The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family

Welcome to Episode 145 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we talk with the U.S. Department of State's Special Envoy for Global Food Security about what it will take to meet global food needs in 2050. The episode also includes a discussion about how farmers can save thousands of dollars on their taxes, through IRS-approved tax-saving plans offered by BASE. Resources mentioned in this...

Welcome to Episode 144 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek shares the Iowa farm implications of record-low Mississippi River water levels and other avenues for farmers to market their crops. And Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Advisory Committee Chair Vanessa Trampel discusses the challenges and opportunities facing young f...

Welcome to Episode 143 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode explores a new tool that allows farmers to easily search and compare the best cash bids for grain in their area. It also features a Farm Bill update, from Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson.

Welcome to Episode 142 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode features cybersecurity tips for farmers and the story of an Iowa student who was inspired to pursue innovative cattle research following a near-death experience on her family's farm.   Resource mentioned in this episode: Iowa's Jasmyn Hoeger named a finalist for National FFA's American Star in Agriscience award

Welcome to Episode 141 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode will help prepare farmers for the beginning of the busy and often stressful harvest season. Adrienne DeSutter is an Illinois farmer, a counselor, and a nationally-recognized Ag Mental Health Specialist (through Sow Hope Grow Hope ). She joins The Spokesman Speaks podcast to share her thoughts on how farmers and their families can...

Welcome to Episode 140 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode features Farm Rescue, a nonprofit organization that provides on-farm assistance to farm families who have experienced a major injury, illness or natural disaster. Farm Rescue Development Officer Terry Johnston and Iowa volunteer Ron Donohue share Farm Rescue's work and how Iowans can support it. Resources mentioned in this episod...

Welcome to Episode 139 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episodes highlights Iowa Farm Bureau's work to support diverse rural businesses, including a Slater, Iowa-based company that uses algae to treat water for cities. The episode also includes a conversation with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig about Iowa's Grain Indemnity Fund, which Iowa will begin replenishing on September 1. Reso...

Welcome to Episode 138 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode features a mid-summer market analysis by Karl Setzer of Mid-Co Commodities and a crop conditions update from Bayer Crop Science agronomist Andrew Penney.   Resources mentioned in this episode: July WASDE and quarterly stocks webinar recording Reasons to visit Iowa Farm Bureau at the Iowa State Fair Register for upcoming Renew Rur...

Welcome to Episode 137 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we recap the key takeaways from Iowa Farm Bureau's recent Market Study Tour of England and Scotland, and we discuss the possible implications for farmers here in Iowa.

Welcome to Episode 136 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode will prepare farmers for discussions they'll be having with landlords in the coming weeks and months. Former ISU and current Cornell University economics professor Dr. Wendong Zhang shares the latest information on who owns Iowa's farmland, and attorney Erin Herbold-Swalwell shares her expert advice on developing effective farmla...

Welcome to Episode 135 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode features three guests. First, we introduce you to Dr. Christopher Pudenz, Iowa Farm Bureau's new economics and research manager, who shares some fascinating insights into topics like California's Prop 12 implementation, African Swine Fever and a market study tour of England and Scotland. Next, we bring on two central Iowa farmers...

Welcome to Episode 134 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode features an in-depth conversation with Roxi Beck of the Center for Food Integrity (CFI), on research-based ways for farmers to build trust with consumers, especially young Gen Z consumers. CFI conducts extensive consumer research and brings together a wide variety of food and farming stakeholders, ranging from Iowa Farm Bureau an...

Welcome to Episode 133 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode will introduce you to the brand new Vice President of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: Dr. Jason Henderson. The episode also includes a reminder of some cost-saving benefits that Iowa Farm Bureau members can tap into during the summer months. Resources mentioned in this episode Check out Iowa Farm Bureau's member ben...

Welcome to Episode 132 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode features a 2023 growing season weather forecast from the director of USDA's Midwest Climate Hub, Dr. Dennis Todey. It also introduces Iowa Farm Bureau's new farmer education program manager, Zach Brummer, and covers some upcoming learning opportunities for farmers, like Iowa Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Ag Insights Tour in July. Re...

Welcome to Episode 131 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, John Sorensen (President and CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association) discusses the stability of Iowa's banking system, in the aftermath of Silicon Valley Bank's well-publicized collapse. And Iowa Farm Bureau National Policy Advisor Daniel Heady updates listeners on the development of the 2023 Farm Bill.

Welcome to episode 130 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode features a conversation with Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson, following his recent visit to Vietnam and the Philippines, as part of an Iowa trade delegation. It also features Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers Executive Director Brian Waddingham, who shares an update on a troubling livestock vandalism case up in northea...

Welcome to episode 129 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode will be especially useful to beginning farmers and farmers who are looking to diversify their operations with niche crops or livestock. It features a conversation with the head of FSA farm loans in Iowa (Brian Gossling) and an Iowa farmer (Ashley Wenke) who has experience growing a bit of everything, including produce, eggs, chic...

Consumers crave the goods grown here in Iowa. "Choose Iowa" facilitates more opportunities to buy those products, further strengthening Iowa ag's reputation and brand. Learn about the program from Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig in this episode (128) of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode also includes a discussion with environmental scientist Shawn Richmond about Iowa's impressive...

Welcome to Episode 127 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode features a conversation with Iowa FFA Foundation Executive Director Josh Remington about Iowa's ag educator shortage and a new $1 million donation from Iowa Farm Bureau that's aimed at helping reverse that decline. Later in the episode, Brian Waddingham of the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers talks about a surprisingly simple...

Welcome to Episode 126 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom delivers a pork and beef export update. And farm succession experts Dr. Ron Hanson and Amanda Van Steenwyk share their tips for effective farm succession planning. Resources mentioned in this episode Watch for Iowa Farm Bureau's next Take Root farm succession planning...

Welcome to Episode 125 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. Northern Iowa farmer, choir teacher, and entrepreneur Jayson Ryner invented a solution that will make you re-think the future of row crop planting. Hear Jayson describe his ReEnvision Ag planting system (which helps farmers plant earlier and reduces compaction) in this edition of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. Resources mentioned in this episo...

Welcome to Episode 124 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, former NFL star Jason Brown shares why he gave up a lucrative football career to farm. And Iowa Farm Bureau State Policy Advisor Kevin Kuhle shares Farm Bureau's priorities for state lawmakers in 2023.

Welcome to Episode 123 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, American Farm Bureau economist Danny Munch offers his thoughts on recent rail and shipping disruptions, the current trade landscape, and upcoming Farm Bill discussions. And Iowa State University researcher Dr. Marshall McDaniel shares his insights into soil health, fertility, and optimal fertilizer use. Resources mentioned in...

Welcome to Episode 122 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, well-known analyst Joe Kerns shares his insights into today's ag markets. And a trio of young farmers/ag professionals (Megan Hansen, Mickayla McGill, and Jenna Smith) share a few of the many reasons young Iowa farmers/ag professionals should join hundreds of their peers at Iowa Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Conference on Januar...

Welcome to Episode 121 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 3 of our special 3-part podcast series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau's 2022 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Tanner Brass of Franklin County, Melissa Moretz of Worth County, and Clark Dolch of Adair County.   Part 1 (released December 5) features Tanner Brass. Part 2 (released December 6) features Meli...