Podcasts about Growmark

AI has long dominated ag industry headlines—but turning it from concept into day-to-day agronomic practice requires far more than a product launch. In this episode of Ag Tech Talk, FS Agronomy Director Brendan Bachman of GROWMARK breaks down the operational reality behind scaling AI across one of North America's largest cooperative systems, from building data infrastructure to navigating the complexities of a federated organization. Rather than positioning AI as a disruption, Bachman describes it as a practical layer within existing workflows - one aimed at reducing friction and helping crop specialists make faster, more informed in-season decisions. The discussion highlights the less visible work of adoption: aligning systems, earning grower trust, and driving buy-in across FS locations, while tools like MyFS Agronomy increasingly reshape - not replace - the agronomist's role in the field.

Dan Engel, Director of Crop Nutrients at Growmark, joins the program to take a look back at spring inputs like immonia, urea and potassium and look ahead to the summer growing season.Mark Hobrock, Andersons Inc. in Kansas City, discusses late week market movement, as December corn approaches a low following a new WASDE report.Kenny Avery, CEO of Advanced Agrilytics, talks about how artificial intelligence can make a difference for crop agronomy.

Dan Pannier, Propane Operations Manager at Growmark, discusses the impacts of "off the charts" exports, builds and inventories.Joyce Mason, Assistant Vice President of Real Estate and Consumer Lending at IAA Credit Union, joins the program to talk about National Homeownership Month.Roy Plote, Western Illinois Commodities, calls in for a look at meat markets in the wake of further news about screwworm concerns.

Chuck Spencer, Government Relations Executive Director, and Kennedy Ebner, Government and Regulatory Affairs, both from Growmark, join the program to discuss legislative efforts.Doug Cropp, Premiere Co-Op, takes a look at market movements, including beans up double figures.

Aaron Curtis, MidCo Commodities, joins the program to discuss markets, the impacts of an approaching peace plan in Iran and more for this week's Growmark segment.Dr. Ashley Johnson, National Pork Producers' Council, talks herd health, dietary requirements and other consumer-side issues from the Washington Watch event.Tracy Heuerman, Illinois Wheat Association President, talks about how a wet growing season is going so far on a Wheat Tour.

Dr. Jeff Bunting, head of Crop Protection at Growmark, joins the program to discuss protectorants as planting season continues.Chip Nellinger, Blue Reef Agrimarketing, talks about the weather and market movement we've seen throughout the week.

Brendan Bachman, FS Agronomy Director at Growmark, discusses the features of an AI agent in the FS My Agronomy app.Paul Stoddard, Senior Lecturer at the College of ACES, University of Illinois Extension, talks about his teaching experience shortly before his retirement.

Aaron Curtis, MidCo Commodities, describes a somewhat uneventful market day, outside of a move in the Kansas City wheat market, for this week's Growmark segment.Jennifer Killian, Marketing Manager at the IAA Credit Union, talks about National Credit Union Youth Month.University of Illinois students talk about their theoretical products competing at the National Ag Marketing Assocation Conference in St. Louis.

Mark Miller, Product Manager of Potash and Phosphates at Growmark, discusses the impact of global conflict on the availability of ammonia and sulfur.Dr. Maria Boerngen, Illinois State University, talks Farm Management from the Land Values Conference.Dr. Michael Langemeier, Director of the Center for Commercial Agriculture at Purdue University, breaks down the latest results of the monthly Ag Economy Barometer.Ted Seifred, Zaner Ag Hedge, talks corn as the market week winds down.

Dan Pannier, Propane Operations Manager at Growmark, says everyone's eyes are on crude oil as instability continues to impact market prices.From the Land Values Conference, Dr. David Kohl, Professor Emeritus at Virgina Tech, expans on how conflict in the Middle East is having an effect on the markets he studies.Luke Worrell, Worrell Land Services in Jacksonville and co-chair of the Land Values Committee, talks from the Bloomington Land Values Conference.

Growmark is entering the high oleic soybeans market, expecting to offer Soyleic varieties in 2027. Missouri Soybean's Director of Licensing and Commercialization Bryan Stobaugh says it's an ag innovation that's bringing more market opportunities and higher value crops back to the state.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson discusses the organization's Farm Bill interests after a big week for agriculture on Capitol Hill.Tim Abel, Director of Customer Risk Management at Growmark, joins the program to discuss the Iran conflict's impact on fuel prices and markets.Andy Heggenstaller, Syngenta, discusses a new trait aimed at soybean weed management.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at your forecast.

Tim Abel, Director of Customer Risk Management at Growmark, joins the program to discuss the Iran conflict's impact on fuel prices and markets.Kevin Clausen, John Stewart & Associates, talks wheat leading the way in commodity markets.Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello discusses current events and impact from global disruption in the war with Iran.

Lainey Scher, Talent Acquisition Coordinator for Growmark, talks about the cooperative's scholarship programs.Jim McCormick, AgMarket.Net, talks about corn markets from the floor of the 2026 Commodity Classic.Mike McCranie, South Dakota farmer and chairman of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, talks about growing soybeans in his home state and the soybean markets.Brett Leahr, AgriGold Agronomist, talks considerations for planting season: how to prepare and what to test.

Dan Pannier, Propane Operations Manager at Growmark, joins the show to discuss propane supply.Dr. Mandy Carr, Director of Scientific Affairs at the National Cattlemans' Beef Association, describes the scientific side of beef, including safety, nutrition and cattle health.Matt Webster, River Valley Co-Op, joins the program to talk markets.

Morgan Harrison, Field Recruiting Manager at Growmark, talks about internship opportunities and recruiting.Jonathan Coppess, University of Illinois, talks Farm Bill progress, or lack of progress, from the IL Soy Summit.Susan Stroud, No Bull Ag, joins the program for market discussion and analysis.

Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello outlines his agenda for 2026, with farmer profitability and commodity prices top of mind.Justin Daugherty, Sales Manager for Crop Nutirents at Growmark, talks about impact from supply chain issues.Kris Ehler, Champaign County farmer, says it would take a lot to get to equilibrium as farmers eye drought maps.Meteorologist Paul Otto has a look at the forecast.

Justin Daugherty, Eastern region Sales Manager for Crop Nutrients at Growmark, talks about what to consider when it comes to crop nutrients in an environment of high input costs and low commodity prices.Trevor Toland of Macomb shares the outcome of research measuring up the profitability of additional cattle grazing.USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden talks about review of the United States/Mexico/Canada trade agreement from the AFBF Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California.AFBF President Zippy Duvall covers ag labor reform.David Widmar, Ag Economic Insights, joins the program for regular market discussion.

Tim Abel, Director of Customer Risk Management at Growmark, talks fuel price, geopolitical unrest and other risk related topics.Ryan Hypke, portfolio manager at Country Financial, talks stock market outlooks and financial management heading into 2026.

With at least 95% accuracy at key estimate timings in late July and early August, Growmark’s myFS agronomy platform gives its retail advisors and farmers new insights. Brendan Bachman, FS Agronomy Director, explains how the tool works and what it means for the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's show Andy has a featured conversation with Jay Christie of Growmark about diesel prices, Mark learns more from the National Pork Board about the PEDv task force, and Dustin gets an HPAI update from Secretary Naig.

In today's show Dustin is joined by Brandon Fonken a farmer from Jewell Iowa, to learn more about Hagie sprayers, Mark gets a northwest Iowa agronomy update from Eric Bartels of Beck's Hybrids, and Andy presents a featured conversation from Growmark.

Graham Utter, GROWMARK, inputs to stay high this Fall;Rita with Brad Summa, NASS Heartland OfficeNaomi Blohm, Total Farm Marketing by Stewart Peterson

Dan Pannier, GROWMARK propane operations mgr; Rita with Gary Hadden, investing in ag and youth through county fairs; Roy Plote, Western IL Commodities

Heather Thompson, Executive Director of enterprise marketing at Growmark, shares the details behind the new campaign—Start to Finish. She explains how Growmark is investing in its retail footprint and optimizing farmer customer relationships.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan McCann, Precision AI; John Zanker, Risk Managment Commodities

In today's show Dustin talks about soybean demand with Mary Stewart of the United Soybean Board, Mark wraps up his conversation with Alex Hintz of Novus, and we present a featured conversation from Growmark with Dan McCann of Precision AI.

Brian Duncan, ILFB, Frank Doll, Prairie Farms, Jason Lay; GROWMARK; tar spot with Madison Wozniak, FMC; heat with Melissa Delia, NWS StL

A conversation with CEO's: Jim Jacobs from COUNTRY Financial, Mark Orr from GROWMARK, Matt McClelland from Prairie Farms, and Nick Brooks from IAA Credit Union.  Also on the program, IAA Foundation scholarship recipient Emma Smith and Julie Hewitt from the Illinois Foundation FFA.  

Inputs with GROWMARK's Alex Zook, Jim Taylor with IL FFA Star in Agribusiness Taylor Crouch, markets with Darin Newsom 

In today's show Riley Smith is joined by Dr. Megan Bollin of Norbrook with featured conversation to discuss treating pigs for respiratory disease, Andy has a featured conversation with the team at Growmark, and Dustin wraps up his talk with Nic Lauterback of Pharmgate about PRRS.

In today's show, Mark has a featured conversation with Northwest Iowa Beck's Agronomist Eric Bartels, Riley discusses the recent weather patterns with state climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan, and Andy has another featured conversation with Kristi Orrick of GROWMARK.

In this Pods for Profit, we'll hear how crop inputs move throughout the supply chain. Vice President of Crop Nutrients Kreg Ruhl with Growmark shares how important waterways are for farmers to get the products they need. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's show Riley has the latest export sales with Greg McBride of Allendale,  Dustin speaks with Michael Porter of John Deere about John Deere's latest autonomy update, and Andy has a featured conversation with Lance Rupert of Growmark.

In today's show Dustin learns more about Durastak corn from Matt Dolch of GHX, Andy presents the latest featured conversation with Dan Hart of Growmark to discuss the New Century FS facility in Tama, and Mark talks on farm research trials with Aimee Bissell of the Iowa Soybean Association.

In today's show Dustin speaks with Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig about the HPAI containment plan, Andy is joined by the team at Growmark, and Riley Smith discusses export sales with Greg McBride of Allendale.

  In today's show Riley speaks with Jason De Bruin of Valent about crop protection options for 2025, Mark discusses tariff ramifications with Grant Kimberley of the Iowa Soybean Association, and Andy learns about an ag scholarship offered to students by Growmark.

In today's show Dustin is joined by Venus Welch-White of the EPA, Mark wraps up his conversation with Eric Wilson of Wyffels, and Andy talks with Lance Rupert of Growmark about the new partnership with Indigo Ag.

Grains found a bounce on Friday with soybeans and soybean oil leading the way to the upside. Meantime, feeder cattle saw a nice surge with hogs under pressure to end the week. We talk markets with Mike Minor from Professional Ag Marketing on today's show. Plus, we close our our week at the NAFB Convention and have conversations with Corey Rosenbusch from The Fertilizer Institute, Mike Seyfert from the National Grain & Feed Association and Lance Ruppert from Growmark during our final day in Kansas City.

The Monday keynote features a panel discussion moderated by our EVP and COO Jeremy Wilson. Serving on the panel are three retail representatives who are in the field and plugged into challenges and opportunities in data gathering for environmental reporting in sustainability and carbon programs: Brian Henze from Growmark, Trey Colley from Greenpoint Ag, and Caleb Smith from Keystone Cooperative. Also joining the panel is Michael Gomes, vice president, sustainability at Topcon. With expertise in field computing and data collection and the impact of each on the value chain, Gomes and will share his perspective on how we achieve success with the environmental reporting data we acquire.

Wednesday's show features coverage from the Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs Conference as we chat with Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan and Illinois Farm Bureau Board Member Jeff Kirwan. We talk with GROWMARK's Senior VP Rodd Wells about National FFA Week.We meet children's author Curt Mottaz, who was at last weekend's WIU Ag Mech Farm Expo.

CHS President and CEO, Jay Debertin, joins Jesse Allen to recap the companies earnings results for Q1 of the 2024 fiscal year that ended on November 30th, 2023. They also discuss a new exploratory process between CHS and Growmark as the companies explore more collaboration between the two cooperatives. Find more details on the Q1 earnings here: https://americanagnetwork.com/2024/01/chs-reports-first-quarter-fiscal-year-2024-earnings/

Even if companies are not getting directly involved in carbon markets – it's on their radar. Growmark saw interest in carbon credits hike in 2021. That was their sign to start getting acquainted with carbon markets. Lance Ruppert joins us, he's the manager of strategic market development for Growmark. He says agriculture is in a neat position going forward as carbon type programs and markets develop because the three Fs — food, feedstocks and fuel – all come through the farmgate. He says this is a huge value opportunity for farm businesses. Growmark wants to enable its customers to participate and take advantage, specifically through data collection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

- Mike Zuzolo, GlobalCommResearch.com- Nathan Kleczewski, Growmark.com- Eric Snodgrass, NutrienAgSolutions.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Jennifer had the opportunity to talk with Amie Haselbring of FS Growmark about career opportunities for both interns and post-graduation jobs, along with the benefits of being a member of FS!

She's been with the podcast from the very start, but she's been hiding in the background.  That all changes today as Katie Martin joins hosts Ryan Priest and Sal Sama in the podcast room for this episode of The High Ground, powered by Premier Companies.  Katie is the Director of Marketing for Premier Companies and has been a key part of bringing the podcast to fruition.  Katie brings the laughs and the information as she shares how Premier is involved in the communities in which they live, work, and play.  You'll hear about how they're able to inspire and support the youth in agriculture through 4-H, their partnership with Habitat for Humanity, and the various communication channels that marketing uses.  Katie explores how the partnership between Premier Companies, Growmark, CHS, CountryMark, and Land O'Lakes results in a dollar-for-dollar match to dramatically increase their reach in serving their community.  “There's no other way that you can make sure that your dollars are coming right back into the communities than the cooperative system.”

This week's Open Mic guest is Steve Becraft, general manager and CEO of Southern States Cooperative. The farmer-owned retailer is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Becraft acknowledges the many challenges farmers and their cooperative have survived and looks forward to new horizons of meeting the needs of the customers and communities they serve. After a recent marriage with Growmark, Becraft says the group is on solid financial footing. In this interview, Becraft discusses the challenges of urban sprawl, labor and transportation as well as the opportunity of helping farmers find sustainable solutions to improve productivity and efficiency in their operations.

This week's Open Mic guest is Steve Becraft, general manager and CEO of Southern States Cooperative. The farmer-owned retailer is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Becraft acknowledges the many challenges farmers and their cooperative have survived and looks forward to new horizons of meeting the needs of the customers and communities they serve. After a recent marriage with Growmark, Becraft says the group is on solid financial footing. In this interview, Becraft discusses the challenges of urban sprawl, labor and transportation as well as the opportunity of helping farmers find sustainable solutions to improve productivity and efficiency in their operations.