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…”

How do you put common sense back into Washington, D.C.?  From Washington, D.C., returning and very special guest, Erin Houchin, joins hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett.  Congresswoman Erin Houchin is the U.S. representative for Indiana’s 9th congressional district and is the second highest ranking female in Congress!

Congresswoman Houchin serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee, the Budget Committee and the Rules Committee, and because of that, she’s on the trifecta of committees for budget reconciliation and will provide a glimpse into how the government is working to find savings while still protecting the individuals who need assistance.  She’ll also give an update on the Farm Bill and the upcoming large issues she’ll be working to address.  “What I try to do in my approach is to get as much information as I can to make the best decision that I can to help the most people that I can…”

How can 4-H prepare students for life after school?  Returning guest Heather VonDielingen is in the podcast room with Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Her responsibilities have changed a bit since she last met with us, and Heather is now working as the Juntos 4-H Lead for the Indiana State 4-H Office.

Heather will share with us about the Juntos program which exists to help students gain the skills and resources to help them graduate high school and open up a new realm of career and academic opportunities upon graduation.  You’ll also learn about the programs that exist for the families of students in the Juntos program and the Next Chapter, a program through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, that exists to increase the employability skills and readiness for the workforce or additional studies.  “We’re really trying to give those kids practical skills that they’ll use…  We’re really preparing these kids for life and work.”

Are you considering getting into agriculture but not sure you want to take all the risk?  You’re going to want to tune into this episode!  After a six-month hiatus, returning guest, Dan Vague, joins hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama in the podcast room for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Dan is the Vice President of Swine Production at SwineLink, a division of Premier Companies that handles the management for family-owned pork facilities.

You’ll learn the ins and outs of SwineLink, a wean-to-finish program, and how it’s designed to get the younger generation back on the farm with more income streams.  Dan, Jeff, and Sal will explain how the sow share system works to allow the production of pigs that will be brought in and finished out as part of SwineLink.  You’ll learn how the pigs are raised and the automated systems that are installed in the barns and the processes involved to keep the pigs healthy and the facilities free from contamination.  Dan will also share what happens before the next group of pigs arrives to keep the barns clean and make sure the pigs will have a safe environment.  Curious about what’s happening in the swine market?  They’ll tackle that topic as well!  “The biggest thing for us, from a profitability standpoint, is to keep the pigs healthy…”

Sal’s favorite agronomist is back!  Glenn Longabaugh is in the podcast room with Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  You know and love Glenn as Premier’s Technical Agronomist, and he’s handing his agronomy secrets out, but you won’t be learning any of his tricks for bowhunting turkeys.

In addition to his hunting adventures, you’ll learn about ideal planting windows and why you should plant according to the weather and not according to the calendar. Considering skipping the phosphate this year?  Glenn will also share why you should rethink that and consider sticking to your original application plans to be able to raise a large crop. “It’s not a good time to build…  I think it’s a good time to… have that relationship with your account manager, and let’s look at crop removal and what your maintenance levels are…  Let’s weather this storm.”