The High Ground - powered by Premier Companies

What is artificial intelligence, and how can it benefit growers?  To answer this question, brand new guest Taylor Wetli joins hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett in the podcast room for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Taylor is the US Commercial and Business Development Manager for Solinftec, a company that specializes in AI and SaaS (software as a service) for agribusiness.  

In addition to sharing about growing up on a farm and how he ended up in ag technology, Taylor will share a bit about Solinftec and what it’s like to work for a cutting-edge company that’s working closely with growers and ag retailers.  You’ll learn how the robot can not just help make applications in the field, but how it can also help understand issues that exist in the field and make informed decisions regarding how to move forward.  You’ll learn how the technology has evolved over the last couple of years and what possibilities may exist in the future.  “This is leading edge technology, and we want to be part of it for our customers.”

We’ve got a dignitary visiting us!  That might be a bit of a stretch, but not by much!  Special guest, Bruce Kettler, joins hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama on this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Bruce is the CEO and President of the Agribusiness Council of Indiana.

In addition to learning about his background in agronomy and agriculture, you’ll hear how he ended up in the Department of Agriculture and ultimately the Agribusiness Council of Indiana.  Bruce will explain how the ag retail industry has the same concerns as the growers, what’s been done in 2024, and what’s top of mind for the Agribusiness Council as we head into 2025.  You’ll learn how the council has worked in education around pesticides and how they’ve weighed in on the legislature in Indiana.  From the opportunity to learn about the Emerging Professionals Leadership Program and land usage with the LEAP District to how the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) can assess the trade offs for moving farm land to solar farms or warehouses, this episode packs a punch.  “A farm is a business…  That farmland is not just waiting to be developed!”

What is the TRAX program, and how can that help growers?  Your hosts, Jeff and Sal, are joined in the podcast room by Joe Zimmerman and Glenn Longabaugh for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Joe is the TRAX Agronomy Lead, and Glenn is a frequent guest and the Agronomist for Premier Companies.

On today’s episode, you’ll learn more about Glenn and Joe’s background, education, and career history.  You’ll learn about the soil sampling process, the nutrients that are tested, and how the results are analyzed.  They’ll also share how the system knows where each sample came from, how that informs the nutrient applications, and how the CropLink platform can provide data from current and previous years to help growers maximize their yield.  When it comes to utilizing TRAX and Croplink to make sure growers are planting and fertilizing in the appropriate amounts and locations, perhaps Glenn says it best.  “If Joe had more hair, they’d call him Goldilocks.  They don’t put on too much, they don’t put on too little, it’s just right.”    

Knock, knock.  Who’s there?  Caroline and Emily!  Hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett are joined by special guests Caroline Meer and Emily Welch for today’s episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Emily and Caroline are both agronomy account managers for Premier Companies, and they’re here to share about the internship opportunities that exist within the company!

In addition to some stellar knock knock jokes, you’ll learn about the account manager role at Premier including the products and services they sell.  Emily will also share about the variety of internships that exist with Premier including agronomy, operations, and agronomy sales.  As a former intern, Caroline shares insight into her experience and how it impacted her educational and professional journey.  You’ll hear about the training interns receive during their time at Premier, and you’ll also learn about Purdue University’s Job Fairs and how the recruiting process works. From the knock knock jokes to the weigh wagon woes, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

A kernel is a kernel is a kernel…  right?  Returning but still special guest Glenn Longabaugh joins hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett in the podcast room for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Glenn is the Agronomist for Premier Companies, and in addition to being a wealth of knowledge and large words, he’s a fan favorite!

Glenn will share some of the surprises growers in the Midwest saw with the late-planted corn and how kernel depth and weight have been impacted by the growing conditions.  He’ll also share his thoughts on whether growers should plant soybeans before or after corn and what that will mean for overall management.  Sal, Jeff, and Glenn will talk through some of the reasons why there has been such a dramatic variability in yield across the area and the damage charcoal rot can do to a soybean field.  “If you have fields that are disappointing and all you hear from the neighbors is, ‘Oh, this is the best crop I ever had,’ trust me, it is not just you!”  

“Without our customers, we don’t have jobs!”  Special guest, Ben Schutte, joins hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama for this employee spotlight on The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Ben is the Agronomy Accounts Manager, and he’s here to share with us about his career path at Premier.

Ben will share about life growing up on a dairy farm and how that helped shape his work ethic even today.  From working on family farms to working as an account manager, you’ll hear how Ben has solved problems and built relationships in every role he’s had.  He’ll also share about the most rewarding parts of his role and share about some of his greatest successes.  “Outside of their immediate family, you have as much stake in their farm and their success as anyone else.”

What is Swinelink and how does it help a new grower obtain a steady income?  Hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett are joined by special guest Dan Vague in the podcast room for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  As the VP of Swine Production for Premier Companies, Dan has had a front row seat to the ups and downs of the swine market over the last year and knows exactly how Premier runs their swine program.

Dan, Jeff, and Sal will share some insight into the feed efficiency and barn management practices in addition to the changes Premier has seen in the number of hogs in their program.  You’ll also hear how Swinelink works and how growers can benefit from their participation in that program to have steady income without the risk of hog ownership.  Dan will also recap Premier’s care philosophy and how they ensure their livestock are being cared for properly including the steps taken to minimize the spread of disease.  “A healthy happy pig is gonna perform the best, and we’re gonna make the most money off of that…  So that’s our goal, is to keep them as comfortable and happy as possible.” 

What will the yields look like with the dry summer heat?  On this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies, hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama are joined by returning guest and fan favorite, Aaron Bledsoe.  If you’ve been around The High Ground very long, you already know Aaron is the Grain Merchandiser for Premier Companies, and he’s the best person around to answer that question.

Aaron, Sal, and Jeff tackle a variety of topics including the recent WASDE (World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates) Report and current grain markets including recent construction projects and the struggle some of the midwest has with soybean yields.  The Bledsoe dictionary also makes an appearance to help us understand what the “basis” is and why it can be positive or negative.  Aaron will also explain the variety of tools available to help the grower work through their options if they have a yield that exceeds their on-farm storage including locking in a basis and DP (delayed pricing).  “I’d rather be proactive right now than kicking that can down the road.”

Have you ever heard a podcast recorded from a combine?  Today you will!  Returning and special guest Glenn Longabaugh joins hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama from the field.  Glenn is a fan favorite and the Agronomist for Premier Companies. 

In addition to discussing highly important topics like their favorite ice cream, Glenn, Sal, and Jeff will dive into a variety of topics associated with the harvest season.  Glenn will share how he handled drainage issues on a field he farms but doesn’t own and the end results of the adjustments he made.  You’ll also learn about Glenn’s thoughts regarding preparing a field with cover crops and various ways to improve your land.  “To me, it’s all about making the best acres better.”

“Worst start to a podcast ever!”  Hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama are joined by returning guest Brian Scheid for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Jeff and Sal better watch what they say, because Brian is the Director of HR, and Environmental Health and Safety. 

On today’s episode, you’ll learn a lot about the Human Resources side of Premier Companies.  With around 550 people in a company, there’s a lot to juggle, from recruiting and onboarding to payroll and benefits. Brian and his team have a lot on their plate!  Brian, Jeff, and Sal will share about the turnover they’ve seen across departments and the generational makeup of their staff and the safety component of Brian’s role, including wild safety stories!  We’ll leave it up to you as to whether or not it’s actually the worst start to a podcast episode.