AgriTalk

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa joins us today to discuss what it's going to take to fully open America back up plus the necessity of payroll protection for rural hospitals. Then we have a conversation with Brett Crosby of Custom Ag Solutions about the cattle market.

Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, joins us to discuss the various programs available to help farmers and ranchers, plus what is still needed. We also have Greg "Machinery Pete" Peterson with his Pick of the Week.

It's time for another weekly Friday Free-for-all with Jim Wiesemeyer, Pam Johnson, and Shaun Haney. Topics include Coronavirus/COVID-19 health and economic crisis, aid for farms, future of ethanol, and Jim's interview with Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gregg Doud, which will be featured on the next DC Signal to Noise podcast.

Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, joins us to talk about the importance of investing in infrastructure as part of the economic recovery. Then Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of Renewable Fuels Association, talks about the vital need for ethanol and the challenges from the current lack of demand. Finally, Greg "Machinery Pete" Peterson returns this week to list some impressive sale prices of machines plus he talks about a souped up combine that can go 95 m.p.h. and has participated in drag races.

Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer provides some important information on the impending aid package for farmers and ranchers. Then it's the Farmer Forum with this week's participants Ken McCauley and Kevin Paap, who share their reactions to Jim's information.

Today on AgriTalk we have Congresswoman Cynthia Axne representing the 3rd district of Iowa talks about her support of the biofuels industry plus Patrick Westhoff from FAPRI, University of Missouri discusses his department's new report on early estimates of the impacts of COVID-19 on U.S. ag commodity markets, farm income and government outlays.

Sean Kennedy, executive vice president for public relations for the National Restaurant Association joins us to discuss the challenges of the restaurant industry during the stay at home orders across the country. Then Paul Neiffer of CliftonLarsonAllen is an agribusiness CPA and he provides information on stimulus payments, tax deadlines, and other details involving the IRS during this crisis. And Greg "Machinery Pete" Peterson talks about his Pick of the Week: a John Deere 4440.

It's the last day of Agronomy Week and the markets are closed for Good Friday, and we've got the Free-for-all with Jim Wiesemeyer, Shaun Haney, and Pam Johnson. We're talking about dealing with the effects of Coronavirus. Plus, a tremendous #FarmON testimonial from AgriTalk's friend Michelle Jones.

This morning we have former USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack with us to discuss his role as head of the president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council in dealing with current trade issues. Then Ann Duignan of JP Morgan joins us to provide her observations of the pandemic while living in New York City.

Agronomy Week continues and today we have former MLB general manager and scout Dan Evans to talk about the concept of sabermetrics. Then it's our Farmer Forum and we have brothers Adam Rahe and Andy Rahe join us to talk about farming in Iowa next to the Field of Dreams baseball field.

Our Agronomy Week coverage continues as well as our coverage of the various ways this pandemic is affecting the ag industry. We have a conversation with U.S. Congressman Ron Kind representing the 3rd district of Wisconsin plus a return visit from Alan Morgan of the National Rural Health Association. Finally, Dr. Melissa Mitchum of the University of Georgia joins us to discuss developments in the fight against SCN.

We have U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa with us this morning to talk about the Paycheck Protection Program and what it would take to reopen the Dairy Margin Coverage. Then Greg "Machinery Pete" Peterson tells us about some amazing prices machines are getting at auctions today. Plus it's Agronomy Week and we have agronomist Austin Carlson and producer Todd Kimbrell share their stories of success and what they're looking out for this year.

The Friday Free-for-all with Jim Wiesemeyer, Shaun Haney and Pam Johnson discusses the crisis affecting the world, the United States, and agriculture.

As promised we have Greg "Machinery Pete" Peterson on today for a longer conversation about the things he's seeing these days in the re-sale marketplace. Dr. Darren Hudson, Director of International Center for Agricultural Competitiveness, joins us to discuss the ag industry and ways it can adjust and rebound to the current crisis. Then we have a conversation with Jake Joraanstad, CEO and co-founder of Bushel, a company utilizing modern technology to help farmers in the 21st century.

Today we talk about the milk industry with Dwayne Faber of Washington State and Mike North, president of Commodity Risk Management Group. Then it's the Farmer Forum with today's guests Luke Lauritsen and Nick Ehlers.