Research is a major component of Ohio's soybean checkoff program. The results not only find new uses for home-grown soybeans, but they also help farmers mitigate pests, disease and other factors that could rob yield. On this Ohio Ag Net Podcast, powered by Ohio Corn and Wheat, meet the new Director of Research with the Ohio Soybean Council, Taylor Dill and learn about how her path through OSU Extension prepared her for this new role.

Plus, Farm to Power's Sam Roberts joins us to talk about how his organization is helping farmers navigate the noise around property rights, farmland preservation and Ohio's energy needs.

Then, Wayne County Extension's John Yost visits with Dusty Sonnenberg about upcoming sheep programing to get farmers prepared for 2026.

From the Farm Bill to trade, labor and year-round E15, there is a lot of policy work being done on behalf of farmers across the country. On this Ohio Ag Net Podcast, powered by Ohio Corn and Wheat, we hear from American Farm Bureau President, Zippy Duvall, about the policy to-do list for 2026.

Then, Scott Higgins with the Ohio Dairy Producers Association talks with Joel Penhorwood about getting whole milk back in schools and what that means along the supply chain from the farmers to the kids.

And Dusty Sonnenberg catches up with OSU's Garth Ruff about the upcoming Winter Beef Meetings and the topics that will be shared to get producers ready for a successful 2026.

As we head into a new year, risk management planning is critical for every operation, and now is the time to have those crucial conversations with crop insurance providers. On this Ohio Ag Net Podcast powered by Ohio Corn and Wheat, Ty Higgins and Farm Credit Mid-America Insurance Officer, Lindsey Schwinn discuss the important questions you should be asking to ensure you have the information you need to make informed decisions customized to your operation's needs, and explore the tools offered by Farm Credit Mid-America.

Then, there were a number of positive policies passed in 2025 that will benefit corn and wheat farmers, but the challenges remaining within agriculture means that there is even more work to do in 2026. Ohio Corn and Wheat's Luke Crumley gives a full policy update.

Leasing portions of your land can be very beneficial, but signing that contract is not something you should take lightly. On this Ohio Ag Net Podcast, powered by Ohio Corn and Wheat, Ohio Farm Bureau's Director of Energy Development, Dale Arnold, visits with Dusty Sonnenberg about the dos and don'ts through the process of signing a lease.

Plus, if you haven't been at the corner of Lane Avenue and Kenny Road in a while, you might not recognize that part of Ohio State's campus, as major transformations have been happening at Waterman. Ty Higgins talks with OSU's College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Dean, Cathann Kress, about the "Bring the Cows Home…and So Much More" campaign designed to keep the positive momentum going.

Beck's Practical Farm Research results from 2025 are in! Upcoming PFR Insight meetings will focus on the latest research and insights to help farmers make informed decisions that can maximize yields and improve profitability on their farms. Find out more on the latest Ohio Ag Net Podcast.

Plus, macroeconomics, which focus on aggregate changes in the economy such as growth rates, unemployment, inflation, and national income impact the farm's bottom line. Get an update of the current economic picture with Nationwide.

Biofuels have always sat at the intersection of agriculture, energy, and innovation. For our farmers, they represent not just a market opportunity, but a stabilizing force, adding value to crops like corn and soybeans, creating new demand streams, and supporting rural economies with local processing, transportation, and jobs. They help keep dollars circulating close to home.

A recent event in northwest Ohio explored the future of biofuels. The Ohio Farm Bureau sponsored Biofuels Summit featured researchers, retailers and policy makers and you will hear from some of them this week, including Dr. Gabe Lade with Ohio State, Jeff Erb from the Ohio Energy and Convenience Association and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. They are all on the way here on the Ohio Ag Net Podcast.

In this week's Ohio Ag Net podcast, we recap the incredible career of Dale Minyo. Dale will be retiring at the end of the year, and he shares some of his memorable moments with Ty Higgins, including an interview at a county fair that will forever be etched in his mind.

Ty also talks with Dr. Leah Dorman to get the details on the newly created Protect OHIO initiative, which will deliver meaningful, measurable impact across our state by educating more veterinarians with a specific focus on enrolling more students from Ohio's rural communities, mentoring large animal and rural veterinarians, and expanding risk assessment and surveillance programs to protect Ohio's agricultural economy.

Then, Joel Penhorwood visits with Dr. Margaret Jodlowski, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics at Ohio State's College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences to get her outlook for farm labor in 2026 and beyond that was shared at Ohio State's recent Ag Policy Outlook Conference.

In this week's Ohio Ag Net podcast, Dale Minyo and Ty Higgins visit with leaders of two Ohio agriculture organizations. Ty talks with Bill Patterson, president of Ohio Farm Bureau, about how the Ohio Farm Bureau's recent annual meeting was a great opportunity to celebrate the successes of 2025, while working on policies to take on the challenges that lie ahead in 2026 and beyond. Later in the episode, Dale meets with the new president of Ohio Corn and Wheat, Eric Tipton, about his path to leadership and the goals his association has as he begins his new role.

In this week's Ohio Ag Net podcast, Dale Minyo is in Ross County with Farm Credit Mid-America's Olivia Congrove, financial officer, and Rudi Pitzer Perry, Regional Vice President of Ag Lending. They spotlight FCMA's statewide "Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer" initiative, which is a county fair food drive sponsored by Rural First that brought in 448,827 pounds of donations for local food banks. Ross County led the state with a record-setting 122,640 pounds. Congrove and Pitzer Perry break down the program's purpose, its growth to 56 participating fairs, and the community impact behind the numbers.

Dale also talks with two participants in the contest. They reflect on what they learned and how the program heightened their understanding of food insecurity and service in their county.

Later in the episode, Ty Higgins reports from the Ohio No-Till Conference with The Ohio State University Professor Scott Shearer, Ph.D., from the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering. The two explore the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture, including autonomous field machinery and precision tools for weed control, nutrient management, and pest management. The conversation also covers how AI can boost return on investment and strengthen on-farm decision-making.

Dusty Sonnenberg checks in from the Ohio Soybean Hometown Tour with Brianna Metts of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC). They discuss USSEC's mission, recent movement (or lack thereof) of U.S. soybeans to China, and where soybean and meal exports from Ohio are heading. Metts also highlights Egypt's rapid emergence as a key market opportunity since 2018.

To wrap up, Joel Penhorwood reports from the 2025 Agricultural Outlook and Policy Conference with The Ohio State University Professor and Economist, Ian Sheldon, Ph.D. Their conversation dives into U.S. tariffs, trade relationships with global partners, and the broader market signals shaping agricultural policy today.

Ohio's Country Journal editor Brianna Smith talks with Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Director Brian Baldridge and State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Summers about the ongoing national concerns surrounding Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), which is caused by the equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) virus. While seven states are currently dealing with EHM, Ohio has no known clinical cases, though ODA is "heavily monitoring" the situation and working to keep the equine industry informed.

Dr. Summers explains that early symptoms often look like a typical respiratory infection: nasal discharge, coughing, and a sudden fever spike. Later cases can involve inflammation around the spinal cord and brain, leading to hind-end incoordination and even disorientation. He urges horse owners to be proactive with biosecurity and quick to report concerns.

Owners should contact their local veterinarian first, then reach out to ODA's Division of Animal Health at 614-728-6220 to determine whether symptoms need to be reported. Director Baldridge and Dr. Summers emphasize that awareness and early communication are key to keeping Ohio's horses safe.