Kernels with Ohio Corn & Wheat

Ohio Corn & Wheat is putting the focus on the farm, examining the ongoing issues that skyrocketing fertilizer prices are having on farm operations in Ohio and across the country. In this special episode, OCW takes a look at what's at stake and encourages farmers, retailers, and anyone with information that could help with the FTC's investigation to come forward confidentially.

Kernels is on the road from the Small Grains Field Day in South Charleston, Ohio. Tadd Nicholson sits down with Grant Gardner, Ph. D., from the University of Kentucky, to discuss how to make wheat production profitable. And Alyssa Essman shares what researchers at Ohio State University learned about weed control that you can take to the field.

The vote for E15 passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, but the road to year-round E15 still has a bumpy ride to the finish line. In this edition of Kernels, Tadd Nicholson sits down with OCWGA President Eric Tipton and Luke Crumley, Director of Public Policy & Sustainability for Ohio Corn & Wheat, to discuss the final fight leading up to the House vote and to call on all Ohio farmers to joi...

There's a lot of talk about fertilizer costs, and for good reason, but many farmers are wondering what next year will look like. In this edition of Kernels, Tadd Nicholson and NCGA's Krista Swanson cut through the noise to get answers about what is really happening in the fertilizer market. Plus, depending on where you are in the state, a warm spring has encouraged many farmers to take advantage o...

The long-awaited vote for E15 may finally take place on May 13, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Ahead of the vote, Ohio Corn & Wheat Executive Director Tadd Nicholson sat down with Congressman Greg Landsman, D-Ohio 1st District, to discuss the recent farm bill vote, the behind-the-scenes debate over E15 and the continued push to get this issue across the finish line. Landsman has been a strong supporter...

Over the past year, trade has felt like a roller coaster ride from where we sit in Ohio. We've seen tariffs come and go, new deals announced, and some say that relationships with key partners have been tested. So what's really happening on the ground? Tadd Nicholson sits down with Reece Cannaday, Director of South Asia at the U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council, to break down how the U.S. is viewe...

In this special edition of Kernels, the OCWGA is on the ground in Washington, D.C., advocating for Ohio farmers on issues like E15, the Farm Bill, and the renewal of the USMCA trade agreement. OCWGA President Eric Tipton explains why this mission differs from previous years and why the timing of these discussions is crucial for every Ohio farmer.

Wheat can be one of the most profitable crops in the rotation, but only if you make a few key decisions in the fall and a few more in the spring. Tadd Nicholson sits down with Dr. Laura Lindsey to share practical wheat growing tips you can take straight to the field. Plus, learn more about how the Ohio Corn Checkoff is supporting an agricultural pastime, tractor pulling, to promote Unleaded 88 acr...

Fertilizer isn't optional; you can't grow a crop without it. So when the price skyrockets, it can catch your attention. In this edition of Kernels, Tadd Nicholson goes in-depth with NCGA President Jed Bower and NCGA's Nancy Martinez to break down what's driving the cost of fertilizer, and what, if anything, can be done about it. Plus, learn more about a new event in Northwest Ohio that's bringing...

Farmers know: reliable trade partners matter. Canada and Mexico are two of our best grain buyers, and that didn't happen by accident. It's because of a trade agreement signed during President Donald Trump's first term, commonly known as USMCA. But that agreement isn't guaranteed to last. In this edition of Kernels, Tadd Nicholson speaks with Lesly McNitt, Vice President of Public Policy to get ans...

In this edition of Kernels, Tadd Nicholson sits down with State Representative Dave Thomas to get answers about the debate surrounding property taxes in Ohio. Discover what solutions are being discussed, and what it could mean for Ohio farm families. Dr. Lacey Bonar Hull reveals the important role Ohio farmers will be playing in the America 250 celebration And Lindsey Schwinn from Farm Credit Mid-...

Ohio Corn & Wheat goes in-depth with NAWG's new CEO Sam Kieffer. And members of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association discover a how new exclusive discount that could help them save on their farm insurance.

2025 was an exciting year on Kernels. In this episode, we walk through 3 of our favorite conversations.  We spoke with Director Brian Baldridge at Ohio Department of Agriculture about what we can expect in the coming years. We got to know Jed Bower, an Ohio farmer and the new President of the National Corn Growers Association.  And we talked with our Ohio Corn & Wheat PAC leadership about the monu...

When you're planning this winter, health care costs should be just as important as your fertilizer or other input costs. With the farm economy in the state it's in and healthcare prices only going up without stability, there need to be a solution.   That's why we're thankful for our friends at teh Ohio Farm Bureau who've established health care solutions to fit you and your family's needs. In this...

Choosing the right agronomic practices are vital to success on your farm year over year. That's why we had a conversation with JD Bethel, Agronomy Services Director at Seed Consultants, to go over the decision making process based on what we saw out in the field this year and what we're expecting to seecoming around the corner.  Join the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association:  https://ohiocornandw...

The new President of the National Corn Growers Association is Ohio's very own Jed Bower. Have you ever wondered what it takes to be the head of a national commodity organization? This episode of Kernels is your chance other find out.  Also on this episode, get a special discount code for Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association members for the succession planning workshops provided by the Ohio State...

Dale Minyo is hanging up his microphone and stepping into retirement at the end of this year — but what will he do next?  Also on this episode, what should you be talking to your loan officer about in this farming economy?  It's all comingup on this episode of Kernels.    Learn more about Farm Credit Mid-America:  https://www.fcma.com/home Join the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association: https://oh...

The farm economy is tight right now. That's not a secret to anyone. But what is Ohio Corn & Wheat doing to get us out of this downturn in the market?  Krista Swanson is the Lead Economist at the Naitonal Corn Growers Association and a farmer in Illinois. She created a full analysis of the problem to explain how dire the situation is to anyone who needs to know. Krista joins us on this episode of K...

Land development in rural Ohio areas has reached a fever pitch in the last 20 years. This episode of Kernels walks listeners through the pace and purpose of these changes and what farmers can do about it.  Ani Katchova, a researcher and professor at Ohio State, has the details just for you.  Links: View the full economic development study by Ani Katchova: https://aede.osu.edu/sites/aede/files/publ...

In a bold and historic move from the Ohio Corn & Wheat Political Action Committee, farmers have voted to officially endorse Vivek Ramaswamy as the next governor of Ohio. This was a big decision made over a long period of time, and we have the voice of the farmer coming to you on this episode of Kernels.  This episode answers why the farmers of the OCW PAC board decided to get behind the candidate,...

If you're running a business, you need a good lawyer on your side, and a farm is no different.  Robert Moore is a leading legal voice at Ohio State Extension's Farm Office and is here to give you the start you need to get your operation on the right track.   Links: The Farm Office: https://farmoffice.osu.edu/home   Corn Yield Contest: https://www.ncga.com/get-involved/yield-contest Join the Ohio C...

Ohio Corn & Wheat is paying close attention to the MAHA movement and working behind the scenes to advocate on your farm's behalf. But we aren't the only ones.  Elizabeth Burns-Thompson is aht eExecutive Director of the Modern Ag Alliance, a group of farming organizations that are fighting the legal battles you may not know about.    Links: The Modern Ag Alliance: https://modernagalliance.org Corn...

For the 100th episode of Kernels, we're talking to the head of Ohio agriculture himself — Brian Baldridge is the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture and a farmer in Adams County. In this show Tadd Nicholson talks with Director Baldridge about the state budget, crop protection tools, land use changes, and telling the story of Ohio agriculture.    Links: Corn Yield Contest: https://www.nc...

Farmers know that pesticides are some of the most heavily regulated products in the world. We know that these products are safe and necessary for the health of our food system. We know that the suggestion of childhood illness being due to the sound science we use on our fields is ridiculous. The MAHA Comission Report came out earlier this month and made some bold claims about pesticides and their...

The Ohio Corn Checkoff is serious about finding a solution for Vomitoxin. This episode of Kernels is all about one of the most exciting outcomes from this project — an interactive weather model that growers can use to determine their fields' risk of vomitoxin infection with just a little information.  Tadd Nicholson talks with Dr. Pierce Paul, Chair of teh Department of Plant Pathology, to go over...