Linder Farm Network Field Talk

USDA is undertaking a pilot project to make acreage reporting easier for farmers and staff. Lac Qui Parle County was selected as a test county for this efforts. USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce joined the LFN to highlight the pilot program designed to move the acreage process into the digital age. 

California's Proposition 12 remains a thorn in the side of many of the nation's pork producers. The National Pork Producers Council and others have opposed the measure saying it gives one state power to dictate farming practices in other states. However, finding a fix has been challenging. Minnesota farmer and NPPC director John Anderson joins the Linder Farm Network to discuss options moving forw...

Fertilizer prices have been volatile for months and that volatility was compounded by the conflict with Iran and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz. With a deal reportedly in place to end the war, what will this mean for fertilizer prices? Josh Linville with StoneX joins this Field Talk Podcast. 

It's important to know who is buying your product. For the National Pork Board, that means doing a deeper dive into ways to make pork attractive to today's consumer both domestically and overseas. Kiersten Hafer and Andy Tauer of the National Pork Board and former NPB director and Iowa farmer Al Wulfkuhle join this Field Talk Podcast. 

May is set aside as Mental Health Awareness Month, but stress and anxiety can be a year-round issue, especially for people involved with agriculture. Tracie Self is one of Minnesota's Agricultural Mental Health Specialists and our guest on this podcast. 

We take it for granted now, but bringing electricity to rural America was a huge accomplishment. The legislation passed 90 years ago this month paved the way for rural areas to have access to electricity. Joe Miller, communications director for the Minnesota Rural Electric Association is our guest on this Field Talk podcast. 

Farmers nationwide have watched as already high fertilizer prices spiked even higher following the start of the conflict between the U.S. and Iran and the subsequent bottleneck in the Strait of Hormuz. A project in Blue Earth could lead to a local supply of renewable ammonia. Central Farm Service CEO KC Graner joined the LFN with details on the project. 

Trade and export markets for U.S. commodities are vital for farm profitability. One of the most important trade agreements is being reviewed. Brian Kuehl, executive director of Farmers for Free Trade joins this podcast for an update on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. 

Many consumers care about how crops and livestock are raised, which is also a priority for farmers. In this Field Talk Podcast, North Carolina pork producer Chad Herring and National Pork Board Director of Animal Welfare Stephanie Wetter highlight some of the ways the pork industry is working to build trust. 

Conditions vary across Minnesota but the desire to get into the fields to start planting the 2026 crop is universal. In this Field Talk Podcast, we connect with farmers and ag professionals scattered throughout the region for an update on activity. 

Ag retailers provide farmers and ranchers with many of the products they need to raise crops and livestock. Hunter Carpenter, senior director of government affairs for the Agricultural Retailers Association explains some of the recent government actions that could affect producers. 

After several spring "false starts," winter could be making a comeback this week in Minnesota. DTN Meteorologist John Baranick joined Linda Brekke to talk about the week ahead, South American weather and if any relief is on the way for devastating wildfires. 

Pork production plays a huge role in Minnesota' ag economy while supporting and strengthening many rural communities. In this Field Talk Podcast, you'll hear from the Minnesota farmer leading the National Pork Board and two Univerisity of Minnesota graduates who dedicated 70 years to the swine industry. 

The farming landscape is constantly changing. One of the ways USDA works to track those changes is through the Farms and Land in Farms summary report. Bryan Combs with the National Ag Statistics Service joined the LFN's Linda Brekke to discuss their latest summary for the U.S. and Minnesota. 

Tne National Corn Growers Association has released a new report warning that U.S. agriculture is at a pivotal moment as the nation approaches its 250th birthday. NCGA Economist Gretchen Kuch joined the Linder Farm Network's Linda Brekke to discuss the report.

Livestock production is a vital sector of the U.S. agriculture economy. The Animal Agriculture Alliance has worked for nearly 4 decades to promote and protect the animal agriculture in the U.S. Animal Agriculture Alliance Director of Communications Emily Ellis is our guest on this week's podcast. 

Pork industry leaders gathered in Mankato for the Minnesota Pork Congress and had plenty to talk about in terms of markets and a new consumer-facing campaign. Learn more about those topics in this week's LFN Field Talk Podcast. 

Transitioning a farm from one generation to the next can be a complex process, but conversations about that process should start sooner than later. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Farm Transition Teams Coordinator Jim Molenaar is our guest on this field talk podcast.  

The EPA is expected to make a ruling in the weeks ahead on their final Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) definition. The WOTUS definition has been a moving target, often changing with presidential administrations. Minnesota Ag Water Resource Center Executive Director Warren Formo joins this Field Talk podcast to discuss the latest proposed definition and to address the upcoming Nutrient Management Confer...

The National Grain and Feed Association represents more than 700 entities across the U.S. on issues from transportation to trade. NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert joined the Linder Farm Network's Linda Brekke for a conversation about issues the organization is addressing. 

Soil compaction can rob yield and reduce productivity for years to come. University of Minnesota Extension Educator Jodi DeJong-Hughes joins this podcast to talk about compaction causes and their effects. 

So why was a Minnesota pork producer in Brazil at a global conference on the environment and sustainability? Maddie Hokanson of Canon Falls is our guest on the Field Talk Podcast to address her participation in COP30. 

The dairy industry received a welcomed boost recently with Congress' passage of the Whole MIlk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025. Now headed to the president for his signature, the bill opens options for school lunches to include whole and 2% milk. Karen Gefvert is Edge Dairy Farmers Cooperative director of government affairs and out guest on this Field Talk podcast. 

Minnesota is a leader in renewable energy production and advancement with important products like ethanol and biodiesel already in the state's portfolio. Biogas production is also happening in the state with the opportunity for much more. Brad Matuska with AURI joins this Field Talk Podcast to highlight biogas and its potential. 

The Minnesota Biofuels Association has released its 2025 annual report which highlights the positives for the past year and outlines goals for biofuels advocacy in the year ahead. MBA Executive Director Brian Werner is our guest in this Field Talk Podcast.