The Big Show

We are seeing harvest totals a little higher now than a week ago, so Iowa Secretary of Ag Mike Naig says he's encouraged by the re-opening plants he's seeing but also reminds us in his daily address to the Iowa Food, Fuel and Fiber Industry with Bob and Andy that worker safety is a top priority. PLUS Al Kluis' expert market analysis includes his take on the higher harvest numbers impact on cash markets AND the Three Big Things You Need to Know.

As good Big Show Buddy Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig announces another round of funding for these projects during his daily Address to the Iowa Food, Fuel and Fiber industry with Bob and Andy. PLUS you have to hear what ISU's Meaghan Anderson is recommending you scout for after this next bout with near-freezing or freezing temps AND Bill Havertape's expert market analysis.

At least for corn planting it does, so Key Coop's Ben Hollingshead joins Bob and Andy to provide you with what you need to be looking for as the crop starts to emerge. PLUS Jonathan Gano with Des Moines Public Works details a cool partnership they have with upstream farmers to help reduce the risk of urban flooding and help with drinking water quality AND the Three Big Things You Need to Know.

Good question, which is why Bob and Andy ask it of Iowa Secretary of Ag Mike Naig during his daily Address to the Iowa Food, Fuel and Fiber industry, and you may be surprised by his answer. PLUS Tim Meyer with The Steffes Group's weekly land and equipment values updates AND Jamey Kohake's expert market analysis.

Bob and Andy make the announcement on The Big Show that the two of the premiere events in Iowa Agriculture are being pushed back as a precautionary measure, which Ag Secretary Mike Naig says he "fully supports." PLUS speaking of Mike, he addresses the Iowa Food, Fuel and Fiber industry with an update on the meat harvest facility slowdown and also reminds people to stay safe as we put in long hours through planting, AND Matt Brown's expert market analysis.

Secretary Sonny Perdue calls into The Big Show and says that the USDA is working with the CDC and OSHA to help meat packing plants reopen and help retore the critical link in the supply chain. Brett Hodenfield from Champion Seed is our boots on the ground and tells us that we are well ahead of pace in planting in corn and on pace to break our five-year average. Market sanalyst Don Roose says that soybean prices are up with the rumors of China helping the bean market. Bob and Andy also talk about the original tractors on display at the newly-named Iowa Ag Expo.

It's the Resource Coordination Center launched by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Secretary Mike Naig provides the key details about what this means for you. PLUS good Big Show Buddy Tom Junge announces a new names for their popular Ag Shows in Nebraska and Iowa AND Don Roose's expert market analysis.

Al Kluis is with us today to analyze markets at the beginning and end of the hour and says that we are about a dime away in corn prices from needing financial support, numbers not seen since the financial crisis of 2008. Meanwhile there has been a rally today in soybean prices with China and Mexico buying beans. Eric Schultz from BASF says that it's tough for sprayers to keep up with planters given the higher speeds and the abilty to get more rows out at once. And Andy's Three Big Things You Need to Know!

President Donald Trump signed an order yesterday that keeps meat processing plants open and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says that it sends a message that "it is an essential service and critical infrastructure." Kimi Falkman from Cenex talks with us about the benefits of using grease for equipment maintenance, creating a protective film around key components of machinery. Andy is joined at the farm - at a safe distance - by Jeff Lafrenz from Pioneer testing VRT Sulfur and talks about other technologies from Pioneer.

Pork producer Gene Noem joins us today to talk about conditions on his farm and says that plant closures have created an especially tough time on pork producers. The big cheese from Rantizo, Mike Ott, tells us about their ability to use drones to sanitize sports stadiums - as quickly as overnight between games - as the country returns to normal activities. Brian Hoops gets the final word today with market analysis with a look at the next couple of weeks, including watching weather conditions.