The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family

Welcome to Episode 198 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, American Farm Bureau economist Faith Parum analyzes USDA's most recent forecast of net farm income, and we introduce you to the new chair of Iowa Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Advisory Committee, Michael McEnany.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Read and subscribe to American Farm Bureau's Market Intel updates.
• Use Iowa Farm Bureau's Cash Bid Search tool to find the best grain prices near you.
• Learn more about Iowa Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Program.
• Contact your county Farm Bureau.

Welcome to Episode 197 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we explore a grain bagging system that could be a solution for some farmers facing logistical challenges or inadequate grain storage. We also sit down with Iowa's 2025 Conservation Farmer of the Year.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Learn more about grain bagging systems from Dammann Farms.
• Visit ConservationCountsIowa.com.
• Catch up on past episodes of The Spokesman Speaks podcast this harvest season.

Welcome to Episode 196 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Farm Bureau's in-house ag economics experts (Zach Brummer and Dr. Christopher Pudenz) share their analysis of crop and livestock markets heading into harvest season.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• View recorded educational webinars for farmers and watch for more upcoming events and webinars, including Iowa Farm Bureau's winter Ag Market Outlook Meeting Series, featuring Farmer Education Program Manager Zach Brummer and economist Dr. Christopher Pudenz.
• Use Iowa Farm Bureau's Cash Bid Search Tool to find the best bids for corn and soybeans near you.
• Visit AmericaNeedsFarmers.org to learn more about 2025 ANF Wall of Honor inductee Micah Hyde, the 2025 ANF Game Day On-Field Experience, and the 40 Reasons Why America Needs Farmers video series featuring "Iowa Nice Guy" Scott Siepker.

Welcome to Episode 195 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa's State Climatologist, Dr. Justin Glisan, analyzes Iowa's wet summer and forecasts what farmers can expect for precipitation in the late summer and fall. And Dr. Scott Gerlt, chief economist for the American Soybean Association, talks about efforts to boost the domestic demand for soybeans.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Check out the Iowa Climatology Bureau website.
• 40 Reasons Why America Needs Farmers video series

Welcome to Episode 194 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, American Farm Bureau economist Danny Munch shares what's in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act for agriculture, including updated risk management programs, tax provisions and more. Later in the episode, we share what Iowa Farm Bureau will offer those who visit us at the 2025 Iowa State Fair.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• American Farm Bureau Market Intel, One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Final Agricultural Provisions
• Subscribe to receive American Farm Bureau Market Intel articles in your inbox.
• See what Iowa Farm Bureau will offer fairgoers at the 2025 Iowa State Fair.

Welcome to Episode 193 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. Central Iowa's water quality challenges are making headlines. In this episode, we discuss those challenges and the progress that's being made in protecting water quality with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa State University researcher Dr. Mike Castellano.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• ConservationCountsIowa.com
• CleanWaterIowa.org
• N-FACT nitrogen fertilizer application consultation tool

Welcome to Episode 192 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we hear how the National Pork Board developed its new "taste what pork can do" campaign to increase U.S. consumption. We also learn how Iowa State University and Alliant Energy are partnering to grow fruit, vegetables, and pollinator habitat under solar panels.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Visit the Pork Checkoff website.
• Visit Pork.org.
• Sign up to attend a field day at the Alliant Energy Solar Farm in Ames.

Welcome to Episode 191 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we share a new study on the factors influencing Iowa grocery shoppers' purchasing decisions, who those shoppers trust for information about food and farming, and more. We also hear what 25 Iowa Farm Bureau members learned while recently touring Belgium and the Netherlands to explore European agriculture and learn about European Union (EU) climate regulations.

Resource Mentioned in this Episode:

• Learn more about Iowa grocery shoppers' beliefs and behaviors, through the 2025 Iowa Farm Bureau Food & Farm Index®.
• Visit Iowa Farm Bureau's social media accounts to see photos and videos from the 2025 Iowa Farm Bureau Market Study Tour: Facebook, Instagram, X
• Read more about the 2025 Iowa Farm Bureau Market Study Tour in the Spokesman.
• Contact Stacy Stevens to express your interest in an upcoming Iowa Farm Bureau Market Study Tour: [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 190 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we chat with Iowa State University's resident expert on farmland values, economist Dr. Rabail Chandio. We also explore new research on Americans' meat purchasing habits, with Rick Stein, who's the Vice President of Fresh Foods for The Food Industry Association.

Resource Mentioned in this Episode:

• Review Iowa State University's annual Farmland Value Survey.
• Learn how farmers provide nutritious meat while caring for their animals and the environment at RealFarmersRealFoodRealMeat.com.
• Learn more about the 2025 "Power of Meat" report.

Welcome to Episode 189 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we discuss learning opportunities, promotion, and funding available to Iowa farmers who grow specialty crops and livestock, through Choose Iowa and Iowa Farm Bureau programs. We also talk with Adam Ledvina, a young Tama County Farm Bureau member who raises Kiko goats for weed and brush management and meat, exemplifying the diverse, nontraditional opportunities in agriculture.

Resource Mentioned in this Episode:

• Apply for Iowa Farm Bureau's Grow Your Future Award.
• Learn more about Choose Iowa.
• Visit the Iowa Kiko Goats Facebook page.