developed a reputation...

Welcome to Barn Talk! Today, we dive deep into a Q&A session packed with insightful discussions on various topics, from the challenges and dynamics of farming operations to market updates and future ventures. We tackle questions on the evolving agriculture landscape, innovative farming ideas, market potential of diversified products, and the value of legacy in farming. From exploring the potential...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today’s episode we're diving into a unique business journey with Alex Mortensen, a man who's truly brought innovation to the heartland. Alex, our guest for this episode, has turned what once was a small-town elementary school into a thriving hub for his enterprise, Iowa Forklift and Equipment. But that's not all – Alex is also a Pioneer seed dealer and is in the process of...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today’s episode we delve into a myriad of hot topics affecting the world today. We navigate the current landscape of agriculture, politics, and economics. From the intricacies of market fluctuations and the importance of restructuring financials in tumultuous times, to the impact of immigration on American agriculture, the conversation covers a wide array of pressing issue...