Ohio Ag Net Podcast

On this Ohio Ag Net Podcast, powered by Ohio Corn and Wheat, Ty Higgins catches up with Jeff Osterhaus, seed innovation manager for CROPLAN about how the pest pressures that corn and soy growers faced last year is informing their seed decisions for 2026.

Plus, rising beef-on-dairy returns are changing breeding decisions on farms across the country, and those changes may have long-term implications for the dairy herd. Corey Geiger, Lead Dairy Economist with CoBank, joins Joel Penhorwood to discuss how strong beef prices are influencing the use of beef semen on dairy cows, reducing the number of replacement heifers entering the milking herd in the years ahead.

Then, navigating today's grain markets is not for the faint of heart but having a holistic view of the world's needs and shifting production levels can be very useful in making long-range decisions. Leist Mercantile's Ryan Metzger shared his thoughts on what farmers should be looking for when marketing their commodities.

Commodity Classic, the largest farmer-led, farmer-focused agricultural convention and trade show, was held in San Antonio, Texas in late February. The Ohio Ag Net's Ty Higgins, Dusty Sonnenberg and Joe Everett were there to cover the major topics and challenges facing farmers today and had the opportunity to visit with leaders of Ohio Corn and Wheat and Ohio Small Grains Council.

On this Ohio Ag Net Podcast, powered by Ohio Corn and Wheat, hear from Tadd Nicholson, the Executive Director of Ohio Corn and Owen Niese with the Ohio Small Grains Council as they discuss the policies that were address at this year's Commodity Classic that will impact farmers in 2026 and beyond.

With tighter margins, higher interest rates, and ongoing volatility, many producers are under pressure to make smart financial decisions. On this Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Nathaniel Watts, Head of Ag Retail Credit with Farm Credit Mid-America discusses a new campaign designed to help farmers turn financial statements into practical tools for planning, managing risk and building stronger operations.

Plus, A new statewide initiative, the Ohio Farm Transition Network (OFTN), has officially launched operations to address one of the most pressing challenges facing Ohio agriculture: helping farm families successfully plan for the transition of their farms to the next generation. We talk with Ohio State Farm Management Specialist David Marrison about why a project like this is so important to rural Ohio.

Then, Bayer's research agronomist Brian Dresbach talks with Ohio Ag Net's Joe Everett about some of the findings in 2025 research plots that will be helping farmers make sound planting decisions this season on the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, powered by Ohio Corn and Wheat.

It was a win some, lose some year for Ohio corn growers in 2025, but the outlook for 2026 is promising on many fronts. Find out why Eric Tipton, president of Ohio Corn and Wheat is optimistic on this Ohio Ag Net Podcast.

Plus, the Ohio State Fair has announced some schedule changes. Get all the details as Joel Penhorwood visits with Alicia Shoults from the Ohio State Fair and Expo Center.

Then, a first-of-its-kind conference is coming up next month. Learn how the AgriMinds Summit, March 24th and 25th in Marysville, is the first and only agriculture event focused solely on the person and not the operation. Founder Kacee Bohle shares more on this Ohio Ag Net Podcast, powered by Ohio Corn and Wheat.

It is a busy time of year for Ohio's largest farm organization. Between Ohio Farm Bureau's annual meeting, the American Farm Bureau convention and Young Agriculture Professionals Winter Leadership Experience, OFBF's new director of media relations has hit the ground running. Get an update from Ryan Matthews on this Ohio Ag Net Podcast.

Plus, finding new uses and markets for U.S. soybeans is top of mind for the United Soybean Board. Here about some of USB's latest work from their director, Carla Schultz.

Then, the Ohio Soybean Council is preparing for another Night for Young Professionals event, this time in Wooster, to share the agricultural opportunities available to students and prepare them for their next step of their careers. Hear from one of the students helping to put the agenda together on this Ohio Ag Net Podcast, powered by Ohio Corn and Wheat.

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.