Steve Meyer says that although he’s isn’t pleased at how far behind we still are in hog harvest numbers he says that, “relative to where we are the progress has been pretty remarkable.” Matt Carstens With rain coming through, it’s time to be watching for weeds in fields and that in April 2020 there was 3x as much crop shipped by rail than April 2019. Market analyst Al Kluis says he has adjusted his target levels based on the adjusted numbers put out in this month’s WASDE report.

Mike Naig says he is glad to see some rain across the state, in stark contrast to recent years as well as the importance of broadband availability in the countryside. Al Kluis is today’s market analyst and says that it has been choppy day in markets as prices have gone up and down today and all week. Andy has the Three Big Things You Need to Know and Nathan FIscher with worldwide and Midwest weather.

We react along with Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds' announcement of more business re-openings beginning Friday and talks about the HEROES Act introduce on Tuesday in The House and says it includes some good, encouraging things to work toward helping producers. Matt Brown from Ag West Commodities is our market analyst today and says that there was some positive news in yesterday's WASDE report in the high projected ending stocks for 2021. We also have a special announcement from Tom Weighner of WW Homestead about a Big Show Box available on their website - WITH FREE SHIPPING!

Iowa's junior Senator Joni Ernst talks about the bill she co-sponsored that would require 50% of cattle trade to be done on the cash market and that cattle producers are losing money on each head they sell and says, "we have to make sure we get this right." BASF Technical Agronomist Mark Storr says that we are looking forward to some rain in the next couple of days in contrast to the last couple of years after we had a good run on planting in April.

Travis Ralfs from Valent USA says that most of their customers are off to a good start this season despite the distractions of the outside world. Iowa Farm Bureau Economist Dr. Sam Funk tells us about the findings in his recent economic analysis including record numbers in cattle on feed and says in his report that challenges for Iowa’s farmers will likely continue into next year. We close the show with analysis from Don Roose talking about the upturn today in corn as the report gave us “nothing really new on the negative side.”

Don Roose is with us to talk us through the WASDE report numbers released at 11:00 am today and the markets’ reaction (or lack thereof). Mike Naig gives his daily address to Iowa’s food, fuel, and fiber industry; telling us about a special ceremony he was a part of this morning receiving PPE from Taiwan, and talking WASDE numbers. Andy has the Three Big Things You Need To Know, and Nathan Fischer has worldwide cropping weather on today’s show!

Dekalb and Asgrow technical agronomist Rich Judge talks about the effects of the sub-freezing temperatures across the state of Iowa over the past weekend. Iowa Cattlemen CEO Matt Deppe tells us about the importance of Donald Trump taking action last week on price discovery for producers and how plant closures have been impacting producers. Jamey Kohake closes the day with market analysis as livestock prices have been down all day and how back ups in meat processing have affected the markets.

Good question, that's why we asked it of Iowa Secretary of Ag Mike Naig during his daily Address to the Iowa Food, Fuel and Fiber Industry on The Big Show, and he also shared some good news in regard to USDA Assistance which you have to hear. PLUS Tim Meyer with The Steffes Group talks us through some online auction assurances during his weekly land and equipment values update AND Jamey Kohake's expert market analysis.

Field Agronomist from Pioneer, Brian Early, talks with us about the cold weather coming to the eastern corn belt this weekend and says that we could potentially break records, especially in his neck of the woods in northern Indiana. Steve Johnson from Iowa State University discusses the findings of the cash rental rate survey from Dr. Alejandro Plastina. Brian Hoops closes out the week with a look at price projections for corn and soybeans and says you have to be ready to sell when rallies do happen.

Good Big Show Buddy Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig reacts strongly in real time to news that five oil state governors have sent off a letter requesting more SRE's be granted, and you have to hear his strong defense of the renewable fuels industry in his daily Address to the Iowa Food, Fuel and Fiber Industry with Bob and Andy. PLUS Brian Hoop's expert market analysis on how far this rally could go AND the Three Big Things You Need to Know.