Mark Twenhafel, owner of Midwest Ag Risk Kontrol, discussed his company's fire control product, Firebull. His farm, established in 1910, inspired him to seek a better fire extinguisher after experiencing ineffective traditional methods. He discovered Fireball, which attacks fire by cooling it, creating a protective coating, and preventing burnback. Firebull mixes with water to create foam, magnifying its effectiveness. A 3% mix handles most farm fires, while a 6% mix tackles magnesium and metals. The Air Three system, which produces 60 gallons of foam from 3 gallons of liquid, enhances reach and efficiency. Twinhoffel emphasized the importance of quick fire response to prevent significant damage.

Matt Mulch, a past president and current board member of the Colorado Corn Promotion Council, discussed highlights from the recent Corn Congress in Washington, D.C. Key points included the re-election of Troy Schneider to the National Corn Board and the election of three new members. The biggest highlight was the House's passage of E15 as a standalone bill, a surprising achievement. The Senate is now considering its next steps. Mulch also addressed concerns about prediction markets influencing commodity prices and the ongoing negotiations regarding the USMCA agreement, emphasizing its importance for corn and ethanol exports. Additionally, he mentioned a study on the potential impact of the Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern rail merger.

Brody Jones, the new Colorado State FFA president, shares his journey and goals. Brody, a four-year member and chapter president, aims to continue the success of the Colorado FFA and build connections with over 10,000 members. He will serve at the CSU Spur campus in Denver, along with nine other state officers. Brody plans to attend the Summit Conference in DC and various county fairs. He will pursue agricultural engineering at Iowa State University after his service. Brody emphasizes the importance of passion and care for members in his role. He lists his fellow state officers and looks forward to both exciting and challenging opportunities ahead.

Dr. Carolyn Lawrence-Dill, dean of the Colorado State University College of Agricultural Sciences, and Dr. Chris Goemans, professor in the CSU Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, discussed the economic impacts of drought in Colorado. Dr. Goemans highlighted the importance of water sources like snowpack and precipitation and how droughts affect crop yields and economic activity. He noted that early-onset droughts allow producers to adjust, but late-onset droughts can lead to significant reductions in planted and harvested acres, impacting the regional economy. Dr. Lawrence-Dill emphasized the outdated water rights policies and the need for policy changes. They also discussed the cascading effects on commodity prices, with localized products like alfalfa seeing more significant price changes than globally traded commodities.

Dustin Schmer, a technical agronomist for DeKalb, covers Northeast Colorado, parts of Nebraska, and Southeast Wyoming. He gives a mid-season growing update. 

Andy Maul, a technical agronomist for Bayer, discussed his extensive territory in Illinois, covering from Decatur to Quincy. He highlighted the dual challenges of dry and wet conditions during planting, leading to delayed planting and replanting in some areas. Maul noted increased disease pressure, including gray leaf spot, physoderma, and tar spot, and the early emergence of aphids. He emphasized the importance of sound nutrient management, particularly nitrogen timing, to mitigate weather extremes

Jamie Loecker, an agronomy service manager at Syngenta, discussed the emergence of tar spot in the Midwest, particularly in Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and possibly Illinois. Tar spot appears as black flecks on corn leaves and can be mistaken for insect feces. Early detection is crucial for managing 2026 corn disease risk, with fungicide applications recommended at the V14 stage or pre-tassel.

Tom Wojno COO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), discussed the robust growth and optimism in the dairy industry. He highlighted a $13 billion investment, making dairy the largest retail category with $80 billion in sales and nearly $10 billion in annual exports. He noted the impact of GLP-1s, with 9-13% of consumers currently using them, and the potential for oral GLP-1s to increase this to 30%. Wojno emphasized the importance of flexibility, sustainability, and efficiency in dairy production. He also mentioned IDFA's new state government affairs team and Project Diversify, aimed at expanding dairy exports.

Jim Krause, owner of Marketing Beef, teaches new and inexperienced farmers how to market their beef effectively. He emphasizes the importance of quality in every aspect of the operation, from pasture management to customer engagement. Jim prefers local marketing over internet sales, believing in long-term, sustainable relationships rather than price-based transactions.

ACME Ag Consulting is a six-person network of independent agricultural consultants based in St. Louis. The group, with diverse backgrounds in farming, government, and major agribusinesses, offers a collaborative approach to ag consulting, combining their specializations in government relations, trade policy, product launches, and communication strategies. They emphasize their ability to provide quick, nimble solutions for startups, leveraging their international network to support clients in various regions. Acme Ag Consulting focuses on row crops and ag technology, but can also assist with livestock and other ag sectors through their extensive contacts.