Hoosier Ag Today Podcast Network

🎙️ On the latest "Your Health" Podcast: Farmers face an unrelenting crisis of mental health driven by volatile markets, extreme weather, and overwhelming pressures, leading to suicide rates significantly higher than the general population. Abby Heidenreich Paul, Extension Educator in Gibson County and member of the Purdue Extension Farm Stress Team, warns that while farmers meticulously watch for stress in their crops and livestock, ignoring their own mental strain can be fatal. You do not have to carry this burden alone or wait until it is too late—if you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 immediately to get lifesaving support. The "Hoosier Ag Today Presents YOUR Purdue Extension—a Podcast Network" is sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau—A Unified Voice for Agriculture.

🎙️ On the latest "4-H 4U" Podcast: At just 13 years old, Indiana 4-H member Cooper Lawhorn from Hamilton County earned a spot as a national finalist in the Presidential AI Challenge for proposing "PantryPal," an innovative app that leverages artificial intelligence to streamline inventory management and combat food insecurity. Inspired by a local experience donating to low-stocked food pantries, Cooper traveled to Washington, D.C., to pitch his solution—which uses barcode scanning and AI tracking to connect food donors, pantries, and families in real time—directly to industry judges and political leaders. His inspiring journey highlights the transformative power of youth-driven innovation, showing how the next generation is utilizing cutting-edge technology to solve critical real-world challenges in their communities. The "Hoosier Ag Today Presents YOUR Purdue Extension—a Podcast Network" is sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau—A Unified Voice for Agriculture.

On the HAT Podcast Eric Pfeiffer and C.J. Miller report on HAT news including the breaking of ground yesterday on the One Health Research Institute where solving the biggest challenges facing the ag industry is the priority, and it is a Wyffels Wednesday with a look at west-central Indiana corn harvest. HAT Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin's Indiana Farm forecast has no changes in the sunny and dry conditions through Saturday, and it was a strong move in corn, soybean, and wheat futures Tuesday. Andy Eubank has the settlements and analyst Arlan Suderman has market commentary. It's all part of the #HATPodcast, made possible by First Farmers Bank & Trust - proudly serving local farms, families, and agribusiness for 140 years. Visit them online at FFBT.com to learn more.

ClearLeaf CSO and Co-Founder Agustin Buchert shares the company's journey from medical products to agricultural innovation focusing on plant health solutions. He also discusses expansion into US markets and the exciting opportunity to join Indiana's thriving agbioscience ecosystem

What should you consider when choosing a potassium source? In this episode, host Dr. Alan Blaylock is joined by David Holden, owner of Holden Research and Consulting, to explore how crop needs, soil properties, water source and the nutrients supplied alongside potassium can affect how well a particular source fits into a system. They compare potassium chloride (MOP) and potassium sulfate (SOP), discuss why chloride can create challenges for certain crops and explain what growers should think about when evaluating each source. They also explore how potassium rate, timing and placement can align with crop demand, why potassium availability matters as crops develop and how irrigation can influence the source you select. The conversation offers practical considerations for selecting and evaluating potassium sources, including potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium thiosulfate and potassium nitrate. Looking for the latest in crop nutrition research? Visit nutrien-ekonomics.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NutrieneKonomics

On the HAT Podcast C.J. Miller and Greg Allen report on HAT news including the head of the soy checkoff, a veteran ag leader with deep Indiana roots, and National 4-H Week is underway, celebrating the impact of 4-H across the country. HAT Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin has the Indiana Farm forecast which includes more sunny and dry conditions, and it was mostly higher for the grain and oilseed markets Monday even with a flat close in corn. Andy Eubank has the settlements and analyst John Zanker has market commentary. It's all part of the #HATPodcast, made possible by First Farmers Bank & Trust - proudly serving local farms, families, and agribusiness for 140 years. Visit them online at FFBT.com to learn more.

This week the guys dive into the true impact of fuel costs on harvest operations and what the Indiana Governors relaxation of off road diesel use really means on the farm as well. Additionally, we recap the Quarterly Grain Stocks report and look toward a great set up for harvest to hit full swing EVERYWHERE this week.

Rachael Spiegel, Partner at Faegre Drinker, sits at the intersection of food, agriculture and law — a place where regulatory complexity, supply chain risk and the realities of feeding people all collide. She joins Agbioscience to unpack how companies are navigating an era of rising recalls, what drives the decisions made in the first hours of a crisis and how leaders can build resilience across the value chain. Highlights include:  The path into food and ag law — how Rachael's background shaped her read on the food system and the challenges it faces  The view from Faegre Drinker — the hurdles food and ag companies are hitting right now, and how those issues have evolved Prevention, crisis and regulation — how her time actually splits between helping companies head off problems, responding when they hit, and steering through a complex regulatory system, plus what that work reveals about where the food system is strongest and most vulnerable How risk moves through the value chain — what she sees from working across the chain that others may miss The recall trend — whether the upward swing reflects growing risk, better detection, stronger oversight, or all of the above What's actually driving recalls — supply chain complexity, improved testing, traceability, regulatory pressure, litigation risk, consumer expectations, or something else entirely Inside the decision-making — what companies and the public often misunderstand about how recall calls get made in the moment The real cost of a recall — beyond the immediate financial hit, where companies feel it most, and how short-term damage differs from long-term fallout • Partners across the value chain — how recalls are changing the way companies engage with suppliers, customers and everyone in between Looking ahead — how food and ag leaders should be working now to reduce risk and build resilience

On the HAT Podcast Eric Pfeiffer reports on HAT news with a harvest tour around Indiana. HAT Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin has the Indiana Farm forecast which offers plenty of harvest opportunities ahead, and it was mostly lower again for the grain and oilseed markets during Friday trade before the weekend. Andy Eubank has the settlements and analyst Brian Basting has market commentary. It's all part of the #HATPodcast, made possible by First Farmers Bank & Trust - proudly serving local farms, families, and agribusiness for 140 years. Visit them online at FFBT.com to learn more.

🚜 THIS WEEK ON HOOSIER AG THIS WEEK 🚨 1. A Mysterious Corn Leaf Disease Spreads Across the Corn Belt A rapid outbreak of an emerging, mystery leaf spot fungus—resembling Maize White Spot—is causing severe top-to-bottom field damage across Michigan and Indiana. Extension plant pathologists urge growers to scout fields immediately, warning that residual inoculum could threaten the 2027 crop. 📉 2. Market Selloff Following USDA Stocks Report Grain markets faced pressure this week, with corn and soybeans giving up gains following the USDA’s quarterly stocks update, which revealed higher-than-expected ending inventory cushion. ⛽ 3. Relief (and Warning) on Record Fuel Costs Governor Mike Braun suspended state restrictions to allow farmers to use cheaper, untaxed red-dyed off-road diesel for farm operations through November 4th. However, state leaders warn border-county farmers hauling grain across state lines to watch out for strict IRS federal penalties. 🌤️ 4. The Harvest Weather Window Open—With Cold Air Behind It Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin breaks down an upcoming clear, dry window for field work before mid-month rains move in—followed by a sharp arctic push with freeze and frost risks. 🫘 5. USDA Projects Record Soybean Yields Amid Mixed Field Reports The USDA raised Indiana's projected soybean yield to an all-time record 63 bushels per acre. Purdue Extension's Shaun Casteel breaks down what growers are actually seeing in the field—from 90-bushel yields to green stem issues and lodged fields. 🐖 6. Pork Industry Pushes for Prop 12 Fix in Farm Bill Despite being excluded from the Senate Ag Committee's draft, pork producers remain optimistic about securing a federal fix to California’s Proposition 12 during House and Senate conference negotiations. 🌾 7. Statewide Harvest Tour & Community Highlights Harvest Progress: Check-ins with farmers from LaPorte, Tippecanoe, Dubois, Delaware, and Allen counties on how bean cutting and corn harvesting are advancing. Women in Ag Grants: Indiana Farm Bureau awards grants to 10 women-owned agricultural businesses. 4-H Fights Hunger: 4-H youth collected over 180,000 pounds of food for local food banks during the 2026 fair season. FSA Hiring: Indiana Farm Service Agency opens hiring for county program analyst positions across 10 locations.