Agriculture is constantly changing and so is the offering of programs and events at Farmfest 2025. Marketing Director Niki Jones joins this Field Talk podcast to highlight some of the new things attendees can see at this year's event Aug. 5-7 near Redwood Falls. 

Forums at the 2025 Minnesota Farmfest will tackle some interesting issues ranging from artificial intelligence in ag to farm policy, market opportunities and workforce development. Forum coordinator Kent Thiesse joins this podcast to detail the forums, including what's happening in the livestock venue. 

The Southeast Minnesota Nitrate Strategies Collaborative Working Group has released recommendations for addressing nitrate in ground water in the region. Warren Formo is executive director of the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center. He was part of the working group and he joins this Field Talk podcast. 

The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) included a wide range of provisions affecting agriculture. While it's not a farm bill, the OBBBA has a lot in it that would typically be found in farm bill legislation. American Soybean Association Chair Josh Gackle from North Dakota joins this podcast to highlight what's in the bill and what's left to be done. 

The U.S. House is now reviewing and debating the budget reconciliation bill recently passed by the U.S. Senate. Compeer Financial Vice President for Legislative Affairs Perry Aasness joins this podcast for an upate and information on key provisions within the bill. 

Soybean aphids are a common pest in Minnesota that can rob yield if populations climb high enough. That's not the case yet, but University of Minnesota Entomologist Dr. Robert Koch says it's not too early to scout for aphids before they become a problem. 

The Environmental Protection Agency provided the ethanol and biodiesel industries with some positive news through increased blending requirements through the Renewable Fuel Standard. Industry leaders Brian Werner, Troy Bredenkamp and Paul Winters give their perspectives on the development. 

Between difficult economics, Proposition 12 housing requirements and now the Make America Healthy Again report, there has been no shortage of challenges facing the pork industry in recent years. However, Bryan Humpreys, National Pork Producers Council CEO says the industry remains strong. He joins this Field Talk podcast. 

Seed oils are a staple food product in diets around the world. Oils like sunflower, canola and soybean oil are widely used. Seed oils have recently come under scrutiny, including by the Make American Healthy Again commission. Dr. Mark Messina is the Director of Nutrition Science and Research for Soy Nutrition Institute Global. He joined the Linder Farm Network to talk seed oil. 

Precision agriculture already has changed the landscape of farming in many ways. The advent of artificial intelligence and machine learning promises to take the technology to the next level. Yuxin Miao is director of the University of Minnesota Center for Precision Agriculture. He's also our guest on this Field Talk podcast.