Ohio Ag Net Podcast

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.

In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Dusty Sonnenberg talks with Brandon Kern of the Ohio Soybean Association about the latest from Ohio's House Bill 10. Tune in for details about what it means for applicators in the state and licensing requirements.

After that, Dale Minyo sits down with Tadd Nicholson of Ohio Corn and Wheat to talk the big issues we're hearing about nationally. The chat includes a year-round E15 update, plus talk about delays in production reports by the government shutdown and its impact on grain farmers.

This week on the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Ty Higgins catches up with Trevor Kirkpatrick of the Ohio Farm Bureau to discuss the launch of the new Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans, now open for enrollment, offering more affordable health coverage options for Ohio's farm families and small businesses.

Dusty Sonnenberg talks with Julia Brown of the Ohio Soybean Council about the inaugural Ohio Soy Immersion Experience, a new program designed to give farmers an inside look at how the soybean checkoff works to grow demand and build value.

Dale Minyo wraps things up with a visit to Wilmington College to learn about the school's new Agriscience Complex and how the facility will expand hands-on learning opportunities for the next generation of agricultural leaders with Dr. Chad McKay.

This week on the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Ty Higgins catches up with Trevor Kirkpatrick of the Ohio Farm Bureau to discuss the launch of the new Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans, now open for enrollment, offering more affordable health coverage options for Ohio's farm families and small businesses.

Dusty Sonnenberg talks with Julia Brown of the Ohio Soybean Council about the inaugural Ohio Soy Immersion Experience, a new program designed to give farmers an inside look at how the soybean checkoff works to grow demand and build value.

Dale Minyo wraps things up with a visit to Wilmington College to learn about the school's new Agriscience Complex and how the facility will expand hands-on learning opportunities for the next generation of agricultural leaders with Dr. Chad McKay.

In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, host Dusty Sonnenberg sits down with Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge and State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Summers to discuss the state's ongoing response to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The two share how Ohio handled last winter's outbreak that impacted over 15 million birds, the lessons learned from those months, and how producers are preparing as migratory season begins again. They also touch on the far-reaching economic ripple effects across the state's poultry and grain sectors, and offer practical advice for backyard flock owners looking to keep their birds safe.

Later in the podcast, Joel Penhorwood catches up with Joanna Hamilton of the Felicity-Franklin FFA Chapter, who was recently named the American Star in Agriscience at the National FFA Convention. Hamilton reflects on her award-winning research projects ranging from poultry heat lamps to consumer food science, how FFA shaped her future in nursing, and the people who helped guide her along the way.

Listen in for the latest on Ohio agriculture, animal health, and a celebration of FFA excellence.

This week on the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Ty Higgins joins Ohio State students and industry leaders at the Planting Professionals Etiquette Dinner, sponsored by the Ohio Soybean Council and hosted by the CFAES Career Development Office. The event goes well beyond table manners, teaching students how to navigate professional settings over a meal while building connections for their future in agriculture.

Then, Dale Minyo sits down with Seth Wilkerson, Regional Vice President for Farm Credit Mid-America in northeast Ohio. They discuss the financial pressures facing farmers today, what lenders are watching closely in this challenging economy, and how FCMA is working with growers to manage risk and plan ahead.

Finally, Joel Penhorwood travels to southwest Ohio to meet Jared Persinger of South Plymouth Pumpkins, who just set a new Ohio state record with his massive 2,505-pound pumpkin. Persinger shares the story behind the giant gourd and the journey it has taken since planted in April.