People In The Know

Fifty Years of Agriculture, Commodities and Faith - Rich Balvanz

Rich Balvanz and I started our farm broadcasting careers within two months of each other, back in 1974.  He spent most of his broadcasting career at WMT Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.   
He left broadcasting and founded a Farm Commodities Company as the new century began and later became an Ordained Lutheran Minister.  He just retired from that vocation.
We talk about the ups and downs in agriculture, our good and challenging experiences in a volatile period in American Agriculture.  Should be required listening to any student in Agricultural Economics.

Early Planting in Iowa? Soybeans and Sweet Corn

No one was hurt in the recording of this podcast.  Nothing crazy was done.
An agronomist planted a test strip of soybeans in February and a Des Moines Sweet Corn Grower speculates on planting in March.
Agriculture may be more prepared to exploit a warmer climate than you know.

Ag Census Released Iowa Statistician Reviews Numbers

Iowa is a very productive state.  It ranks second to California in total gross sales of agricultural products.  I spoke with Greg Thiessen, USDA State Statistician for Iowa.  We examine the number of farms, farmers, expansion of broadband, increase in use of cover crops, technology and other measures.
They all reveal that farming is big business in Iowa but conducted mostly by family units who attempt to keep the farm in the family as they move into the future.

Brazilian Agriculture Deloss Jahnke IL Farm Broadcaster

Deloss Jahnke works for the Illinois RFD Radio Network.  He travelled to Brazil's major agricultural regions for ten days in January of this year.
I speak with him about the infrastructure of the region and the farms that dwarf the size of ours in the Midwest.
A wonderful dialogue with an up and coming young farm broadcaster.
Deloss is currently National Vice President of the NAFB Organization.
 

Bill Northey Interview from 2022

I am very sad to lose Bill Northey from this world.  He was a farmer, a commodity organization leader, an elected official in Iowa and served as an :Undersecretary of Agriculture in Washington.
I spoke to him in 2022 as he was the CEO of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, based in Des Moines.
 

Improving Water Quality in Iowa Rivers and Lakes - Chad Dolan DNR

Chad Dolan is a Fisheries Management Biologist for Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  He and I converse about the interaction of land use with water quality. He believes farmers and developers have a growing appreciation for the value of clean water by using best management practices.
 
 

Missouri Farmer Has A Good Year - Gene Millard

Gene is "Mr Spreadsheet" when he looks at his farming operation.  He recites real numbers from their farm for 2023 and some averages from 2010 to this year.  
He also loves the land and greatly appreciates people who farm it.
We talk winter, livestock, 2023 corn and soybean crops, grain marketing, grain prices along with crop rent and wind towers.
Not bad for 27 minutes.
Thanks for listening       let me know what you think    kenroot@gmail.com

Building Roads to the Future - Ambassador Kenneth Quinn

Once again, I am honored to offer this interview with Ambassador Kenneth Quinn.  He moves that past history of agricultural science to the future as he describes his work in Vietnam in the 1960's and praises Dr. Norman Bourlaug's work through his long life.  
Not political, not even philosophical, this discussion takes the lessons of the past and offers them as solutions to problems of the present and challenges of the future.
Roads....literally....to feed 10 billion people by mid century.  

Reopen Trade With Cuba - Chuck Offenberger

Cuba has been a pariah in the world of nations since the Cuban missile crisis of the early 1960's.  There are many reasons why Cuba has not been released from trade sanctions but none of them seem to be worth the anger from the Ex Patriot Cuban Community in the United States or special interests who lobby Congress.
Chuck Offenberger has a long history as a journalist and as a traveler.  He visited the island nation a few years ago and tells of its people and their hopes.
Worth listening to his view.   

20 years since Mad Cow Disease - Alisa Harrison and Peter Shinn

The "Cow that stole Christmas" is well remembered by my guests.  Ms. Harrison was Communications Director for US Ag Secretary, Ann Veneman.  Peter Shinn was the News Manager for the National Association of Farm Broadcasters.
We talk through the events that calmed down the public and informed livestock producers of the threat of BSE in their food and economic damage to the marketplace.  Alisa cites the personal emotions of the ranchers and other livestock producers.
We also discuss the early days of the internet as a source of information and the time before social media
Underwritten by www.Concept Hearing.com