Compeer Ag Economist Megan Roberts is joined by Thad Schunkwiler, Associate Professor at Minnesota State University Mankato, licensed behavioral health provider, and founder of the Center for Rural Behavioral Health, along with Paul Kohls, Chief Administrative and Mission Officer at Compeer Financial, to examine mental health challenges facing agricultural communities during Mental Health Awareness Month. Thad explores the unique mental health stressors in agriculture, including economic pressures, generational identity, isolation, and limited access to behavioral healthcare in rural areas. The conversation covers warning signs to watch for, practical ways to support struggling individuals through human connection, and how to have direct compassionate conversations about suicide risk. Thad and Paul discuss agricultural mental health resources and Compeer's Rural Vitality Initiative supporting essential services in rural communities.

Compeer Ag Economist Megan Roberts is joined by Jeff Kazin and Mike Rohlfsen, co-owners of Agris Academy and veteran grain traders with nearly 50 collective years at Cargill, along with Compeer Financial Officer Mark Cook to examine risk management strategies during one of farming's most operationally intense periods. Jeff and Mike walk through five foundational best practices that bring commercial trading discipline to farm marketing: understanding hyper-efficient futures markets and why producers should function as risk managers rather than speculators, knowing your position with specific yield projections instead of conservative estimates, separating futures and basis decisions to speak the language of merchandisers, calculating the true cost of carry including interest, shrink, opportunity cost, and psychological stress, and reading market structure to understand whether carry or inverse markets justify holding grain. The conversation covers why effective marketing plans begin at harvest rather than planting, how spring volatility creates opportunities for new crop pricing, and the merchandising principle of "stacking dimes"—making dozens of small improvements that add meaningful cents per bushel over time.

Compeer Ag Economist Megan Roberts and Ben Duncanson from Legislative Affairs cover a landmark week in agricultural policy as the House passes Farm Bill 2.0 with bipartisan support — the furthest the bill has advanced since 2018. Ben breaks down what's in the bill, why E-15 was separated into its own upcoming vote, and what to expect as the legislation heads to the Senate. Megan recaps the Fed's decision to hold rates steady at Chair Powell's final FOMC meeting and looks ahead to the May WASDE and the China Trade Summit's implications for soybean markets.

Compeer loan officers Jessica Held and Jessica Horsley walk through the construction loan process from pre-approval to move-in day. They explain how construction loans differ from standard mortgages, the advantages of Compeer's one-time close construction-to-permanent program, and what borrowers need to know about eligibility, selecting a builder, and managing draws throughout the build. The episode also covers Compeer's unique flexibility for agricultural properties and non-traditional home types, and highlights member benefits like the patronage program and rate conversion option.

Compeer Ag Economist Megan Roberts and Ben Duncanson from Legislative Affairs examine an eventful week in agricultural policy as planting season approaches. Ben provides updates on Farm Bill progress in both the House and Senate, explains the newly announced E-15 summer waiver and the momentum building toward permanent year-round legislation, and discusses how ongoing Congressional priorities may affect the ag policy timeline. Megan analyzes the latest renewable fuel volume obligations, quarterly grain stocks data showing year-over-year increases in both corn and soybeans, and the prospective plantings report revealing producer intentions for corn and soybean acres.

Compeer Ag Economist Megan Roberts opens with a macroeconomic and crop market update, including the Federal Reserve's latest rate decision and current WASDE projections heading into planting season. She's joined by Jeff Kazin and Mike Rohlfsen, veteran grain traders with decades of experience at Cargill who now educate and consult with farmers across the U.S. and Canada. Together, they walk through five best practices for approaching grain marketing as a disciplined risk strategy rather than a reaction to price. The conversation covers how to think and function like a grain merchant—understanding futures efficiency, separating basis decisions, knowing your position, calculating carrying costs, and reading market structure to inform when to move grain.

Compeer Ag Economist Megan Roberts, Ben Duncanson from Legislative Affairs, and Cole Patrick from Crop Insurance break down a volatile week in ag policy and economics as planting season approaches. The team covers how geopolitical disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is rippling into fertilizer input costs, the latest Farm Bill 2.0 progress out of the House, tariff developments following a key Supreme Court ruling, and what surging crop insurance adoption signals about producer risk management heading into the growing season. The episode also touches on the Federal Reserve's outlook and a reminder about Bridge Assistance Program applications.

Compeer's Director of Insurance Strategies, Cole Patrick, and Brandon Pezanoski, State Insurance Product Officer with Compeer, examine the 2026 crop insurance landscape as producers approach sales closing. Cole opens with agricultural outlook projections, explains the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, and breaks down how the One Big Beautiful Bill delivers significant premium savings across all coverage levels.

Brandon reveals why premium costs for comparable coverage are down substantially from last year, with ECO and SCO endorsements now carrying dramatically increased premium support. Learn how producers can stack base coverage with SCO and ECO to approach breakeven costs, why ECO participation is projected to surge nationally, and how the elimination of the ARC-SCO conflict now allows producers to take both programs simultaneously. The episode emphasizes that while the cost of growing crops isn't declining, the cost of protecting those crops is now the lowest it's been in years.

Compeer's VP of New Markets Paul Dietmann examines creative strategies for transferring farm assets to the next generation as land values become increasingly disconnected from agricultural production value.

Learn how retiring farmers are structuring lease-to-own arrangements, converting equipment into depreciable rental facilities, and using self-directed IRAs for farmland investment. Paul highlights innovative public land programs and explains why understanding the difference between profitability and cashflow is essential for successful farm transfers.

Compeer Ag Economist Megan Roberts joins Ben Duncanson from Legislative Affairs and Cole Patrick, Director of Insurance Product Support, to examine the accelerating agricultural policy landscape as Congress advances multiple priorities. Ben explains why President Trump's signing of the appropriations package keeps most government operations funded through September, why E15 year-round sales remain under consideration despite being excluded from the final package, and how updated EPA and Treasury guidance on the 45Z tax credit benefits domestically produced feedstocks.

Cole breaks down the dramatic crop insurance premium savings from the One Big Beautiful Bill, with significantly increased subsidies for SCO and ECO making area-based coverage more affordable, why ARC and PLC signup has been delayed while FSA administers multiple assistance programs, and how producers can now take both ARC and SCO payments simultaneously before the March 15th deadline.

Megan analyzes the soybean market's sharp surge following speculation about expanded China purchase commitments, why strong corn exports contrast with challenging soybean export dynamics, how E15 approval could increase domestic corn consumption, and President Trump's nomination of Kevin Walsh as the next Federal Reserve Chair.