Kim Rounds, Talent Acquisition Manager at Five Rivers Cattle Feed Yard, discusses strategies for entering the agriculture industry. She emphasizes the importance of showcasing all relevant experiences, even if they seem unrelated to agriculture. Most jobs at Five Rivers are feedlot roles, with a smaller percentage in office positions. Rounds advises using online platforms to apply, but also suggests persistence and networking to stand out. 

She notes a significant increase in female applicants and managers, highlighting the need for flexible work policies to retain talent. Rounds also discusses the importance of soft skills and the evolving demographics of ag students, many of whom lack traditional ag backgrounds.

Tim Sickman, a Nutrien Technical Agronomist with over 40 years of experience, discussed current field conditions in Illinois and Kentucky, noting ideal planting conditions despite some dryness. He highlighted the importance of sulfur in soil fertility, emphasizing its role in chlorophyll production, amino acid development, and nitrogen use efficiency. Sickman explained that the Clean Air Act has reduced atmospheric sulfur, leading to a need for direct sulfur fertilization. He also noted that sulfur is less retained in soils, necessitating annual supplementation. Strickman's work focuses on balancing nitrogen and sulfur for optimal crop growth and yield.

Katie Strand, a fourth-generation farmer and soil conservationist in Washington County, Colorado, discussed her challenges in farming, including high input costs, drought, and succession planning with her brother. She highlighted the importance of the Colorado Ag Leadership Program (CALP) in enhancing her leadership skills, networking, and understanding various aspects of agriculture, such as banking. Katie also mentioned the upcoming CALP seminar in Fort Morgan, which will include tours of agricultural facilities. She emphasized the program's role in improving her confidence and communication skills, essential for her farm's future.

The Ag Queen podcast discusses sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with Tom Michels of United Airlines and Allison Graab from the Sustainable Aviation Coalition. SAF is made from renewable products like corn, soybeans, and sorghum. The U.S. is a leader in SAF technology, with production rising 157% to 240 million gallons in 2025. Despite this, jet fuel use in 2025 was over 26 billion gallons, projected to reach 31 billion by 2045. SAF doesn't require new infrastructure and can help airlines mitigate fuel price volatility, making it a strategic investment for long-term resilience.

Alex Miller, a cow-calf producer from Brighton, Colorado, shared his journey of overcoming a 2014 car accident that led to the amputation of both his legs. Initially hesitant about the Colorado AgrAbility program, he was encouraged by his caseworker, Candy, to participate. AgrAbility provided him with assistive technology, including a portable cattle handling system and an all-terrain track chair, which significantly improved his ability to work on his farm. These tools boosted his confidence and mental well-being, enabling him to resume daily operations. Alex emphasized the importance of reaching out for help and praised AgrAbility for its transformative impact on his life

Shay Foulk, lead consultant at Ag View Solutions, discusses his role in helping farm operations with succession planning, cost of production, and business growth. He uses the Farm Profit Manager tool to optimize cost of production and offer an annual executive business conference and peer group sessions. Faulk emphasizes the importance of clear communication, family and business governance, and accountability in transition planning. He highlights the need for detailed financial planning and the risks of undivided interest in estate plans, which can threaten farm sustainability across generations

Lizzie French, Manager of Soil Biology at Waypoint Analytical, discussed the importance of soil health for crop productivity and farm profitability. She emphasized the role of soil biology in nutrient use efficiency and resilience against stresses. French highlighted Waypoint's new DNA-based soil biology test, which measures microbial biomass and nutrient cyclers, providing detailed recommendations. She noted that soil testing should be done every two to six weeks after product application or alongside regular fertility programs. French also addressed farmers' hesitation towards biologicals, suggesting trial settings to build trust and confidence in their effectiveness.

Ethan AX, a senior manager of training and development at GrowMark, discussed his background in agriculture and leadership development. He talked about how his background led to his involvement in the Illinois Ag Leadership Program, which includes diverse participants and provides broad perspectives on agriculture. Ethan shared insights from recent program activities, such as visits to Southern Illinois University and the University of Illinois, and meetings with lawmakers and industry associations in Washington, D.C. He emphasized the importance of leadership, crisis communication, and adapting to industry changes. Ethan also noted the upcoming international trip to Vietnam and Singapore, which will focus on trade and agricultural opportunities.

Kooper Kitterman, a sophomore and Sentinel from Stark County High School in Illinois, discussed his experiences with the Next Gen program through the National FFA. He participated in a conference focused on power and technical systems, touring facilities like the John Deere Lawn Care plant and BASF chemical plant.

Karla Gage, an associate professor of weed science and plant biology in the School of Agricultural Sciences and the School of Biological Sciences at Southern Illinois University, discusses the use of barley as a weed suppressant. Barley, which produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit weed growth, is a lower-biomass alternative to cereal rye. Gage's research shows that barley suppresses weeds like Palmer Amaranth and waterhemp as effectively as high-biomass cereal rye. Barley also helps conserve soil moisture and can be planted into soybeans without significant nitrogen loss. Despite its benefits, Gage emphasizes the need for pre-emergent herbicides due to deer grazing and herbicide resistance evolution.