Episodes – Page 55 – Hoosier Ag Today

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347. Farm Credit Mid-America's Natasha Cox on the speed of change + prioritizing smart bets for innovators and farmers alike

February 17, 2025 4:00 am|

New data from USDA shares that net cash farm income decreased roughly 3.5% from 2023 into 2024 and we’re looking at inflation adjusted numbers. But here’s the piece of the silver lining that may be untold: that number – net cash farm income – is still above average when we look at the last 20 years from USDA data. This week, Natasha Cox, Senior Vice President of Farm Credit Mid-America, joins us to help make sense of the numbers, what it means to producers and to the broader agbioscience economy. We get into:

The macro perspective on the health of farm balance sheets across the Midwest
Big trends that she’s looking at from a financial health standpoint of farms and agribusinesses
Consolidation – from both the farmer and innovator perspective – as a factor in the economic system of agriculture in the US
New investments being made on farm or within agribusinesses to better connect to the end market of food is health
Natasha’s perspective as a farmer and how she prioritizes where to place her bets for her operations
The criticality of surrounding yourself with good partners, knowing your options when it comes to strategic planning and investments and asking the right questions for your operations or business
The innovation she’s most excited about in 2025

The Hoosier Ag This Week Podcast for 2/15/25

February 14, 2025 10:23 pm|

On this edition of Hoosier Ag This Week: Even though property tax reform is one of the top priorities for Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and several of your lawmakers, Senate Republicans made major changes to a property tax relief bill that eliminated several key provisions. Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith tells Hoosier Ag Today those changes do not provide enough relief for Indiana’s farmland owners who have been hit hard by skyrocketing property tax bills.

C.J. Miller reports from the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville—as Farm Credit Mid-America shares their annual patronage announcement. Plus, C.J. also chats with Leo Bose with CaseIH about the strength of new farm machinery sales in 2025.

Also, we’ll look back at President Ronald Reagan and his impact on agriculture. You’ll hear from Bruce Kettler, President and CEO of the Agribusiness Council of Indiana, who met Reagan at the White House when he was a National FFA Officer more than 40 years ago.

We’ll feature these stories—plus, Brian Basting with Advance Trading joins us to review Friday’s grain markets. It's all part of the Hoosier Ag This Week Podcast!

The Hoosier Ag Today Podcast for 2/14/25

February 14, 2025 4:55 am|

On the HAT Podcast C.J. Miller has the news including Lt. Governor Beckwith reaction to recent amendments to the Indiana Senate property tax bill and what farmers want to know about the large equipment showcased at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville. HAT Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin is calling for dry and chilly conditions across Indiana today before weekend precipitation, and the Thursday grains and oilseeds went higher in quiet trading. Andy Eubank has the settlements and analyst Karl Setzer provides market commentary. It's all part of the #HATPodcast, made possible by First Farmers Bank & Trust - proudly serving local farms, families, and agribusiness for 140 years. Visit them online at FFBT.com to learn more.

The Hoosier Ag Today Podcast for 2/13/25

February 13, 2025 4:45 am|

On the HAT Podcast Eric Pfeiffer and C.J. Miller have the news including what Indiana's corn and soybean farmers had to share with Indiana lawmakers over a bacon breakfast yesterday and you'll hear from C.J. at the National Farm Machinery Show. HAT Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin says improving weather conditions across Indiana today but moisture is ahead this weekend, and the Wednesday grains and oilseeds were mixed with only corn futures higher. Andy Eubank has the settlements and analyst Tom Fritz provides market commentary. It's all part of the #HATPodcast, made possible by First Farmers Bank & Trust - proudly serving local farms, families, and agribusiness for 140 years. Visit them online at FFBT.com to learn more.

From the Statehouse: Bacon Brings Legislators, Farmers Together

February 12, 2025 2:05 pm|

This Indiana Ag Policy Podcast originates from the Indiana Statehouse and the annual Bacon Bar & Brunch put on by the presenting sponsors of the podcast, the Indiana Corn Growers Association and the Indiana Soybean Alliance. We discuss biofuel tax credits, property tax reform, and the grain indemnity bill with the only full-time farmer in the Indiana Senate Daryl Schmitt, Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith, and ICGA President Chris Cherry.

The podcast is also supported by Indiana Farm Bureau.

The Hoosier Ag Today Podcast for 2/12/25

February 12, 2025 4:34 am|

On the HAT Podcast Eric Pfeiffer and C.J. Miller have the news including a dive into where farmland values are headed and a fungicide to consider in your corn crop planning for 2025. HAT Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin is calling for a messy period in Indiana weather, and the Tuesday grains and oilseeds worked higher before the USDA February WASDE update sent them back down. Andy Eubank has the settlements and analyst Arlan Suderman provides market commentary. It's all part of the #HATPodcast, made possible by First Farmers Bank & Trust - proudly serving local farms, families, and agribusiness for 140 years. Visit them online at FFBT.com to learn more.

The Hoosier Ag Today Podcast for 2/11/25

February 11, 2025 4:31 am|

On the HAT Podcast Eric Pfeiffer and C.J. Miller have the news including what timely soybean planting is and why it is important, and which policy issues will dominate Indiana Ag in 2025. HAT Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin has a very active and interesting forecast and that can't be good, can it? The Monday ag markets worked close to even with a slight bump for corn futures. Andy Eubank has the settlements and analyst John Zanker provides market commentary. It's all part of the #HATPodcast, made possible by First Farmers Bank & Trust - proudly serving local farms, families, and agribusiness for 140 years. Visit them online at FFBT.com to learn more.

Thriving or Surviving, Risk Exposure, & Fun Facts

February 10, 2025 6:00 pm|

Groupies rejoice! Glenn Longabaugh returns to the podcast room with hosts Jeff Jarrett and Sal Sama for this episode of The High Ground powered by Premier Companies. Glenn is the resident agronomist at Premier Companies, and he’s a fan favorite.

You’ll hear about Glenn’s new series, Thriving or Surviving, and how it ties into what growers should be focusing on to be more successful. He’ll dive into the tension between reducing the cost of inputs and the value of increasing overall yields along with evaluating how fertility, fungicides, and fertilizers play into the overall equation. Sal will also share his thoughts on how a grower can evaluate the have-to-haves in light of the want-to-haves. If you’ve been considering upgrading your farming equipment, Glenn will share why the used equipment market may be in your favor right now. If you’ve been wondering how you can take a good crop year and make it a great crop year, you’re going to want to check out Glenn’s lectures!

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346. Hoosier Ag Today’s Eric Pfeiffer on market turbulence, trade wars + the need for a Farm Bill to make plans for the future

February 10, 2025 5:00 am|

The year 2025 is poised to be an interesting one for agbioscience. Venture capital inflows from 2023 to 2024 are roughly flat according to Crop Life, the production cost of corn and soybeans remains roughly in line or slightly below market price and the turbulence around global trade and what tariffs could mean leave an uncertain operating market for what could be ahead. Joining us today is Hoosier Ag Today president, Eric Pfeiffer, to make sense of what’s ahead. We get into:

The current perspective of the farmer, their natural optimism and knowing the challenges that lie ahead for 2025.
Trends he’s noticing that are operational changes to drive net farm income – particularly biologicals – and why that’s challenging.
Property tax reform as a major topic in the Indiana General Assembly and making this issue relatable to the general public – because it does impact them at the end of the day.
The biofuels tax credit bill in the Indiana General Assembly and its potential economic impact and jobs to the state of Indiana (not to mention better burning, more sustainable fuel).
On a federal level – trade wars – and tariffs potential impact, good or bad, on farmers.
Farmers needing certainty on The Farm Bill to make plans for the future – it does not appear to be a priority at the moment.
Reason for optimism from farmers moving forward.

The Hoosier Ag Today Podcast for 2/10/25

February 10, 2025 4:44 am|

On the HAT Podcast C.J. Miller has the news including the importance of AI in an Indiana company's robotic melon harvester and turning the tables on animal activists. HAT Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin calls for very cold weather this week and some occasional moisture possibilities, and the Friday ag markets went lower on profit taking heading to the weekend. Andy Eubank has the settlements and analyst Brian Basting provides market commentary. It's all part of the #HATPodcast, made possible by First Farmers Bank & Trust - proudly serving local farms, families, and agribusiness for 140 years. Visit them online at FFBT.com to learn more.