Around Farm Progress

From three University of Washington classmates opening an import-export company to trade fish meal and other products, to a $3 billion company celebrating 100 years in business. The CEO of Wilbur Ellis chats with host Willie Vogt about the past, and looking to the future.

John Buckley covers some wide-ranging territory in the interview including some thoughts on resilience, innovation and seeking opportunities to grow. Some of those very ideas have application on the farm.

What happens when two equipment and tech loving editors get together to talk farm shows? This week on the Around Farm Progress podcast you can find out. Tom Bechman, Indiana Prairie Farmer, looks back on 40 years of attending, covering, and working at the shows with show host Willie Vogt.

Farmers know that macronutrients, properly applied, make the difference in crop production. The use of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium is a nearly magic mix that gives those plants the food they need to produce top yields. But do you know where your potash for that potassium comes from?

In this episode, Jennifer Kiel, American Agriculturist, shares news of a new domestic source of this important crop nutrient that will come from Michigan.

Many parts of the United States are dealing with drought, but out West lack of water creates a host of issues that reach beyond the farm gate. And it appears another historic dry season has hit some of the most productive land in the country.

To get perspective on that Tim Hearden and Todd Fitchette with Western Farm Press share their insights on what is becoming a more complicated issue. As reservoir levels drop, cities make their pull on water and government regulators choose subdivisions over farmland, food production will take a hit.

As summer crop work continues, prepping is also well underway for the 2021 Farm Progress Show and Husker Harvest Days. But just how are things progressing? Is the show on track and will it be as big as in the past?

To get the lowdown on the big events, the Around Farm Progress podcast connected with Matt Jungmann, events manager, during another live event to learn more.

As the season progresses it's good to check in to see what's happening with crops. This time out on the Around Farm Progress Podcast, three editors share insights on some interesting issues for major crops.

Tom Bechman, Indiana Prairie Farmer, offers some insight on his 2021 crop plots; John Hart, Southeast Farm Press, shares news from a recent small grains field day; and Jennifer M. Latzke, Kansas Farmer, offers a look at the hybrid wheat program at BASF.

Check it out.

It's well known that agricultural land will be farmed, but by whom? Agriculture is undergoing change and the next generation farming the land will be more diverse. More women are coming back to run the farm, according to data from USDA.

Holly Spangler, editor of Prairie Farmer, looked at the phenomenon the best way possible – sharing the stories of women on different farms who are taking over. She shares some insights on her recent coverage of the topic. She shows how coming back, and what it means for state agricultural

Bringing professional practices to your management system can make a significant difference in the future of your farm. And could you turn your management approach into a game? A profitable game? These are hot topics at the upcoming Farm Futures Business Summit in Iowa City, Iowa June 16 and 17. In this special edition of the Around Farm Progress Podcast, Mike Wilson, editor, Farm Futures, chats with two speakers for the upcoming event.

He chats with Dick Wittman, nationally known farm business management consultant; and Darren Frey, Waterstreet Solutions, discusses an interesting concept in management. Both have insights that can help farmers set a solid course for the future.

Looking back on a career of service can bring perspective and insight. Capturing that into a memoir builds on history and assures that important information is shared.

Dan Glickman served as Secretary of Agriculture in the Clinton Administration, but he's done more than that and has a new memoir documenting his story - Laughing at Myself: My Education in Congress, on the Farm, and at the Movies. Jennifer M. Latzke, editor of Kansas Farmer, caught up with Secretary Glickman to talk about the book, and some of the milestones in his life.

Policy, trade and taxes can impact your farm, but having the right insight can help you make targeted decisions for the future. And these are hot topics at the upcoming Farm Futures Business Summit in Iowa City, Iowa June 16 and 17. In this special edition of the Around Farm Progress Podcast, Mike Wilson, editor, Farm Futures, chats with three speakers for the upcoming event.

The Farm Futures Business Summit runs June 16 to June 17. It is preceded by the Ag Finance Boot Camp on June 15. You can learn more at FarmFuturesSummit.com. Note, that during the podcast you can also hear about a special discount offer.