The Little Red Barn

The Little Red Barn Road Show comes back this week as we travel to Bourbon, IN and chat with the multi-generational Bates Corp crew. Whether its new parts, used parts, rebuilt parts, or even a few toys...these guys have their hands in any part of it if its vintage Red power. We tour the warehouse and talk though the parts biz when it comes to keeping Vintage IH tractors humming in the field or on the show circuit or on the pulling circuit. 

Energy prices pushed to new recent highs this past week, just in time for harvest. But harvest means planting decisions are right around the corner and along with those, thoughts of fertilizer programs.  This week we chat with one of the main BUYERS of fertilizer for Keystone Cooperative in his Indianapolis office. We chat nitrogen, phosphates, current market conditions, the future oulooks and the impact of all of this on the 2027 crop year. Tons of information in here. We had remote connectivity issues this week, but just visualize that you're tuning in to the local high school game broadczsr on tbe radio as you listen to this episode.  Nostalgia....yeah, that's what we'll call it!  

Charlie has the run of the shop while Dad's out of town showing off a pretty rare antique auto. He brings a shopping list to this weeks episode, and it begs the question: where do dealers get off charging these kinds of prices for planters? We compare and contrast different quotes and Ryan asks the question we all have: how does it pencil to write these kinds of checks in this farm economy for something that has literally one job?  That along with a quick look at the WASDE and weather ahead of harvest.

It was a relatively benign week as we flipped the calendar into September.  News was sparse this week, but there is always something to chat about in the Little Red Barn. Harvest is trickling to a start, the Boilers are undefeated (for now) and our summer weather remains. 

This week Charlie reports on what he found interesting at Becknology Days, while Ryan plays the role of antagonist. Markets are giving opportunities, and there are plenty of attempts to draw out a new installment of "Ryan's Rants"...but alas, no go this week. 

This past week we heard ad nauseum about the Pro Farmer Crop tour. Ryan and Charlie have a few bones to pick. We chat through all aspects of the crop tour complete with our ring side seats at the Day 1 rehash dinner with tour scouts down in Noblesville. We talk about our own windshield tour, the mechanics of crop tours, and plenty of other things. Pro Farmer's results?  Well, we call those on the carpet too. And what's this? A political campaign for Charlie?  Ohhhh boy. This could get interesting. 

The Red Barn Road Show heads to Plymouth, IN this week to get an update on Marian University - Plymouth and their relatively new Ag Program. Concentrating on Animal Science, Vet Nursing and Agribusiness, the school has dipped its toe into several projects that surround food production. We sit down with Dr Nate Kneep who oversees the program to learn more about this option for wanna be ag majors across the state. 

The upcoming WASDE has Charlie all choked up this week, and this episode proves that the Little Red Barn podcast is a "live in one take" event as you hear Charlie's lungs get up close and personal with something they want to get rid of!  Still, we manage to HACK our way through weather and market talk, including damp weather disease pressures and the China buying progress. Also, with the growing movement against Flock cameras...we propose another use for the infrastructure, at least in the countryside. 

This week, plans had to change as we get chased inside the studio for the podcast after planning to be on location at the Echoes of the Past Summer Fest in southern Kosciusko County. Still, the event was awesome, even though we could not have our recoding equipment out in the rain. After a radio history lesson to start, we have some updates this week on Charlie's chemical mystery. We talk tar-spot, weather, the wild ride of the markets over the past week to 10 days, among other things. As bonus, you get another edition of "Ryan's Rants", this time focusing on one of the local county fairs. 

The Red Barn Road Show is back again this week...but this time because Ryan is trying to catch a little R&R up in the Michigan UP. This week we talk the over-hyping of weather and how that is getting old, the mother of all farm bankruptcies, and the upcoming USDA June 30th reports. That discussion brings a bit of surprise, as Charlie's thoughts would be wildly bullish for the market. Buckle up!

Mark Eads returns as we discuss land use. While its easy to see black and white when it comes to the best and most prudent use of prime farm land, there is plenty of gray area and questions that surround present and future development as well when it comes down to it. There are some winners and plenty of losers in this high stakes game.

Mark Eads returns as we discuss land use. While its easy to see black and white when it comes to the best and most prudent use of prime farm land, there is plenty of gray area and questions that surround present and future development as well when it comes down to it. There are some winners and plenty of losers in this high stakes game.

As we move into the holiday slowdown, Ryan and Charlie sift through a hodgepodge of different topics including: the last remaining acres of corn harvest, and published USDA data vs the truth from their perspectives, what they're looking at locking in for next year's inputs, and where a person should prioritize their Thanksgiving calories. Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

As we move into the holiday slowdown, Ryan and Charlie sift through a hodgepodge of different topics including: the last remaining acres of corn harvest, and published USDA data vs the truth from their perspectives, what they're looking at locking in for next year's inputs, and where a person should prioritize their Thanksgiving calories. Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

As we move into the holiday slowdown, Ryan and Charlie sift through a hodgepodge of different topics including: the last remaining acres of corn harvest, and published USDA data vs the truth from their perspectives, what they're looking at locking in for next year's inputs, and where a person should prioritize their Thanksgiving calories. Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

This week, agronomist Mark Eads joins the program as we discuss ways to take your farming operations to the next level. Whether you're a "sucky" farmer like Ryan or a seasoned pro like the Great Captain Manganese himself: Charlie Houin.  Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

This week, agronomist Mark Eads joins the program as we discuss ways to take your farming operations to the next level. Whether you're a "sucky" farmer like Ryan or a seasoned pro like the Great Captain Manganese himself: Charlie Houin.  Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

This week, agronomist Mark Eads joins the program as we discuss ways to take your farming operations to the next level. Whether you're a "sucky" farmer like Ryan or a seasoned pro like the Great Captain Manganese himself: Charlie Houin.  Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

As the weather turns more winter-like and harvest winds down, Ryan and Charlie work through yield reports, market changes, target prices, and recent headlines.  The Little Red Barn Podcast is brought to you by:Mac America Ag Finance of Northern Indiana 574-253-3433Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

As the weather turns more winter-like and harvest winds down, Ryan and Charlie work through yield reports, market changes, target prices, and recent headlines.  The Little Red Barn Podcast is brought to you by:Mac America Ag Finance of Northern Indiana 574-253-3433Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

Ryan and Charlie dissect the BREAKING NEWS of the past weekend regarding China trade, exactly 1 week after debating a world without China as a trade partner.  Sheesh! Now What? Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

Ryan and Charlie dissect the BREAKING NEWS of the past weekend regarding China trade, exactly 1 week after debating a world without China as a trade partner.  Sheesh! Now What? Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

Dave Weisflog returns to Red Barn Studios and the guys tackle the potential for an Ag world without China as a trading partner. What does it look like? Can we survive? What has to change? Is it possible? Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

Dave Weisflog returns to Red Barn Studios and the guys tackle the potential for an Ag world without China as a trading partner. What does it look like? Can we survive? What has to change? Is it possible? Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

This week Ryan and Charlie dive into the world of Food Insecurity and learn about food "rescue". Society today throws away so much and food waste is staggering. We chat with one of the leaders of Cultivate food rescue and learn about the thousands of lives they touch.Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

This week we are joined by Chad Berger...a 32 year veteran ag teacher from Bremen High School to talk about the evolution of ag education and FFA. The Indiana State Legislature continues to run roughshod over education, seemingly tinkering with requirements on whims. The latest is the "Graduation Pathways" edict, which Ryan fears will have plenty of unintended consequences including making graduates less useful.  But, what's it all mean for future of Ag Education?The Little Red Barn Podcast is brought to you by Mac America Ag Finance of Northern Indiana - 574-253-3433Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

This week we go back to a banker for some frank conversation on a topic no one likes right now: the ag economy. It's not looking good, and recovery is not "just around the corner". We talk belt tightening, planning, and hear what the banker really wants (and needs) to see in these upcoming meetings we all need to have.  Special guest of the day: Bill Salin of Farmbelt Financial.  The Little Red Barn Podcast is brought to you in part by Mac America Ag Finance of Northern Indiana: 574-253-3433Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

Today's episode takes a more light-hearted turn as Clay Geyer stops back by the Red Barn Studios to chat about not one, but TWO cornhusking championships to be held in our area in the weeks to come. SPOILER ALERT: The Little Red Barn Podcast is proud to sponsor its OWN CLASS DIVISION in one of the contests, with a guaranteed fantastic prize package. Listen for more details! Brought to you by Mac America Ag Finance - Northern IndianaContact them at: (574) 253-3433Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

Ryan and Charlie welcome guest Mark Ervin as the guys talk WASDE, weather, harvest, crop insurance updates, and Charlie Kirk....not necessarily in that order. Brought to you by Mac America Ag Finance of Northern Indiana.Contact them at: 574-253-3433Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

This week, Ryan and Charlie discuss the start of harvest, great weather, bad prices, and not much potential for improvement. Then we talk about technology, specifically autonomous tractors. It's pretty cool stuff, but it's nowhere near what's been promoted to be up to this point. Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

Holy cow! Squirrels are on the loose, and info comes Fast 'n Fuirous style in this week's Episode of the Little Red Barn Podcast. Jill Houin of Homestead Dairy stops by to talk about the Indy 500 Milk, robots, expansion/succession of the family farm, immigration, the restaurant biz, and much more. GEEZ!  There's barely any time for Ryan and Charlie to discuss absolutely stupid inventions like "lightning in a bottle" (yes, real lightning in a bottle) ...but rest assured, we do. Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

It seems like we can't go more than a few days to few weeks without new AI headlines and soundbytes. We're getting tired of it. Dr. Scott Strong says "tough cookies, it's here to stay", and brings us up to speed on AI's role in immigration issues, education, transportation/automation and AI learning to lie, cheat and deceive.  Yippie. Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

Ryan and Charlie are joined by Dave Schrock of Top Acre. USDA does USDA things (not a compliment), and Ryan has a few choice things to say about it regarding the most recent WASDE.  They guys talk crop tours and State Fair while hearing for the first time about the Top Acre program and what its all about. Something for everyone in this episode. Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

Ryan and Charlie are joined by Isabella Chism, former 2nd Vice President of Indiana Farm Bureau and now with American Farm Bureau Federation, along with Chism Farms. We take a run at Women in Agriculture...what the designation means, why it's important, and its place in the industry. We also dive a bit into trade, tractors, and play "bulls v. bears". Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

Our resident AI guru,  Dr Scott Strong is back with concerns on the speed of AI development. We talk impact on the US dollar, trade agreements and the current administrations desire to have world domination in machine learning and AI. It comes at a high cost...and apparently that cost comes at the expense of agriculture. Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

The Red Barn Road Show hits Goshen, Indiana this week for the Tractor Pull!  Ryan and Charlie visit with Kevin Smith of Smith Family Farms, driver of the "Buckshot Reloaded" IPL Hot Farm Class pulling tractor, in Rochester. We get schooled on the sport while sweltering in the heat. Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

The Little Red Barn Podcast starts off a series of 'on location' episodes, traveling this week to Argos, IN for the Marshall County Fair.  We talk dairy beef and the new (?) agronomy buzzwords "overly-tight tassel wrap", over-zealous tree trimmers, and the role of REMC in agriculture today as well as in the future. All of this while being forced into shelters for severe weather.  Fun times!Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

Mr. Houin brings all sorts of stories with him this week as the guys try and figure out: "how could someone manage to get a sprayer stuck during a drought?" Ryan and Charlie travel through the topics of irrigation maintenance, screw worm, tariffs, and "Muck for Dummies," among other random squirrel chases, but you'll probably learn something anyway.  This episode is presented by Mac America Ag Finance.Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

Coyote returns for one more "in studio" appearance with Ryan and Charlie before he hits the road to a state with no income tax. Moonshine, state budgets, trade, and the Big Beautiful Bill are all part of this week's discussion. Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

It's been hot. Yeah, welcome to summer. But "corn sweat" makes Ryan see red. The guys talk weather, crop growth, revisit acres, and hit a few other 'coffee shop' topics in this week's episode. Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

Ryan and Charlie hit weather, the ever cycling Israel-Iran headlines, planted acres and then explore a controversial discussion on a Gen X gap in Agribusiness leadership. Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

Ryan and Charlie bring a packed agenda this week: talking RVOs, crop health, Israel/Iran, backyard chickens, farming inside metropolitan limits, and more. Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

Charlie is back in the studio as we chat about last week's rains, the menace of groundhogs, emergence issues, replant, and just how many acres are out there. Don't forget to Like and subscribe!

Most folks have a relationship with law enforcement that is similar to in-laws: you aren't really keen on having them around unless you really need them. But folks in rural America need to have a better view than that. This week, Captain Brian Holloman of the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department joins us to discuss the relationship agriculture has to law enforcement and what that relationship could, or should, look like in the future.Don't forget to Like and subscribe!