podcast
details
.com
Print
Share
Look for any podcast host, guest or anyone
Search
Showing episodes and shows of
DTN/Progressive Farmer
Shows
Field Posts
Episode 251: Help Wanted, The State of Ag Labor
Finding good help on the farm is an age-old problem, but in recent months and years, the difficulty seems to have risen exponentially. Between the struggle of an aging rural workforce, the new pressures introduced by COVID, and the gaps and expenses of federal programs like H-2A, the challenges are piling up, while meaningful solutions remain thin on the ground. The DTN team is no stranger to this problem, which is why we dedicated a whole series of stories in the summer issue to understanding agriculture’s worker shortage and highlighting how progressive farmers are turning lab...
2025-07-10
30 min
Field Posts
Episode 249: Cattle Market Outlook for What’s Left of 2025
An unprecedented era in U.S. cattle markets continues as what was supposed to be a hot and dry summer looks wetter and more temperate than anyone expected. In light of that, the idea of record cattle prices is increasingly becoming standard fare, as market fundamentals like herd size remain at historic levels. DTN’s recent Ag Summit Series event on the Future of the Cowherd dug into the weather, the economics, the latest news, and the market reactions to current conditions, and today on the podcast we’re sharing highlights of the event from DTN Livestock Analy...
2025-07-01
34 min
Field Posts
E246: Farm Business Management in Uncertain Times
Whether you’re thinking about weather, markets, trade or farm bill policy, the last several months have been characterized by one thing — chaos. It seems to be impossible to stay up with the sheer quantity of news, updates, and announcements coming from every direction, which are continuously changing the outlook for the year ahead. Today, we wanted to take some time to talk through some time-tested strategies to deal with uncertainty in farm businesses, and DTN Farm Business Editor Katie Dehlinger joins us to talk us through. First, we’ll back up a little, and talk about her rec...
2025-06-16
27 min
Field Posts
E245: First Look at Summer Weather
Just a few months ago, meteorologists at DTN and beyond were expressing concern about wide swaths of drought across key U.S. growing reasons, and the likelihood of a hot and dry summer set to exacerbate the situation. Now, after an unexpectedly wet and temperate start to the season, substantial drought is largely gone and conditions look good for the summer. But changes may still be on the horizon, and DTN’s Ag Meteorologist John Baranick joins us today with the latest on what could still be a tough rest of the year.Today, we’ll start with...
2025-06-09
34 min
Field Posts
E241: Deep Dive with National Wheat Yield Contest Winners
The winners of the National Wheat Yield Contest, hosted by the National Wheat Foundation, represent some of the most progressive and thoughtful wheat growers from across the country. This week, DTN Crops Editor Jason Jenkins takes the reins to lead us through a conversation with national winners Steve VanGrunsven, a grower/agronomist in Forest Grove, Oregon and Travis Messer, the grower/agronomist at Beaver Creek Ranch in Richardton, ND. These two champions dig into the benefits they’ve seen in participating in the annual contest, and also share about the finer details of their management prac...
2025-05-07
37 min
Field Posts
E229: AgTech Makes Waves at Annual Electronics Show
CES is the world’s largest showcase of technology and electronics, held every year in sunny Las Vegas. In the last decade or so, ag tech companies, and especially ag equipment companies, have been attending this event to show off their latest hardware and software tools, and so DTN has also attended to keep up with the technological forecast on display. DTN Progressive Farmer’s Senior Editor Dan Miller is fresh off his tour of the week-long event, and brings us the latest about what leading companies are bringing to the table in terms of innovation in 2025.
2025-01-31
29 min
Field Posts
E225: 2025's Best Young Farmers and Ranchers, Part 2
DTN’s 2024 Virtual Ag Summit is a wrap, and this year’s event included a gripping conversation between DTN Progressive Farmer’s Senior Editor Dan Miller and a couple of the honorees in the 2025 class of America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers.Today, we’ll hear the second half of the conversation with Emily Mullen, a dairy farmer from Ohio, and Ben Neale, a cattleman from Tennessee. We’ll dig back into the stories of these operations, talking through how Ben and Emily have dealt with public perceptions of their work, and the luck they’ve had opening up...
2025-01-13
25 min
Field Posts
E224: 2025's Best Young Farmers and Ranchers, Part 1
DTN’s 2024 Virtual Ag Summit wrapped up in December, with farmers from across the country convening to discuss what to expect, and how to prepare, for a New Year, New Administration, and New Markets. The event also gave DTN Progressive Farmer’s Senior Editor Dan Miller a chance to show off some of the stellar producers honored in the 2025 class of America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers, who offered their perspective on the businesses they’re growing, the challenges they’ve faced, and what they see ahead. Today, we’ll hear from honorees Emily Mullen, a dair...
2025-01-07
29 min
Field Posts
E223: Cattle Market Forecast 2025
DTN’s 2024 Virtual Ag Summit is officially a wrap, and as is the case every year, a highlight of the event was the trio of forecasts on weather, grain markets, and livestock markets from DTN Progressive Farmer’s industry-leading analysts. Today we’re dropping on the cattle markets forecast with DTN’s Livestock Analyst ShayLe Stewart. She’ll look back on the 2024 season, reflecting on the highs and lows that kept cattlemen on their toes, and talk about the macro and micro conditions that made this year a record setting one for cattle and beef prices. Then, she’ll tie...
2024-12-24
34 min
Field Posts
E222: Ag Weather 2025 Forecast
DTN’s 2024 Virtual Ag Summit has just wrapped up, with farmers from across the country convening virtually to discuss the year that was, the year ahead, and the key issues affecting their operations. Forecasts for weather and market in the year to come were, as always, a top issue, and today on the podcast we’re dropping in to hear the latest. DTN’s Team Lead for Ag Weather John Baranick tackled the uncertain weather picture this year with a master class in ag meteorology. Without a strong La Nina/El Nino influence, John and his team have ta...
2024-12-13
36 min
Field Posts
E220: Farmland Market 2025: A Look Ahead
In the last decade, farmland prices have shifted under the pressure of farm policy, a global pandemic, a changing interest rate regime, and a broader market anxious for safe investments. The picture of US farmland today is mixed, with some record sales still hitting inboxes even as many properties go unsold at auction. These mixed signals have left some producers wondering– what’s going on with the farmland markets? Today, we’re joined by DTN Farm Business Editor Katie Dehlinger, who's been following the story, looking to what’s ahead, and brings us some answers. We’ll discuss how...
2024-11-26
32 min
Field Posts
E217: The Political Pulse of Rural America 2024
Just in time for the 2024 Election, DTN’s Pulse of Rural America Poll is hot off the press with a fascinating trove of information about how farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans are thinking about not only this election and the decision ahead of them, but also how they feel about the farm economy, their biggest challenges and issues, and what the future might look like. Today we’re joined by DTN Ag Policy Editor Chris Clayton, who’s been reviewing the poll results and ground truthing them with producers across the country. He’ll guide us through the majo...
2024-10-29
30 min
Field Posts
E212: A Lifetime of Lessons on Ag Markets with Todd Hultman
DTN’s Lead Markets Analyst Todd Hultman is coming to the end of a long career in the agricultural markets. His voice will be dearly missed here on the podcast, around the newsroom, and across the country by the farmers and ag industry leaders who’ve depended on his even-handed insights for the better part of four decades. But before he rides off into the sunset, we sat down with Todd for one last episode to hear about the career he’s had, what he’s learned, and what he sees for the future of ag markets and the sector m...
2024-09-26
34 min
Field Posts
E207: DTN Digital Yield Tour 2024
DTN’s Digital Yield Tour is back again this year, and after years of building industry-leading tools, it’s powered exclusively by DTN proprietary models and data. Today, we’re joined by DTN Farm Business Editor Katie Dehlinger who takes us beat by beat through yield estimates and on the ground condition reports for nine states, from the Eastern Corn belt to Nebraska, Missouri to Minnesota. She guides us through the regions where DTN’s data diverges from the latest USDA reports, shares the stories she’s heard from growers along the way, and discusses what could be ahead in...
2024-08-19
31 min
Field Posts
E205: Celebrating Voices for Agriculture
Advocating for agriculture wherever you are is something that farmers and those in agribusiness have been encouraged to do for years now. But being a voice for the industry, for a sector, even for just one farm can be a huge undertaking. The work can be purposeful and fun, but it can also be emotionally difficult and time-consuming. Through the ups and downs, however, many, many voices continue to tell agriculture’s stories, and today, DTN is celebrating those individuals and organizations who do this important work. DTN Progressive Farmer Associate Content Manager Elaine Shein spearheaded the Voi...
2024-07-31
35 min
Field Posts
E204: In the Jumpseat of View from the Cab
2024 marks the 20 year anniversary of the View from the Cab column at DTN, which follows two farmers from different parts of the country over the course of an annual growing season. Today the tradition is carried on by DTN Crops Technology Editor Pamela Smith, who for the last seven years has been talking to growers week in and week out on everything from production decisions and technology adoption to family dynamics and their vision for the future. Today, Pamela joins us for a behind the scenes look at how the View from the Cab stories came to b...
2024-07-25
25 min
Field Posts
E199: Everything We Know About the 2024 Cattle Markets
The DTN Ag Summit Series event "Navigating the Cattle Markets Ups and Downs" is a wrap, but for those who missed the industry leading data and analysis, we’ve got you covered. This week on the podcast we’re dropping in on the keynote presentation from DTN Livestock Analyst ShayLe Stewart, who tackled the latest numbers, broke down forecasts, and answered audience questions to boot. ShayLe’s presentation will dig into the drought monitor and the outlook for grass in 2024, and offer insight on how that may interact with a record low cattle herd. She’ll troll back thr...
2024-06-18
40 min
Field Posts
E197: View From the Cab with Quint Pottinger
Since 2005, DTN Progressive Farmer has been selecting two farmers every year from across the country to participate in their annual View from the Cab Project. These farmers spend a full year getting to know DTN’s Pamela Smith as they work through weekly calls and check-ins, sharing their stories and their seasons with the broader farm community. Today, we’re sitting down with Quint Pottinger, a farmer from Bourbon Country in Kentucky who’s been growing an unconventional row crop operation alongside his dad’s since 2012. We’ll talk with Quint about his path back to the farm, which...
2024-06-07
35 min
Field Posts
E185: Bears Overtake USDA’s 2024 Commodity Outlook
The 100th annual USDA Ag Outlook Forum took place February 15th and 16th, and the Department’s keystone event didn’t disappoint. Given current conditions and forecasts, analysts are expecting a record crop of corn, soybeans and wheat in 2024, which will further flesh out a global stocks figure that could continue to drive prices down. All of that, economists expect, could ead to the largest annual decline in farm incomes on record. Today, DTN Farm Business Editor Katie Dehlinger joins us to share the highlights from the forum, covering everything from the specifics of USDA’s expectations for com...
2024-03-15
32 min
Field Posts
E186: Commodity Classic Redux
The 2024 Commodity Classic was held February 28th through March 2nd in balmy Houston, Texas, and participants flocked from around the country and the world to see the latest tech and hear news-making announcements from the Secretary of Agriculture, leaders in agribusiness, and national commodity groups. This year’s event drew the most attendees ever, with more than 11,000 farmers and members of the agricultural community in attendance. To bring us everything you might have missed, whether you attended the event or not, we’re joined by DTN Progressive Farmer editor in chief Greg Horstmeier, who will take us beat...
2024-03-15
34 min
Field Posts
E177: The State of US Farmland in 2024
Farmland news was hot in 2023 and promises to remain so in 2024, whether it’s about how much land is selling, how much it’s going for, or who’s buying it. The market has been driven by a number of unpredictable factors in recent years, everything from the pandemic to trade aid to investor interest and high commodity prices. But how long can the run-up last, and what can growers and land buyers expect in the aftermath? Today, we’re dropping in on DTN Editor-in-Chief Gregg Hillyer as he moderates a panel at the 2023 DTN Ag Summit on the c...
2024-01-03
36 min
Field Posts
E176: America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers 2024
DTN’s 2023 Ag Summit, and the 2023 crop year is officially a wrap, and farmers across the country are looking forward to more than just 2024. The end of the year is, for many, a time to think about the generations past and those still to come, and it’s at time at DTN when we think about the young farmers and ranchers who are confidently leading the way into an uncertain future. In that vein, DTN’s Dan Miller joins us today to discuss, and introduce, America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers awardees. In addition to getting a little...
2023-12-23
33 min
Field Posts
E175: 2024 Winter Weather Outlook For US Agriculture
The 2023 DTN Ag Summit wrapped up in early December with DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick helping attendees look ahead to the 2024 crop season with an eye to weather in the US and around the world. After months of establishing a new El Nino pattern that’s edged towards a super El Nino event, the latest models are predicting that that effect may diminish mid-way through next year, sending weather into neutral territory or even into a La Nina by the summer. The good news is, John’s forecast takes us beat by beat through what we know and wh...
2023-12-14
31 min
Field Posts
E174: 2024 Corn and Soybean Market Outlook
Though the December WASDE dropped Friday, December 8th, the neutrality and general lack of changes in the report meant that DTN’s Lead Markets Analyst Todd Hultman could focus more on his discussion at the 2023 DTN Ag Summit about the bigger picture in the markets and how it might drive markets in 2024 and beyond. Today, we’re dropping in on Todd’s market forecast to hear more about how he sees the lingering effects of the global pandemic, the fluid situation in China, and the growing competitiveness of Brazil and Latin America influencing corn and soybean markets in the...
2023-12-14
37 min
Field Posts
E169: Announcing the 2023 DTN Ag Summit
With harvest well in view for most farmers, plans for winter down time are also coming into focus. For years, DTN’s Ag Summit has been helping farmers prepare strategically for the uncertainties in the markets, weather and current events of the year to come, and this year is no exception. We’re talking to DTN’s Katie Dehlinger today about this year’s event, entitled “Fortifying Your Financial Foundation.” Katie will tell us all about how the speakers, panels and discussion opportunities will hone in on this theme– with individual topics running the gamut from farmland issues to tax...
2023-10-26
23 min
Field Posts
E164: View from the Cab with Chandra and Mike Langseth
Since 2005, DTN Progressive Farmer has been selecting two farmers every year from across the country to participate in their annual View from the Cab Project. These farmers spend a full year getting to know DTN’s Pamela Smith as they work through weekly calls and check-ins, sharing their stories and their seasons with the broader farm community. The second 2023 farmers we’re checking in with are Chandra and Mike Langseth from the edge of the Red River Valley in Barney, North Dakota. They’ve been farming for nearly a decade, through more than one challenging year and the long...
2023-09-25
32 min
Field Posts
E160: Corn Crop Comeback with the 2023 Digital Yield Tour
DTN’s sixth annual Digital Yield Tour wrapped up just days ago on August 11th, 2023, and the tour’s conclusion coincided with a USDA report that largely agreed with the event's findings. Which is to say — 2023 started out rough, but the corn crop in particular is making a stunning comeback. Today, DTN Farm Business Editor Katie Dehlinger joins us to reveal both the national and the state level yield estimates for corn and soybeans that Gro Intelligence revealed during the tour, including county by county estimates for 10 key midwestern states that reveal a crop that’s highly variable–...
2023-08-15
50 min
Field Posts
E159: Farmer Perspectives in the August WASDE
The August WASDE dropped Friday, August 11th, coming on the heels of DTN’s Annual Digital Yield tour and of USDA’s most recent farmer surveys. Overall, perspectives on the August report were positive, as USDA seemed to adjust crop estimates to be more in line with perspectives from farmers and analysts– reflecting a crop that’s improving, but that had a very difficult start. DTN’s Lead Analyst Todd Hultman joins us today to talk through the USDA’s updates to estimated yield figures for the three major grains, and to offer some insight on how to understan...
2023-08-12
34 min
Field Posts
E156: View from the Cab with Zach Grossman
Since 2005, DTN Progressive Farmer has been selecting two farmers every year from across the country to participate in their annual View from the Cab Project. These farmers spend a full year getting to know DTN’s Pamela Smith as they work through weekly calls and check ins, sharing their stories and their seasons with the broader farm community. The first 2023 farmer we’re checking in with is Zach Grossman, a row crop grower from Tina, Missouri. This young farmer already has more than a decade of farming experience under his belt, working alongside his dad and brother...
2023-07-18
33 min
Field Posts
E155: What to Expect with DTN’s 2023 Digital Yield Tour
DTN’s 6th annual digital yield tour is just a few weeks away — getting started August 7th and running through August 11th. DTN’s tour partner Gro Intelligence will be back with industry-leading, real time predictions of national yield for corn and soybeans, as well as much more granular breakdowns to the state level. Today, DTN Farm Business Editor Katie Dehlinger joins us for a preview of the tour, including her expectations for what might be revealed during this unpredictable season, a discussion of Gro’s accuracy in recent years, and more info on how farmers can follow al...
2023-07-14
29 min
Field Posts
E154: The Quirky July WASDE
The July WASDE dropped Wednesday, July 12th, and as it came on the heels of an unprecedented June 30th planted acreage report, updates were expected for USDA’s outlook. What analysts actually saw in the July WASDE however, left many scratching their heads– trying to understand how USDA could translate a drought stricken crop throughout the corn belt into an all-time record yield prediction. DTN’s Lead Analyst Todd Hultman joins us to dig into the shifts in planted acres and the June Grain Stocks report that brought us here, and offers insight into the shifting global stocks...
2023-07-13
42 min
Field Posts
E145: Planting Progress and the 2023 Crop Upside
Plant 2023 is off to a relatively good start, despite cold and wet conditions lingering in the Northern Plains. For much of the central corn belt, from Nebraska to Indiana and Ohio, farmers are having luck, getting into fields weeks before they were able to in recent years– which could prove promising for key crop plantings this season. To bring us the latest on where planting stands now and how we expect it to advance in the next few weeks, we’re joined by Joel Karlin, a DTN Grains contributor and President and Economist at Ocean State...
2023-05-09
31 min
Field Posts
E143: ChatGPT Comes to Agriculture
ChatGPT, and a slew of advanced artificial intelligence tools, have created quite a stir since first becoming available to the public in late 2021. News stories about these programs creating art, writing college essays, and carrying on long and complex conversations have captured global audiences, and the attention of companies who see a world of new possibilities. Now, artificial intelligence is coming to agriculture. DTN Farm Business Editor Katie Dehlinger joins us today to discuss her recent reporting on how farmers are using AI tools like ChatGPT to plan and strategize within their businesses. She’ll dig into ann...
2023-04-19
41 min
Field Posts
E140: Corn Exports Stumble in March WASDE
The March WASDE dropped Wednesday, March 8th, largely meeting expectations as USDA refined numbers, specifically around corn exports and ending stocks. However, adjustments on the soybean and wheat front also shifted markets, while many watchers remain focused on the South American crop picture as today’s main driver.DTN’s Lead Analyst Todd Hultman joins us to dig into the latest world supply and demand numbers for major crops and livestock, plus offers insights into how these figures align with the forward looking numbers USDA published earlier this month during the Ag Outlook Forum. We’ll dive...
2023-03-09
29 min
Field Posts
E137: Eyes on Planting with February WASDE
The February WASDE dropped Wednesday, February 8th, offering relatively few significant updates to the January figures. In the notoriously quiet Northern winter months, attention was trained on updates to Latin American crops, especially in drought-effect Argentina– where the corn crop in particular is suffering due to ongoing La Nina conditions. DTN’s Todd Hultman joins us to dig into the tweaks that USDA is and isn’t making to key figures around global supplies and demand, to add some context around historically high basis numbers for major grains, and to offer some insights around recent livestock industry data th...
2023-02-09
30 min
Field Posts
E135: Ag Confidence Index: Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop
DTN’s latest ag confidence index captured the perspectives of farmers as harvest concluded, the midterm elections wrapped up, and winter planning was getting underway. Now, the numbers have been crunched, and we have a clearer picture of grower expectations as the 2023 crop year looms. This week, we’re joined by DTN Progressive Farmer Editor-in-Chief Greg Horstmeier, who will take us beat by beat through the latest ag confidence numbers, shedding light on where the ag sector’s collective head is at as solid grain prices persist. We’ll dig into shifting perspectives from different regions and crop grou...
2023-01-25
25 min
Field Posts
E134: Growing the Farm with Best-in-Class Financials
When it comes to understanding a farms financial position, conversations with accountants and advisors can often be overwhelming. There are many different strategies and ratios that can be calculated to gain context on different aspects of your operation, from how efficient farm assets are to how risky a debt load could become. Today, DTN Farm Business Editor Katie Dehlinger joins us to discuss her recent reporting on the financial metrics that are helping farmers make more profitable decisions. She’ll dive in to stories from farmers who have determined which factors to track, and offer advice on how...
2023-01-20
31 min
Field Posts
E130: 2023 Best Young Farmers and Ranchers
DTN’s 2022 Ag Summit has just wrapped up, with farmers from across the country convening virtually to discuss and learn about conquering the chaos– Strategies to Build Endurance for farm Businesses. The conference provided tons of insights and information on everything from volatile commodity markets to supply chain challenges to the war in Ukraine and the outlook for 2023.But in the midst of it all was one DTN’s most exciting annual announcements, that of the 2022 winners of the Best Young Farmers and Ranchers awards. In today’s episode, you’ll learn a little bit more about this years...
2022-12-15
21 min
Field Posts
E123: View from the Cab with Marc Arnusch
Since 2005, DTN Progressive Farmer has been selecting two farmers every year from various parts of the country to participate in their annual View from the Cab Project. These farmers spend a full year getting to know DTN’s Pamela Smith as they work through weekly calls and check-ins, sharing their stories and their seasons with the rest of the broader farm community. 2022’s farmers are no exception, and today we’re happy to be joined by Colorado farmer Marc Arnusch to talk about water, farm business strategy, and thinking about the farm’s future. We’ll d...
2022-10-20
37 min
Field Posts
E121: Farm Business Issues to Watch
From the Federal Reserve’s moves to raise interest rates to the war in Ukraine to droughts around the world, the challenges facing the global ag sector are many– begging the question, how does a thoughtful farm manager keep up. Today, DTN Farm Business Editor Katie Dehlinger joins us to talk more about key issues that she’s been focusing on this year, related in particular to the economy, and what the evolution of these issues might mean for the year ahead. She’ll discuss labor shortages, on farms and in the supply chain, what experts are predictin...
2022-10-10
24 min
Field Posts
E118: Announcing the 2022 DTN Ag Summit
With harvest well in view for most farmers, plans for winter down time are also coming into focus. For years, DTN’s Ag Summit has been helping farmers prepare strategically for the uncertainties in the markets, weather and current events of the year to come, and this year is no exception. We’re talking to DTN’s Katie Dehlinger today, who brings up updates on what to expect from the all virtual event this year, as farmers and ag professionals join from across the country and around the world. She’ll say more about the theme of conquerin...
2022-09-23
18 min
Field Posts
E114: 2022 Yield Surprises in DTN Digital Yield Tour
DTN’s 5th annual Digital Yield Tour wrapped up just days ago on August 12th, 2022, and yield estimates meaningfully lower than USDA’s left some surprised and others feeling validated. Today, DTN Farm Business Editor Katie Dehlinger joins us to reveal the latest estimates that Gro Intelligence published during the tour, including granular estimates for 10 key midwestern states and national yield numbers for both corn and soybeans. We’ll dig into the meaning behind the numbers, talk through the hyper-local effects that many farmers are dealing with, and discuss what might still be ahead as weather continues to crea...
2022-08-16
30 min
Field Posts
E111: DTN Digital Yield Tour on Deck
DTN’s 5th annual digital yield tour is just a few days away-- taking place August 8th through August 12th. With the help of cutting edge data from Gro Intelligence, including satellite imagery, AI and machine learning that updates day by day, the tour promises to add some very timely clarity on what as currently an uncertain crop picture. Today, DTN Farm Business Editor Katie Dehlinger joins us for a preview of the tour, including her expectations of what she might see in the data and on the ground, info on what regions will be cove...
2022-08-01
22 min
Field Posts
E83: Meet America's Best Young Farmers and Ranchers
DTN Progressive Farmer’s 2022 Class of best farmers and ranchers was announced in Chicago at the DTN Ag Summit in December, and attendees got to learn all about the young leaders who are moving American agriculture forward. This week, you’ll get to meet them too. We’re closing out the year with a celebration of the enthusiastic thoughtfulness of these young families, who are running revolutionary grain, beef, and dairy operations all over the country. You’ll learn who they are, what they farm, and most importantly, why they’ve chosen to do this work.
2021-12-22
28 min
Field Posts
E80: Ag Confidence Slips on High Input Costs
DTN has been tracking farmer sentiments about the present and future of ag markets since 2010 through a tri-annual survey, which becomes the Ag Confidence Index. The latest numbers have arrived, and the verdict is clear. Though things are looking good in many parts of the country today, the future looks much more uncertain. This week, we’re joined by DTN Editor-in-Chief Greg Horstmeier, who will take us beat by beat through the latest Agriculture Confidence Index numbers, and break down the concerns farmers reported about the year ahead. We’ll also discuss how an ambiguou...
2021-12-07
29 min
Field Posts
E75: Ag Summit in Focus
The weather is turning colder, and the minds of farmers are turning towards the year ahead, as strategy planning gets well underway. DTN’s Ag Summit is helping to put farmers into that strategic mindset, with sessions on markets, weather, global trade, changing tax regimes and the effects of Coronavirus. DTN’s Katie Dehlinger stops by today with updates on what to expect from the event this year in Chicago, from a master class on ag markets all the way to a dueling pianos bash to celebrate the best young farmers and ranchers in the country....
2021-10-29
34 min
Field Posts
E70: Power Up Your Farm Business
As harvest 2021 shifts into the rearview mirror, it’s time to start thinking about the year to come and how your farm can prepare for success.With the winter planning season just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about the successes and setbacks of 2021 and how to turn those lessons into durable decisions in the year to come. Attending the 2021 DTN Ag Summit, held again this year in Chicago, is a great way to get a start on that work. Today, DTN’s Katie Dehlinger gives us the full download on what...
2021-09-24
26 min
Field Posts
E68: 2021 Pre-Harvest View from the Cab
Two young producers, from Texas and Iowa, reflect on farming grains, livestock, and families in 2021, the harvest, and what comes next. Since 2005, DTN Progressive Farmer has been selecting two farmers every year from various parts of the country to participate in their annual View from the Cab Project. These farmers spend a full year getting to know DTN’s Pamela Smith as they work through weekly calls and check-ins, sharing their stories and their seasons with the rest of the broader farm community. 2021’s farmers are no exception, and as harvest approaches, we’re checking in with them on...
2021-09-02
57 min
Field Posts
E67: Celebrating a Career in Ag Weather with Bryce Anderson
Bryce Anderson started his ag meteorology career with DTN Progressive farmer in 1991, and since then has been keeping an eye on the weather on behalf of the ag community, carefully following trends both here in the US and around the world. After more than 30 years of forecasting, Bryce is transitioning to the role of DTN Meteorologist Emeretis, and he joins us today to reflect on his career, discuss the big weather picture, and look ahead to the coming months one last time. We’ll check in on the crazy weather events of the last few decades, talk about how fa...
2021-08-31
53 min
Field Posts
E66: Secrets of the DTN Yield Tour 2021
On Friday, August 13th, DTN analysts wrapped up the findings of the 2021 digital yield tour powered by Gro Intelligence, whose satellite mapping technology is revealing a potentially bin busting crop in the fields across the Midwest. Today we’ll check in DTN Business Editor Katie Dehlinger for the results from the big ten corn and soybeans states, including North Dakota for the first time, and discuss what they’re hearing from farmers on the ground and put it in context with the USDA WASDE report that dropped Thursday, August 12th. We’ll talk more about what uncertainty remains, and what a...
2021-08-17
33 min
Field Posts
E63: Get Ready for the DTN Digital Yield Tour!
DTN’s 4th annual digital yield tour is just around the corner-- taking place August 9th through August 14th. And with the latest county and national level yield forecasts from gro intelligence informing the tour, it’s bound to be an insightful week for anyone hoping to understand the bigger picture in advance of harvest 2021. Today, DTN Farm Business Editor Katie Dehlinger joins us for a preview of the tour, with info on what regions will be covered, what updates have been made to the predictive models, and what she expects to see in terms of resu...
2021-07-30
22 min
Field Posts
E59: The Future of Rural America's Infrastructure
Lawmakers here in the Nation’s capital seem to be coming close to an agreement on a vast infrastructure plan that includes funds to invest not only in roads, bridges, levees and dams throughout the country, but also in rural broadband and green energy. Farmers and rural communities are paying close attention to how these talks play out, and what the final package might mean for everything from market access to ethanol to the safety and livability of America’s small towns. This week, we’re joined by DTN editor and reporter Russ Quinn and DTN Staff reporter Todd Neeley...
2021-07-02
45 min
Field Posts
E58: The Trust Edge with David Horsager
David Horsager is the CEO of the Trust Edge Leadership Institute, and has been a rockstar at multiple DTN Ag Summits in recent years. In the ag sector, where discussion often focus on practices, tools, and the physical realities of the business, conversations about the intangibles, like the importance of relationship and trust can be thin on the ground. But not any more. This week, we’ll listen in on David’s presentation, and take a closer look at how intangibles like trust not only matter on farms, but represent one of the most important inputs to a businesses’ succes...
2021-06-25
29 min
Field Posts
E57: Changes for the Beef Industry on the Horizon
Since the Tyson Holbolm Fire of 2019, the spread between the prices received for boxed beef by US packers and those received by live cattle producers have diverged. Market shocks from the global pandemic created more havoc in the markets, and over the intervening months, concern from lawmakers, USDA officials, and cattle producers have grown.Today, we’re joined by DTN Ag policy editor Chris Clatyon to talk about what might be on the horizon, from extended department of justice investigations to anti-trust policy chances. We’ll dig into political reactions, the role of the major packers in the...
2021-06-18
50 min
Field Posts
E55: Havoc in the Cattle Markets
It’s been a wild year for beef markets, whether you’re a cow-calf operator, a feedlot, or a packer. As the industry continues to work through the effects of a global pandemic, calls for restructuring have grown, and then a data breach at JBS has sent the sector reeling. Today we’ll catch up with DTN Livestock Analyst Shayle Stewart, to learn more aboutthe latest news and put all of these issues in a wider context. We’ll talk about consumer demand, USDA’s confusing reports, and how drought conditions in the West may contribute...
2021-06-03
30 min
Field Posts
E53: May the WASDE Be With You
The May WASDE dropped Wednesday, May 12th. And though this report arrives early in the season, and so carries the uncertainty of being an early prediction, it offers valuable insight on what might be ahead for markets in the 2021 crop season. DTN’s Todd Hultman joins us today to break down how the market is thinking about the old crop versus the new one, and whether USDA’s predictions for export and ethanol demand are in line with what we’re seeing on the ground. We’ll take a closer look at margins for weather error, how to put today’s v...
2021-05-20
36 min
Field Posts
E52: How to Use Dicamba in 2021
Dicamba has been embroiled in regulatory and legal controversy for years at this point, and with the changing of the guard in Washington, label changes are adding complexity to what products farmers can use, including when and how they can use them. DTN staff reporter Emily Unglesbee joins us today for a deep dive on how dicamba products can be used this year, according to both the three updated federal labels, and under various state restrictions. We’ll discuss the implication of local lawsuits, requirements for downwind buffers, and where to go for help.
2021-05-14
29 min
Field Posts
E51: Autonomous Machines Take to the Field
An unexpectedly hot farm equipment market, fueled by the months long rise in commodity prices, is colliding with some of the biggest commercial rollouts of autonomous farm implements in 2021. Technologies that have been discussed for years are finally making their way into farmer’s hands, and the industry is already looking ahead to the next iteration. Today, we’ll talk with Progress Farmer Senior Editor Dan Miller about the latest in farm machinery announcements, how farmers are responding as they adopt the latest innovations, and what might be next in this fast-evolving space. Then we’ll check in on grain...
2021-05-07
32 min
Field Posts
E49: The 2021 Weather Wild Card
A bizarre spring variously brought unseasonably cold weather, dryness, and heat to different parts of the country, setting the stage for an unpredictable crop year, even as grain stocks remain tight across the board. We’ll talk with DTN’s Bryce Anderson about how spring conditions are continuing to impact planting, what they might mean for the mid-season in the US’s many growing regions, and what harvest might look like. Then we’ll talk about severe weather potential and the global weather picture.
2021-04-23
53 min
Field Posts
E48: April WASDE Brings May Questions
The April WASDE dropped Friday, April 9th. As usual, it was a relatively ho-hum report, but the market environment it was delivered into is anything but. DTN’s Todd Hultman joins us today to break down what the market was actually responding to (a clue: it wasn’t the report) and to speak more to what might be ahead from international markets beyond China. We’ll take a closer look specifically at how tight grain supplies could get mid-season, how to put today’s record basis in context, how to think about weather as the wheat season draws to a close...
2021-04-14
29 min
Field Posts
E46: Where are the Millions of Missing Acres?
March’s dynamite prospective planting report dropped Wednesday, March 31st, and markets responded with surprise and worry to low acres. DTN’s Todd Hultman joins us today to break down that market reactions and to help shed some light on why the USDA, or producers themselves, might be underestimating what planting in the year to come. We’ll take a closer look at corn, soybean, and wheat plantings, discuss what might explain the absence of several million acres in the report, and dig deeper on what all of this might mean in the face of possible bad weather and uncert...
2021-04-05
23 min
Field Posts
E45: The Early Farmer Gets the Wheat
As the current wheat season draws to a close, DTN Progressive Farmer is taking a deeper look at the winners of the 2020 National Wheat Yield Contest, awarded by the National Wheat Foundation. DTN staff reporter Emily Unglesbee joins us today to take a deep dive on how America’s most bin-busting wheat farmers achieve those top results. We’ll talk management styles and varieties, population and soil, pests and water conservation. Plus a careful look at weather effects, and a look into what might be ahead for progressive grain farmers in terms of sustainability and technology....
2021-03-26
27 min
Field Posts
E44: Happy Cattle, Happy Markets?
2020 was a wild ride for the US cattle market, and now with the first few months of 2021 under our belts, it looks like the uncertainty will continue. DTN’s Livestock analyst Shayle Stewart joins us today to take a deep dive on the cattle market in particular. We’ll talk boxed beef prices, COVID and demand shifts, exports, and the continuing impacts of a strong corn market. Plus a thoughtful look at weather, and advice on how to stay on top of potential policy changes and other key factors likely to affect cattle markets this year.
2021-03-19
32 min
Field Posts
E43: Finally, A Quiet WASDE...?
The March WASDE dropped Tuesday, March 9th, representing the first relatively quiet winter report of the season. DTN’s Todd Hultman joins us to break down market reactions and to help unravel what seem to be some overly conservative estimates by the USDA. We’ll take a closer look specifically at long term price trends, whether the growing demand for corn and soybeans is likely to hold out, what weather and international impacts could derail supplies, and how an upswing in the COVID vaccine rollout might favor all three of the major grains.
2021-03-12
30 min
Field Posts
E42: Deja Vilsack
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was confirmed just a days ago, and as he and his team settle in at Department headquarters in DC, ag spaces are already buzzing with what might be on the docket. Today, DTN’s Chris Clayton gives us the full download on a broad range of topics, from ethanol and regulation to COVID relief and the future of meatpacking. We’ll discuss what a more determined focus on climate change and righting the wrongs of USDA’s long history of racial discrimination might look like, plus more on how all of these priorities might effect...
2021-03-06
43 min
Field Posts
E41: Best of Big Iron
Over the past year, the first Reader Insight Survey from DTN has collected nearly 10,000 pieces of farmer feedback on equipment to offer a never-before-seen level of insight about Big Iron. We’ve spoken to DTN’s Dan Miller twice here on Field Posts on individual category winners, but as of the 2020 DTN Ag Summit, the votes are in, and the overall best in show was announced. Today, we’re featuring a conversation amongst leaders from some of the winning companies, from John Deere and CaseIH, to Great Plains and Kabota.
2021-02-26
25 min
Field Posts
E40: The Future of Farming is Data
A little over five years ago, Dr. Ranveer Chandra started the Farm Beat program at Microsoft. It was started to help solve the world’s upcoming food problem by finding ways to grow more, healthier food without harming the planet. Dr. Chandra spoke at the DTN’s 2020 Ag Summit about how data will be the key to doing just that. Today, we’ll hear his talk about how farmers should be preparing for an even more demanding, unpredictable, and data driven world. Plus, questions from farmers about what’s next and how to get started.
2021-02-19
46 min
Field Posts
E39: Those Are Some Tight Stocks You've Got There
The February WASDE dropped Tuesday, February 9th, bringing with it some additional bullish news for corn and soybeans, though perhaps not quite as much as expected. Today, DTN’s Todd Hultman joins us to break down the expectations and market reactions to what's usually a quiet report. We’ll take a closer look at recent purchases from China, what these might indicate about future demand, and what narrow stocks around the globe might mean for secondary corn and soybean markets. Plus, more on weather risks in the US and across the Americas.
2021-02-10
39 min
Field Posts
E37: Predicting 2021 on the Farm
From the 2021 Covid-19 possibilities to what a new administration might be planning at USDA and EPA, Field Posts gets deep into the weeds on what factors might have the potential to derail a season that’s already looking more profitable in the markets than the last several. Today, we’re sitting down with the DTN Editor in chief Greg Horstmeier and Progressive Farmer editor in chief Gregg Hillyer to break down the data and information we have right now and make their predictions on technology, labor, and so much more.
2021-01-29
46 min
Field Posts
E36: Two Farmers Walk Onto a Podcast
Since 2005, DTN Progressive Farmer has been selecting two farmers every year from various parts of the country to participate in their annual View from the Cab series. These farmers, Ryan Jenkins of the Florida Panhandle and Reid Thompson of Illinois, get to know each other and DTN’s Pamela Smith as they work through weekly calls and check-ins, sharing their stories and their seasons with the rest of the agricultural community. 2020’s farmers had a particularly unique experience, and the dozens of stories written from their perspectives reflect all the madness of an unprecedented year. We’ll meet these two pro...
2021-01-23
59 min
Field Posts
E35: January WASDE
A few unexpected announcements surprised markets coming out of a set of reports from USDA this week. The news could bode well not only for soybean markets, but for corn and wheat too in the months ahead. DTN's Todd Hultman joins us to break down how can producers stay on top of this fire hose of information.Today's episode is brought to you by ADAMA
2021-01-15
35 min
Field Posts
E34: The Pulse of Rural America
2020 has official come to a close, but at the dawn of a new calendar year, many of the biggest worries of the past persist. Progressive Farmer Senior Editor joins us this week to discuss what farmers and rural American's may be thinking about the year to come in his analysis of the DTN Zogby Pulse of Rural America Survey. We'll talk COVID impacts, healthcare, the economy, the environment, and so much more.
2021-01-11
35 min
Field Posts
E33: A (Not So Quiet) Winter WASDE
The December WASDE dropped Thursday, December 10th, bringing with at an unexpectedly low estimate for soybean demand, an unexpected move after a year of big swings from USDA on exports. Today, DTN’s Todd Hultman joins us to discuss what’s usually a very quiet report, what neutral outlooks for corn and wheat, and a bullish soybean market, could mean for the markets during the likely quieter months ahead, and why some trader positions might offer some caution.To watch Todd's full outlook for 2021 markets, visit dtn.com/agsummit
2020-12-21
31 min
Field Posts
E32: America's Best Young Farmers and Ranchers 2020
Over the last decade, young farmers and ranchers have been on a wild ride. But a few among them are shining particularly bright, and making a name for themselves. Today we listen in on the announcement of the 2020 class of Best Young Farmers and Ranchers as they discuss key issues their facing and share about their vision for the future of agriculture with DTN's Dan Miller as part of the DTN Ag Summit. To experience the full 2020 virtual Ag Summit today, visit www.dtn.com/agsummit.
2020-12-11
32 min
Field Posts
E31: What Biden Means for Farmers
The 2020 election is finally behind us, and as the political dust settles in Washington, all eyes are on the Biden administration and what the new blood in the nation’s capitol might mean for the ag sector. We’re joined today by DTN’s Chris Clayton, who’ll give us a preview of USDA and EPA chief picks, and also explore the possible shake-ups in the House and Senate ag committees. We’ll discuss the odds and contents of possible stimulus and relief package as well before turning over to DTN Editor-in-chief Greg Horstmeier, who’ll break down the latest Ag Co...
2020-12-08
54 min
Field Posts
E30: 2021 Goals: Invest in You
2020 has been a year like no other, and has fundamentally rocked so many aspects of agricultural businesses and lives, and preparing for what comes next will take more than just investing in the farm. DTN's Katie Dehlinger joins us to discuss how you can use the DTN Ag Summit to invest in a more vibrant future for your farm business. Sign up for the DTN Ag Summit today at dtn.com/agsummit.
2020-11-20
32 min
Field Posts
E29: Unwrapping November WASDE Surprises
The November WASDE offered some genuine surprise for a market that is already in the midst of a bullish run. DTN's Todd Hultman joins us to help us understand whether the source of that surprise, and other uncertainties beyond the farm economy, should be cause for concern as planning for the 2021 crop season gets underway. This episode of Field Posts is sponsored by ADAMA. Learn more at ADAMA.com.
2020-11-13
40 min
Field Posts
E28: Thinking About Buying Farmland?
As the 2020 season comes to a close, many farmers will be looking at how they can put capital to work in the coming year. DTN's Vicki Myers brings us the latest update on ag land values, and what experts are expecting could be in store in the next 12 months. Read the full story "Seller's Market" in the November issue of DTN ProgressiveFarmer, or visit dtnpf.com for more reporting by Vicki.
2020-11-09
22 min
Field Posts
E27: The Pulse of Rural America: 2020
The November 3rd election is just days away, and though coronavirus has made it clear that we won’t know the result by election night, the question remains-- how will farmers and rural American votes? DTN’s Dan Miller joins us to discuss the results of DTN’s Pulse of Rural America poll, in partnership with Zogbys, and to hear how shifting perspectives on everything from the farm economy to healthcare to climate change might be affecting the farm political landscape in years to come.
2020-10-28
27 min
Field Posts
E26: Your Ticket to the 2020 DTN Ag Summit
With COVID-19 still an ongoing concern, this winter’s ag event season is going to be unlike any most producers have ever experienced. DTN's farm business editor Katie Dehlinger joins us on Field Posts this week to discuss how you'll be able to attend this year's revolutionary virtual event, right from your farm. Link to register: dtnagsummit.com
2020-10-22
27 min
Field Posts
E25: What Does Good News in the October WASDE Mean for 2021?
The October WASDE hit our inboxes October 9th, dropping into a market that was already looking more optimistic that it has essentially all year. We’re joined by DTN’s Todd Hultman to break down how the USDA got beat to the punch, where bean and corn markets might be headed next, and how to avoid the emotional rollercoaster of trying to sell at the market high.
2020-10-15
41 min
Field Posts
E24: Farmers Rate Their Combines and Planters
You may be listening to this episode from your combine right now, and if you are, DTN is wondering how you feel about your iron. Dan Miller joins us to break down what thousands of farmers reported about their combines and planters in DTN’s reader insight survey.
2020-10-10
28 min
Field Posts
E23: Unpack Your Corn Seed Stacks
Trait stacks in corn and cotton seeds have got more and more advanced in recent years, but farmers are starting to think more critically about how much return these technologies offer. DTN Staff Reporter Emily Unglesbee joins us to talk about how farmers can evaluate stacks to maximize return, and how a new EPA proposal could change the game of what genetics are available in the coming years.
2020-10-02
40 min
Field Posts
E21: Insight on 2021 from September WASDE
The September WASDE brings some unexpected good news as harvest continues. We're joined by DTN lead analyst Todd Hultman to breakdown the news and discuss what could short supplies in Brazil and new orders from China could mean as we head into the 2021 season?
2020-09-18
39 min
Field Posts
E20: Where to Store Grain After a Derecho?
The August derecho left behind a trail of destruction that could have a big impact on the 2020 harvest. Matt Wilde from DTN brings us the latest, and discusses how downed bins and damaged elevators could affect harvest storage capacity this year.
2020-09-11
30 min
Field Posts
E17: The State of the U.S. Grain Crop
A bearish WASDE last week didn’t shake the market rally brought on by a Midwest derecho. We'll talk with DTN's Katie Dehlinger, Emily Unglesbee, and Todd Hultman about the crop in the field and the risks of August weather as harvest looms.
2020-08-21
58 min
Field Posts
E16: DTN 2020 Yield Tour; A Record Crop on the Way?
A good year in terms of weather continues to help along a potentially record setting crop, but pockets of extreme weather, including a derecho in Iowa this week, could take the top off. We're joined by DTN's Katie Dehlinger and Emily Unglesbee to discuss DTN's 2020 Yield Tour results in progress.
2020-08-13
40 min
Field Posts
E15: Preview: DTN Yield Tour 2020
The DTN Progressive Farmer Digital Yield Tour Powered by Gro Intelligence begins August 10th. We'll connect with DTN's Farm Business editor Katie Dehlinger about what we might be able to learn, and how you can participate.
2020-08-07
24 min
Field Posts
E14: Farmers and Families Ford the Digital Divide
With the school year looming and no end to global pandemic in sight, the question of how rural communities and businesses are adapting to a virtual world lingers. We'll spend the episode with Russ Quinn from DTN to learn first hand how are farmers and their families are faring as they confront lack of rural broadband.
2020-07-25
33 min
Field Posts
E13: Unanswered Questions in the July WASDE
From missing acres to optimistic export figures, markets have been taking USDA reports with a grain of salt and watching the weather instead. We'll break down the latest reports, and discuss how the July WASDE posed more questions than it answered, with Todd Hultman, Lead Analyst at DTN.
2020-07-19
37 min
Field Posts
E11: Dicamba: Where We Go From Here
The controversial herbicide Dicamba had it’s EPA registration overturned by the 9thcircuit court in the middle of the season. What does that mean for crops in the ground, and for seed selection this fall? We'll check in with Emily Unglesbee and Pamela Smith from DTN for the full download.
2020-07-07
35 min
Field Posts
E10: Strategies for the Dog Days of Cattle Backlogs
The most recent Cattle on Feed Report contained some unexpected news. We're reconnecting with ShayLe Stewart, Livestock Analyst with DTN, to learn how markets are reacting, and how producers might prepare for what could be several more months of COVID-related backlogs and disruptions.
2020-06-29
26 min
Field Posts
E8: Secrets of the June WASDE
The June WASDE is out, but don’t let the lack of seismic market shifts fool you. We sit down with Todd Hultman, Lead Analyst for DTN, about what this month’s numbers tell us about the future of a crop overshadowed by a pandemic.
2020-06-15
35 min
Field Posts
E7: American Farmers Rate Their Tractors
Choosing a piece of farm equipment, especially a tractor, is a big decision, and objective information about farmer experiences can be hard to come by. DTN is changing that with Reader Insights, and Dan Miller joins us to dig into the data on how farmers rate their satisfaction with thousands of piece of big iron.
2020-06-05
22 min
Field Posts
E6: How to Derail 2020s Record Crop
As the 2020 season continues, a seemingly unshakably good crop is coming up. Can two late spring cold spells, possible limits on dicamba use, and full moisture profiles derail it? We'll talk with Bryce Anderson, a senior ag meteorologist at DTN, and Pamela Smith, a Crop Tech Editor at DTN, about what might be ahead for summer field work, pest pressure, and harvest.
2020-05-29
35 min
Field Posts
E5: Do Yield Guarantees Protect Farmers or Retailers?
Today Matt Wilde, Crops Editor with DTN, is helping us dive into the new trend of yield guarantee programs. We'll discuss the different programs available, how they work, and when they make sense for a progressive farmer.
2020-05-22
31 min
Field Posts
E4: May WASDE Competes with COVID to Move Markets
The May WASDE is here and Todd Hultman, Lead Analyst at DTN, will discuss his analysis in light of a chaotic COVID-19 market.”
2020-05-14
49 min
Field Posts
E3: Ag's Trillion Dollar (Federal Aid) Question
The global pandemic shocked the economy, agriculture has not been spared. Policymakers in Congress and at the USDA scramble to provide relief. But what will those programs look like for producers-- and how long will it take to role them out? We learn more from Chris Clayton with DTN.
2020-05-08
49 min
Field Posts
E2: Let's Not Jinx Planting Weather with a Podcast
Plant2020 is going... Especially in the wake of the 2019 planting season, the positive outlook coming out of the midwest in particular have optimism about the year. We’ll talk with Bryce Anderson, senior ag meteorologist with DTN, about what might be in store later in the season, and we’ll discuss how global conditions and the growing possibility of extreme weather could affect markets.
2020-05-08
46 min
Field Posts
E1: The Bottom Line on Meat in a Crisis
We’re launching Field Posts in the midst of a global pandemic-- one that’s had a tremendous impact on every aspect of the US meat sector. DTN Livestock Analyst ShayLe Stewart joins us to discuss what’s really driving market prices and how producers are and could be reacting and adapting to an indefinite crisis.
2020-05-08
29 min