The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family

Welcome to Episode 171 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Story County brothers Jason and John Maxwell share the journey that led to them becoming Iowa’s 2024 Conservation Farmers of the Year. Later in the episode, Iowa State University Extension behavioral health expert Dr. David Brown reminds farmers of steps they should take to care for their mental health needs during the stressful harvest season. 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Read more about 2024 Iowa Conservation Farmer of the Year award winners John and Jason Maxwell.
• Learn more about Iowa’s conservation progress at ConservationCountsIowa.com.
• Iowa Concern website and hotline.
• Farm stress resources, including free, one-on-one, ongoing counseling for Iowa farm families, through Personal Assistance Services.

Welcome to Episode 170 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Spokesman reporter Bob Bjoin sits down with Hiro Iwanaga, CEO and co-founder of Talus Renewables, to discuss modular green ammonia systems that could reduce fertilizer costs for Iowa's farmers. These systems are designed to provide locally produced, low-cost fertilizer with a reduced environmental footprint. We also speak with American Farm Bureau economist Danny Munch about the latest USDA farm income forecast and strategies farmers can adopt in today’s challenging economy.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Learn more about the modular green ammonia systems offered by Talus Renewables and Landus.
• American Farm Bureau economist Danny Munch assesses the drop in U.S. net farm income.
• Crop marketing and risk management tips from Iowa Farm Bureau Farmer Education Program Manager Zach Brummer.
• Iowa Farm Bureau’s farm stress management resources for farmers, including a live webinar on September 23.
• Iowa Farm Bureau’s “How to write a post-harvest marketing plan” webinar on November 7.
• Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2024 Iowa Farm Income Tax Webinar on November 18.

Welcome to Episode 169 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we share some crop marketing and risk management tips for farmers to apply in this challenging ag economy. We also introduce you to Brandon Myers, a former Iowa Hawkeye and NFL star who is the newest addition to the ANF (America Needs Farmers) Wall of Honor at Kinnick Stadium.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Iowa Farm Bureau’s Cash Bid Search Tool
• Upcoming farm stress webinar: Successful Self-Care in a Challenging Ag Economy
• Farm stress resources, including free, one-on-one counseling for Iowa’s farm families
• Contact Iowa Farm Bureau Farmer Education Program Manager Zach Brummer at [email protected]
• Learn more about ANF Wall of Honor inductee Brandon Myers, the ANF Game Day On-Field Experience, and ANF Game Day at Kinnick Stadium

Welcome to Episode 168 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we discuss highlights from the 2024 Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index ®, a survey of Iowa grocery shoppers (by the Harris Poll) about factors influencing their grocery purchases, their feelings about real meat and dairy, and who they trust for information about the nutrition and safety of their food. We also sit down with Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johson to discuss the state of the farm economy and the urgent need to pass a new Farm Bill.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• See more highlights from the 2024 Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index®.

Welcome to Episode 167 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we talk with the co-founder and CEO of Distynct, an ag tech company that’s turning traditional livestock alarms into smart alarms. Then we visit with Marshall County farmer and Cloverleaf Animal Welfare Systems COO Jamee Eggers about how Iowa hog farmers can comply with the requirements of California’s Proposition 12, in order to sell pork in that state.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Learn more about Distynct smart alarms for livestock facilities.
• Learn more about Cloverleaf Animal Welfare Systems (a company that offers Prop 12 compliance certification).
• See what Iowa Farm Bureau is offering Iowa State Fair visitors.

Welcome to Episode 166 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we discuss new research on the evolution of Iowa farms and agriculture’s contribution to Iowa’s jobs and the overall economy, with Iowa Farm Bureau economist Dr. Christopher Pudenz and Brian Waddingham of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• 2024 Iowa Agriculture Economic Contribution Study
• RSVP for the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers 20th anniversary reception at the Iowa State Fair
• Iowa Farm Bureau’s Top 10 Farm and Ag Facts
• Recordings from Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2024 Economic Summit
• Iowa Farm Bureau’s Cash Bid Search Tool
• The Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman
• Subscribe for email news updates from Iowa Farm Bureau
• Visit Iowa Farm Bureau at the 2024 Iowa State Fair

Welcome to Episode 165 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we share state and federal assistance available to Iowans impacted by recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, with a guest from the FEMA disaster response team that covers Iowa (John Mills) and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

• DisasterRecovery.Iowa.gov
• Iowa’s new Disaster Recovery Farm Interest Program (DRFIP)
• Two-sheet background document on Iowa’s Disaster Recovery Farm Interest Program (DRFIP)
• Iowa Disaster Agriculture Resource Guide
• FEMA’s national website (DisasterAssistance.gov) and hotline: 1-800-621-3362
• Preparing for natural disasters (Ready.gov)
• Disaster resources through Iowa State University Extension

Welcome to Episode 164 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Washington D.C. insider Frank Kelly shares geopolitical factors farmers should consider as they eye agriculture's future. And Ed Usset, a grain marketing economist from the University of Minnesota, offers his strategic grain marketing recommendations for farmers.

Resources mentioned in this episode 

• See slides from Frank Kelly's presentation at Iowa Farm Bureau's Economic Summit. 
• Learn more from Ed Usset and the University of Minnesota's Center for Farm Financial Management. You can purchase Ed's book, "Grain Marketing is Simple (It's just not easy)" here. 
• Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's economic outlook webinar.
• Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's "Take Root" farm succession seminar, July 25 in Johnston. 

Welcome to Episode 163 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Vice President of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dr. Jason Henderson analyzes Iowa’s current ag economy and explores keys he sees for future economic success. And young Iowa farmer Hans Riensche shares what he hopes to learn about transitioning farms to future generations sustainably, through an international study program.  

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Learn more about the Nuffield Scholar program and Hans Riensche.
• Register for Iowa Farm Bureau’s “Take Root” farm succession seminar, July 25 in Johnston.
• Register for Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2024 Young Farmer Ag Insights Tour.

Welcome to Episode 162 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Madelynn Wuestenberg, an Iowa native and recent master's graduate in Agricultural Meteorology from Iowa State University, speaks with us about her new role as the Agricultural Climatology Specialist for ISU Extension. Then Iowa Farm Bureau’s Farmer Education Program Manager offers a sneak peek of our upcoming Young Farmer Ag Insights Tour, which will include stops at unique ag sites across western Iowa & Nebraska.  If you’re a young Iowa farmer, ages 21-40, register by June 30 to secure your spot.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Learn more about Iowa Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Ag Insights Tour.