The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family

Welcome to Episode 187 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa State University Extension weed specialist Dr. Wesley Everman helps farmers navigate changing herbicide requirements, and economist Dr. John Newton offers his thoughts on the current farm economy. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Contact ISU Extension weed specialist Wesley Everman.See more economic analysis from Terrain.Register for one of Iowa Farm Bureau’s upcoming Take Root farm succession workshops.Sign up for Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2025 Young Farmer Ag Insights Tour.

Welcome to Episode 186 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson shares recent policy conversations he has had with new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and national lawmakers. And Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig discusses Iowa’s conservation and water quality progress ahead of Earth Day. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Learn about USDA’s Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP).Visit ConservationCountsIowa.com to learn about Iowa’s conservation and water quality progress.Try the new N-Fact calculator to help you determine your best nitrogen fertilizer application rates.2025 Young Farmer Ag Insights Tour.

Welcome to Episode 185 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa’s State Climatologist, Dr. Justin Glisan, reveals his weather outlook for spring planting and beyond. Later, Amanda Van Steenwyk (who leads Iowa Farm Bureau’s farm succession planning program, Take Root) and farm succession planning attorney Erin Herbold-Swalwell share their tips for successfully transitioning the family farm from one generation to the next. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Register for Dr. Justin Glisan’s free “growing season weather outlook” webinar on April 10.Learn more about the Iowa Department of Agriculture’s Climatology Bureau and contact State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan directly.Learn more about Iowa Farm Bureau’s Take Root farm succession program and watch for new workshops this summer.

Welcome to Episode 184 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Farm Bureau’s Dr. Christopher Pudenz and Zach Brummer share their outlook for crop and livestock markets, and Todd Thurman (an ag futurist and swine consultant with 25 years of international agriculture experience) predicts the future of the global ag economy. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Register for Iowa Farm Bureau’s April 1 “Livestock Risk Protection” webinar.Watch Todd Thurman’s webinar predicting the future of the global ag economy.Use these farm facts and conservation infographics/videos/stats to help celebrate Ag Week in Iowa.

Welcome to Episode 183 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Farm Bureau Financial Services regional crop consultant Angie Horn walks farmers through their crop insurance options, and Melissa Miller of the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative shares a new online tool to help farmers calculate their optimum nitrogen application rates. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Watch our recorded webinar with Farm Bureau Financial Services to learn more about your crop insurance options.Learn more about the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative and N-FACT in our recent Spokesman article. Use the new N-FACT calculator to help you determine your optimum nitrogen application rates.

Welcome to Episode 182 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we speak with three Iowa farmers who are carving unique paths in agriculture: Meredith Nunnikhoven, who runs a farm and floristry business in Mahaska County, called Barnswallow Flowers. Lillie Beringer-Crock, who sells her family’s beef and a variety of other locally-produced goods online and in-person, through her business, Beringer Family Farms in Jones County. And Dan Venteicher, an eastern Iowa farmer who’s better known by his roughly 2.5 million followers across TikTok, Facebook and Instagram as the “Iowa Dairy Farmer.”

Welcome to Episode 181 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, futurist Jack Uldrich and Iowa State University ag innovation professor Matt Darr share their thoughts on artificial intelligence (AI), technology and the future of farming. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Learn more about the Digital Ag Innovation Lab at Iowa State University.Learn about ISU Extension’s new digital agriculture specialist, Doug Houser. Contact information for Doug HouserSee ISU’s Planter University locations in early February.Learn more about upcoming Iowa Farm Bureau events and webinars.

Welcome to Episode 180 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we share Iowa Farm Bureau’s priorities for the 2025 state legislative session, a new program that helps aspiring and beginning farmers get started with livestock, and a new program to help address the critical shortage of veterinarians in rural Iowa. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Contact your county Farm Bureau.Read more about Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2025 state legislative priorities.Learn more about the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers’ new Building Your Livestock Legacy Program.Learn more about Iowa Farm Bureau’s new Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Incentive Program.Learn about more scholarships and grants through Iowa Farm Bureau.

Welcome to Episode 179 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson discusses agriculture’s challenges and opportunities in 2025, and motivational speaker John O’Leary shares the inspiring story of how he overcame seemingly impossible odds (surviving burns on 100% of his body, when doctors gave him a 1% chance of living). No matter what obstacles you’re facing in 2025, John O’Leary has helpful advice for you. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Register for Iowa Farm Bureau’s Ag Market Outlook Meeting Series in February.Register for Iowa Farm Bureau’s Acres of Opportunity Conference, February 15 in Cedar Falls.Register for Iowa Farm Bureau’s “How to Write a Pre-Harvest Marketing Plan” webinar, January 16.See other upcoming Iowa Farm Bureau events and webinars.Learn more from motivational speaker John O’Leary at JohnOLearyInspires.com.

Welcome to Episode 178 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, economist and Vice President of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dr. Jason Henderson analyzes the current macro economy and offers farmers insights for 2025. Later in the episode, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall shares agriculture’s national policy priorities for 2025 and explains why farmers can advocate for themselves more effectively through Farm Bureau. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Contact your local county Farm Bureau.

Welcome to Episode 177 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 3 of our special three-part series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau's 2024 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Nate Hofmann of Linn County, Kaitlyn Porter of Franklin County, and James Hepp of Calhoun County. Part 1 (released December 2) features Nate Hofmann. Part 2 (released December 5) features Kaitlyn Porter. Part 3 (released December 9) features James Hepp. Register to join farmers like Nate, Kaitlyn and James at Iowa Farm Bureau's 2025 Young Farmer Conference, January 17 and 18 in Des Moines!

Welcome to Episode 176 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 2 of our special three-part series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau's 2024 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Nate Hofmann of Linn County, Kaitlyn Porter of Franklin County, and James Hepp of Calhoun County. Part 1 (released December 2) features Nate Hofmann. Part 2 (released December 5) features Kaitlyn Porter. Part 3 (released December 9) features James Hepp. Register to join farmers like Nate, Kaitlyn and James at Iowa Farm Bureau's 2025 Young Farmer Conference, January 17 and 18 in Des Moines!

Welcome to Episode 175 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 1 of our special three-part series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau's 2024 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Nate Hofmann of Linn County, Kaitlyn Porter of Franklin County, and James Hepp of Calhoun County. Part 1 (released December 2) features Nate Hofmann. Part 2 (released December 5) features Kaitlyn Porter. Part 3 (released December 9) features James Hepp. Register to join farmers like Nate, Kaitlyn and James at Iowa Farm Bureau's 2025 Young Farmer Conference, January 17 and 18 in Des Moines!

Welcome to Episode 174 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, the director of Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation offers farmers tips for strategically managing their income taxes and reminds farmers of a new federal law with costly consequences. Later in the episode, Iowa Farm Bureau economist Dr. Christopher Pudenz discusses the impacts of European climate regulations and offers Iowa farmers a chance to study those impacts firsthand, as participants in a 2025 Market Study Tour of Brussels and the Netherlands. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Register for Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2024 Iowa Farm Income Tax Webinar (Nov. 18) or view the recording. Avoid steep fines and other penalties by filing your farm’s beneficial ownership information (BOI) with the U.S. Treasury Department by Jan. 1, 2025. To learn more about this requirement, visit calt.iastate.edu or fincen.gov. Apply for Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2025 Market Study Tour of Brussels and the Netherlands.Iowa Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting and County Leadership Conference.

Welcome to Episode 173 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we cover the wide range of programs and services Iowa Farm Bureau offers farmers and rural entrepreneurs who want to diversify their businesses or take them to the next level. We also share some helpful tips farms and small ag businesses can use to create their own standout brands and marketing strategies, from an award-winning marketing agency. Finally, we discuss the Farm Bureau Health Plan, a great choice for Iowans who need an affordable alternative to costly individual health coverage. Resources Mentioned in this Episode Register for Iowa Farm Bureau’s four-day Marketing + Branding Workshop Series, Nov. 13 – 14 and Dec. 4 – 5 in West Des Moines. Learn about Iowa Farm Bureau’s Grow Your Future Award. Learn about the most recent (March 2024) Acres of Opportunity Conference – an agenda for next year’s conference will be available in early 2025. Learn about Iowa Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer Program and the Young Farmer Conference. Learn about Renew Rural Iowa, including free, half-day sessions for rural entrepreneurs in Manchester (Nov. 19) and Montrose (Dec. 13). Learn more about the Farm Bureau Health Plan.

Welcome to Episode 172 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Brian Waddingham of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers shares timely reminders for livestock farmers who may face DNR or EPA inspections. Later in the episode, we chat with Zac Preston, a young farmer from Warren County who’s helping create opportunities for his peers across the state, as chair of Iowa Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer Advisory Committee. Resources mentioned in this episode: • Contact the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers by calling 800-932-2436 or visiting SupportFarmers.com. • Save the date for Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2025 Young Farmer Conference: January 17 – 18, 2025. Registration will open in early December. You can follow updates from the Young Farmer Program via their webpage (IowaFarmBureau.com/YoungFarmers), their Facebook page, and their Instagram page.

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 atConservationCountsIowa.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 ToolUpcoming farm stress webinar: Successful Self-Care in a Challenging Ag Economy Farm stress resources, including free, one-on-one counseling for Iowa’s farm familiesContact Iowa Farm Bureau Farmer Education Program Manager Zach Brummer at zbrummer@ifbf.org 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®.