Bryan Doherty, vice president, Brokerage Solutions, Total Farm Marketing, gave insigned on the weather on commodity markets, particularly wheat and corn. He shared information on current and near-future trends and marketing dynamics in this interview with Lorrie Boyer. 

Rachel Curry, a statewide agriculture and agribusiness educator with the University of Illinois Extension, discussed the adoption and benefits of cover crops.

Lorrie Boyer interviews Rob Kay, North American Business Development for Flexxiare, about their reversible radiator fans for diesel engines. Rob explains that Flex Air is busy with farmers in Western Canada preparing for spring, retrofitting fans for sprayers and tractors to improve efficiency and reduce downtime. 

Elena Meyer, Director of Marketing and Communications for the International Poultry Welfare Alliance and the US Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry and Eggs, discussed the organizations' efforts in sustainability and welfare. Part two of this two-part interview. 

Elena Myhre, Director of Marketing and Communications for the International Poultry Welfare Alliance and the US Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry and Eggs, discussed the organizations' efforts in sustainability and welfare. The US Roundtable, founded in 2019, has released two sustainability reports, covering 101 voluntary metrics under three pillars: people, planet, and poultry.

Elena Myhre, Director of Marketing and Communications for the International Poultry Welfare Alliance and the US Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry and Eggs, discussed the organizations' efforts in sustainability and welfare. The US Roundtable, founded in 2019, has released two sustainability reports, covering 101 voluntary metrics under three pillars: people, planet, and poultry. Key findings include a 90% reduction in recordable incidence rates from 1994 to 2025 and significant improvements in worker support and water use. The framework aims to provide comprehensive, neutral data to support industry sustainability and potential future consumer engagement

Nathan Weathers from the Colorado Corn Promotion Council and the US Grains Council discussed a recent trip to Panama, highlighting the importance of the Panama Canal for U.S. trade routes.

The canal, which is a freshwater system, faced a drought that delayed shipments, affecting 60 to 100 boats. The trip emphasized the need for U.S. infrastructure updates. Weathers noted the increasing export of diverse products like ethanol and sorghum, with ethanol demand particularly high in the marine industry. A European shipping company is transitioning to E1100 fuel, showcasing global interest in U.S. ethanol. The trip also underscored the US Grains Council's role in international trade deals, such as the India trade deal.

Kelsey Graver, Product Line Manager for corn at Clarkson Grain, discussed the organic grain industry in Illinois. She noted that while organic growth feels stagnant, there's a shift towards non-GMO crops due to premiums.

Carolyn Lawrence-Dill, Dean of Colorado State University's College of Agricultural Sciences, discussed her background and the strategic roadmap for the college. The roadmap aligns with the university's goals, focusing on student success, research, institutional competitiveness, rural engagement, and democracy and civic engagement. Key initiatives include ensuring every student has multiple internships, promoting sustainability in research, and engaging in policy-informed research. The college is thriving, with significant grant funding and faculty excellence, despite national trends of decline among land-grant universities

Andrew Pritchard, Senior Atmospheric Scientist at Nutrien, discussed the unusual winter weather patterns in the U.S., noting a split between milder conditions in the West and severe cold in the East. He attributed this to a La Niña-influenced jet stream. Pritchard predicted a transition to El Niño by late February, which could bring more storm systems and potentially alleviate the drought in the Midwest, particularly in Illinois, where significant drought persists. He also mentioned the impact of wildfire smoke on air quality and the need for timely moisture to prevent dust storms.