Hoosier Ag Today Podcast Network

This week Charlie reports on what he found interesting at Becknology Days, while Ryan plays the role of antagonist. Markets are giving opportunities, and there are plenty of attempts to draw out a new installment of "Ryan's Rants"...but alas, no go this week.

August was a wet one! We kick this episode off by recapping Indiana's heavy rains and its impact on the state's agbioscience ecosystem. Highlights include: Velocity's 12 startups, an accelerator update and AgriNovus' Senior Director of Innovation Tim Dixon's required reading list for innovators (plus one band recommendation). Books include: Watch Tim's episode of Agbioscience and his preview of Velocity here: https://youtu.be/loP_NAz6X7IKeystone Cooperative joining as a collaborator on Alloy Partners' One Health Studio (check out Ben Lewis, One Health Studio Director at Alloy Ventures', episode of Agbioscience here: https://youtu.be/JQxFCkmEB1E)Anu + Hancock Health working together to bring precision nutrition to their healthcare system (check out Scott Massey, CEO of Anu, on Agbioscience here: https://youtu.be/B6eAcp7E4c4)Purdue DIAL Ventures' announcement of their four innovation fellows (check out DIAL's Allan Gray on Agbioscience here: https://youtu.be/SO4oHbJBOuo)All of this news as proof points for BioHeartland and the region's momentum (check out BioHeartland here: https://inbioheartland.com/)AgriNovus' Field Atlas program, its 13 student Ambassadors, where we'll be on campus this fall and how employers can connect to agbioscience talent through this platform and its programs (visit https://myfieldatlas.com/)MOST IMPORTANT: we discuss food is health and State Fair food -- yes, in one sentence.

Alayne Johnson, Director of the National Pork Board, joins us this week to explore the priorities shaping pork demand, producer insights and research across the U.S. pork industry. Alayne shares her journey through agriculture, what led her to serve another term on the National Pork Board and how the organization approaches its role in research, promotion and consumer education on behalf of pork producers. The conversation also examines the shifts defining the industry today, from changing consumer preferences and global demand opportunities to sustainability, nutrition and the research priorities expected to shape the sector’s next chapter. Highlights include: Alayne’s journey through agriculture, what led her to the National Pork Board and why she chose to serve another term. How her appointment to the board came together, what motivated her to serve and what she has learned through the experience. What surprised her most about how decisions are made at the national level and how those decisions connect back to producers. The biggest changes shaping agriculture today and how those shifts are influencing the National Pork Board’s priorities. Where Alayne sees the greatest opportunity to grow pork demand globally and the trends she believes matter most. An overview of the National Pork Board’s current research agenda, including areas such as animal health, human nutrition, environmental sustainability and consumer behavior. What recent consumer research is revealing about how shoppers make decisions and how those insights flow back to producers. Where pork fits into today’s evolving protein conversation as consumers place more value on nutrition, transparency and the story behind their food. Where Alayne sees the next wave of research delivering the greatest return across production, consumer trends and sustainability. What has her most excited about this next term and the future of the pork industry.

On the HAT Podcast Eric Pfeiffer and C.J. Miller report on HAT news including a Louisiana fertilizer plant that could have major implications for Hoosier farmers, and water levels on the Mississippi are still an issue. HAT Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin has details on a very warm and humid week ahead, Friday the soybean and wheat markets gained twenty cents. Andy Eubank has settlements and is joined by analyst Brian Basting to break down the dynamics. 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.

It's the Hoosier Ag This Week Podcast for Aug. 29-30, 2026.

On the HAT Podcast Eric Pfeiffer and C.J. Miller report on HAT news including the corn fields of Indiana soon to be powering the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and we have a look at what AI should and should not do for the farm operation. Indiana weather looks beautiful today and into Saturday, according to HAT Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin, and the wheat rally continued Thursday with slightly higher soybean futures too. Andy Eubank has settlements and is joined by analyst Karl Setzer. 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.

Sleep is about far more than feeling rested—it can impact your heart, mood, immune system and brain health, while potentially reducing the risk of chronic disease and dementia. 🎙️ On the latest "Your Health" Podcast, Greg Allen talks with Purdue Extension’s Jo Gilreath about “Sleep On It: Why Sleep Matters” and the dangers of poor sleep. Watch for practical, science-based strategies you can start using tonight to improve your sleep and overall health. 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 C.J. Miller and Greg Allen report on HAT news including Indiana’s pork industry preparing to take its message directly to consumers and lawmakers, and the cattle industry's thoughts on additional foreign, duty-free beef imports being allowed. Indiana weather looks warm, pleasant, and with plenty of sunshine according to HAT Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin, and it was a monster rally in grains and oilseeds Wednesday, led by Chicago wheat futures. Andy Eubank has settlements and is joined by analyst Tom Fritz. 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.

Coming up on today’s podcast— Eric Pfeiffer checks in from the Ag Summit on Tuesday hosted by the Wabash Innovation Heartland Network at the Purdue Research Farm! You’ll also hear from Indiana native Ted McKinney, CEO of NASDA, as he gives his thoughts on a possible trade war between the U.S. and Canada! Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin has your Indiana Farm Forecast. AND Mike Castle with StoneX has grain market analysis. That’s all coming up your way next—on the Hoosier Ag Today Wednesday Podcast!

Understanding your cost of production goes far beyond knowing what you spend on fertilizer. In this episode, Amy Crozier is joined by Eric Olson and Warren Bills from MNP to break down the different elements that make up production costs in grain and why knowing your cost per bushel matters. From gross margins and production expenses to labor, machinery, land and financing, they explore what each piece means and how it can help growers make more informed decisions. They also discuss how agronomic planning and benchmarking can provide a clearer view of margins, the biggest cost drivers in grain today and the growing importance of field- and zone-level decision-making. Tune in to learn what goes into cost of production and how a better understanding of your numbers can help guide decisions across your operation. Looking for the latest in crop nutrition research? Visit nutrien-ekonomics.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NutrieneKonomics