The Big Show

We have boots on the ground today with Ben Hollingshead from Key Co-Op and he says that they are already making preparations for post-emergence in Central Iowa. Monte Shaw, Executive Director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association says that the USDA has pretty bluntly said that they will not give funding to the biofuels industry unless Congress tells them to - which is evident from the details of President Trump’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program announcement - which Shaw says is a mistake. Al Kluis says that today’s announcement is a good step for farmers, but it doesn’t affect the supply and demand of commodities.

Hear the President's announcement of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program and up-to-the-minute specifics for your operation with immediate reaction and analysis from Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig in his daily address to the Iowa Food, Fuel and Fiber industry and Bob and Andy. PLUS Al Kluis' expert market analysis, which you have to hear a couple key numbers he's looking at AND the Three Big Things You Need to Know.

Across Iowa at least as we continue to lead the country with planting progress, where State Climatologist Justin Glisan tells Bob and Andy soil conditions have been great but temps about 5 degrees below normal, and you have to hear when he says it may finally warm up. PLUS Dale Leslein's hay market forecast AND the Three Big Things You Need to Know!

After they held a short webinar late last week on the 16 billion dollars package so Bob and Andy ask Secretary Mike Naig the latest during his Daily Address to the Iowa Food, Fuel and Fiber industry. PLUS Tim Meyer's weekly land and equipment values update from The Steffes Group AND Jamey Kohake's expert market analysis.

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue joins Bob to announce funding to expand broadband internet access across Iowa. National Corn Growers Association President Kevin Ross joins us with an update on planting in Southwest Iowa and says that most areas of Iowa were able to clean up from last years flooding in plenty of time to plant as normal this season. Sue Martin says that commodity markets are still vulnerable to China, but good news is that they have been buying soybeans and meat recently from the U.S.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig gives his daily address to the food, fuel, and fiber industry telling us about the pesticide application tests they have been able to conduct in a drive-thru fashion, including next week in Des Moines, Fort Dodge and Iowa City and says, "Iowa agriculture is going to keep rolling. We’re just going through some tough times.” And. Sue Martin from Ag & Investments analyzes the markets with us today as grain markets finish the week less volatile than in recent weeks.

Dr. Steve Meyer from Kerns and Associates is with us to talk about the progress in hog processing after plant closures. And he also says that while meat selection may become limited, it is very unlikely the we will see a food shortage in the United States as a result from the COVID-19 struggles.

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!