The Big Show

DeKalb/Asgrow Agronomist Nicole Stecklein talks GDUs and planting season with us; as well as the latest drought monitor showing some improvement in her area of Eastern Iowa. Senator Joni Ernst discusses her efforts to update FAFSA to correct hinderances on farm kids, Women in Agriculture Day, and a letter sent to Ambassador Katherine Tai and Secretary Tom Vilsack. ICGA District 3 Director Mark Mueller discusses some export opportunities he is working on.

Tuesday's Second Hour: We're talking Clean Water Wednesday this hour on The Big Show sponsored by the Iowa Agriculture Water Aliance! Mason City farmer Dean Bonheim tells us about his operation and the clean water practices they've implemented. We also visit with Joy Van Wyngarden from Mahaska Soil & Water Conservation District about some of the practices she has overseen in the South Skunk Watershed preventing soil erosion and keeping nutrients in the field. Don Roose from U.S. Commodities closes the day with our last look at markets.

Wednesday's First Hour: Spencer Chase from Agri-Pulse brings us up to date on the future of the Farm Bill now that a government shutdown has been avoided in Washington D.C. We bring in Don Roose from U.S. Commodities to break down the Wednesday market trade. And in today's Ag Week spotlight from Iowa Farm Bureau, we chat with Carroll County producer Jason Nees about his cover crops usage and the work Carroll County Farm Bureau is doing in the area including a donation of ag books to a children's museum and helping fund greenhouse projects for IKM-Manning and Coon Rapids-Bayard.

Tuesday's Second Hour: Our celebration of Iowa Ag Week continues today as we talk with Iowa Farm Bureau Community Research Manager Ronnette Vondrak discussing their investment in the future of agriculture through scholarships available for students. Iowa State Representative Mike Sexton, Chair of the Agriculture Committee, joins us to discuss the session so far and the importance of the fake meat bill working to be passed. Al Kluis from Kluis Commodity Advisors gives us a look at his charts for the next few weeks for grain markets.

Tuesday's First Hour: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird joins the show to discuss the background on dropping a lawsuit against the EPA demanding a ruling on year-round E-15. Al Kluis from Kluis Commodity Advisors tells us about the snow they expect to see in the Twin Cities over the next week and dives into markets, mostly quiet for grains. And we learn about Big Show sponsor Terraplex and their agriculture drone services from Owner and Co-Founder Danny Assman.

Monday's Second Hour: We're talking with Kylie Peterson and Rochelle Gilman from the Iowa Beef Industry Council and Erika Osmundson with the Iowa Cattlemen's Association about the 2024 Iowa's Best Burger Contest! They run down the top ten vote getters again and talk about how they will be judged as well as the qualifications for burgers to make it into the contest! We're celebrating Ag Week all week long with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and today we're saluting Emily Henkes from Driftless Cattle Company about their operation and some of the programs she's involved in up in Northeast Iowa to get young people involved in ag. Jamey Kohake closes the show with a look at markets from Paragon Investments.

The Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen's Association are in studio with us today as we announce the ten finalists in the 2024 Iowa's Best Burger Contest! Kylie Peterson and Rochelle Gilman from the Beef Industry Council and Erika Osmundson with the Iowa Cattlemen's Association reveal the finalists out of the 7,500+ votes, the timeline for judging, and discuss some of their favorite methods of preparation! Jamey Kohake from Paragon Investments breaks down the markets today as they open quietly for corn and a bit lower for soybeans. Tim Meyer updates us on the latest from the Steffes Group calendar!

Friday's Second Hour: Bob is at the Big Show Garage today answers making tick tubes and answers some listener questions. State Climatologist Justin Glissan discuss the expansion of D1 drought in Northern Iowa on yesterday's drought monitor and the potential upcoming shift from El Nino to ENSO Neutral. And Jamey Kohake has our last look at markets for the week from Paragon Investments!

Friday's First Hour: We talk with Dr. Paul Sundberg about receiving the Distinguished Service Award at the National Pork Industry Forum and the way that the industry changed over his 40-plus years. Jamy Kohake from Paragon Investments has today's market analysis. And in today's spotlight on Iowa, Bob is talking with Southwest Valley FFA Advisor Blake Anderson about a $1,000,000 gift from Iowa Farm Bureau to FFA Foundation's All In For Ag campaign and the importance of FFA providing opportunities for students. Bob is also doing some work at the Big Show Garage making some DIY tick tubes.

Thursday's Second Hour: We're talking with Hampton, Iowa's April Hemmes about being named a Master Farmer by Wallaces Farmer and she takes us out into her field to see what it looks like heading into planting season. State Senator Dawn Driscoll, chair of the Senate Ag Committee, tells us about the meat integrity bill that was passed unanimously by the state senate. Brian Hoops from Midwest Market Solutions ends the day with our closing look at markets.