Agweek Podcast

Agweek Podcast: ISU professor named MacArthur Fellow for work on prairie strips

Agweek reporter Noah Fish is joined by Lisa Schulte Moore, a professor of natural resource ecology and management at Iowa State University, and recipient of a  2021 MacArthur Fellowship. Schulte Moore talks creativity in the field of research, how it felt to be on such a prestigious list of recipients, as well as her longtime research and work that earned her the honor.

Agweek Market Wrap: Minneapolis wheat gets above $10 for the first time since 2012

On this week's Agweek Market Wrap sponsored by Gateway Building Systems, AgweekTV's Michelle Rook and Randy Martinson of Martinson Ag Risk Management discuss another strong week for wheat, how corn is stuck in a tug-of-war between wheat and soybeans, the demand for soy oil and meal, a good report for cattle and a really bad week for hogs.

Agweek Podcast: "The tremendous opportunity of FFA"

Agweek reporter Noah Fish is joined by Dan Dylla and Doug Sahr, advisors for the United South Central High School FFA chapter. Dylla talks about connections he's made through FFA over the years, and Sahr shares what it's like to be teaching alongside your former ag teacher. Other topics include the upcoming National Convention,  the chapter's long-running annual corn drive and opportunities that exist in the ag industry for young people today. 

Agweek Market Wrap: Wheat keeps going higher with no end in sight

AgweekTV's Michelle Rook and Randy Martinson of Martinson Ag Risk Management discuss the continued strength of the Minneapolis wheat market, whether corn and soybeans have hit a harvest low and the ups for cattle and downs for hogs. The Agweek Market Wrap is sponsored by Gateway Building Systems and is available every Friday at agweek.com.

Agweek Podcast: Rochester's farming royalty compared to its pioneers

Agweek reporter Noah Fish is joined by Wayne Gannaway, executive director of the History Center of Olmsted County. Gannaway breaks down the history and contrast between the "gentlemen farming" background of Dr. Charlie Mayo -- and the survivalist background of some of the earliest pioneers of agriculture in Southeast Minnesota. 

Ask yourself #RyeNot

Agweek reporter Noah Fish is joined by Lance Klessig, resource specialist for Winona County SWCD and regenerative ag influencer. The two discuss Klessig's path to his career as an ag professional, what it's like to balance a full-time ag job with being a farmer and how he started his YouTube channel, which now has nearly 3,000 subscribers.

Steel prices still on the rise

Agweek reporter Noah Fish is joined by Trever Meier, sales representative for Superior Grain Equipment and Al Winmill, Agweek sales and marketing team member. The three discuss supply chain issues, steel prices and when's the right time for farmers to buy equipment. 

Jay Bakken talks Minnesota State Cattlemen's Summer Beef Tour

Jay Bakken, president of the Rock-Nobles Cattlemen's Association, talks to Agweek's Jenny Schlecht about the upcoming July 13 Minnesota State Cattlemen's Summer Beef Tour, which will take attendees on tours of eight diverse cattle operations in southwestern Minnesota.

07/02/21 Agweek Podcast: Patriotic Producers & North Dakota pasture production update

This time of year, we see Old Glory flying everywhere, but for some farmers, it's an everyday occurrence. In this week's Agweek cover story, Mikkel Pates shares his annual feature of some of the patriotic displays he's seen as he travels the countryside. As it has all season long, North Dakota continues to take the brunt of the drought in the upper Midwest. The prolonged dry conditions have taken a major toll on hay production in the state. We got the latest from North Dakota State Univers...

06/25/21 Agweek Podcast: Drought creates challenges with weed control

The hot, dry, windy weather many growers are dealing with this season may be tough on crops, but many weeds thrive in it. In this week's episode, Mikkel Pates talked to a crop consultant about the problem. Mikkel also covers a story about the increase in cattle numbers livestock auction barns are seeing in recent weeks in response to the continuing drought.  We also visit with Harrison Weber of the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association to see how beets are fairing during the d...

06/04/21 Agweek Podcast: Palmer Amaranth in Cattle Feed & Comparing the 2020/2021 Growing Seasons

In this week's episode, we get the latest from Mikkel Pates on a cattle producer who is dealing with Palmer Amaranth that was in his cattle feed.   We also talk with North Dakota grower Jason Schatzke to compare the planting seasons of 2020 and 2021.  Connect with the host Mike Spieker at [email protected] or on Twitter @Beet_Reporter.

Agweek Podcast 5/28/21: Good news for buckwheat, wind was bad news for sugarbeets

In this week's episode of the Agweek Podcast, Mikkel Pates explains the details behind buckwheat now being eligible for crop insurance in more counties in the region.  Mike Spieker visits with the marketing manager of Väderstad Inc., who recently announced the acquisition of AGCO-Amity JV LLC, as well as a North Dakota sugarbeet grower to see how his crop faired following the recent wind event.  Connect with the host Mike Spieker at [email protected] or on Twitter @Beet_Reporter.

Agweek Podcast 05/21/21: It's dry in North Dakota and hard to find parts everywhere!

This week on the Agweek Podcast, presented by Superior Grain Equipment, visits with Oliver County NDSU Extension agent Rick Schmidt to get an update on drought conditions in central North Dakota. We also check in with Mikkel Pates who tells us how parts are getting hard to find for some growers. Connect with the host Mike Spieker at [email protected] or on Twitter @Beet_Reporter.

Agweek Podcast 5/14/21: Update on Drought Conditions & Forecast, CBD Company Looks to Help with High THC Hemp, Minn-Dak sugarbeet planting recap

In this week's episode, we take a look at how a CBD company is trying to help with high THC hemp, visit with NDSU Climatologist Adnan Akyüz to his latest update and projections on the drought in North Dakota, and catch up with Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative agriculturalist Cody Wahlstrom to recap the co-op's sugarbeet planting season.  Connect with host Mike Spieker at [email protected] or on Twitter @Beet_Reporter 

Agweek Podcast 5/8/21: Making Investments in Ag, ND Corn Planting Update, RRV Sugarbeet Planting Recap

In this week's episode, we look at how one-time COVID relief funds many major ag projects in the region, we visit with a North Dakota corn grower to get an update on planting, and catch up with a Minnesota sugarbeet grower to recap their planting season.  Connect with host Mike Spieker at [email protected] or on Twitter @Beet_Reporter.

Agweek Podcast 5/8/21: Making Invests in Ag, ND Corn Planting Update, RRV Sugarbeet Planting Recap

In this week's episode, we look at how one-time COVID relief funds many major ag projects in the region, we visit with a North Dakota corn grower to get an update on planting, and catch up with a Minnesota sugarbeet grower to recap their planting season.  Connect with host Mike Spieker at [email protected] or on Twitter @Beet_Reporter.

Agweek Podcast 4/30/21: Raising pigs 'the old way', Mayville State University adds agribusiness degree program & sugarbeet planting update

In this week's episode, we visit a South Dakota family who is raising pigs "the old fashion" way, and head up to Mayville State University where they have just launched a brand new agribusiness degree program.    We also take a nationwide look at the sugarbeet planting progress.    Connect with the host Mike Spieker at [email protected] or on Twitter @Beet_Reporter. 

Agweek Podcast 4/23/21: Ag History Professor & Goette Farms

On this week's episode of the Agweek Podcast, presented by Superior Grain Equipment, we tell the story of an NDSU ag history professor. Tom Isern finds the culture of the great plains as not only an academic interest but a way of life.  We also visit Goette Farms in Bricelyn, Minnesota, where Mikkel Pates tells us how Brandon and Erika Goette are using social media and direct marketing to sell their beef and lamb directly to consumers, restaurants and schools.  Connect with the host Mike...

Agweek Podcast 4/16/21: H&S Manufacturing celebrates 50 years, Elston Beef to supply beef directly to consumers

In this week's episode of the Agweek Podcast, we check in with Mikkel Pates who went to Stephen, Minnesota to learn about a home-grown ag equipment company that has turned 50 years old. We will also hear from Emily Beal who visited a North Dakota cattle ranch that is taking its beef directly to consumers, and we caught up with Nick Revier of SESVanderHave for this week’s Sugarbeet Spotlight.  Connect with the host Mike Spieker at [email protected] or on Twitter @Beet_Reporter

Agweek Podcast 4/12/21: Drought talk with NDSU Extension Climatologist Adnan Akyüz & RRV Sugarbeet Planting Roundup

In this week's episode, we get the latest on drought conditions and projects from NDSU Extension Climatologist F. Adnan Akyüz, Ph.D. We also take a tour through the Red River Valley and talk sugarbeet planting with Joe Hastings, General Agronomist for American Crystal Sugar Company, Mike Metzger, Vice President of Agriculture & Research at Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative, and Todd Geselius, Vice President of Agriculture at Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative.  Connect with the host Mi...

Agweek Podcast 4/2/21: Reasons why Fertilizer Prices are Skyrocketing & Getting to Know Mitch Rowe of Sure-Flex Hybrids

This week's episode covers reasons the price of fertilizer has skyrocketed over the last few months, U.S. Sugar's acquisition of Imperial Sugar in Savannah, Georgia, and how that might impact Red River Valley sugarbeet growers, and we learn about Mitch Rowe of Sure-Flex Hybrids in Jackson, Minnesota.  We also introduce a new podcast segment, the "Sugarbeet Spotlight" where we take a look around the latest news across the country in the sugarbeet industry.  Connect with the host, Mike Spi...

Getting to Know Agweek's Mike Spieker: Journalist, Sugarbeet Expert, Racing Enthusiast

Hosts Jenny Schlecht and Al Winmill chat with Mike Spieker, Agweek's newest reporter and Sugarbeet Grower Magazine editor. Mike joined the Agweek team as we worked Sugarbeet Grower into our brand and we are happy to have him. 

Emily Beal looks at how off-farm income contributes to on-farm success

Agweek Staff Writer Emily Beal joins Jenny Schlecht and Al Winmill to talk about her recent cover story on the contributions of off-farm income and health insurance for farm families. You can read her story here: https://www.agweek.com/business/agriculture/6845385-Off-farm-income-is-more-than-working-for-the-insurance

Jon Knutson's Coverage of New Nutrition Guidelines

This week, we talk with Jonathan Knutson on his coverage of the USDA's newest guidelines on healthy eating. Click here to read this full story on Agweek.com This episode of the Agweek Podcast is brought to you by Superior Grain Equipment, Trans Ova and Topp Herefords.

The connection between wind and value-added agriculture

This week, we talk to Agweek reporter Mikkel Pates about how a North Dakota legislator fears that a focus on the future of the coal industry may hurt value-added agriculture efforts in the state. For more on this subject, read and watch Mikkel's cover story. If you're interested in that story, you may also be interested in Mikkel's piece talking to landowners deciding whether to allow wind turbines on their land. This episode of the Agweek Podcast is brought to you by Superior Grain Eq...

Agweek Market Wrap: Wheat has its moment to shine, thanks to Russian rumors and the December WASDE

AgweekTV's Michelle Rook and Randy Martinson of Martinson Ag Risk Management talk about wheat's big moment, the disappointments in the corn market, the outlook for soybeans and spinning wheels in the cattle market.

Agweek Market Wrap: It was a down week in the markets, but that's not all bad

AgweekTV's Michelle Rook and Randy Martinson of Martinson Ag Risk Management talk about why a little sell-off in the markets may be a good thing, the outlook for $12 soybeans, the near future in China trade and more.

Agweek Market Wrap: Is there anything that can stop the soybean market?

The Agweek Market Wrap talks high soybean and corn prices, how wheat continues to lag those two crops, the somewhat bullish Cattle on Feed report and continued processing fears for livestock markets.

Agweek Podcast 11/19/20: Farmers in the Military, A New Marketplace for Hemp & Rochester, MN Farmers Market

This week's episode discussions involve farmers' involvement with the military, a new hemp marketplace and information on the Rochester, MN farmers market and how they're handling the pandemic this winter. This episode is brought to you by Hefty Seed Company. Contact the hosts: Jenny email: [email protected] Jenny Twitter: www.twitter.com/jmreports Al email: [email protected] Al Twitter: www.twitter.com/al_winmill

Agweek Market Wrap: Friendly USDA reports and where grain markets go from here

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released some friendly reports for grain this week, and AgweekTV's Michelle Rook talks to Randy Martinson of Martinson Ag Risk Management about where prices ended up and what drivers are likely to influence them in the coming weeks and months. Rook and Martinson also discussed cattle and hog markets and much more.

Agweek Podcast 11/9/20: COVID-19's Impact on Rural Communities & Hospitals, CRISPR Technology and Election Results' Ag impact

This week's episode discussions involve the surging COVID-19 case count and how that impacts rural communities and the hospitals that serve them, CRISPR technology and how it compares to GMO and how the 2020 election went for agriculture in our region and beyond.  This episode is brought to you by Hefty Seed Company. Contact the hosts: Jenny email: [email protected] Jenny Twitter: www.twitter.com/jmreports Al email: [email protected] Al Twitter: www.twitter.com/al_winmill

Agweek Podcast 11/4/20: Interview with Jeremy Hughes, Product Manager at Horsch

This week's interview episode features Jeremy Hughes, product manager at Horsch in Mapleton, ND. He discusses their company's products as well as a background on Jeremy and his journey on the way to his current role with Horsch.  Contact the hosts: Jenny email: [email protected] Jenny Twitter: www.twitter.com/jmreports Al email: [email protected] Al Twitter: www.twitter.com/al_winmill  

Agweek Podcast 11/2/20: Soybean Seed Selection, Rural Drug Overdoses During COVID-19, American Star Farmer Award

This week's ag news update from Agweek features an Emily Beal story on soybean seed selection (with Carl Peterson from Peterson Farms Seed), Noah Fish talks about an uptick in drug overdoses that correlate with the COVID-19 pandemic and Jenny Schlecht has a story on this year's American Star Farmer award winner. Contact the hosts: Jenny email: [email protected] Jenny Twitter: www.twitter.com/jmreports Al email: [email protected] Al Twitter: www.twitter.com/al_winmill

Agweek Podcast 10/26/20: MN Representative Race (with Ag Implications), Hemp Growing Hurdles, Reducing Farm Stress with LSS

This episode of the Agweek Podcast is our first episode with just ag news with deeper insights from the reporters bringing the stories to life. This week we chat with Mikkel Pates who covers a Minnesota House of Representatives race, a hemp growing operation in Minnesota and ways Lutheran Social Services is helping farmers with stress.  Contact the hosts: Jenny email: [email protected] Jenny Twitter: www.twitter.com/jmreports Al email: [email protected] Al Twitter: www.twitter.com/a...

Agweek Podcast: Randy Martinson Talks WASDE, Election Season's Impact on Ag & Current Market Conditions

This week's guest is Randy Martinson from Martinson Ag Risk Management. Randy, also an Agweek contributor, talks the recent WASDE report, the upcoming election's implications for farmers and ranchers and also gives us an overall market update. John Fetsch from Agweek joined hosts Jenny Schlecht and Al Winmill to chat with Randy.  Contact the hosts: Jenny email: [email protected] Jenny Twitter: www.twitter.com/jmreports Al email: [email protected] Al Twitter: www.twitter.com/al_winmi...

Agweek Podcast Episode 54: Regenerative Poultry (Tree Range Chickens), Minneapolis' Pipeline Foods' Organic Growth, Upper Midwest Pumpkin Patches feat Frayne Olson & Bryon Parman from NDSU

This week's episode features a unique poultry operation that replicates the jungle-like environment poultry is being raised in the Midwest, a Minnesota company growing organic produce and a few stories on pumpkin patches in the region and how they've handled the COVID-19 pandemic. Mikkel Pates chats with a couple of grain marketing experts from NDSU, Frayne Olson & Bryon Parman, in the second half of the show. Contact the hosts: Jenny email: [email protected] Jenny Twitter: www.twitt...

Agweek Podcast Episode 53: Finding Help on the Farm, Economic Uncertainty and a Harvest Update feat Becky Newell from Levridge

This week's topics include the struggle farmers and ranchers are having with finding help on their operations, economic uncertainty amid coronavirus issues & weather impacts, an update on harvest progress in the region. Our guest this week is Becky Newell, founder and president of Levridge, an agricultural software company.  Contact the hosts: Jenny email: [email protected] Jenny Twitter: www.twitter.com/jmreports Al email: [email protected] Al Twitter: www.twitter.com/al_winmill  

Agweek Podcast Episode 52: Sarah Kuschel's Busy Farm Life, Organic Brewers Alliance, EPA Visits North Dakota feat Rose Dunn from Agweek

Agweek Podcast Episode 51: 60" Corn Rows, Brown-Bagging Seed, CFAP2 feat Audio from Thom Petersen/Michelle Rook

This week's topics include farmers testing out 60" corn rows with cover crops in between, issues with brown-bagging seed, information on the new CFAP coronavirus relief program and instead of a guest this week, we've got audio from Thom Petersen and Michelle Rook from a recent interview.  Contact the hosts: Jenny email: [email protected] Jenny Twitter: www.twitter.com/jmreports Al email: [email protected] Al Twitter: www.twitter.com/al_winmill

Agweek Podcast Episode 50: Rural Infrastructure, Palmer Amaranth, Dicamba feat Audio from the Agweek Corn/Soy Crop Tour

This week's topics include rural infrastructure, discovery of Palmer Amaranth and Dicamba news. No guest this week, we're featuring more audio from our Agweek Corn/Soybean Crop Tours. Contact the hosts: Jenny email: [email protected] Jenny Twitter: www.twitter.com/jmreports Al email: [email protected] Al Twitter: www.twitter.com/al_winmill

Agweek Podcast Episode 49: Corn/Soy Crop Tour Recap, Black Farmers: 40 Acres & A Mule & Grow a Young Black Farmer feat Jon Massman from Corteva

This week's episode discusses the recently completed Agweek Corn and Soybean Crop Tours as well as some Noah Fish stories on black farmers in Minnesota, including the 40 Acres & a Mule project as well as Grow a Young Black Farmer. Our guest is Jon Massman, a soybean scientist and Technology Lead with Corteva.  Contact the hosts: Jenny email: [email protected] Jenny Twitter: www.twitter.com/jmreports Al email: [email protected] Al Twitter: www.twitter.com/al_winmill

Agweek Podcast Episode 48: Barley Switch, Turkeys in MN, Farm in the Dell feat Audio from Agweek's Corn/Soy Crop Tours

Agweek Podcast Episode 47: Countertop Farmer, Iowa Derecho, Bear Creek Winery feat Nick Sinner from Northern Crops Institute

Agweek Podcast Episode 46: Agweek's 35th Anniversary Special Episode feat Troy Vosberg from Finance Scope

This week's episode focuses on the 35th anniversary of Agweek.

Agweek Podcast Episode 45: Calf Sale for Muscular Dystrophy, Farm Weekend in the Twin Cities, tru Shrimp Looks to Expand feat More Agweek Cereals Crop Tour Audio

Agweek Podcast Episode 44: Red River Valley Organic Farm, 100+ Year Old Farm's Evolution, Big Sugar Beet Statue feat Agweek Cereals Crop Tour Audio

This week's topics include a farm that looks a little different than the "traditional" Red River Valley of ND/MN farm, a story about how a centennial farm has evolved to stay profitable and a very large sugar beet statue and Jenny and Al discuss Al's desire for having chickens in his backyard. This week's episode's second half is an audio interview from Mikkel Pates from our Agweek Cereal's Crop Tour, an introduction to some standalone special episodes we'll be uploading soon.  Reach out t...

Agweek Podcast Episode 43: Manure Hauling, Cattle Markets, Hmong Farmers, Agweek Cereal Crops Tour feat. Jamie Schurhamer from Hefty Seed Co.

This week's topics include a story about manure hauling and spreading and how recent trends have affected companies that custom haul/spread and the farmers who use this fertilizer. We'll also discuss Minnesota's Hmong farmer's market growers and talk about the cattle market. Our guest this week is Jamie Schurhamer from Hefty Seed Company in Wilton and Hurdsfield, North Dakota who shares his background, information on his company and his experience with the Agweek Cereals Crop Tour this summe...

Agweek Podcast Episode 42: Female Primary Ranch Operator, Gackle, ND July 3rd Party, Coronavirus Food Assistance Program feat the North Dakota Farm Service Agency Team

This week's topics include a female rancher who is the main operator - but the USDA keeps sending correspondence to her husband, who is the secondary operator with an off-the-farm job. Also discussed are a large July 3rd part in south-central North Dakota and the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program from the USDA Farm Service Agency. Guests this week are experts from the North Dakota State FSA who share info on the CFAP program with us. Reach out to the hosts with story ideas, questions or ...

Agweek Podcast Episode 41: Safety on the Farm, Beer & Barley, Mental Health in MN and Tax Tips feat Justin Frye from Frye Consulting

This week's discussion includes recent farm accidents, beer (and the barley used to make it), mental health in Minnesota and plenty of tax tips in time for this year's pushed-back Tax Day in July. Justin Frye returns as our guest this week. Justin is a CPA based in Fargo, ND specializing in farm, ranch and agribusiness tax, payroll and other accounting services. Reach out to the hosts with story ideas, questions or feedback: Jenny email: [email protected] Jenny Twitter: www.twitter.c...

Agweek Podcast Episode 40: Sunflower Seed Sales, Wet vs. Dry Conditions & a Few Meat Stories

This week's topics are stories about a North Dakota sunflower seed company's rollercoaster year with a lack of road trips and baseball games, the regions drought conditions (while some areas are way too wet) and a few meat stories including more lenient restrictions and a new family-run meat market in Minnesota. We gave our guests a week off for Independence Day week, we'll be back to our normally scheduled programming next episode.  Reach out to the hosts with story ideas, questions or fe...