Ohio Ag Net Podcast

This week on the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, our own Ty Higgins catches up with Emily Buckman, Director of Government Relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation, to unpack the impact of the ongoing government shutdown on farmers and ranchers nationwide. Buckman shares how furloughed USDA employees and delayed services ripple through rural America, why a prolonged shutdown hurts the ag economy, and what’s at stake as lawmakers debate the next Farm Bill. Then, Ohio Ag Net’s Dale Minyo heads to Putnam County to visit Schnipke Family Farms, an Ohio Century Farm just outside Kalida and the week three winners of Feeding Farmers in the Field. Dale talks with Chelsea Schnipke about her family’s 100-year farming legacy, the teamwork that keeps the operation running, and how this fall’s dry conditions have shaped harvest progress. Finally, Ohio’s Country Journal editor Brianna Smith brings us conversations with Dale Miller and Doug Dierkesheide, as they share their latest "Between the Rows" harvest updates, offering insight into yields, field conditions, and their outlook as the season pushes on.

This week on the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, the team dives into the heart of harvest season — from the combine seat to the credit office. First up, Ohio Ag Net’s Dale Minyo sits down with Rudi Pitzer Perry, Regional Vice President Agricultural Lending with Farm Credit Mid-America in Washington Court House. The two discuss the cyclical nature of the ag economy, today’s downturn in the grain markets, and why risk management and proactive planning are key for farmers heading into 2026. Then, Ohio Ag Net’s Ty Higgins climbs into the combine with Chase Finney of Finney Farms in Crawford County for another edition of the 2025 Cab Cam series, brought to you by Precision Agri Services, Inc. Finney reflects on this year’s corn yields, the challenges of a wet spring followed by a dry summer, and the importance of staying adaptable in an ever-changing growing season. Next, our Joel Penhorwood rides along with Sam Kinney of Kinney Farms in Logan County for a look at the ups and downs of Ohio’s soybean crop. We even get to hear a sneak peek at a unique on-farm soybean experiment; Kinney shares what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what he’s learning from this year’s harvest. Finally, Ohio’s Country Journal Editor Brianna Smith talks with Jed Bower, a fifth-generation farmer from Washington Court House and the incoming President of the National Corn Growers Association. Bower shares his mission to keep farmers profitable, from advancing E15 ethanol adoption to exploring new uses for corn. He also reflects on what it means to represent corn growers on the national stage.

This week on the Ohio Ag Net Podcast is nothing short of packed. First up, Ohio Ag Net's Dusty Sonnenberg talks with Brynn Bishop, a Wilmington College student and committee member helping coordinate the third annual Night for Young Professionals that will be taking place on Oct. 1, thanks to the Ohio Soybean Council and Ohio's soybean farmers. From headshots and résumé reviews to industry networking, door prizes, and more, this event is designed to set young adults up for professional success. With an ice cream cone in hand, our own Joel Penhorwood brings us a conversation with a Canadian farmer he met at the Farm Science Review. Doug Bacon is a Nova Scotia farmer who enjoys making the trip down to Ohio for the annual tradeshow. Bacon shares an international perspective on issues like the loss of family farms, Canada’s supply management system, and why he likes American farm equipment. Next, Ohio's Country Journal Editor Brianna Smith sits down with Morgan Evans, the Ohio Corn & Wheat intern and a senior at Wilmington College. The two relfect on Evans' internship experience, the Collegiate Policy Academy, and the value of students engaging in ag policy. Finally, Farm Credit Mid-America’s Regional Vice Presidents for Agricultural Lending, Bob Siegel and Rudi Pitzer Perry, stopped by the Ohio Ag Net barn at the Farm Science Review. They break down today’s farm financial climate — from high input costs to tight margins — and share how communication, trusted advisors, and knowing your numbers can help farmers weather the lows of agriculture’s cycles.

The Ohio Ag Net team wrapped up yet another successful year at the Farm Science Review. To all who stopped by to see us: Thank You! We’re so glad we could share such a great week with you all. Till next year! This week on the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, we pulled together updates from across Ohio agriculture while at the Farm Science Review. Our own Dusty Sonnenberg caught up with State Director of Agriculture Brian Baldridge. The two discussed the latest happenings in the statehouse that impact Ohio agriculture; specifically, the recently passed budget bill. Director Baldridge also shared about his experience at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture annual conference in Arkansas, the current status of epidural hematoma (EDH) in cattle, and everything in between. Ohio’s Country Journal Editor Brianna Smith sat down with Luke Crumley, Director of Public Policy & Sustainability for Ohio Corn & Wheat. Crumley shared what they're focused on this time of year, the impact of vomitoxin on Ohio’s corn growers, the state’s gubernatorial race, and more. Lastly, Ohio Ag Net’s Joel Penhorwood spoke with Dr. Scott Shearer, Professor and Chair of Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering at The Ohio State University. Penhorwood and Shearer talked all things agricultural innovation, especially what was on display at this year’s Farm Science Review.

Happy Farm Science Review Week! Hosted Sept. 16–18 off Route 40 in London, this marks the 63rd year of Ohio agriculture’s biggest trade show. Ohio Ag Net’s Dale Minyo sits down with Farm Science Review Manager Nick Zachrich for an inside look and preview of what’s ahead. You can find Zachrich and the Ohio Ag Net team all week long at the Ohio Ag Net/Ohio’s Country Journal Barn, located at the corner of Corn and Market Streets. Stop by and say hello to the voice you know with the news you trust team! Shifting gears to agriculture's biggest talk of the town right now: global trade. Ohio’s Country Journal Editor Brianna Smith talks with Ryan LeGrand, President & CEO of the newly renamed U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC). They discuss the group's name change, the current trade landscape for U.S. grains, and what it means for farmers. To close out the episode, Smith talks with Mark Spier, the newly elected President & CEO of U.S. Wheat Associates. He sheds insight on his new role, the importance of U.S. wheat in international markets, and how the group is working to strengthen the commodity’s competitiveness and, ultimately, its return on investment for farmers.

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is making headlines in Ohio as deer herds face heavy losses, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture confirms a positive case in a cow in Meigs County. In this deep-dive video, Ohio Ag Net’s Joel Penhorwood talks with ODA Director Brian Baldridge and State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Summers about what the livestock case means, and what farmers should know. Clint McCoy, deer biologist with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, also joins the conversation to share the latest updates on Ohio’s deer herd and what could be ahead for this fall’s hunting season.

The latest Ohio Ag Net Podcast brings two timely conversations for farmers. Dale Minyo visits with Bob Siegel, Regional Vice President of Ag Lending at Farm Credit Mid-America, to talk about diversification. From trucking and tiling to agritourism and side businesses, Siegel shares how farmers are finding new ways to spread out risk and set up the next generation. Later, Joel Penhorwood catches up with Robb Ewoldt, an Iowa farmer and United Soybean Board director. Ewoldt highlights the checkoff’s work in driving soybean demand, from livestock diets and renewable fuels to shoes, tires, and even asphalt made with soybean oil. He also shares perspective on tight margins, global competition, and why building domestic markets is more important than ever.

In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Dale Minyo talks with Wendy Osborn, Director of Market Development at Ohio Corn and Wheat. They cover the effects and benefits farmers are going to see from the upcoming trade deals being made. She says there is a lot of optimism around these trade deals as we are projected to set a record for corn and corn ethanol exports, but the details of these deals are still being fine-tuned. Then, Joel Penhorwood chats alongside Rodrigo Werle, Extension Weed Scientist for the University of Wisconsin Madison from the field at the Southwest Ohio Corn Growers Field Day. With waterhemp being one of the toughest weeds to control with its very extended emergence rate and resistance, Werle offers tips to farmers about controlling waterhemp, especially with a two-pass management system.

In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Dusty Sonnenberg and Joel Penhorwood wrap up the observations of the Ohio Crop Tour, powered by Field Leader. They are joined by scouts Scott Chalfin and Joe McCandlish who help to describe the things they saw while scouting both corn and soybeans across the state.

In this short but sweet episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Dale Minyo catches up with Ohio Director of Agriculture Brian Baldridge (pictured singing with the choir at the Sale of Champions). The two talk this year's Ohio State Fair as it was wrapping up with stories of ODA involvement as well as unique examples of how the fair is helping tell the story of agriculture to the general public.

In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Dusty Sonnenberg and Brianna Smith chat with Ray Foos, ODOT Survey Operations Manager, and John Fulton, OSU Extension State Specialist on Precision Planting. They discuss the upcoming changes to the Geodetic Datum and how it will affect farmers. Then, Dale Minyo talks with Luke Crumley, Director of Public Policy and Sustainability for Ohio Corn and Wheat. He highlights the wins of the recent reconciliation bill passing, along with the many funds protected for farmers within the Ohio State Budget. Next, Joel Penhorwood continues to highlight a major piece of the Ohio State Fair, the open livestock shows. Joel highlights two shows, beef and sheep, talking with the Baney Sisters at Creek Bottom Farm and Tom Wallace and Family from Miami County. To wrap up, Joel catches up with Jada Shroyer, of Logan County, who exhibited the Grand Champion Market Sheep at the 2025 Ohio State Fair, along with Madison Shatto, of Shelby County, who exhibited the Reserve Champion Market Sheep.

In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Dale Minyo talks with John Linder about his starts in agriculture and how his experiences shaped his time as a past National Corn Growers Association President. Then, Dale chats with Regan Coyle, Insurance Officer at Farm Credit Mid-America, about their pasture, rangeland and forage risk management options. To wrap up, Joel Penhorwood interviewed the Market Goat Champions from the 2025 Ohio State Fair Junior Show. Hayden Bryant, Grand Champion and Braxton Method, Reserve Champion share their excitement of winning and advise for younger members. Joel also chats with Jay and Kristy Ackley about their long-time show career at the Ohio State Fair and what it means to their family to be a part of such legacy.

Adam Heffron, Executive Director of the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair, joins Ohio Ag Net's Dale Minyo to talk about the ongoing construction at the fairgrounds. Visitors will see big changes ongoing as the fair gets major upgrades in the multi-year update. Additionally, Joel Penhorwood talks with OABA President and CEO Melinda Witten for a state budget perspective and event update from the Ohio AgriBusiness Association.

In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Joel Penhorwood and Brianna Smith chat with the Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge and Assistant State Veterinarian Dr. Kristy Shaw. They discuss the county fair season and what the future holds for the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) within the state. Then, Joel talks with Kelly Morgan, Director of the OH-Pigs Program where she highlights personal growth of the exhibitors, along with the opportunities the program holds for the future of the swine industry.

In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Joel Penhorwood speaks with Sam Park, Ohio Channel Technical Agronomist. Sam shares his knowledge on how to best mitigate the heavy rainfall this spring in terms of nitrogen management, more specifically denitrification and leeching. Then, Dusty Sonnenberg checks in with Jordan Hoewischer, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Director of Water Quality and Research, to discuss their recent media and legislative field days focused on show casing conservation practices. Wrapping up the episode, Brianna Smith talks with Kelley Tillmon, OSU Extension Entomologist, about what pests everyone should be on the lookout for this summer.

In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Dusty Sonnenberg and Brianna Smith visit Baumgarte Farms to meet young agriculturalists Trevor German and Emma Burchett. The duo shares their journey back to the family farm, insights on Ohio’s Beginning Farmer Tax Credit, and how they’re leading the way with drone technology through their business Eagle Eye Agriculture in crop spraying, cover crops, and even zoo greenhouses. Also in this episode, Dale Minyo talks ethanol awareness with Gerry Puckett of Ohio Corn & Wheat, and Joel Penhorwood checks in from Pettisville High School with ag educator Whitney Short and her experience with GrowNextGen.

In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Dusty Sonnenberg talks with Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora, OSU Extension Soybean Pathologist and Nematologist, to discuss timely scouting tips for soybean seedling diseases. The conversation covers how to properly submit samples, the effectiveness and limits of seed treatments, and a practical approach to managing persistent pathogens like Phytophthora and Fusarium. Dr. Lopez-Nicora also dives into current insights on soybean cyst nematode (SCN), highlighting a free testing opportunity for Ohio growers and how rotating resistance sources is key to keeping SCN populations in check. Then, Joel Penhorwood is joined by OSU Plant Pathologist Dr. Pierce Paul to unpack headlines surrounding a court case involving an attempted smuggling of Fusarium graminearum into the U.S. – a pathogen that’s no stranger to Ohio. They explore how this year's weather could be impacting its presence, how drone-applied fungicides are changing the game, and why now is a crucial time for farmers to stay on top of field monitoring.

This episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast brings together the latest in livestock leadership, soil health, and farm policy updates impacting Ohio producers. Dusty Sonnenberg and Joel Penhorwood lead a timely conversation with Duane Stateler and Pat Hord – two Ohio hog producers now serving in key leadership roles with the National Pork Producers Council with Stateler currently servicing as President and Hord as Vice President. They dig into major industry topics including Prop 12 implications, biosecurity threats like screwworm, and how Ohio farmers are helping shape national pork policy. Joel also catches up with Amy Weaver of Farm Credit Mid-America to learn more about the Growing Forward Program – designed to support young, beginning, and small farmers with tailored resources and opportunities. Then, Dusty chats with Kate Shenk, Director of Regulatory Affairs with Clean Fuels Alliance America, about compelling new research on biodiesel’s benefits – findings with a major upside for Ohio’s agricultural economy. Finally, Joe Everett and Brianna Smith talk soil strategy with Dr. Manbir Rakkar of The Ohio State University. With rain-soaked fields and delayed planting on many minds, Dr. Rakkar discusses when waiting just a bit longer might be the healthiest option for your soils in the long run, though far easier said than done.

The Ohio Ag Net Podcast crew heads back to southeast Ohio to talk with Morgan County cattle producers who joined us in September 2024 in the midst of an especially hard drought. Has land and more rebounded from that time? Join Dusty Sonnenberg as he talks with local livestock producers Austin Wiseman, Gary Haines, and OSU Extension Field Specialist Garth Ruff to discuss the past year. Later on, Ohio Ag Net's Dale Minyo catches up with Luke Crumley of Ohio Corn & Wheat about how they and their farmer leaders are staying busy in an ever-changing policy environment.

In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, we’re on location in Ottawa County, where a packed barn at the Sheldon and Samantha Miller farm hosted a standout legislative meeting of the Ottawa County Farm Bureau. Ohio Ag Net's Dusty Sonnenberg moderates a thoughtful roundtable with farmers Sheldon Miller, Samantha Miller, Josh Behnke, and Jordan Moore as they dive into the personal and community-wide impacts of conservation programs, land use pressures, weather disasters, and the unintended consequences of federal incentives. Later, Adam Sharp of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation reflects on the importance of civil, local conversations in shaping statewide agricultural policy. Finally, Dale Minyo visits with Optimus Technologies CEO Colin Huwyler to learn how 100% soy biodiesel is hitting the road in real-world fleet operations, including some right here in Ohio.