Ep. 247: Eat More Beef, The Salad's the One Trying to Kill You

In this episode of Talk Dirt To Me, we're answering your farming questions and breaking down the biggest stories impacting agriculture right now. We kick things off with some listener Q&As before diving into Bayer's new hybrid wheat. Is it GMO? How much more yield are they claiming? Is the ROI better than saved seed, and could hybrid wheat change the future of grain production? From there, we take a deep dive into the latest USDA Crop Progress Report, highlighting why Tennessee continues to be one of the nation's most overlooked row crop states despite ranking among the top performers for crop conditions. We compare the top five states for corn rated good to excellent, discuss how much of the U.S. corn crop has reached the silking stage compared to last year, and what these numbers could mean for yield potential heading into harvest. We also examine the latest farm equipment sales numbers, which segment is surprisingly showing growth, and what declining equipment sales say about the current farm economy. Another major topic is the newly announced $11 billion in federal farm aid plus maximum ARC/PLC payments. Will the payments provide meaningful relief, or will they simply lead to higher seed, fertilizer, and chemical prices next season? International trade is back in the spotlight as we discuss the new tariffs on thousands of Brazilian products and the complicated relationship between Brazil, China, and American agriculture. Could these tariffs create new opportunities for U.S. farmers, or will they ultimately strengthen Brazil's position with China? And because no episode is complete without a little fun, we wrap up by talking about the recent Cyclospora outbreak, why leafy greens seem to make the news more often than steaks, and share guidance that eating more beef might be the safest strategy after all. If you enjoy honest conversations about farming, markets, policy, equipment, and everything happening in rural America, this is an episode you won't want to miss.  Go check out Agzaga! It is the ultimate online farm store. American owned and operated. Go check out their site and get what you need. Be sure to use the code TalkDirt20 to get $20 off your order of $50 or more! Visit them at: https://agzaga.com  👉 Listen now, hit subscribe, and leave Logan and Bobby Lee a 5-star review to keep the dirt talk rolling every week!  Follow us on social media: Talk Dirt to Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkdirtpodcast/  Bobby Lee: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=hurricane%20creek%20farms Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hurricanecreekfarm/ YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/c/HurricaneCreekFarms Logan: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/LHFarmsTN Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/lo.hanks/