🎙️ Episode Description:It’s a hot and hazy Monday on Weather and Ag in Focus — and today, Dean and Bridgette hit the road to broadcast from the Kerr Auction Service retirement sale in Mount Sterling, IL. With high humidity (aka “corn sweat”) and severe weather looming in the Upper Midwest, the show tackles droughts, derechos, and dinner plans, while also spotlighting smart ag tech, summer interns, and fascinating trivia about John Deere tractors. If you love weather nerdiness, crop talk, or old-school radio games, this episode has it all — plus two impressive students from MyAgData and a surprise garden tractor trivia winner! ⏱️ Key Moments & Timestamps: [00:00] – 🌽 Corn Sweat & Storm TracksBridget sweats through Illinois humidity while Dean breaks down a potential derecho event headed for southern Minnesota and South Dakota. “You could wring your shirt out — and that’s before noon.” [09:15] – 🛠️ Kerr Auction PreviewMilwaukee & DeWalt tools, consignment sales, and used combines up for grabs. [14:30] – ⚠️ Derecho Danger ExplainedDean explains how the LRC (Lezak Recurring Cycle) suggests this week’s pattern could repeat July/Aug-style severe weather. “The ingredients are there — widespread wind damage is possible.” [22:00] – 🥩 Trump’s Beef Deal with AustraliaListener asks about Trump’s claim on exporting U.S. beef to Australia. Bridgette explains the cultural and supply chain hurdles that’ll delay impact. “They prefer grass-fed, we’re corn-fed. It’ll take some tastebud training.” [30:00] – 👩‍💻 Meet the Interns: Leah & Carson from MyAgDataTwo standout students share their experiences working on crop acreage reporting tech, including data wrangling, FSA submissions, and learning on the fly. [51:45] – 🧠 Advice for Future Ag LeadersLeah and Carson offer career tips, internship insights, and why even non-farm kids can succeed in ag tech. [1:03:30] – 🚜 John Deere Trivia Time!Listeners call in to guess the first year John Deere released the Model 110 garden tractor. Winner nails it: 1963. “Congrats, Dave! Come get your National Weather Service-certified rain gauge!” [1:17:00] – 🧠 John Deere Deep DiveDean shares fun tractor history: First turbocharged JD: 4520 (1969) First factory cab: 1949 First with rubber tracks: 8000 series (1997) [1:26:00] – 🧑‍🌾 Labor Shortage in Rural AmericaBridgette breaks down why processing plants and farms are struggling to hire — and why automation isn’t always the answer.