Barn Talk

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...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today’s episode we welcome a special guest, Jared Flynn, who takes us on an incredible journey from his rural beginnings to becoming a trailblazer in the logistics world. Jared shares captivating tales from his childhood on a small farm, witnessing the sights and sounds of sawmill life, and how those early experiences shaped his work ethic and ambitions. He recounts his pa...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today’s episode we kick things off with answering questions submitted by listeners like you. From discussing the new look of our barn and Super Bowl prep to giving insights into the ever-changing world of farming equipment and market trends, this episode covers it all. We also share thoughts on the recent political shifts, media changes, and even delve into starting a YouT...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today’s episode we kick things off with a deep dive into the crucial role of farms in our everyday lives, as well as some insight into the challenges and successes Sawyer and Tork have been facing on their own farm. Next, we’ll tackle the ever-changing landscape of the commodities market, providing both a snapshot of the latest numbers and our own predictions for the futur...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today's episode we sit down with the multifaceted Taylor Moyer. Taylor's journey spans from his roots in agriculture to the high-octane world of NASCAR and back to farming and ranching. In this episode, Taylor shares his insights on balancing family care with personal excitement, the invaluable lessons learned from mentors like Richie Parker, and his reflections on slowing...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today's episode we dive into a range of interesting topics. We kick things off by discussing political strategies aimed at stirring up chaos around elections and the surprising resilience of certain political figures. The conversation then shifts to President Biden’s controversial pardons. On a lighter note, Sawyer and Tork reflect on the successful year at their venture,...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today's episode we are thrilled to have Jace Young, founder of Legacy Farmer, join us for an insightful and thought-provoking conversation. Jace shares his extraordinary journey from the banking sector to becoming a pivotal figure in agricultural financial advisory. Listen in as Jace recounts a transformative experience of eating from a dumpster, which led him to deeper pe...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today's episode we have a special guest joining us, Cole Sonne, a renowned cattle farmer from South Dakota. We get into discussions about the extensive fence upgrades Cole and his father Brian have undertaken. With stories about cattle escapes, fencing technologies, and the tremendous effort required in farm operations, there’s a lot to uncover. We’ll also explore the nuan...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this episode, our special guest is David Newman, the Senior Vice President for Market Growth at the National Pork Board. We'll dive deep into the pork industry, exploring everything from how food and clothing originate from farms to the intricacies of the Pork Checkoff program. David will share insights on domestic and international pork marketing, the pivotal role of rese...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this episode, we dive into a lively Q&A session, packed with humor, stories, and insightful debates. We kick things off with a spirited discussion about an intriguingly named whiskey brand, "Chicken Cock," leading to a playful exchange about alternative animal-inspired names and a tasting review of a potent, caramel-noted bottle. Tork recounts his recent whiskey purchase a...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this episode, we dive deep into the political landscape following Donald Trump's recent victory. Tork vocalizes strong support for Trump, emphasizing his ability to govern effectively and improve American lives, while criticizing the political left for allegedly creating crises to distract from his objectives. Our hosts explore the shifting political tides as prominent fig...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this episode, we dive into the intricate world of manure and fertilizer management in farming operations. Our guest, Rachel Rinner, joins us to shed light on the challenges, misconceptions, and increasing regulations that farmers face. We'll explore critical topics such as the pressures from environmental activists on the (DNR), the overlooked contributions of residential...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this episode, we dive deep into the latest agricultural practices, revealing the ins and outs of winter crop establishment, organic matter building, and the intricacies of manure application. We’ll touch on the pressing concerns of cover crop costs and innovative residue management techniques. But that’s not all – we also explore the brewery industry's challenges, from loc...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this episode, we navigate a whirlwind of conversations that span automation's impact on the American workforce, geopolitical tensions, and the ever-evolving landscape of robotics and AI. We'll explore the future of dock workers in the face of rising automation, the Biden administration's attempts to stave off economic ripple effects before elections, and the dire implicati...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this episode, we chat with Clayton from Atlas Media Solutions, who shares his journey of turning his passion for media into a mission to support family farming operations. Clayton highlights perseverance and teamwork in overcoming agricultural challenges and offers advice to young hopefuls in the field. He recounts his path from media burnout to founding a dedicated agricu...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In today's episode, we dive into the importance of voting and independent thinking, drawing on historical examples to highlight the dangers of complacency. Shifting gears, we sample a bottle of Baker's Seven whiskey, offering detailed tasting notes and ratings before discussing our preferences and other whiskey brands. We also critique the media's portrayal of public sen...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In today's Q&A session, we'll be talking about everything from balancing the financial and emotional aspects of family farming to the nitty-gritty of commodity prices and market dynamics. We'll tackle a pressing question from Adam in Ontario who's wrestling with a lucrative buyout offer for his family farm and the legacy it represents. We'll weigh the emotional ties agai...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this one, we dive into a great conversation with Vance Crowe, a visionary in the fields of bitcoin, farming, and legacy preservation. In this episode, we'll explore the revolutionary idea of utilizing blockchain for fair voting systems, the benefits of saving in Bitcoin, and the exciting prospects of the Lightning Network for faster transactions. Vance also opens up about...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this one, we tackle a multitude of topics, from the intricacies of hog farming and the impact of legislation like Prop Twelve, to our thoughts on exercise routines, music preferences, and the challenges of running an Airbnb. We also touch on market updates, the importance of moderation in dietary habits, and the ever-evolving dynamics of direct-to-consumer meat businesses...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this one, we dive deep into the world of farm equipment and ag business with our special guest, Greg "Kentucky" Koch. Greg, who owns a small farm and an equipment auction business, brings a wealth of knowledge as we explore the current trends and challenges facing the industry. We'll discuss the strength and potential decline of grain carts, semis, and hopper trailers, and...