Linder Farm Network Field Talk

Farming is an inherently stressful lifestyle. Current economic and global conditions are adding to anxiety for many producers. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and nearly a dozen farm groups are partnering on a suicide prevention campaign. Meg Moynihan with MDA is our guest on this Field Talk podcast to highlight some the ways the group is reaching out. 

The U.S. Senate is scheduled to return to session on September 14 with plenty on the agenda before mid term elections. Ranking member of the Senate Ag Committee Sen. Amy Klobuchar talked with the Linder Farm Network about priorities including tariffs, farm bill, E15 and more.

The Minnesota State Fair's iconic Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum got some substantial upgrades before this year's Great Minnesota Get Together. Deputy General Manager Jill Nathe joined Linda Brekke to highlight the updates. 

President Trump's announcement that he would allow supplies of imported beef into the U.S. to lower consumer prices was met with resounding disapproval from cattle producers. Ethan Lane from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association joined Linda Brekke to give industry reaction. 

Congressmen Brad Finstad and House Ag Committee chair GT Thompson were featured speakers at the Steele County Agribusiness luncheon recently. Following the Senate's inability to pass a farm bill, the congressmen talked with the Linder Farm Network's Lynn Ketelsen about next steps. 

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins held roundtable meetings and met with farmers during a stop at Farmfest near Redwood Falls this week. Rollins also addressed attendees, speaking about the administration's priorities and accomplishments. 

Summer heat has been the rule for much of the month of July in Minnesota. DNR Assistant State Climatologist Pete Boulay joins this podcast to dive deeper into our current hot, humid conditions. 

The Minnesota State Cattlemen's Summer Beef Tour is a must-see for many farmers and ag industry leaders. This year's event in Marshall was no exception. We caught up with several state leaders to get an update on what's happening in the industry. 

USDA is undertaking a pilot project to make acreage reporting easier for farmers and staff. Lac Qui Parle County was selected as a test county for this efforts. USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce joined the LFN to highlight the pilot program designed to move the acreage process into the digital age. 

California's Proposition 12 remains a thorn in the side of many of the nation's pork producers. The National Pork Producers Council and others have opposed the measure saying it gives one state power to dictate farming practices in other states. However, finding a fix has been challenging. Minnesota farmer and NPPC director John Anderson joins the Linder Farm Network to discuss options moving forward after a remedy was not included in the recently released Senate farm bill language. 

Fertilizer prices have been volatile for months and that volatility was compounded by the conflict with Iran and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz. With a deal reportedly in place to end the war, what will this mean for fertilizer prices? Josh Linville with StoneX joins this Field Talk Podcast. 

It's important to know who is buying your product. For the National Pork Board, that means doing a deeper dive into ways to make pork attractive to today's consumer both domestically and overseas. Kiersten Hafer and Andy Tauer of the National Pork Board and former NPB director and Iowa farmer Al Wulfkuhle join this Field Talk Podcast. 

May is set aside as Mental Health Awareness Month, but stress and anxiety can be a year-round issue, especially for people involved with agriculture. Tracie Self is one of Minnesota's Agricultural Mental Health Specialists and our guest on this podcast. 

We take it for granted now, but bringing electricity to rural America was a huge accomplishment. The legislation passed 90 years ago this month paved the way for rural areas to have access to electricity. Joe Miller, communications director for the Minnesota Rural Electric Association is our guest on this Field Talk podcast. 

Farmers nationwide have watched as already high fertilizer prices spiked even higher following the start of the conflict between the U.S. and Iran and the subsequent bottleneck in the Strait of Hormuz. A project in Blue Earth could lead to a local supply of renewable ammonia. Central Farm Service CEO KC Graner joined the LFN with details on the project. 

Trade and export markets for U.S. commodities are vital for farm profitability. One of the most important trade agreements is being reviewed. Brian Kuehl, executive director of Farmers for Free Trade joins this podcast for an update on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. 

Many consumers care about how crops and livestock are raised, which is also a priority for farmers. In this Field Talk Podcast, North Carolina pork producer Chad Herring and National Pork Board Director of Animal Welfare Stephanie Wetter highlight some of the ways the pork industry is working to build trust. 

Conditions vary across Minnesota but the desire to get into the fields to start planting the 2026 crop is universal. In this Field Talk Podcast, we connect with farmers and ag professionals scattered throughout the region for an update on activity. 

Ag retailers provide farmers and ranchers with many of the products they need to raise crops and livestock. Hunter Carpenter, senior director of government affairs for the Agricultural Retailers Association explains some of the recent government actions that could affect producers. 

After several spring "false starts," winter could be making a comeback this week in Minnesota. DTN Meteorologist John Baranick joined Linda Brekke to talk about the week ahead, South American weather and if any relief is on the way for devastating wildfires. 

Pork production plays a huge role in Minnesota' ag economy while supporting and strengthening many rural communities. In this Field Talk Podcast, you'll hear from the Minnesota farmer leading the National Pork Board and two Univerisity of Minnesota graduates who dedicated 70 years to the swine industry. 

The farming landscape is constantly changing. One of the ways USDA works to track those changes is through the Farms and Land in Farms summary report. Bryan Combs with the National Ag Statistics Service joined the LFN's Linda Brekke to discuss their latest summary for the U.S. and Minnesota. 

Tne National Corn Growers Association has released a new report warning that U.S. agriculture is at a pivotal moment as the nation approaches its 250th birthday. NCGA Economist Gretchen Kuch joined the Linder Farm Network's Linda Brekke to discuss the report.

Livestock production is a vital sector of the U.S. agriculture economy. The Animal Agriculture Alliance has worked for nearly 4 decades to promote and protect the animal agriculture in the U.S. Animal Agriculture Alliance Director of Communications Emily Ellis is our guest on this week's podcast. 

Pork industry leaders gathered in Mankato for the Minnesota Pork Congress and had plenty to talk about in terms of markets and a new consumer-facing campaign. Learn more about those topics in this week's LFN Field Talk Podcast. 

Transitioning a farm from one generation to the next can be a complex process, but conversations about that process should start sooner than later. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Farm Transition Teams Coordinator Jim Molenaar is our guest on this field talk podcast.  

The EPA is expected to make a ruling in the weeks ahead on their final Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) definition. The WOTUS definition has been a moving target, often changing with presidential administrations. Minnesota Ag Water Resource Center Executive Director Warren Formo joins this Field Talk podcast to discuss the latest proposed definition and to address the upcoming Nutrient Management Conference. 

The National Grain and Feed Association represents more than 700 entities across the U.S. on issues from transportation to trade. NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert joined the Linder Farm Network's Linda Brekke for a conversation about issues the organization is addressing. 

Soil compaction can rob yield and reduce productivity for years to come. University of Minnesota Extension Educator Jodi DeJong-Hughes joins this podcast to talk about compaction causes and their effects. 

So why was a Minnesota pork producer in Brazil at a global conference on the environment and sustainability? Maddie Hokanson of Canon Falls is our guest on the Field Talk Podcast to address her participation in COP30. 

The dairy industry received a welcomed boost recently with Congress' passage of the Whole MIlk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025. Now headed to the president for his signature, the bill opens options for school lunches to include whole and 2% milk. Karen Gefvert is Edge Dairy Farmers Cooperative director of government affairs and out guest on this Field Talk podcast. 

Minnesota is a leader in renewable energy production and advancement with important products like ethanol and biodiesel already in the state's portfolio. Biogas production is also happening in the state with the opportunity for much more. Brad Matuska with AURI joins this Field Talk Podcast to highlight biogas and its potential. 

The Minnesota Biofuels Association has released its 2025 annual report which highlights the positives for the past year and outlines goals for biofuels advocacy in the year ahead. MBA Executive Director Brian Werner is our guest in this Field Talk Podcast. 

Minnesota leads the nation in turkey production and that activity has a ripple effect on the state's economy and local communities. Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Executive Director Ashley Kohls is our guest on this Field Talk Podcast. 

Farming is inherently stressful with so many things outside of farmers' control. Dr. Jeff Bender is Director of the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center and he's also our guest on this Field Talk Podcast discussing rural mental health. 

Two important items have been added to the list of critical minerals by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Potash and phosphate are key nutrients for agriculture. Hunter Carpenter with the Ag Retailers Association joins Linda Brekke to discuss what the designation means. 

Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan has served in that role since 2019, but she now has higher aspirations. She joins Lynn Ketelsen for this Field Talk Podcast. 

Farmers have plenty on their minds right now as harvest wraps up and issues such as trade disruptions and high input costs cloud the outlook for agriculture. Green Solutions Group Farm Management Analyst Kent Thiesse talks with Lynn Ketelsen about current issues.

The Motorcade for Trade from Farmers for Free Trade is making its way across the country this fall, highlighting the importance of trade to the nation's farmers. The Linder Farm Network's Linda Brekke was at a recent stop in Lakeville. 

Section 301 tariffs are now in effect as the U.S. Trade Representative has used the process to try to counter China's dominance in shipbuilding and maritime equipment. Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition joins this podcast to discuss the impacts on agriculture. 

The nation's most populous state, California, recently approved the use of E15. California is the last state to allow E15, plus it needs no further waivers to use the fuel year-round. Troy Bredenkamp, senior vice president for the Renewable Fuels Association joins this Field Talk Podcast to talk about the impacts of the California legislation. 

The Lower Sioux Indian Community near Morton will host the International Hemp Building Symposium which is coming to the U.S. for the first time. The Lower Sioux Community is a leader in hemp-based building materials, using hempcrete to build and reconstruct homes in the community. Danny Desjarlais is our guest on this Field Talk podcast. 

Farmers face rising input costs, especially for nutrients. Efforts are underway to ensure greater access to one critical ingredient. The Fertilizer Institute's Ed Thomas joins this Field Talk Podcast. 

Farmers are gearing up for long hours as harvest nears. As the hectic harvest season approaches, safety needs to remain front of mind. University of Minnesota Extension Farm Safety and Health Educator Emily Krekelberg joins this Field Talk podcast. 

Long time farm broadcaster and Clara City native Randy Koenen has retired from the radio world but he still has his hands in farming with another new venture in the works. Lynn Ketelsen catches up with Koenen in this Field Talk podcast. 

Depressed export markets for agricultural products are weighing heavily on the agriculture economy and on farmers themselves. Brian Kuehl, executive director of Farmers for Free Trade is our guest to talk about his organization's efforts to press Congress and the administration to build and maintain market access. 

Cattle markets and beef prices have been on a steady uphill climb in recent months. Cattle industry expert Paul Dykstra and economist Dan Basse provide insights into current and future trends. 

As an industry, agriculture has been quick to adopt technology as a tool to help farmers become more efficient and more profitable. Artificial intelligence is among the emerging technologies that will undoubtedly have a place in agricultre. AI was the focus of a forum held at Farmfest. 

In addition to showcasing the newest ag technology and offering timely, topical forums, Farmfest also presents an opportunity to recognize people who are making valuable contributions to Minnesota agriculture. Niki Jones, Farmfest marketing director joins this Field Talk podcast to highlight some of those recognition opportunities. 

Agriculture is constantly changing and so is the offering of programs and events at Farmfest 2025. Marketing Director Niki Jones joins this Field Talk podcast to highlight some of the new things attendees can see at this year's event Aug. 5-7 near Redwood Falls.