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Ohio’s Country Journal & Ohio Ag Net Podcast | Ep. 293 | Corn, Beef, and Discussion Meets

Matt and Dusty sit down with Mike Hannewald to talk about his experience at the American Farm Bureau Discussion Meet where he was named the 2023 winner this past January. They also talked about his recent trip to Washington D.C. with the Ohio Farm Bureau’s Presidents Trip where they talked all things about the upcoming farm bill. Lastly, they talked with Mike about the upcoming planting season as he works at Beck’s Hybrids as an agronomist. 

Dusty also talked with David Hula at the Conservation Technology Conference (CTC) about his top corn yield success and how he achieves it. Next, John Settlemyre chats with Dusty at the Commodity Classic discussing ethanol production and legislation. The Ohio Beef Expo celebrated its 35th year this past week and Matt catches up with John Rentz to talk about the history of it. All this and more on this week’s podcast!    

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

05:58 David Hula – CTC

09:01 John Settlemyre – Commodity Classic

17:30 Jim Rentz – Ohio Beef Expo

21:33 Back with Mike… Continue reading

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Benson Hill offers unique premium opportunities for farmer-partners

Jeff Johnson of Benson Hill talks with Ohio’s Country Journal’s Matt Reese about the unique set up of their vertically integrated soybean business. They are looking for farmers to grow specific crops for specific needs. He says there are still contracts available for Ohio growers, with limited opportunities in 2023 for a $5 premium in northwest Ohio because of the expanding aqua-market

Johnson says the opportunities for more ROI per acre are considerable versus that of a commodity-based soybean. Learn more at www.bensonhillfarmers.com.… Continue reading

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Ohio’s Country Journal & Ohio Ag Net Podcast | Ep. 292 | From Orlando to Washington and everywhere in between

In the 291st episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Matt Reese and Dusty Sonnenberg sit down with Putnam County farmer Jeff Duling, president of the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. They preview the upcoming Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference, talk the Haney test for soil health, and much more.

From there, the action doesn’t stop with several interviews following a roundtable with farmers and Ohio ag leaders in East Palestine, looking ahead with a positive perspective after the train derailment and subsequent fire in early February that grabbed world headlines. Brianna Gwirtz talks with Brian Baldridge, director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, John Patterson of the Ohio Farm Service Agency, State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Summers, and local farmer Austin Chamberlain.

Following those chats, Matt talks with Jerry Seiler about the Seiler family winning the American Soybean Association National Conservation Legacy Award.

To wrap it up, Joel hears from a roundtable of Ohio Farm Bureau county presidents recapping their trip to Washington D.C.… Continue reading

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AUDIO: Ohio Farm Bureau County Presidents recap trip to Washington D.C.

The annual Ohio Farm Bureau County Presidents’ Trip to Washington D.C. took place this week. Farmer leaders from around the Buckeye state had time to learn about the latest issues potentially impacting their farms, along with getting time to discuss face-to-face with lawmakers the concerns facing their operations and communities. While the wide range of topics covered is nearly impossible to fully summarize, in this audio, we gathered a together an eclectic group of the farmers to help recap the three days in our nation’s capitol through conversation.

Guests include Mike Plotner of Union County, John Hummel of Franklin and Fairfield Counties, Mike Hannewald of Lucas County, Amanda Barndt of Wood County, Ryan Mohr of Van Wert County, Jacob Wuebker of Darke County, Kreig Smail of Miami County, Ryan Hiser of Fayette County, Abram Klopfenstein of Paulding County, Richard Maxwell of Perry County, Kyle Stockton of Allen County, and Joe Everett of Shelby County.… Continue reading

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Ohio’s Country Journal & Ohio Ag Net Podcast | Ep. 291 | The Auction Guru: Machinery Pete

On this week’s podcast Matt, Dusty, and Joe sit down to talk with Greg Peterson “Machinery Pete.” They discuss how Machinery Pete got started and share stories from his years in the business. Next, Joel talks with Dr. Chad McKay, Associate Professor of Agriculture at Wilmington College, to talk about the college and the 65th Annual Aggies Livestock Judging Competition. Ms. Erin Wollett, Cardington FFA Advisor, talks with Joel about the Aggies Livestock Judging Competition and the importance behind it. Lastly, Matt talks with Dave Brandt about the meme that went famous with his face on it saying “It ain’t much, but it’s honest work.” All this and more on this week’s podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

07:36 Dr. Chad McKay – Aggies Livestock Competition

13:25 Ms. Erin Wollett – Aggies Livestock Competition

19:01 Dave Brandt – Meme

23:26 Back with Machinery Pete… Continue reading

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Learning and leading through Wilmington College Aggies Judging Contest

Scores of young people crowded the Clark County fairgrounds this week for the 65th annual Wilmington College Aggies Judging Contest. Students had the opportunity to compete in multiple disciplines, including agronomy, general livestock, equine, and dairy.

Ohio Ag Net’s Joel Penhorwood spoke with Aubrey Schwartz, president of the Wilmington Aggies, the student organization in charge of the event. Schwartz is also Ohio FFA President, and talks about how the experience in the past has helped inform her decisions that took here where she is today.… Continue reading

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Ohio’s Country Journal & Ohio Ag Net Podcast | Ep. 290 | Train Disasters and Trade Disasters

On this week’s podcast Matt and Dusty sit down to chat with Elizabeth Long of Ag Resource Management. She discusses the important deadlines related to crop insurance especially the March 15th deadline. Joel talks with Doug Mollenkopf about the East Palestine train derailment disaster. Lastly, Dusty interviews with Tadd Nicholson, Executive Director of the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association, and John Linder, past president of the National Corn Growers Association. They discuss the potential Mexican ban on U.S. non-GMO corn imports. All this and more on this week’s Podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

06:54 Doug Mollenkopf – East Palestine Train Disaster

22:29 Tadd Nicholson & John Linder – potential ban

32:05 Back with Elizabeth… Continue reading

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Ohio’s Country Journal & Ohio Ag Net Podcast | Ep. 289 | Poppin’ in with Ohio FFA & Ohio Farm Bureau

On this week’s podcast Matt and Dusty sit down to chat all things Ohio FFA with Jessica Parrish, Executive Director at The Ohio FFA Foundation, and Hannah Saum, FFA State Vice President. They talk about what to expect this week in Ohio FFA as they celebrate National FFA Week. Matt attended Ag Day at the Capital with Ohio Farm Bureau where Farm Bureau members talked with legislators about important farm topics. At Ag Day at the Capital Matt talked with Brandon Kern, Senior Director of State and National Policy, Amanda Barndt from Wood County, and Jonathan Francis from Madison County. Leah Curtis and Ty Higgins of Ohio Bureau also talk about Current Ag Use Valuation deadline approaching. All this and more on this week’s podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

05:20 Brandon Kern – OFBF

11:40 Amanda Barndt – Wood County Farm Bureau

14:53 Jonathan Francis – Madison County Farm Bureau

19:07 CAUV – OFBF

20:56 Back with Ohio FFA… Continue reading

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Ohio’s Country Journal & Ohio Ag Net Podcast | Ep. 288 | Interworking’s of OAN, OCJ and Ohio Pork

This week on the podcast Matt and Dusty sit down to talk with Joe Everett, Ohio Ag Net Marketing Specialist, to talk about his role in the company and his farming operation. Next, Matt chats with Bryan Humphreys, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council, at the recent Ohio Pork Congress to discuss the pork industry from a national standpoint. Dr. Dennis Summers, Ohio State Veterinarian, visits with Joel to talk about foreign animal diseases related to HPAI and the swine industry. Lastly, Matt talks with John Hummel, farmer in Fairfield and Franklin Counties, about development pressures with farming near Columbus, Ohio. All this and more on this week’s podcast!   

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update  

04:55 Bryan Humphreys – NPPC CEO

08:31 Dr. Dennis Summers – Ohio State Veterinarian

20:09 John Hummel – Fairfield/Franklin Co. farmer

22:37 Back with Joe… Continue reading

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Ohio’s Country Journal & Ohio Ag Net Podcast | Ep. 287 | Encouraging the Next Generation: Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Edition

On this week’s podcast Matt and Joel visit with Evan Callicoat, Director of State Policy with Ohio Farm Bureau. He talks about the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit program, and what his goals are for the new assembly. Matt talks with Brian Baldridge, ODA Director, about his agriculture background and his objectives as director. Raegan Felder, leadership chair for OSU’s Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, to talk about their upcoming night for young professionals. Lastly, Dale talks with Chris Brown of Glandorf Schools and Leah LaCrosse of Huron City Schools who recently attended a GrowNextGen event. All this and more on this week’s podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

06:25 Brian Baldridge – ODA Director

12:50 Raegan Feldner – ACT

17:05 GrowNextGen

42:07 Back with Evan  … Continue reading

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Growing involvement, growing impact by GrowNextGen on display

Leah LaCrosse of Huron City Schools and Chris Brown of Glandorf Schools caught up with Dale Minyo to talk about their involvement with GrowNextGen. They record in-person at the Science Education Council of Ohio (SECO) conference. The two are busy helping to direct their students to careers in agriculture, noting the wide array of options available in the industry.

“Any route you want to go in the future, you can connect to ag in one way or another,” said Brown.

“Technology and agriculture – there’s so much that we just don’t know about,” said LaCrosse, who has highlighted drone technology in her classroom. “Farmers are using drones a lot and it was awesome to get my kids into that.”

Listen to the full conversation in the audio player above.

GrowNextGen is a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and soybean checkoff.… Continue reading

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Ohio’s Country Journal & Ohio Ag Net Podcast | Ep. 286 | Carbon Credits: Can You Cash In?

Matt and Dusty sit down with Mike Estadt of Ohio State University Extension to talk about carbon. Mike talks about what practices are available in the carbon credit world and the benefit they provide for farmers and the environment. Also, Matt chats with Paul Bertels with Farm Gate Insights discussing biofuels. Lastly, Jill Adelsberger with Cargill discussing marketing strategies. All this and more on this week’s podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

05:58 Paul Bertels – Biofuels

16:50 Jill Adelsberger – Cargill

22:21 Back with Mike… Continue reading

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Ohio’s Country Journal & Ohio Ag Net Podcast | Ep. 285 | Train a Farmer, Feed a Nation – Bethel Agriculture Association, Inc Plans To Do Just That

This week Matt and Joel catch up with Warren Dick who is the President and Director at Bethel Agriculture Association, Inc. At Bethel Agriculture Association, Inc. they work to help teach sustainable agriculture practices in Ethiopia and other parts of Africa. Jared Bernstein, a member of the White House Council on Economic Advisors chats with Dusty about the current state of inflation and the economy. Dusty also talks with Paul Schadegg, who is the Sr. Vice President of Real Estate Operations for Farmers National Company. He discusses trends they are seeing in land sales nationwide and the competition for high quality farm ground. All this and more on this week’s podcast.

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update  

06:48 Jared Bernstein – Economy

10:21 Paul Schadegg – Real Estate

16:04 Back with Warren… Continue reading

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Ohio’s Country Journal & Ohio Ag Net Podcast | Ep. 284 | Zoe Kent Once Cheered on the Buckeyes, Now Ohio Agriculture

This week Dusty and Matt visit with Zoe Kent who is an agriculture advocate in Ohio through her social media handles Farm With Zoe. She talks about the challenges she has faced throughout the years in conjunction with advocating while being an Ohio State University Cheerleader. To keep the athlete trend going Matt talks with Cade Stover, Ohio State University Star Tight End Football Player, about his passion for agriculture and football. Lastly, Matt talks with Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, about the hot topics, challenges, and high points within the industry. All this and more on this week’s podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

19:56 Cade Stover – Ohio State Football Player

24:50 Colin Woodall – NCBA

33:24 Closing… Continue reading

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Ohio’s Country Journal & Ohio Ag Net Podcast | Ep. 283 | Through Failure Rises the No-Till King

The podcast returns this week with Tim Norris who is the Outstanding No-Till Farmer. Matt and Dusty talk with Tim about his farming story and his journey to being named the honor. Jim Chakeres of the Ohio Poultry Association visits with Matt about HPAI and Feed Prices. Next up, Brad Bergfurd talks with matt about vegetables and specialty crops. Lastly, Matt chats with Doug Walton about auctions. All this and more on this weeks Podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

11:08 Jim Chakeres – Ohio Poultry Association  

19:38 Brad Bergfurd – Vegetables & Specialty Crops

30:21 Doug Walton – Auctions

38:40 Back with Tim… Continue reading

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Ohio’s Country Journal & Ohio Ag Net Podcast | Ep. 282 | Ugly Sweaters and Reviewing 2022 Agriculture

On this week’s podcast Matt and Dusty sit down with Ag Resource Management (ARM) folks, Larry Davis and Elizabeth Long who talk about a year recap when it comes to Ohio agriculture. Dusty also talks with Kris Schwartz of Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative (OACI) to discuss water quality and what OACI does. Then, Matt catches up with Bill Chain and Jeff Duling to also talk water quality. Finally, Nathan Brown chats with Dusty about the importance of mental health in agriculture especially around the holiday season. All this and more in this week’s podcast episode!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

07:22 Kris Schwartz – OACI Update

11:48 Bill Chain and Jeff Duling – Water Quality

21:06 Nathan Brown – Holiday Mental Health

25:28 Back with ARM… Continue reading

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