Agriculture of America

Tuesday, December 30th (MIKE ADAMS HOSTING) 1) Mike Steenhoek, Soy Transportation Coalition, 2) Dennis Smith, Livestock Analyst,  3) Duane Simpson, President of NCFC,  4) Brian Winnekins, AM Radio Update and HPAI in WI, 

On Friday's episode of AOA, we start the show discussing year end input purchases and looking ahead to spring 2026 with John Appel, FBN vice president of category management. Then in Segment Two, we have a conversation with Jim Sutter who is the CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC). Then we close the show with an extended conversation about bridge assistance and the needs for specialty crops specifically with Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA).  

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from everyone at AOA! On this episode, we listen back to recent conversations with Emily Skor from Growth Energy, Jeff Winton from Rural Minds, USDA Undersecretary Luke Lindberg and Kevin Doyle from the Consumer Energy Alliance.  

On the Christmas Eve edition of AOA, we start the show with a look at ag news headlines followed by listening back to a recent conversation we had with Charley Martinez, Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Tennessee as we look at the year in the cattle markets. Then in Segment Three, we learn more about Land O'Lakes and Winfield United's partnership with Microsoft to launch an AI agronomy tool known as Oz. Leah Anderson, SVP, Land O'Lakes & President, WinField United joins us to talk about it. Then we close the show in Segment Four and listen back to a recent conversation we had with Janna Fritz from the U.S. Soybean Export Council during the 2025 NAFB Convention.  

Tuesday on AOA, we start the show with a look at the market action ahead of Christmas with Matt Bennett from AgMarket.net followed by a conversation with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. Then, we are joined by the President and CEO of the American Feed Industry Association, Constance Cullman, for a wide-ranging discussion about AFIA's priorities and a recent iFEEDER report looking at our dependence on foreign based ingredients for animal feed and more. View that report here: https://www.ifeeder.org/research/analyzing-the-vitamin-and-amino-acid-supply-chain/  

Monday on AOA, we start the show with a look at weekend market headlines and a peek into early holiday week trading with Darin Newsom, Senior Market Analyst at Barchart. In Segment Two, we discuss what is shaping up to be a mostly mild week ahead for Christmas with DTN Meteorologist John Baranick. In Segment Three, we have a conversation with Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) followed by a look at ag news headlines to close the show.

Friday on AOA, we start the show with market perspective from Brady Huck with Advance Trading followed by a look at the latest ag equipment sales numbers from the U.S. and Canada along with an outlook as we move into 2026 with Curt Blades, Senior Vice President with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Then we close the show by having an end of the year conversation with Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR). We discuss bridge assistance, the potential need for more help in the year ahead, other priorities as we move into 2026 and much more.

Thursday on AOA, we start the show with a look at the newly released Consumer Price Index data along with analysis of the crude oil, grain and livestock markets with Mike Zuzolo from Global Commodity Analytics. In Segment Two, we talk with Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper about the EPA delay on 2026 and 2027 RVO blending requirements, the latest on year-round E15 legislation and the USTR Section 301 investigation into China's Phase One agreement. In Segment Three, we discuss the Farmer Bridge Assistance package and how it will help the rice industry along with insight into trade and rice dumping issues by other countries. Meryl Kennedy, Founder and CEO of Kennedy Rice Mill joins us for that conversation. Then we close the show in Segment Four and hear a conversation with Brandon Walter, U.S. Corn Marketing Lead for Pioneer, that we recorded at the 2025 NAFB Convention.

Wednesday on AOA, we discuss the market outlook as we finish up 2025 along with soybean demand and more as Don Roose from U.S. Commodities joins us to start the show. In Segment Two, we discuss the EPA timeline for finalizing 2026-2027 blending requirements and more with Jacqui Fatka, Lead Economist for Farm Supply and Biofuels with CoBank. In Segment Three, we get an update from D.C. as we look to finish out the year on Capitol Hill as Ethan Lane, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association joins the show. Then we finish with a look at ag news headlines in Segment Four.

Tuesday on AOA, we start the show with a look at the markets as David Brock with The Brock Report joins us to discuss corn and soybean demand, balance sheets and more. In Segment Two, we discuss the latest meat export sales data and talk about the USTR China Phase One Hearing this week with Dan Halstrom, President and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. In Segment Three, we discuss the need for a new Farm Bill and protecting key crop protection tools with Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, Executive Director for the Modern Ag Alliance. Then we close the show in Segment Four with a look at ag news headlines.

Monday on AOA, we start the show with a look at the markets and the potential for gold, silver, the Dow and more to push even higher in 2026 as Darin Newsom, Senior Market Analyst at Barchart, joins the show. In Segment Two, we discuss a warm up ahead and look at the overall weather forecast with DTN Meteorologist John Baranick in Segment Two. In Segment Three, we look at the year in the cattle markets and think about what lies ahead as we close out December. Charley Martinez, Assistant Professor for Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Tennessee joins us to talk about it. Then we close the show with ag news headlines in Segment Four including an update on a confirmed case of HPAI in a Wisconsin dairy herd.  

On Friday's AOA, powered by Cenex, Mike Adams sits in for the traveling Jesse Allen on today's show as we start with a look at the markets with Kristi Van Ahn-Kjeseth from Van Ahn & Company. In Segment Two, we hear from Dr. Megan Niederwerder, Executive Director for the Swine Health Information Center about their new Plan of Work and an update on swine health around the globe. Then in Segment Three, we talk with USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce about the Farmer Bridge Assistance program announcement and more.

Thursday on AOA, powered by Cenex, we talk markets with Brian Splitt from AgMarket.net followed by a conversation with Scott Gerlt, Chief Economist for the American Soybean Association. Then in Segment Three, we look at the fertilizer markets and talk Josh Linville, VP of Fertilizer at StoneX. We close the show in Segment Four with our final Soy Market Update Series conversation as we talk with the new chair of the United Soybean Board, Brent Gatton from Kentucky.

Wednesday on AOA, powered by Cenex, we start the show talking markets with Garrett Toay from AgTraderTalk followed by Barry Benson, VP of Agribusiness Banking at FNBO (First National Bank of Omaha), to discuss the overall ag economy as we near the end of the year. Then in Segment Three, Farm and Ranch Media's Susan Littlefield joins the show as she shares a sit down conversation with National Milk Producers Federation's Chris Galen, who is set to retire at the end of the year. Then we close the show with news headlines in Segment Four.  

Tuesday on AOA, powered by Cenex, we start the show with a recap of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program announced by the Trump Administration on Monday afternoon in Segment One. In Segment Two, we listen back to a conversation from the 2025 NAFB Convention with Daryl Theis, Head of Central Region for CLAAS of America, to learn more about new products and their recent expansion in North America. Then in Segments Three and Four, we learn more about Pioneer brand NEXTA biologicals and have a deep dive conversation about the use of biological products with Ryan Schnoes, District Leader for Biologicals with Corteva Agriscience and Pioneer.  

Monday on AOA, powered by Cenex, we start the show with a look at the markets and thoughts on the rumored farm aid announcement coming Monday with Darin Newsom, Senior Market Analyst at Barchart. In Segment Two, we discuss the weather outlook for the week ahead including more cold air and snow with DTN Meteorologist John Baranick. In Segment Three, we talk with North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne and reflect on his tenure and career as he will not seek re-election at their annual convention later this week. Then we close the show in Segment Four with a look at ag news headlines.

On Friday's AOA, powered by Cenex, we start the show with a look at the November results for the Meat Demand Monitor with Glynn Tonsor from Kansas State University. (Find the reports online at https://agmanager.info/livestock-meat/meat-demand/monthly-meat-demand-monitor-survey-data)   In Segment Two, we learn more about Invest In Our Land and talk conservation with Rebecca Bartels, Executive Director for the organization. In Segment Three, we discuss concerns about removal of prevent plant buy-up coverage and preview the upcoming South Dakota Farmers Union convention with SDFU President Doug Sombke. Then we close the show in Segment Four with a look at the markets as Tommy Grisafi from AgBull Media and Nesvick Trading joins us for a conversation.

On Thursday's AOA, powered by Cenex, we start the show with market analysis from Mike Zuzolo with Global Commodity Analytics followed by a look at the new Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer with Dr. Jim Mintert, Professor Emeritus at Purdue's Center for Commercial Agriculture. In Segment Three, we discuss the year ahead for pulse demand, grain exports and more with Kurt Haarmann, President and CEO at Columbia Grain International. Then we close the show in Segment Four with a look at ag news headlines.

Wednesday on AOA, powered by Cenex, we start the show talking about cattle markets and more with Kyle Bumsted from Allendale. In Segment Two, we discuss the current state of a potential Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern rail merger with Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director for the Soy Transportation Coalition. In Segment Three, we dive into ongoing trade issues between the U.S. and China that are impacting the beef industry with Frank Fuhrig from Meatingplace. Then we close the show in Segment Four with ag news headlines.