AgriTalk

#PORKWeek continues and today is another packed morning show. Dr. Jim Mintert of Purdue University discusses this month's Ag Barometer. Nick Giordano, vice president and councel, global government affairs at the National Pork Producers Council, joins us to discuss the NPPC's mission and the various aid payments being considered in Washington. Finally, Dr. Jim Smith is a farmer and pork producer and he joins us to discuss swine nutrition.

PORK Week begins at Farm Journal, including AgriTalk. Greg Peterson – Machinery Pete – joins us to talk about more than the usual auction reports. He posted a special message to graduates who aren't able to experience the milestone like everyone before them, and he discusses it with us today. Then we have Mike Paustian, president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, to talk about the recent challenges for the pork industry and encouraging signs for the future. Finally, Jennifer Shike, editor of Farm Journal's PORK, provides information on what all is happening this week for #PORKWeek.

It's time for the Friday Free-for-all. This week Randy Russell of The Russell Group sits in for Jim Wiesemeyer alongside Shaun Haney and Pam Johnson. Topics include trade and other issues with China, CFAP, bipartisan proposal for ethanol, and more.

Big show today. Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek Trading joins us to discuss cattle markets and policy. Then we have Mike Whatley of the National Restaurant Association to talk about House bill 7010 being voted on today to help restaurants. And Geoff Cooper of Renewable Fuels Association gives us an update on their campaign to convince the EPA not to grant exemptions to small refineries.

We have Farm Journal agronomist Ken Ferrie join us to talk about what he's seeing on his farm in Illinois, plus he offers a few tips on things to watch for and what to do. Then it's the Farmer Forum with today's participants Ben Riensche of Iowa and Glen Newcomer of Ohio. They talk about their farming operations and also exciting news about Farm Journal Field Days, coming this August.

Greg Ferrara, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association, joins us to talk about how grocery stores across the country have been dealing with Coronavirus including worker safety and keeping shelves stocked with food. Anna-Lisa Laca, editor of Farm Journal's MILK, provides an update to how the dairy industry has been enduring the challenges from the demand destruction.

Today we observe Memorial Day and think about those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this country. Greg Peterson, a.k.a. Machinery Pete, Jim "The Rookie" Morris, and Patrick Montgomery of KC Cattle Co. and served as an Army Ranger all join us to discuss Memorial Day.

It's our Friday Free-for-all with Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer of RealAgriculture, and Iowa farmer Pam Johnson. We talk about the various aid programs that have been discussed the past two weeks on AgriTalk, plus look ahead to Memorial Day.

Current NCBA president Marty Smith joins us to talk about his recent visit to the White House and describing the challenges NCBA is working to help producers suffering during this pandemic. USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey oversees Farm Production and Conservation and he joins us to clarify some of the various aid programs and who is eligible to participate in them. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin describes a new bill she is co-sponsoring called the Farming Support to States Act.

Paul Neiffer of CliftonLarsonAllen joins us to provide information on CFAP payments and other financial information for farmers. Our Farmer Forum today features two ranchers, Casey Schuhmacher of Nebraska and Jack Lavers of California, who provide their perspectives on the various aid packages we've been hearing about on AgriTalk.

Bill Bullard of R-Calf USA joins us to discuss the various aid packages out there and ones that are being talked about, and which ones R-Calf supports. U.S. Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas discusses agriculture issues and his proposal that small packers are not on the hook for paying overtime to inspectors.

Greg Peterson...Machinery Pete...talks about his Pick of the Week plus talks about the very last International-Harvester tractor ever built. Then Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer and Farm Journal news director John Herath join us to discuss the $3 trillion package passed by the House last Friday. Finally, Josh Diven, Precision Ag and Conservation Specialist for Pheasants Forever, discusses a new soil health and habitat program.

It's time for the weekly Friday Free-for-all with Pro Farmer Policy Analyst Jim Wiesemeyer, Shaun Haney of RealAgriculture, and Iowa farmer Pam Johnson.

We have the president-elect for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Jerry Bohn with us this morning to discuss the market, demand, packing plants, and potential government programs. Plus Kevin Ross, president of the National Corn Growers Association, joins us to talk about planting season, aid packages, ethanol, trade with China and more.

Brian Jennings is the CEO of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and he joins us to discuss the challenges for ethanol brought on by the pandemic and the price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia, and the signs of optimism for the future of the ethanol market. Plus it's time for the Farmer Forum and we have Greg Anderson from Nebraska and Chad Ingels from Iowa.