There’s something exciting about this episode!  It’s number 200!  To help us celebrate, special guest Harold Cooper joins hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama in the podcast room.  As you may remember from previous episodes, Harold is the CEO of Premier Companies who’s been with the podcast from the very beginning and with the company for about 25 years.

You’ll hear what it was like to get the podcast running, why he appreciates hearing some of the top players in the agriculture industry in the podcast setting, and what he sees from his standpoint regarding the recent changes in the agriculture industry.  We’ll also learn about how the character and values in those who first started the company help Premier lead as they look to move forward.  From County Mark’s investment into turning soybean oil into renewable diesel fuel to the future in agriculture with robotics, you’ll learn how growers can be supported and markets can be expanded under the same values that existed when Premier Companies was started.  “We really are… positioned very, very well to help those farmers and help this company not only survive but succeed and be different and better in this ever-changing future that we’re gonna have.”

What do Washington DC, hay fields, and the Indiana concert scene have in common? Isaac has worked in all of them! Isaac Murdock is the featured employee joining Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  He is one of the newest account managers for Premier Companies and works in the Worthington, IN area.

Isaac will share how he went from growing up on a farm to interning in DC and working in the governor’s office to ultimately choosing a career in agriculture despite attending a college that doesn’t have an agriculture program.  In addition to learning about some of the similarities between his role in government and his new career at Premier, you’ll hear about some of the challenges he’s faced as he’s stepped into his new role. Whether or not you’ve had a background in government, if you’re considering a role in agriculture account management, this is one you’ll not want to miss!  

Have you ever thought about where your electricity comes from?  Mark McKinney joins host Sal Sama in the podcast room for today’s episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies. For about 11 years, Mark McKinney has been President and CEO of Jackson County REMC which is a non-profit that is member-owned and provides electricity and other types of services to the southern Indiana region.  

Mark will share about his career path from a meter man to his current position with the Jackson County REMC and explain how the rural electric membership cooperative serves its membership.  You’ll learn about REMC’s expansion into fiber optic broadband services and how soon they will be able to offer that service to their entire territory.  From the terrain challenges to battling dead trees, you’ll hear about the difficulties the crews face and how they work proactively to keep the power on.  Mark and Sal will cover various types of energy generation including nuclear energy and how that could impact our energy usage.  “While we do have to generate margins, that’s not the whole focus, to please shareholders.  Our focus is to serve our membership.”

Hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama are joined by special guest Daryl Schmitt in the podcast room for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Daryl is the Indiana State Senator for District 48 and is also known as Daryl-The-Farmer and Daryl-Just-Tryin’-To-Help.

You’ll hear about Daryl’s career progression from working on the farm to a career as a state senator and how he’s been able to advocate for rural Southern Indiana in the state government.  In addition to hearing what types of things felt like a culture shock, you’ll learn how Daryl and his team handle concerns from their constituents.  They’ll also tackle tough issues like the property tax system, land usage concerns, and water regulations.  Buckle up for a great episode hearing more from someone who knows exactly what it’s like to be a grower.  As Sal says, “It’s important for us… to have somebody in the state government that understands farming.”

What has happened to the corn and bean numbers in the most recent reports?  Returning and special guest, Aaron Bledsoe joins host Sal Sama for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  If you’ve been around for any amount of time, you know Aaron is a fan favorite and the Grain Merchandiser at Premier Companies.

On today’s episode, Aaron will take us through the quarterly stocks report and why this year feels a lot more normal than last year.  Sal and Aaron will also tackle the scenarios for the old crop and new crop and why the market is struggling to figure out where the market is going to go for both.  You’ll also learn about the 45Z tax credit, also known as the Clean Fuel Production Credit, and why it matters to growers.  “If we can figure out this biodiesel, there’s a chance that this could be like an ethanol moment for the corn market.” 

Everyone’s favorite agronomist is back!  Returning and very special guest, Glenn Longabaugh, joins hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett back in the podcast room for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  With his Agronomy and Crop Science degree from Purdue and his decades of experience in the field, Glenn brings a wealth of knowledge to Premier Companies and The High Ground, and today’s episode is no exception.

Glenn will share an update on the 2025 crop season and what has contributed to the health of this crop despite the rough start of the planting season.  You’ll hear why Glenn argues that growers should identify which acres are likely to be the top producers and why you should prioritize that land.  If that’s not enough, you’ll also learn how having a crop that’s been spread out so dramatically impacts the spread of disease and why there's a reason for growers to keep up their optimism.  “We’ve got a crop that has improved dramatically.  There is no excuse for not managing it to its full potential.”

What is the number one cause of farm-related fatalities? Brian Scheid returns to join hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies!  As you may remember, Brian is the Director of HR and Environmental Health and Safety for Premier Companies.

Jeff, Sal, and Brian will cover a variety of farm-related safety topics including equipment safety, and Brian will dig into leading causes of fatalities including why tractors are prone to rollovers.  From power takeoff (PTO) injuries to driving on the road, grain bin safety, and lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, you’ll learn about several of the basics to be aware of around the farm. “The main thing is just being aware.  I think everybody gets in a hurry and tries to multitask… you just can’t do that.” 

Why is insurance so expensive?  Christina Lauber joins hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama for today’s episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Christina is the Assistant Vice President for Lockton Companies which works with companies across the US to help them build out their health and insurance programs.

You’ll hear how Christina went from wanting to be an actress to working in recruitment and ultimately ended up working for an insurance broker.  Sal, Jeff, and Christina will dig into the various factors that have led to an increase in insurance costs and some of the things we employers and consumers can do to have an impact on our healthcare journeys.  You’ll also learn about the offerings Premier has for their employees and why they feel it’s so important to set the bar high with both pay and benefits.  “I’m… blown away by your company and the approach that the leadership team does take… I think Harold just has a commitment and a passion for doing the right thing for his people.”

The man, the myth, and the legend returns!  Glenn Longabaugh returns to the podcast room with hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Of course, Glenn is the Technical Agronomist for Premier Companies, but you may not know he’s practically an expert on suck holes and vole colonies.  

Glenn will share an update on the current growing season and how the weather conditions have impacted each farmer’s ability to get their fields planted.  You’ll also learn why Glenn isn’t worried about the tar spot findings from pathologists and why small plants aren’t great hosts.  Sal, Jeff, and Glenn dig into how diseases become epidemics in the reproductive stage and the various stages of the disease triangle and why it should be considered a disease square instead.  You’ll also hear about Glenn’s top watchouts given our recent rainfall events and the reasons behind the greensnap corn in Premier’s territory.  “I don’t want to condemn this crop…  I’m telling you, there’s a lot of potential out there.”

What are the market sentiments toward the reports coming out at the end of the month? On today’s episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies, hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett are joined by Aaron Bledsoe who is no stranger to the podcast! As you may remember, Aaron is the Grain Merchandiser for Premier Companies, and he’ll be giving us the rundown on the June World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report!

You’ll hear why Aaron thinks this update was just “ho-hum” and why he’s got his eyes on the acreage and quarterly stocks report instead.  You’ll hear why many individuals are bullish on old crop corn and what will help out the new crop position.  On the flip side, you’ll hear why feed usage may throw a wrench in the entire thing!  It’s not all doom and gloom; tune in to hear the update on soy biomass diesel and trends to keep on your radar.  “There’s just a lot going on, and literally, with a couple decisions, the marketplace could be turned on its head…”