December has been an active weather month with more challenging conditions expected in the days ahead. State Assistant Climatologist Pete Boulay joins Dan Lemke to take a closer look at what's happened in December and to give us a glimpse of what's ahead.

AgriGrowth advocates for Minnesota's food and agriculture sector. With activity in Washington and St. Paul ramping up in January, AgriGrowth Executive Director Tamara Nelson joined the Linder Farm Network's Linda Brekke to talk about AgriGrowth's priority issues.

Water management is an important consideration for many farms in Minnesota. Tile drainage is one mechanism landowners use to help control water. A multi-year, multi-organizational research and demonstration project is underway at FarmAmerica near Waseca to gather field-scale data on the economics and impacts of controlled drainage. Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center Director Warren Formo joins the Field Talk podcast to explain the project.

Despite rising input costs and climbing interest rates, farmland values across Minnesota have remained strong. Chuck Wingert with Hertz Farm Management joins this podcast to explain what's happening with land values and why.

There is no shortage of economic factors facing farmers, including diesel and fertilizer costs. American Farm Bureau Federation economist Veronica Nigh was a featured speaker at the recent Minnesota Farm Bureau annual meeting and addressed some of those economic issues.

As the saying goes, elections have consequences. Former U.S. Congressman Collin Peterson joins Lynn Ketelsen to discuss how he thinks the recent election results will impact agriculture.

Soil productivity and health is something most farmers strive for each year. The annual Soil Management Summit brings together researchers, farmers and industry experts who are interested in learning more about improving soil health. University of Minnesota Extension Educator Jodi Dejong-Hughes joins this Field Talk Podcast to talk about the Summit and soil health.

The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance has unveiled the U.S. Identity Preserved quality assurance plan and brand mark at an event in Vietnam. SSGA leaders say the move symbolizes a landmark advancement in the verification of trust, traceability and value for food manufacturers, processors and exporters. SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg joins Dan Lemke to explain the program.

Tar spot is a relatively new concern for corn farmers in Minnesota, but the disease took a toll on some corn yields this fall. Golden Harvest Agronomy Manager Steve Wilkens joins Linda Brekke to talk about issues with tar spot and what growers can do about it.