The Big Show

IDALS announced yesterday the expansion of their partnership with Duck Unlimited for wetland water quality and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig starts the hour with us provide some more details on the partnership where he sees it heading in the future. Dale Lesline from the Dyersville Hay Auction tells us about their auction results from this week, the quality of hay they've been seeing, and gives his perspective on the hay market. Closing up today, we have Austin Schroder from Brugler Marketing to analyze the markets and he gives some projections for where he sees prices heading in the month of June.

To start off the show, Southwest Iowa producer Chris Gaesser joins us with an update from his corner of the state on how crops are emerging in that area and a peek at what precipitation levels he's seen, or not seen, so far this season. Dekalb/Asgrow Agronomist Nicole Stecklein in Northeast Iowa tells us what she has been seeing so far in fields including crusting and a lot of growers needing to re-plant. She also tells us about their past few days with no rainfall. Austin Schroeder from Brugler Marketing is today's market analyst as grains are all in the green, which he says is being fueled by weather outlooks for the next couple of weeks. To end the hour, David Geiger is joined by Lee Koeningsfeld, an agronomist for Beck's Hybrids in Northeast Iowa, hearing what he is seeing there for field conditions and emergence.

Dr. Alison Robertson, a plant pathologist from Iowa State University, talks about tar spot, tolerant hybrids, fungicides, and other ways to manage this disease. Wyffels District Sales Manager Randy Harding speaks on nitrogen needs and insect pests in the corn crop. Angie Setzer from Consus joins us to analyze grain markets.

Craig Cogill from the National Weather Service joins us to talk about the much-needed rain we received overnight and other anticipated weather patterns for the near future. Angie Setzer, the owner of Consus, a business that works with farmers to help take their bushels from concept to cash, joins us to discuss grain markets. David Geiger provides an overview of the most recent USDA Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report.

In light of the most recent survey, Dr. Alejandro Plastina, Iowa State University Extension Economist, discusses the driving forces in cash rental prices for Iowa farm ground. He also discusses the findings of their 2023 Cash Rental Rates survey. Tracy Gathman, the general manager at Two Rivers Cooperative, provides insight into a new government bill that would allow heavier-weight semi-trucks on the interstate system and what the local impact could look like. Jamey Kohake joins us from Paragon Investments to explain the current mixed market trends.

Randy Miller, President of the Iowa Soybean Association, celebrates their 14,000th member, membership benefits, and their on-farm research projects. Jamey Kohake from Paragon Investments talks about the lows in the grain markets and the rally in the livestock markets. Tim Meyer tells us all about the upcoming online farmland and equipment auction from The Steffes Group and explains how to place a bid.

We continue from The Big Show Garage with Controlled Ponds of Iowa owner Nick Coburn discussing controlling weeds, algae, and mosquitos in ponds and keeping a healthy water quality for people and the wildlife. David Geiger is joined this afternoon by Iowa Senator Joni Ernst to learn more about a recently passed bi-partisan bill to help improve animal disease preparedness. She also gives her reaction to yesterday's big news with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on WOTUS in Sackett v. EPA. Jamey Kohake from Paragon Investments closes the show with us looking at the strong grain trade today and talks more about what he expects when we come out of the holiday weekend starting with trade Tuesday morning.

We're wrapping up the week with a day at The Big Show Garage! Controlled Ponds of Iowa owner Nick Coburn joins us with an update on the treatment of the pond at the garage that we began on the show at the end of April. He talks about the steps of identifying the issue and treating it. Jamey Kohake from Paragon Investments joins the program with market analysis leading into the long holiday weekend, which he says may lead to a volatile trade day next Tuesday. David Geiger ends the hour with a report on the new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) facility with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, USDA Chief Scientist Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, and USDA Undersecretary Jennifer Moffit.

Iowa State University Extension Field Agronomist Leah TenNapel in Northwest Iowa discusses their drought conditions and the below average rainfall that they have seen so far this season. She then talks about the crusting and emergence issues that it has been causing. With this morning's breaking news on the SCOTUS decision in Sackett v. EPA, David Geiger has a report for us this afternoon on what is in their decision and how it affects people across ag. Wrapping up with Don Roose from U.S. Commodities, he says the market is oversold and it is causing corn and soybeans to move lower. He also informs us on the impact of the long weekend upcoming with no trade on Memorial Day

We had breaking news with the Supreme Court's decision in the Sackett v. EPA case regarding the definition of the Waters of the US (WOTUS). Travis Cushman from Iowa Farm Bureau Federation helps summarize the news and how it affects agriculture. We are also joined by the IFBF Farmer Education Program Manager Zach Brummer with details on their upcoming two-day ag insights tour in Northeast Iowa. Corn, soybeans and livestock commodities are all in the red today. Don Roose from U.S. Commodities tells us why. And Daivd Geiger has a report for us on new USDA funding to support the Rural Partners Network as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda.