Agriculture of America

On the Good Friday edition of AOA, powered by Cenex, we start the show discussing the latest U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council's (USGBC's) 2025/2026 Corn Export Cargo Quality Report, with Mark Sevier, Manager of Global Strategies and Trade for the council. In Segment Two, we talk with USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce who helps us dispel some myths regarding the FBA payments, base acres and pass through entities for ARC/PLC payments. In Segment Three, we talk about the importance of soil testing and how data from SoilView shows that when fertility decisions are based on average yield instead of soil sampling, growers over-apply fertilizer 45% of the time and under-apply 45% of the time. Matt Struve, SoilView operations manager, joins us to discuss. Then we close the show and hear about author Ryan Dennis and his memoir, Barn Gothic: Three Generations and the Death of the Family Dairy Farm. It follows his family's experience in trying to keep a small dairy farming going, as well as explores the specific politics that have led to difficult conditions for dairy farms. You can find the book via Island Press here: https://islandpress.org/books/barn-gothic#desc

On Thursday's AOA, powered by Cenex, we start the show with market perspective and analysis from Matt Bennett with AgMarket.net in Segment One. We follow that with a few news headlines and squeeze in some time with Dr. Seth Meyer from FAPRI at the University of Missouri. In Segment Three, we talk with Jim Matheson, CEO of NRECA – the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association – about challenges and necessary updates for the rural electric grid and more. Then we close in Segment Four as Dean Podlich, Digital Seeds Platform Leader at Pioneer, celebrates 100 years of Pioneer by sharing some early company history and how Pioneer's genetics and R&D have helped address farmer challenges and increase productivity.

Wednesday on AOA, powered by Cenex, we start the show with a look at the cattle markets and post-USDA grain market action with Kyle Bumsted from Allendale. In Segment Two, we talk with National Farmers Union President Rob Larew about the Farm Bill, input costs and much more. In Segment Three, we discuss the EPA's announcement on the RFS and prospects for permanent year-round E15 legislation with Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. We close the show in Segment Four and have an agronomic conversation ahead of spring planting with Syngenta agronomist Blake Miller from Illinois.

On Tuesday's AOA, powered by Cenex, we take a look at news headlines including comments on advocating in agriculture from American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall and some insights into the potential slowdown of Brazil soybean expansion due to cost pressures in Segment One. In Segment Two, we discuss a new Fungicide Timing Solution and have an agronomic conversation with Trent Brisby from Pioneer. In Segment Three, we have a conversation about EPA's announcements regarding diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) and the Renewable Fuels Standard and what it all means for agriculture. EPA Regional Administrator Cyrus Western joins us for a conversation. Then we close the show in Segment Four and learn more about From Dust: How the World's Smallest Resource Could Shape the Future, a documentary highlighting advances in drought-tolerant forage and improved cattle weight gain now seen across Texas, a region at the forefront of U.S. agricultural and food production. Sydney Anderson with Curtis and Curtis Seed Company joins us to discuss.

On Monday's AOA, powered by Cenex, we start the show with Barchart Senior Market Analyst Darin Newsom, who discusses the potential market volatility this week with the end of the month, USDA reports, headline news risk and more. In Segment Two, we talk about an active week of weather ahead of some parts of the country with DTN Meteorologist John Baranick. In Segment Three, we have a conversation with CHS President and CEO Jay Debertin. Then we close the show with some commentary and thoughts on the Celebration of Agriculture held this past Friday in Washington D.C.