The Ag View Pitch

https://19-minutes.supercast.com/We’re heading into the last week of February price discovery for crop insurance, and Iowa State economist Chad Hart joins us to break down what matters most right now and how to use crop insurance as a practical risk management tool that supports smarter pre-harvest marketing. We talk about why the final week of volatility can move premiums and what this year looks like versus last year, how to think through RP versus county products like SCO and ECO, and why “saving premium” can quietly mean taking on more risk. Chad also explains why ECO can make sense over time, especially in deeper loss years, then we pivot to the bigger market setup including USDA outlook takeaways, export expectations, what that could mean for stocks, and how corn versus soybean margins could shape 2026 acreage.We finish with a simple way to frame old crop versus new crop decisions, how to approach incremental sales, and how cost of carry fits into spring marketing. This is educational, not marketing advice, so use it as a framework and match decisions to your farm’s APH, unit structure, costs, and risk tolerance.

If you rent most of your acres, you’re carrying more risk than you think. Shay Foulk and Ben Gordon break down why 2026 is a key moment for proactive farm planning, especially with rented land exposure, tighter competition, and major land transition ahead. They walk through the “10-year land test”, how to identify which rented acres are truly at risk, and why many operations get caught flat-footed without a 3-year capital plan. The conversation also covers equipment cost efficiency, scale and purchasing power, collaboration strategies, and how the best operators use downturns to position for long-term success.

19 Minutes PodcastWe head into a new marketing week right in the middle of the crop insurance price discovery window. Chris is joined by Jeff Fichtelman to break down what they are seeing in old crop corn and soybean movement, why basis has been flat to softer in many areas, and how South American harvest selling could create headwinds over the next 30 to 60 days. They also dig into the bigger-picture drivers, including tariffs and China headlines, why farmers feel eager to sell rallies after the last few years, and why 2026 marketing decisions may need more patience with today’s insurance and government program “floors.” Finally, they discuss outside markets (stocks, bonds, Bitcoin as a risk barometer), why volatility may be picking up, and why discipline, scenario planning, and knowing your real breakevens matter heading toward planting season.

19 Minutes PodcastThe taxpayers are fed up. Change is not happening fast enough. Farmers have been to slow to adopt changes. Is it time for the stick, instead of the carrot? Zack 'The Stockcropper' Smith has a conversation with Shay around where we've been, where we're at, and what might be ahead. This should get you thinking! A podcast you don't want to miss

19 Minutes PodcastECO/SCO, ARC vs. PLC, and OBBBA updates

19 Minutes PodcastShay and Garret with CODAK Risk Advisory discuss all things soybeans for the week on record trading volumes, upside potential, and how to think through some options.

Recorded live at the Ag View Solutions Executive Business Conference in Phoenix, Sam sits down for a Dad’s Wisdom conversation with Steve Hess, a multi generation farmer from west central Illinois.Steve shares the kind of perspective you only get after decades in ag, including what he would tell his younger self (listen more, talk less), what the 1980s taught him about surviving tough cycles, and why knowing your numbers matters even more when margins are thin.He also explains a powerful family transition framework, the “five year rule” for coming back to the farm, building healthy family governance, and including kids in real financial conversations so the next generation is prepared.This episode is a reminder that the best operators are students of history, disciplined with cash flow, and intentional about family, communication, and long term decision making.

Shay and the guys discuss the highlights and takeaways from the conference, and the hype for 2027

19 Minutes PodcastJeremy and Greg McBride, Director of Brokerage for Allendale discussed market outlooks for agricultural commodities, focusing on corn, soybeans, wheat, and livestock markets. They explored the impact of potential new Federal Reserve leadership, weather conditions in key producing regions, and geopolitical tensions on commodity prices.

This week we break down the big drivers for grains, record corn demand, macro money rotation (metals, interest rates, and the dollar), Brazil’s strong soybean and safrinha outlook, and Argentina’s sliding crop conditions. Plus, why low volatility makes options worth a closer look right now.

Vance's Links:WebsiteYouTubeApple PodcastsRecorded at the Ag View Executive Business Conference, we sit down with Vance Crowe (Legacy Interviews, The Vance Crowe Podcast) to talk about the hardest part of any farm transition, family communication. Vance shares practical ways to help people actually think out loud, ask better “how” questions without triggering defensiveness, and create real trust by giving someone your full attention. We also dig into how to make space for the quiet person in the room (and why drawing the idea can change everything), plus Vance’s “switching the observer” concept for staying self-aware when emotions run hot. We close with Vance’s Peter Thiel paradox question, and a conversation-starter take on Bitcoin, land, and inflation.

19 Minutes PodcastChris is joined by Pete Meyer to break down the “bombshell” USDA report and what it means for the weeks ahead. They dig into why confidence in the data is being questioned (staff cuts, low survey response rates, and surprising harvested acreage), what to watch next as the market looks to quarterly stocks, and how producers can think about managing unpriced bushels while keeping upside expectations realistic. They also hit soybeans, wheat, renewable fuels policy uncertainty, and a quick check-in on energy and diesel, plus a preview of seeing each other at the Ag View Solutions Executive Business Conference.

https://19-minutes.supercast.com/A Dad’s Wisdom conversation with Buchanan County, Iowa farmer Craig Albert on growing up farming, taking over fast after his dad’s stroke, and the hard lessons that stick, like building bigger sooner, not letting “coffee shop talk” steer decisions, and learning to take smart risks when opportunities show up at the worst times. Craig shares practical advice for young producers on tracking true costs, tightening inputs, improving marketing, staying diversified, and keeping family communication strong as roles shift from leadership to mentorship across generations.

19 Minutes PodcastAndy Hruby is joined by Joe Vaclavik to break down the grain market setup for January 12–16, 2026. They discuss what index fund rebalancing could mean for price action, what to watch in Monday’s USDA report, and how to think about 2026 corn versus soybean profitability and acres. They also cover basis and carry in a tight-margin environment, demand and carryout risk, South America weather, and why recent geopolitical headlines have had limited impact on grain.

19 Minutes PodcastIn this episode of The Ag View Pitch, we kick off 2026 with a grain market outlook for January 5–9 and a discussion with guest Jeff Fichtelman. We react to the Farm Bridge payment details, including why corn payments surprised some people relative to soybeans, and what it signals about today’s market environment.We also talk through practical marketing lessons for 2026, especially the idea that fewer summer weather rallies may mean more opportunity, and more discipline, during the winter. The conversation covers the government’s balancing act between boosting demand (and potentially inflation) versus making bridge style payments, and why the best plan for many farms is keeping marketing simple: pick a price or margin target, execute, and sell in small increments instead of waiting for a perfect rally.Ahead of the upcoming crop report, we share how to stay balanced, enough sold to cover bills without getting overexposed, and why “decent” prices still deserve action when rallies can be short. We also discuss old crop and new crop positioning, cost control, and risk management tools like crop insurance.To reach Jeff Fichtelman, visit Interactive Ag and use the “Contact Us” link: interactiveag.com

19 Minutes PodcastTime is the one input you cannot make more of. In this episode of The Ag View Pitch, Chris sits down with Andy Caygeon of Stubborn Farm to talk about treating time like capital, focusing on high value work, and building a weekly rhythm that improves both the farm and family life. They cover the “boot journal” (planning the week, picking the top 3 priorities, and reviewing what did not go as planned), valuing tasks by hourly impact, time tracking to reduce resentment and improve accountability, and why disciplined communication builds trust for succession. Andy also shares a simple challenge for 2026, show up earlier, be intentional, and earn the right to go home on time. Andy offers a free copy of his book through stubborn.farm.

In this episode of The Ag View Pitch, the team breaks down the biggest lessons from 2025 and the specific actions we’re taking to apply them in 2026. We talk through why record yields can still feel unprofitable, and how “right-sizing” machinery and labor can make or break the income statement. We cover reducing distractions to focus on the highest value work, building a strong culture that attracts great people, and why delegating faster matters more than most operators think. We also dig into practical management tools like a “State of the Farm” presentation for your banker, the value of trending financials over time instead of judging everything by one year, and why tracking time can reveal hidden labor costs. Plus, we discuss rental options for equipment, how grant and incentive dollars can show up when you make time to go find them, and how to stay steady through the highs and lows that every operation faces. If you’re heading into 2026 trying to protect working capital, return to profitability, and make better decisions with fewer surprises, this one’s for you.

19 Minutes PodcastAs 2025 comes to a close and the calendar turns to 2026, Chris sits down with Jim McCormick of agmarket.net to walk through what grain producers should be watching right now. With year-end trading volume thin, basis behavior can get aggressive as elevators work through inventory and producers make financial adjustments, creating both opportunity and risk.Jim explains why soybean rallies may continue to attract selling pressure, especially with China’s recent purchases coming in lighter than early expectations and Brazil shaping up for a strong crop. He outlines 10.80 as the upper end of the current trading range and discusses why unpriced bushels may need a plan if that level is tested. On corn, the conversation shifts to technicals after March futures broke a long-term downtrend, while still facing heavy resistance in the $4.50 to $4.60 zone given large projected ending stocks.The discussion also looks ahead to the upcoming USDA report, where yield and acreage adjustments could create volatility, and why delayed fund position data remains an important missing piece. South American weather, especially dryness concerns in southern Argentina, is another key factor to monitor. Chris and Jim also dig into cash flow pressure building toward spring, slower soybean selling compared to past years, and how larger lines of credit could force bushels to move.The conversation wraps with thoughts on 2026 marketing strategy, including why panic selling a crop more than a year out may not make sense, what price levels could justify forward selling corn, limited interest in 2026 soybeans so far, and why energy markets suggest patience when locking in fuel. Jim also shares lessons from 2025 that producers should carry forward, including knowing break-evens precisely, staying flexible, and being ready for faster market moves than in the past.

https://19-minutes.supercast.com/A clear, money-focused breakdown of the latest tax changes and how they could directly impact your bottom line. We walk through higher standard deductions, new exemptions on tips and overtime, expanded deductions for retirees, vehicle purchase write-offs, and the increased child tax credit. This episode is purely about understanding the financial opportunities available and how to keep more of what you earn.https://www.crazymanpinkwig.com/https://www.igniteplanning.com/https://www.thegivingsolution.org/

19 Minutes PodcastIn this episode of The Ag View Pitch, we sit down with Jarod Creed to break down why today’s grain markets are forcing farmers to rethink everything they know about marketing. Corn demand remains historically strong, soybeans are shifting toward domestic crush, and South American weather risks loom in the background, but the real story is how farm programs, crop insurance, and recent policy changes have completely altered the revenue equation.We dive into why a board rally can actually reduce total farm revenue, how ARC and PLC payments factor into real-world marketing decisions, and why the biggest risk for many producers right now is not lower prices, but higher ones. This conversation also tackles basis management, cash flow pressures, lender conversations, and why volatility, not straight-line rallies, may be the most profitable environment for farmers over the next 18–24 months.