How do we build up agriculture economic development?  Returning guest, Don Lamb joins hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett in the podcast room for today’s episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  As you may remember, Don is the Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.  

In addition to sharing about his career background and what his role looks like on a day-to-day basis, he’ll discuss why Indiana’s department of agriculture is so special.  You’ll also hear how Don and “Team Ag Indiana” were able to successfully deliver a pitch to bring a USDA hub to Indiana and potential benefits to Indiana growers to have them local.  Don will also explain his thoughts around successfully tracking and managing agriculture economic development despite urban sprawl and large industrial sites.  “When I think about… economic development and agriculture, the doing should be happening locally… Get active.”

We’re all about propane today!  Special guest Brennan Gilbert and most edited guest, Bill Houze join hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama in the podcast room for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Bill has been in propane sales and Brennan is a district manager.  They have both been with Premier Energy for years now and have seen how the company has grown and evolved.

Bill and Brennan will share about their current roles with Premier and how they’ve worked to help Premier Energy maintain standards through the company growth.  In addition to learning about their testing and required certifications, you’ll hear how Premier makes sure their employees have proper training to do their jobs safely and effectively.  Bill will share about the Gold Cap program and why Premier’s Keep Full program can help take the stress off of your plate and make sure you don’t run out of propane.  There are tips for the customer, as well!  “Understand what appliances you have that are propane…  what [propane] smells like, how to shut the tank off, and then give us a call…  and do not light candles.”

How do we navigate the leadership gap that exists with recent graduates in agriculture who don’t have the farm background?  Special and returning guest Sarah Beth Aubrey joins hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama for today’s episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Sarah Beth is the CEO and Founder of The Envoy Group and CEO and Founder of Agvocacy Coalitions.

In addition to sharing a glimpse into her career history, Sarah Beth will share about her agriculture and energy consulting firms, The Envoy Group and Agvocacy Coalitions. You’ll also learn about the WISE (Women in Sustainability Experience) network and how it’s designed to help women find a space for networking and peer relationships in that segment of the industry.  Sal, Jeff, and Sarah Beth will also discuss the leadership gap and opportunities that exist with those who don’t have farming backgrounds but do have an interest in agriculture. “We can be real snobbish about ag knowledge…  I think the closest thing we can do for that leadership gap is to take up a mantle of mentorship.” 

What exactly are phytotoxins? Glenn Longabaugh joins hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama back in the podcast room for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  As everyone’s favorite (and only) technical agronomist at Premier Companies, Glenn is here to share about more than just otter toilets.

Glenn, Sal, and Jeff discuss phytotoxins and how cereal rye contributes to their presence in the field.  Glenn will also share why a grower might want to avoid planting corn immediately following wheat or cereal rye and the steps to take if it’s unavoidable.  In addition to learning how weather impacts the rotting of the cereal grain and the vigor of the new crop, Glenn will teach us how Ascend2 and Ascend ST3 can help a grower in the transition between cover crop and corn.  From discussions around IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee) and compounds that crystallize in an insect’s gut to an otter’s poop dance, you’ll hear why “it comes around to poop in almost every conversation!”

What happened to October’s WASDE report? Returning and very special guest Aaron Bledsoe joins hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama for today’s episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  He’s the Grain Merchandiser and a resident hunter for Premier Companies, and between his hunting stories and thoughtful insight, you’ll see today why he’s such a fan favorite.

Aaron will share how the government shutdown impacted October information including inspection data, and why the corn market is getting a temporary boost. Sal, Jeff, and Aaron will dig into the stocks-to-use rate for beans and you’ll learn why it’s tighter than it’s been in the last few years in the United States.  They’ll also discuss why there’s been over a dollar rally in soybeans and why it continues to be important for growers to understand and know their targets. “There are some highlights… When we have these good days or this good month of bean rallies or even corn hanging around as strong as it has been, it gives you an opportunity to take some risk off the table.”

When you think of the midwest, you may not think of “black gold,” but maybe you won’t discount it after this episode. Special and returning guest Matt Smorch joins hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett for today’s episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies. Matt is the President and CEO of CountryMark Cooperative.  

Matt joins us to discuss the quality of CountryMark diesel and fuel and what sets them apart from other suppliers in the area. In addition to speaking about blue hydrogen, Matt will put on his chemical engineering hat and share about the ISO Technology that is used to help increase the quality of their diesel fuel and add power and cetane while still keeping exceptional winter performance. You’ll also learn about the refinery in Mount Vernon, Indiana that processes 35,000 barrels of crude oil from Indiana each day. For many reasons including their use of soybeans in their biodiesel and renewable diesel, you’ll learn how CountryMark stands behind growers. “We’re a cooperative, so when we make money, it helps all of Ag in Indiana and the money stays here.”

Is there more roadwork happening or does it just feel that way?  Special guest Josh Haley joins hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama for today’s episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Josh is the CEO at Temple & Temple Excavating and Paving in Salem, Indiana.

Josh, Jeff, and Sal will explore how Josh went from a general laborer to the CEO of Temple & Temple, an excavation business that’s been around for over 75 years.  From underground work to roadways and epoxy coating, Josh will share the variety of jobs Temple & Temple can complete.  You’ll also learn about the roadwork cycle and they’ll shed some light into why it seems there’s an increasing amount of road construction these days.  Josh will also share how his company faced labor challenges head on by forming a partnership with local high schools to help students become licensed and skilled operators.  If you’re considering a career in excavation and paving, you’ll want to tune in! 

Considering skipping that treated Nitrogen application next year? Stu Hirt and Cody Hornaday join hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett in the podcast room for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies. Stu is the Territory Business Manager and Cody is the Technical Agronomist for Koch Agronomic Services. Though they’re rookies to the podcast, Sal and Jeff have known them for a long time, so they’re no strangers to Premier.

In addition to hearing how Stu and Cody ended up working for Koch Agronomic Services, you’ll learn about the three main forms of nitrogen loss and how Koch Agronomic Services can help protect against that loss.  You’ll also learn about volatilization inhibitors,symptoms of nitrogen deficiency, how nutrients are all connected, and why the data shows that more untreated Nitrogen actually drives losses higher instead of protecting a lower amount. Think of Nitrogen as an insurance policy. “If I could get you 12 to 15, sometimes 20 bushel more off of treated Nitrogen versus untreated Nitrogen, I mean, to me that’s a no-brainer.”

What’s happening when your alfalfa field has been treated but still becomes a weevil buffet?  Brand new guest, Erika Rodbell, PhD, joins hosts Sal Sama and Jeff Jarrett for today’s episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Dr. Rodbell is the Forage Research Agronomist at Forage Genetics International, and she’s here to discuss the dreaded alfalfa weevil.  

Dr. Rodbell will share how she went from speaking at a conference to becoming an employee of Forage Genetics International on a podcast discussing weevils.  You’ll learn about the different types of weevils across the United States and why the insecticides that used to work 20 years ago are no longer as effective.  If you have resistance to pyrethroids, Dr. Rodbell will discuss the alternatives on the market including indoxacarb and spinosad and the differences between them.  From cultural to mechanical and biological control strategies, you’ll learn what people can do outside the application of insecticides.  If you’re interested in learning more about the various traits on the market today, visit HarvXtra.com to get some insight on what kind of investment that could be for your operation.

We’re talking about AI, but it might not be the AI you’re thinking of.  Returning guest Kyle Schonert joins hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies.  Kyle is the Field Marketing Director for WinField United, and he’s here to talk with us about the tariff landscape as it relates to active ingredients.

If you’ve ever wondered where all of our finished products in our insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides come from and what the tariffs have done to the overall costs in this realm, Kyle will break all of those down for us today.  Jeff, Sal, and Kyle will also dig into some of the surprising places the tariffs show up and why communication and planning ahead with your retailer matter more than ever.  From tackling supply concerns to discussing the risks of failing to plan, this episode is packed with insights on how global trade decisions trickle all the way down to the farm.