Join Chad Fiechter and Todd Kuethe as they explore ag technology and the ag economy with guest Brant Caley. Caley, an expert in ag tech, discusses his journey, from playing FFA basketball to working with companies like Trimble, Farmers Business Network (FBN), and now Gradable. The discussion covers the evolution of farm technology, sustainability in grain marketing, the future of agricultural technology - and the potential impact of emerging technologies like AI and LLMs. Whether you're a farmer deeply invested in ag tech or simply curious about the technological transformations reshaping agriculture, this episode is a must-listen.

Podcast provided by Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture. For more farm management information and insights, visit us at http://purdue.edu/commercialag.

Gradable App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gradable/id6742845206

Farmer sentiment continues to weaken, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer declined again in July. The barometer fell 11 points to 135 from June, a reading that resulted from U.S. farmers’ weaker perceptions of both current conditions and future expectations. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share insights into the results of the July 2025 survey, conducted from July 7-11, in this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast. Weak crop prices, a squeeze on farm margins, and a notable difference in sentiment between crop and livestock producers are key factors to the weakened sentiment. Despite high input costs and concerns on long-term profitability, recent policy changes and improved expectations for ag exports, have farmers responding that U.S. policy is headed "in the right direction."

The Ag Economy Barometer sentiment index is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. Further details on the full report is available at https://purdue.edu/agbarometer. Slides and the transcript from the discussion can be found at https://purdue.ag/agcast191.

You can find the FULL video episode on our YouTube channel. Visit https://youtu.be/kRT0OT9cYew to subscribe and watch.

Podcast provided by Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture. For more economic information and insights on the Ag Economy Barometer, visit us at http://purdue.edu/commercialag.

Nate Kaufman, Omaha Branch Executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, joins hosts Todd Kuethe and Chad Fiechter in this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast. Kaufman explains the structure and function of the Federal Reserve System, including the roles of the Board of Governors, the 12 regional reserve banks, and their respective branch offices, and shares how monetary policy is set and the importance of regional input in policy decisions. Kaufman highlights his role in representing Nebraska and the agricultural sector, ensuring their unique economic conditions are considered in national policy discussions. The episode also touches on the use of data and industry interaction in formulating economic insights. Additionally, Kaufman shares anecdotes and practical experiences, emphasizing the Fed’s commitment to transparency and public engagement.

Podcast provided by Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture. For more farm management information and insights, visit us at http://purdue.edu/commercialag.

Farmer sentiment weakened in June as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell to 146, down from 158 a month earlier. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share their insight into the results of the June 2025 survey, conducted from June 9-13, in this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast. Key takeaways include a sharp decline in the Future Expectation Index, a stable Current Condition Index, a drop in the Farm Financial Performance Index, and a surprising rise in the Farm Capital Investment Index. The episode explores various factors impacting farmer sentiment, such as policy uncertainty, trade, tariffs, input costs, and labor issues.

The Ag Economy Barometer sentiment index is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. Further details on the full report is available at https://purdue.edu/agbarometer. Slides and the transcript from the discussion can be found at https://purdue.ag/agcast189.

You can find the FULL video episode on our YouTube channel. Visit https://youtu.be/1C5-A2Z_vPg to subscribe and watch.

Podcast provided by Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture. For more economic information and insights on the Ag Economy Barometer, visit us at http://purdue.edu/commercialag.

Farmer sentiment reached a four-year high in May. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share their insight into the results of the May 2025 Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer survey, conducted from May 12-16, in this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast. The barometer rose 10 points to 158, the highest since May 2021, driven by optimism about future and current farm conditions. The Farm Financial Performance Index also saw an increase, while the Farm Capital Investment Index declined slightly. Other key points include a surprising jump in the Short-Term Farmland Value Expectation Index, shifting attitudes toward ag exports, and concerns about labor impacts due to U.S. immigration policies. Current farmer concerns remain centered on high input costs and interest rates, and there is notable interest in the passage of a new 2025 farm bill.

The Ag Economy Barometer sentiment index is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. Further details on the full report is available at https://purdue.edu/agbarometer. Slides and the transcript from the discussion can be found at https://purdue.ag/agcast188.

You can find the FULL video episode on our YouTube channel. Visit https://youtu.be/GRm0BZYXeR0 to subscribe and watch.

Podcast provided by Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture. For more economic information and insights on the Ag Economy Barometer, visit us at http://purdue.edu/commercialag.

Kyle Maple and Pete Drost, professionals in the farmland investment space join hosts Todd Kuethe and Chad Fiechter in this episode of Purdue Commercial AgCast. Maple and Drost share their backgrounds, roles within US Agriculture, and day-to-day tasks in farmland asset management. They share how they identify investment opportunities, source deals through various networks, and the importance of both financial knowledge and effective communication in their field. The discussion also touches on the challenges of managing permanent crops, the evolution of investment management firms in agriculture, and the balancing act of maintaining long-term relationships with farm operators. The conversation provides a look into the impact of water regulations, sustainability in farming, and educating investors about the benefits of farmland as an asset class.

Kyle Maple and Pete Drost, professionals in the farmland investment space join hosts Todd Kuethe and Chad Fiechter in this episode of Purdue Commercial AgCast. Maple and Drost share their backgrounds, roles within US Agriculture, and day-to-day tasks in farmland asset management. They share how they identify investment opportunities, source deals through various networks, and the importance of both financial knowledge and effective communication in their field. The discussion also touches on the challenges of managing permanent crops, the evolution of investment management firms in agriculture, and the balancing act of maintaining long-term relationships with farm operators. The conversation provides a look into the impact of water regulations, sustainability in farming, and educating investors about the benefits of farmland as an asset class.

Kyle Maple and Pete Drost, professionals in the farmland investment space join hosts Todd Kuethe and Chad Fiechter in this episode of Purdue Commercial AgCast. Maple and Drost share their backgrounds, roles within US Agriculture, and day-to-day tasks in farmland asset management. They share how they identify investment opportunities, source deals through various networks, and the importance of both financial knowledge and effective communication in their field. The discussion also touches on the challenges of managing permanent crops, the evolution of investment management firms in agriculture, and the balancing act of maintaining long-term relationships with farm operators. The conversation provides a look into the impact of water regulations, sustainability in farming, and educating investors about the benefits of farmland as an asset class.

Farmer sentiment improved in April as producers expressed more optimism about current and future conditions on their farms. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier share their insight into the results of the April 2025 Ag Economy Barometer survey, conducted from April 14-21, in this episode of the Purdue Commercial AgCast. The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 8 points to a reading of 148, up from 140 in March. Key topics include the surprising economic optimism among livestock producers, farm capital investment trends, and ongoing trade policy impacts. The conversation also covers survey respondents' expectations for farm input costs, interest rates, and the potential long-term effects of tariffs on U.S. agriculture.

The Ag Economy Barometer sentiment index is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. Further details on the full report is available at https://purdue.edu/agbarometer. Slides and the transcript from the discussion can be found at https://purdue.ag/agcast186.

You can find the FULL video episode on our YouTube channel. Visit https://youtu.be/ZAK199Yq61c to subscribe and watch.

Podcast provided by Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture. For more economic information and insights on the Ag Economy Barometer, visit us at http://purdue.edu/commercialag.

Matt Erickson, an ag economic and policy advisor and former chief economist for the U.S. Senate Committee joins hosts Todd Kuethe and Chad Fiechter in this episode of Purdue Commercial AgCast. Erickson shares his background, including his academic journey at Purdue University and internships that led to his extensive career in agricultural policy. He describes his work at various organizations such as the American Farm Bureau Federation, and a key focus on economic and policy analysis for producer impacts. Erickson elaborates on the process of farm bill preparation, the roles within the Senate Ag Committee, and the vital importance of bipartisan cooperation. He also highlights the grassroots involvement in policy development and the significance of gathering insights from both farmers and agricultural associations. The conversation provides a transparent look into the legislative process, the role of economists on Capitol Hill, and the intricate balance between policy formation and constituent needs.