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Sean and Andrew are back with Matt Darr and Ben Covington from Iowa State University's On-Site Precision Technology team in ISU's new Digital Ag Innovation Lab to hear their two cents on how advancing the technology on your farm is simpler than you might expect. The crew discusses: ✅ Why understanding ag technology is important for every grower ✅ The importance of education for adoption of ag tech ✅ Behind-the-scenes the Digital Ag Innovation Lab's planter clinic ✅ The science behind downforce and planting depth ✅ How John Deere's FurrowVision and See and Spray™ technology impacts farmers ✅ Tillage practices and soil compaction ✅ A new approach to planting soybeans ✅ The crop input you don't want to cut corners on Learn more about the Digital Ag Innovation Lab: https://www.isudigitalag.org/ Meet the Guests:
Iowa State University makes several tough budget decisions on its' athletic program to combat financial issues.
Iowa State University horticulture specialists share how rootstocks help produce healthy root systems and answer listener questions.
Iowa State University horticulture specialist shares how rootstocks help grow healthy root systems.
In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Bare, the visionary behind Century Farms Distillery—a craft distillery rooted in agricultural tradition and dedicated to producing premium farm-to-bottle spirits. Growing up on his family's Iowa farm, Ryan learned early the value of hard work, precision, and pride in the land. After earning a degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University, Ryan spent over 15 years refining oil and producing ethanol before circling back to his agricultural roots with a bold idea: start a distillery that pays tribute to the very ground he grew up on.Founded in 2017, Century Farms Distillery celebrates the legacy of Iowa's multigenerational farms. Ryan walks us through the journey—from navigating complicated distilling regulations to sourcing high-quality local grains that deliver standout flavors in every batch. We discuss the differences between producing energy and crafting spirits, how farm practices directly influence taste, and what it means to distill with purpose and pride.Ryan also shares insights on branding, connecting with consumers through storytelling, and expanding the distillery's reach beyond Iowa. Whether it's whiskey, bourbon, or celebrating agricultural heritage, Ryan's mission is clear: honor the past while innovating for the future. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don't forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.comShareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.comEmail address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.comCall/Text: 515.207.9640Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5XqwFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/
Today, analysis from political scientists at Iowa State University and Drake University.
In this episode of The Pet Food Science Podcast Show, Dr. Sara Cutler from Kemin Nutrisurance discusses the complexities of determining the shelf life of pet food products. She explains how pet food manufacturers assess shelf life, including factors such as ingredient stability, oxidation, and packaging. Dr. Cutler also shares insights on how different pet food formats, like kibble, wet, and freeze-dried, pose unique challenges to shelf life. Tune in to learn about the science behind keeping pet food fresh and nutritious. Listen now on all major platforms!"Shelf life in pet food is determined by how long a product maintains its quality and nutritional value over time."Meet the guest: Dr. Sara Cutler is the Senior Technical Service Manager at Kemin Nutrisurance, specializing in pet food safety and shelf life management. She holds a Ph.D. from Iowa State University in Animal Health and has over 17 years of experience in the pet food industry. Dr. Cutler has dedicated much of her career to studying how ingredient quality impacts the shelf life and nutritional integrity of pet food products. Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!Dr. Jackie Parr: Tailoring Pet Diets | Ep. 101Louise Calderwood: Modernized Pet Food Labels | Ep. 80Dr. George Fahey: Pet Nutrition & Fiber | Ep. 75What will you learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:00) Introduction(05:00) What is shelf life?(08:15) Oxidation and testing methods(13:00) Importance of sensory attributes(18:00) Challenges with packaging(22:20) Fresh and frozen pet food(35:45) Final QuestionsThe Pet Food Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Kemin* Trouw Nutrition- Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition- Biorigin- Scoular
Sean and Andrew sit down with Matt Darr and Ryan Huffman from Iowa State University's On-Site Precision Technology team in ISU's new Digital Ag Innovation Lab to hear their two cents on the latest ag technology. The crew discusses: ✅ What Matt and Ryan are excited about in agriculture ✅ The science of precision technology ✅ Understanding the ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab ✅ Planters and row units ✅ Tilling and residue management ✅ John Deere's Furrow Vision and See & Spray™ technology ✅ Future possibilities in autonomy and what Matt and Ryan want to research next Learn more about the Digital Ag Innovation Lab: https://www.isudigitalag.org/ Meet the Guests:
Off The Ball's Rachel Sheehan sat down with Dublin Footballer and former Irish Rugby International Hannah Tyrrell ahead of the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Kansas State University & Iowa State University this August. The fixture will take place at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on Saturday, 23rd August at 5pm and there are limited tickets available.Tyrrell was part of the Dubs team that scraped over the line against Galway last weekend, and will take on Meath on the August bank holiday, the weekend after next.Become a member at offtheball.com/join
Off The Ball's Rachel Sheehan sat down with Dublin Footballer and former Irish Rugby International Hannah Tyrrell ahead of the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Kansas State University & Iowa State University this August. The fixture will take place at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on Saturday, 23rd August at 5pm and there are limited tickets available.Tyrrell was part of the Dubs team that scraped over the line against Galway last weekend, and will take on Meath on the August bank holiday, the weekend after next.Become a member at offtheball.com/join
I know it's tempting. A recruiter emails you with your job offer. You want to reply quickly. Clear things up. Maybe even negotiate. But email is the worst place to have that conversation. Why? Have you ever heard of Albert Mehrabian? He developed “The Mehrabian Rule.” Catchy, yes. But more importantly, true. His rule is also known as the 7-38-55 rule. It suggests, that in communication, the impact of any message is divided into pieces. 7% from the words spoken (or, in your inclination, written). 38% from the tone of your voice. 55% from your body language. Now, I realize you might not have my 9 semesters of higher math I needed to endure at THE Iowa State University to get my rarely-used Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, so let me help you with the calculation. That's 93% of your communication power not at your disposal in an email. When it comes to negotiating your salary, tone, timing, and tactics matter. Plus, the real-time going round-and-round and back-and-forth is somewhat necessary. You basically lose all these necessities when you're using a keyboard! So, what should you do instead? Start by listening to my nifty podcast on Never Negotiate Salary Over Email | Do This Instead. Then do what I teach in the podcast. All that'll be left after that is for you to think of me with every automatic deposit of your big paycheck! If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my three books related to interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page. 4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook. 5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here! --Andy
In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Kurt Rosentrater from Iowa State University explores the evolving role of distillers' grains in dairy cattle nutrition. He shares insights on biofuel byproducts, ingredient optimization, and the economics behind high-protein corn co-products. Learn how the ethanol industry and dairy nutrition intersect in powerful ways. Listen now on all major platforms!"We're right now sitting about 33 to 35 million tons per year, and we're not landfilling it, and we're not burning, we're using it."Meet the guest: Dr. Kurt Rosentrater earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering from Iowa State University. As a professor at Iowa State, his work focuses on biofuels, grain processing, and ingredient sustainability, all highly relevant to animal nutrition and production. Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:33) Introduction(06:39) Distillers' grains evolution(11:13) Circular economy(17:03) Protein value insights(22:37) Ingredient cost comparison(28:15) Global demand(30:16) Final three questionsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:Scoular* Priority IAC* Evonik* Adisseo* Lallemand- dsm-firmenich- ICC- AHV- Protekta- Natural Biologics- SmaXtec- Berg + Schmidt
Allison O'Grady joins host Phillip Ramsey on the Uncommon Wealth Podcast to share her journey of founding St. Francis Veterinary Care. After graduating from Iowa State University, Allison's vision of creating something from nothing led her to establish a thriving veterinary clinic. Throughout this episode, Allison discusses the challenges of starting a business, the importance of a supportive partner, and the role of faith in her entrepreneurial journey. Discover how her passion for animals and dedication to service have shaped a unique approach to veterinary care.
Welcome to Episode 193 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. Central Iowa's water quality challenges are making headlines. In this episode, we discuss those challenges and the progress that's being made in protecting water quality with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa State University researcher Dr. Mike Castellano. Resources mentioned in this episode: ConservationCountsIowa.com CleanWaterIowa.org N-FACT nitrogen fertilizer application consultation tool
Iowa State University horticulture experts discuss the practice of combining solar energy and agriculture.
Iowa State University horticulture experts discuss the practice of combining solar energy and agriculture.
We get a land values download from Farmers National Company senior vice president of real estate values Paul Schadegg. Professor Daren Mueller is an extension plant pathologist at Iowa State University and he takes us through some disease issues that have recently been discovered, include Southern Rust in Iowa corn. And former AgriTalk host Mike Adams helps us pay tribute to Mike Perrine, an NAFB Hall of Famer who passed away.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this Politics Day episode, analysis from political scientists at Iowa State University.
Weather History On July 17, 1972, slow-moving morning thunderstorms dropped 5.5 inches of rain at Sioux City, setting the all-time daily rainfall record there (still standing). Other highlights: 4.63 inches at Sac City, 3.45 inches at Humboldt. Short-Term Weather Outlook Cool air has returned after a recent frontal passage, but temperatures are forecast to increase again heading into next week. There are chances for showers and thunderstorms through the weekend. A “Ring of Fire” storm pattern will set up as a heat dome builds south over Missouri, leading to more storms along its northern edge (ridge riders/squall lines), likely north of Iowa, affecting the Upper Midwest (ND, SD, MN, WI). Medium-Range Weather Setup The bullseye of the heat dome appears over Missouri July 22–26; during this time, Iowa will see a precipitation gradient, with most rain favored in northeast Iowa. Precipitation forecast is variable, and storm placement will become clearer closer to each event. Southeast Iowa (and previously drier northern counties) have recently received significant rainfall, shifting them from "have-nots" to "haves." Ottumwa remains in moderate drought ("D1") as a stubborn dry spot. Climate Outlook 6–10 and 8–14 day forecasts show high probabilities for above-normal warmth (especially south), then continued wetness through late July. The 3–4 week outlook through August 8 gives no clear signal on temperatures, with a slight lean toward dryness in southwestern Iowa. Initial August outlooks show “equal chances” for temperature and precipitation over southern and central Iowa, a result of persistent widespread soil moisture which helps moderate heat. Atmospheric Impacts Recent wetness tamps down temperature extremes due to moist soils and increased cloud cover. The area's high dew points indicate low atmospheric demand, reducing drought risk but potentially increasing plant disease issues. Past Week's Weather Severe weather last Friday produced two weak tornadoes in southern and eastern Iowa, with no widespread damage. Wildfire smoke from Canada arrived over the weekend after a strong cold front and wind shift to northwesterly flow. Wet conditions continued across much of the state. Specialty Crop Impacts Foliar Disease Risk Prolonged wet conditions are increasing foliar disease risks in specialty crops. Preventive fungicide programs are recommended for conventional growers, especially on brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower). Summary of biopesticide efficacy for brassica diseases (per Meg McGrath, Cornell University): For black rot: Oxidate worked in 1 of 1 trial, Regalia in 1 of 2, copper in 4 of 5, Double Nickel in 1 of 1. For alternaria: copper is most effective. Over-use of copper risks resistance and soil accumulation; organic certification requires soil copper testing before use. For basil downy mildew: Only resistant varieties (notably the Prospera series) provide reliable control—fungicides are not effective. For powdery mildew on pumpkins and squash: Use potassium bicarbonate products like Kaligreen or Milstop (these are safer than baking soda due to plant salt sensitivity). Disease and Cost Monitoring Meg McGrath's cost-per-acre chart helps growers compare costs of biopesticides and fungicides Beet and Swiss Chard Disease Cercospora leaf spot is appearing on beet and Swiss chard leaves, making chard unmarketable. Resistant varieties like Char Bell are advised for chard. Japanese Beetle Management Listener asked about Milky Spore for Japanese beetle grub control. Dan cautions little evidence supports its effectiveness and prefers pest exclusion over soil treatments, since beetles migrate from other areas. Pheromone traps may attract more beetles than they catch—sometimes best given to neighbors to ward beetles away from your crops. Colorado Potato Beetle Resistance The second generation of Colorado potato beetle larvae has emerged. Rotate insecticide chemistries to avoid resistance (e.g., use Azera in the second generation if spinosad was used in the first). Non-chemical methods, like knocking beetles into a soapy water bucket, remain effective—plants tolerate up to ~33% defoliation before yield loss. Announcements and Events The Fruit and Vegetable Field Day at Iowa State University's Horticulture Research Station will be held August 5th, 2:00–5:30 PM (free, with supper and registration link provided). The Plant Peddler "Educate the Educators" Day is July 31st in Cresco, with a feast and entertainment; the next day is Variety Day showcasing mature bedding plants (trade show only, not for sale). Practical Farmers of Iowa opened applications for the horticulture program coordinator position. Podcast summary generated using perplexity.ai
Beth Lipman is an American artist whose sculptural practice generates from the Still Life genre, symbolically representing the splendor and excess of the Anthropocene and the stratigraphic layer humanity will leave on earth. Assemblages of inanimate objects and domestic interiors, inspired by private spaces and public collections, propose portraits of individuals, institutions, and societies. Through works in glass, wood, metal, photography, and video, Lipman presents a meditation on our relationship to Deep Time, a monumental time scale based on geologic events that minimizes human lives. Each installation is a reimagining of history, created by placing cycles often separated by millenia in proximity, from the ancient botanical to the cultural. The incorporation of prehistoric flora alludes to the impermanence of the present and the persistence of life. The ephemera of the Anthropocene becomes a symbol of fragility as the human species is placed on a continuum where time eradicates hierarchy. Lipman has exhibited her work internationally at such institutions as the Ringling Museum of Art (FL), ICA/MECA (ME), RISD Museum (RI), Milwaukee Art Museum (WI), Gustavsbergs Konsthall(Sweden) and the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (DC). Her work has been acquired by numerous museums including the North Carolina Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum of Art (NY), Kemper Museum for Contemporary Art (MO), Smithsonian American Art Museum (DC), Jewish Museum (NY), Norton Museum of Art, (FL), and the Corning Museum of Glass (NY). Lipman has received numerous awards including a USA Berman Bloch Fellowship, Pollock Krasner Grant, Virginia Groot Foundation Grant, and a Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Grant. She has been an Artist in Residence at the Alturas Foundation, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center's Arts/Industry Program, and the Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship. Recent works include Living History, a large-scale site-specific commission for the Wichita Art Museum (KS) that investigates the nature of time and place and Belonging(s), a sculptural response to the life of Abigail Levy Franks for the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (AR). Lipman's work is on view now in three independent installations including: Hive Mind at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa; ReGift at the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA), Toledo, Ohio; and the permanent installation One's-Self I Sing at theMuskegon Museum of Art (MMA), Muskegon, Michigan. To celebrate the official unveiling of One's-Self I Sing, the MMA is hosting an Artist Talk and Unveiling Reception this Thursday, July 17 at 7 p.m. The event is open to the public and free to attend. Find out more at www.muskegonartmuseum.org Suspended in the museum's central atrium, the sculpture explores the interconnectedness of time, culture, and nature through materials such as glass, wood, metal and gypsum. Measuring approximately 240 x 120 x 60 inches, One's-Self I Sing functions as an “exploded” still life – an expansive, suspended constellation of objects that invites viewers to reflect on humanity's place within Deep Time and the Anthropocene. Says Lipman: “The marriage of transparent and opaque forms alludes to what is seen and known juxtaposed with what is concealed and lost over time.” The sculpture spans both floors of the museum, encouraging viewers to encounter it from multiple vantage points. Braided suspension cables carry the piece vertically through space, suggesting both ascent and descent, growth and entropy. Lipman incorporates subtle visual references to the Muskegon Museum of Art's permanent collection, binding the sculpture to the museum's history while extending its meaning outward across time. “One's Self I Sing is a showstopping first impression when visitors walk into the museum,” says Kirk Hallman, Executive Director of the Muskegon Museum of Art. “It's a powerful and visually stunning complement to the museum's new Bennett Schmidt Pavilion and a bold reflection of the MMA's ongoing commitment to celebrating women artists.” Enjoy this conversation with Lipman about current installations, artistic motivations and the behind the scenes challenges of creating site-specific work that communicates to viewers.
In this episode of the Meatgistics podcast, Jon sits down with Daniel Unruh, an Animal Science assistant Professor at Iowa State University, for an insightful interview on livestock, education, and the future of animal agriculture. Afterward, Jon and Ali dig into some rotisserie chicken while showing off the brand-new neon Meatgistics sign lighting up the studio. The conversation takes a wild turn with a story about cows chasing off bears, and they wrap things up by diving into some of the weirdest meat-related food laws. It's a bright, bold, and beefy episode you won't want to miss!
Every summer, pig farmers face a frustrating reality: heat stress causes carcass weights to drop by 8-10 pounds precisely when market prices peak. But what if you could capture those lost pounds and the profits they represent?Dr. David Rosero of Iowa State University and Dr. Bart Borg of Passel Farms reveal game-changing strategies to combat the summer weight dip through strategic soybean meal utilization. Their research demonstrates that understanding the minimum effective levels of soybean meal for each growth phase can maximize pig performance even during challenging heat conditions. With current markets offering dollar-plus prices during summer months, producers stand to gain $3-4 per head by implementing these approaches.Beyond soybean meal, the experts share critical insights about ingredients that may worsen summer performance problems. High-fiber ingredients like corn DDGs can reduce feed intake during heat stress, further diminishing carcass weights. Making these nutritional decisions requires planning months ahead – typically December or January – for pigs marketed during summer. The researchers are developing new economic tools that integrate diet costs, animal performance data, and market forecasts to help producers make optimal feeding decisions.Don't let summer heat melt away your profits. Listen now to discover how strategic nutrition management can help you maintain growth performance when market prices are at their peak. Share this episode with fellow producers who struggle with seasonal production challenges and subscribe for more practical insights that directly impact your bottom line.
This episode was recorded at the 2025 Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium. Dr. Baumgard begins with an overview of his presentation, “Importance of gut health to drive animal performance and health.” He notes the metabolic and inflammatory fingerprint of all stressors is essentially the same, indicating they likely all emanate from the gut. Overall, we're gaining a better understanding of how typical on-farm stressors negatively influence gut barrier function. He thinks the most likely mechanism of leaky gut is the immune cell known as a mast cell. When an animal or human is stressed, the enteric nervous system releases corticotropin-releasing factor, which binds to the mast cell, the mast cell degranulates, and the former contents of the mast cell (TNF-alpha, proteases, histamine, etc.) causes the gut to become leaky. (4:20)Once the GI tract barrier becomes compromised, antigens like lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can infiltrate, stimulating the immune system. Immune activation causes loss of appetite much like any other infection. The gut heals fairly quickly upon removal of the stressor(s), and the gut can also acclimate to stress such that the early stages of a stress event are more severe than later stages. Strategies to combat leaky gut remain scarce, and there is no silver bullet. There are a variety of dietary strategies to target the gut permeability issue itself. Another approach would be to bind pathogens or curb their proliferation at the membrane of the small intestine. (7:06)Dr. Neiehues asks if an antihistamine would work on gut mast cells the way it does in other body systems. Dr. Baumgard isn't sure that's ever been looked at, although there have been some studies in pigs using a product targeted to prevent mast cell degranulation. Dr. Nelson wonders if we should interfere in some of these processes because they're obviously there for a reason. Panelists discuss stress events related to parturition and transition, particularly for first-calf heifers. Dr. Baumgard notes that stacking stressors on top of one another compromises an animal's ability to tolerate stress. (9:28)We know stress can cause ulcers in humans and horses - what about ruminants? Dr. Baumgard thinks it is likely that it's happening, but we aren't looking for it. Few animals who die on-farm do receive a thorough postmortem exam. It could also be that these types of insults to the gut are not visible to the naked eye. (19:11)Dr. Nelson asks what makes some cows, despite all the challenges, able to be up and milking 150 pounds a day in no time after calving. What makes them unique? Dr. Baumgard lists some possibilities, including lower pathogenic inflammation than other cows, less tissue trauma damage to the uterus during calving, and lower sensitivity to immune activation. The panel disagrees with the notion that high-producing cows are stressed. (23:16)Dr. Niehues and Dr. Baumgard trade stories of experiments where cows maintained production even with high stress and inflammatory markers. The panel goes on to discuss subclinical infections and their impact on transition cows. Dr. Nelson notes there are retrospective datasets where cows who had metritis showed decreased feed intake even before calving. Dr. Baumgard feels that the decrease in intake has been incorrectly assumed to be the cause of the metritis. He says the decrease in intake is often around two weeks before calving and he doesn't think it's a coincidence that at the same time, the mammary gland is initiating lactogenesis. He hypothesizes the mammary gland is causing an immune response, resulting in a decrease in intake. Dr. Nelson wonders if measuring somatic cell counts of colostrum would show any differences in mammary gland inflammation during this prepartum period. (29:18)Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (42:02)Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table. If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to anh.marketing@balchem.com. Include your size and mailing address, and we'll mail you a shirt.
In this special episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, celebrating Cow Appreciation Day, Dr. Michael Schutz, Head of the Department of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota, shares updates on dairy cattle genetics and herd management. He covers everything from breakthroughs in genomics to colostrum management and industry-wide shifts in dairy science education and practice. Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform!"Computing capacity has revolutionized genetic evaluations, allowing us to manage data on a scale unimaginable decades ago."Meet the guest: Dr. Michael Schutz is the Department Head of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota. With a BS and MS in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota and a Ph.D. in Dairy Cattle Genetics from Iowa State University, he brings decades of experience in dairy cattle research and extension programs. A pioneer in dairy genetics, Dr. Schutz continues to lead efforts in education and innovation.Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:26) Introduction(04:00) Dairy extension(13:22) Herd management(17:07) Evolution in education(19:43) Colostrum quality(26:16) Computing capacity & genetics(32:54) Final three questionsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Adisseo* Lallemand* Priority IAC* Evonik- SmaXtec- Berg + Schmidt- dsm-firmenich- Scoular- ICC- AHV- Protekta- Natural Biologics
An Iowa State University study found higher nutrient levels in turkey fed regeneratively grown feed.
Welcome to Episode 192 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we hear how the National Pork Board developed its new “taste what pork can do” campaign to increase U.S. consumption. We also learn how Iowa State University and Alliant Energy are partnering to grow fruit, vegetables, and pollinator habitat under solar panels. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Visit the Pork Checkoff website. Visit Pork.org. Sign up to attend a field day at the Alliant Energy Solar Farm in Ames.
Chad Hart, professor of economics at Iowa State University, and Peter Orazem, professor of economics and interim chair of the Department of Economics at Iowa State University, discuss the economy at local and national levels.
This episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast features Grant Veenstra, Founder of Frozen Gains, a high-protein gelato company born from personal necessity and entrepreneurial grit. What started as a high school athlete's search for a better-tasting alternative to chalky protein shakes is now a full-fledged business on the rise. Grant shares how CyStarts, Iowa State University's entrepreneurship accelerator, helped him transform an idea into a market-ready product, providing mentorship, accountability, and access to vital resources along the way. As Grant prepares to graduate in December, he's diving headfirst into scaling Frozen Gains. But he can't do it alone. In this episode, we explore the partners and connections that could help take Frozen Gains to the next level—grocery and retail distribution, nutritionists serving specialized populations, and logistics experts who can move the product where it needs to go. From student founder to full-time food entrepreneur, Grant is a refreshing new face in Iowa's manufacturing community. Welcome, Grant—we're glad you're here! Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/frozen-gains
In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Chris Chase from South Dakota State University explores the persistent challenge of stray voltage in dairy cattle facilities. Discover how faulty facility design, inadequate maintenance, and overlooked electrical issues contribute to this problem—and learn practical strategies to prevent and manage it. Listen now on all major podcast platforms!"Stray voltage can affect the immune system, adding stress to already vulnerable transition cows."Meet the guest: Dr. Chris Chase earned his DVM from Iowa State University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in virology and immunology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As a professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences at South Dakota State University, Dr. Chase has spent decades advancing animal health research. Click here to learn more: bit.ly/40XFyVdhttps://bit.ly/3Ch71Jahttps://strayvoltagefacts.com/Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:27) Introduction(05:57) Stray voltage basics(12:57) Facility design flaws(16:58) Importance of maintenance(23:23) Identifying root causes(25:47) Impact on herd health(29:13) Final three questionsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Priority IAC* Evonik* Adisseo* Lallemand- Natural Biologics- SmaXtec- Berg + Schmidt- dsm-firmenich- Scoular- ICC- AHV- Protekta
Send us a textThis month we sit down with Christian Davies (of C&M Acres Alpacas and Fiber Mill) and his veterinarian, Dr. Rachel Friedrich from Iowa State University's Veterinary Field Service. Christina and his wife, Michele, raise alpacas and operate a fiber mill in Maxwell, IA. Dr. Friedrich not only provides veterinary care for C&M Acres but also collaborates with Christian and Michele to curate camelid-specific clinical training opportunities for third and fourth year veterinary students. This episode is all about producers and veterinarians learning and working together!Resources discussed in this episode:American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners - Veterinarians and vet students join today! https://aasrp.org/Main/Main/Membership/Join-AASRP.aspx?hkey=6878474f-d347-4a79-bdbe-5a1896781821The Alpaca Owners Association: https://www.alpacainfo.com/Textbook: Veterinary Techniques for Llamas and Alpacas by DE Anderson, M Jones, & MD MiesnerTextbook: Llama and Alpaca Care by MS Cebra, A Tibary, LW Johnson, R Van Saun, & DE AndersonIf you or your organization would like to sponsor an episode of Baas and Bleats, please contact office@aasrp.org to learn more.
Conference for Agriculture Producers The Flinchbaugh Focus: The Agricultural Economy Insect Activity in Kansas 00:01:05 – Conference for Agriculture Producers: Jason Warner, K-State cow-calf Extension specialist, kicks off the show by previewing the High Plains Journal Live Conference where he and other K-State specialists will be discussing the market, beef quality assurance, nutrition, farm bill and other topics. live.hpj.com 00:12:05 – The Flinchbaugh Focus: The Agricultural Economy: Today's show continues with part of an episode from the Barry Flinchbaugh Center for Ag and Food Policy as Mark Edelman, Iowa State University; Jenny Ifft, Kansas State University; and Brad Lubin, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, share their opinions on the agricultural economy. FlinchbaughCenter.com The Flinchbaugh Focus: Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down on the Economy 00:23:05 – Insect Activity in Kansas: K-State horticultural entomologist Raymond Cloyd wraps the show with an update on insect activity in Kansas, including bagworms, European elm flea weevils and grasshoppers. Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu. Agriculture Today is a daily program featuring Kansas State University agricultural specialists and other experts examining ag issues facing Kansas and the nation. It is hosted by Shelby Varner and distributed to radio stations throughout Kansas and as a daily podcast. K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan
In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Chris Chase, Professor Emeritus at South Dakota State University, breaks down the critical link between gut health and immune function in dairy cattle. He covers how diet, water quality, and stress impact gut integrity and the pro-inflammatory response, plus practical strategies to support a healthy microbiome. Listen now on all major platforms!"The gut microbiome and immune system are deeply connected. Maintaining this balance through diet and management is key to animal health."Meet the guest: Dr. Chris Chase, Professor Emeritus at South Dakota State University, has dedicated his career to veterinary immunology and virology. He earned his DVM from Iowa State University and his MS and PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Chase co-founded RTI (Research, Technology Innovation LLC), now ClinVet-South Dakota, an animal health research organization. Dr. Chase is the Past-President of the American College of Veterinary Microbiology and the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Disease.What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:46) Introduction(03:12) Gut health and immunity(05:51) Role of water quality(07:06) Stress and gut integrity(09:33) Additives for gut health(13:35) Key takeaways(16:16) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies: Volac* Adisseo- Virtus Nutrition- Zinpro- Afimilk- Kemin- Priority IAC
Seth Diehl, our newest Ortho rep, joins me today to walk us through what makes the Ortho Molecular products exceptionally high quality and why they are our top choice. He explains how Ortho Molecular Products is the only remaining practitioner and supplement manufacturer and the only company that has not sold out. We also dive into our latest products, Choline Support, L-Theanine, Inositol Complex, Estro Support, Milk Thistle, and Neuro Support Magnesium. The benefits of combining L-Theanine with your morning coffee: It reduces the jittery caffeine excitement It provides a relaxed energy boost It supports GABA, the most calming neurotransmitter Seth Diehl's Bio: Seth Diehl is an Account Executive with Ortho Molecular Products, proudly supporting healthcare practitioners throughout Iowa, including myself and the exceptional team at Integrative Health and Hormone Clinic. Seth earned both his Bachelor's in Biology and Master's in Biomedical Sciences from Iowa State University. Initially unfamiliar with integrative and functional medicine, Seth quickly became an enthusiastic advocate after discovering the impactful role preventative approaches play in overall health. Today, he combines his scientific expertise with a genuine passion for wellness, providing healthcare professionals with tailored health solutions and proactive patient care strategies. Seth feels privileged to collaborate with practitioners across his home state, backed by an organization that supports the transformation of the practice of medicine alongside integrative and functional medicine providers nationwide. In this episode: What differentiates Ortho Molecular Products from the rest, making them the best supplement manufacturer? How they use trademarked and patented raw materials throughout their product lines to ensure therapeutic outcomes Why you need to be careful when following the advice of influencers on social media- especially those with no background in healthcare How Ortho Molecular Products safeguards its manufacturing processes by adhering to FDA regulations for its food and pharmaceutical products How Choline Support supports cellular and mitochondrial membranes for better brain health and more energy How L-Theanine reduces stress and promotes relaxation without causing drowsiness How the unique form of magnesium in Neuro Magnesium Support improves sleep quality and memory and reduces brain fog How our new product, Inositol Complex, can be used to address the symptoms of PCOS How Estro Support helps women manage their menopause symptoms How Milk Thistle aids liver detoxification Links and Resources: Use code ENERGY to get 10% off MITOCHONDRIAL COMPLEX Use code TURMERIC to get 10% off TURMERIC Try Halo (Salt) Therapy for respiratory and skin health. Call 319-363-0033 to schedule your session. Relative Links for This Show: Neuro Magnesium Support L-Theanine – 60 capsules Use code PODCAST for 10% off your next supplement purchase Inositol Complex Choline Support EstroSupport Follow Your Longevity Blueprint On Instagram| Facebook| Twitter| YouTube | LinkedIn Get your copy of the Your Longevity Blueprint book and claim your bonuses here Find Dr. Stephanie Gray and Your Longevity Blueprint online Follow Dr. Stephanie Gray On Facebook| Instagram| Youtube | Twitter | LinkedIn Integrative Health and Hormone Clinic Podcast production by Team Podcast
Feeding the Starving Artist: Finding Success as an Arts Entrepreneur
Join Rick and Ron as they welcome Bryan Uhl back to the Feeding the Starving Artist podcast. Bryan is a trumpet player who graduated with music degrees from Iowa State University and the University of North Texas. During his career Bryan has enjoyed a varied and prolific performing career. In his 20-year tenure with the West Point Band (NY), Bryan performed everything from big band jazz, classical chamber music at major sporting events, and for military and State Department ceremonial functions. Following his service as a West Point musician, Bryan is now a freelance trumpet player living in the New York area. During his career he has provided entertainment in theme parks, such as Busch Gardens (VA) and Walt Disney World (FL). Prior to joining the Back to the Future pit orchestra, Bryan is in demand as a free-lancer all over metro New York. Bryan also appears on the Radio City Christmas Spectacular orchestra.
Aaron Steele is the innovative founder of Goats On The Go, a national network of targeted grazing service providers revolutionizing sustainable land management. Aaron shares his journey from a small acreage in Ames, Iowa, to building a thriving business that uses goats and sheep to control weeds, brush, and invasive species, offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemicals and machinery. Starting in 2012 as a way to move beyond hobby farming, Goats On The Go® has grown into a community of over 70 affiliates across the U.S. and Canada, empowering entrepreneurs to operate profitable, sustainable grazing businesses. Aaron dives into the unique benefits of goats, from their ability to tackle tough vegetation like poison ivy and multiflora rose to their low seed viability, making them ideal for ecological restoration. He also discusses the challenges of raising goats, the growing demand for goat meat, and the untapped potential of virtual fencing in grazing operations. With insights on wildfire mitigation, suburban land management, and opportunities for farmers to lease goats, this episode highlights how Aaron's vision is transforming agriculture and land stewardship. To learn more, check out goatsonthego.com or Aaron's audiobook, Goats for Good, at goatsforgood.com Aaron Steele is the founder of Goats On The Go®, a national network of targeted grazing service providers who use goats and sheep to sustainably manage vegetation for their customers. Aaron launched Goats On The Go® in 2012 as an unconventional way to take his small farm beyond a hobby in an environment where expensive land, questionable practices, and a bigger-is-better mentality are the norms. Goats On The Go® now licenses its brands, training, and support to others, building a community of entrepreneurs who seek to operate profitable farms no matter their entry point or size. Aaron holds a bachelor's degree and MBA from Iowa State University. A big thank you to Aaron for sharing his insights and the incredible potential of adding goats into your toolbox of sustainable agriculture systems. And, if you'd like to learn what we're doing to help growers add tools to the soil health and plant nutrition toolbox, check out our website at asn.farm and there you can click on links to follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, Linkedin, and YouTube. There's a lot of great things happening and always something to learn.
I was at a professional meeting recently and I heard an inspiring and insightful and forward-looking talk by journalist and author Roger Thurow. Roger was a reporter for the Wall Street Journal for 30 years, 20 of them as a foreign correspondent based in Europe and Africa. Roger has written a number of books including one on world hunger and another what I thought was a particularly important book entitled The First 1000 Days, A Crucial Time for Mothers and Children and the World. Now comes a new book on farmers around the world and how they are coping with the unprecedented changes they face. It was hearing about his book that inspired me to invite Mr. Thurow to this podcast and thankfully he accepted. His new book is entitled Against the Grain: How Farmers Around the Globe are transforming Agriculture to Nourish the World and Heal the Planet. Interview Summary I really admire your work and have loved the new book and what I've read before. So, let's talk about something that you speak about: the wisdom of farmers. And you talk about their wisdom in the context of modern agriculture. What do you mean by that? Farmers of the world, particularly the small holder farmers, indigenous farmers, family farmers as we know them in this country, they're really bold and pioneering in what they're doing. And these farmers, kind of around the world as we go on this journey around the world in the book, they've seen their efforts to earn a living and feed nourish their families and communities turn against. So, while conforming to the orthodoxies of modern industrial agriculture practices: the monocropping, the increased use of fertilizers and pesticides and insecticide chemicals, the land expansion, at the expense of savannas, forest wetlands, biodiverse environments. In the face of this, they've really witnessed their lands degrading. Their soils depleting. Their waters dwindling. Their pollinators fleeing. Their biodiversity shrinking and becoming less diverse. Their rains becoming ever more mercurial., Their temperatures ever hotter. And their children and families and their communities becoming ever more hungry and malnourished. So, they've really seen the future of their own impacts on the environment, and then the impacts of changing climates, of more extreme weather conditions. They've really seen this future. They've experienced, lived it, and it's ugly what they see and what they've experienced on their farms. So, that's their wisdom, and they'll really tell us that it doesn't have to be that way if we listen. That such a future isn't inevitable. Because out of their desperation, you know, these farmers have begun farming against the grain. So, there's the title of the book Against the Grain of this modern agriculture orthodoxy to reconcile their roles as both food producers and nourishers of us all, and stewards in the land. They're pushing forward with practices like agroforestry, agroecology, regenerative agriculture, kind of whatever one calls it. Farming with nature instead of bending nature to their will, which is what we too often done and with kind of the larger modern industrial agriculture techniques. So, farming with nature as opposed to against it as they strive to both nourish us all and heal our planet. Give us a sense, if you will, about how important these small farmers are to the world's food supply? So how important are these? They're really important. Extremely vital for the global food chain, certainly for their own families and communities, and their countries. In a lot of places, say in Africa, in many of the countries, on the continent, it's the small holder farmers that are producing the majority of the food. In their communities and in their countries and across the continent. Still not enough. Africa then must become a substantial importer of food. But these small holder farmers are so key and the more success that they have in feeding their communities and families, the more success we all have then in this great goal of ending hunger and malnutrition. Equally important, these farmers are the stewards of the land. And they're on the front lines of these environmental challenges. The threats from the changing climate and more extreme weather conditions. They're the first impacted by it, but they also increasingly see, and that's what stories in the book are about, how they see that their own actions are then impacting their environment and their climates. And this is why they're so important for all of us is that they find themselves at the center of what I think is this great collision of humanities two supreme imperatives. One, nourish the world, so nourish us all. That's the one imperative. And then the other imperative, kind of colliding with that, is to preserve, protect, and heal our planet from the very actions of nourishing us. So, these are these two colliding forces. You know as I think we already know agriculture and land use activities are responsible for about a third of the greenhouse gases impacting our climate and weather patterns. And the greatest impact of this then is felt by the farmers themselves. And they see what's happening to their soils and the depletion of their soils. Their lands being so terribly degraded by their very actions of nourishing their families and then contributing to nourishing us all. I think that's why they're so important for us. I mean, there's certainly kind of the canaries in the coal mine of climate change. Of these environmental challenges that we're all facing. And how they're then able to adjust their farming, as we kind of see in the book and that's this wisdom again. How can we learn from them and what are they seeing in their own situations. They're then having to adjust because they have no other options. They either have to adjust or their farms will continue to degrade and their children and their families increasingly malnourished and hungry. Roger let's talk through this issue of colliding imperatives just a bit. The fact that protecting the planet and nourishing people are colliding in your view, suggests that these two priorities are competing with one another. How is that the case? Some of the techniques of the monocropping, which is basically planting one crop on the same plot of land year after year, after year, season after season, right? And by doing that, these crops that are pulling nutrients out of the soil, many of the crops don't put nutrients back in. Some of them do. They'll restore nitrogen they'll put other nutrients in. But with the mono cropping, it's kind of the same depletion that goes on. And, has been particularly practiced in this country, and the bigger farmers and more commercial farmers, because it's more efficient. You are planting one crop, you have the same technique of kind of the planting and tending for that. And the harvesting, kind of the same equipment for that. You don't need to adjust practices, your equipment for various other crops that you're growing on that land. And so, there's an efficiency for that. You have then the price stability if there is any price stability in farming from that crop. That can be a weakness if the price collapses and you're so dependent on that. And so, the farmers are seeing, yeah, that's where the degrading and the weakening their of their soils comes from. So, what's their response to that when their land's degrading? When their soils become weak, it's like, oh, we need additional land then to farm. So they'll go into the forest, they'll cut down trees. And now there's virgin soil. They do the same practices there. And then after a number of years, well that land starts depleting. They keep looking for more. As you do these things, then with the soils depleting, the land degrading, becoming really hard, well, when the rain comes, it's not soaking in. And it just kind of runs away as the soil becomes almost like concrete. Farmers aren't able to plant much there anymore or get much out of the ground. And then so what happens then if the water isn't soaking into the soil, the underground aquifers and the underground springs they become depleted. All of a sudden, the lakes and the ponds that were fed by those, they disappear. The wildlife, the pollinators that come because of that, they go. The bushes, the plants, the weeds that are also so important for the environment, they start disappearing. And so you see that in their efforts to nourish their families and to nourish all of us, it's having this impact on the environment. And then that drives more impacts, right? As they cut down trees, trees drive the precipitation cycle. Tthen the rains become ever more mercurial and unpredictable. Without the trees and the shade and the cooling and the breezes, temperatures get hotter. And also, as the rains disappear and become more unpredictable. It has all this effect. And so, the farmers in the book, they're seeing all this and they recognize it. That by their very actions of cutting down trees to expand their land or to go to a different crop. Because again, that's what the commercial agriculture is demanding, so maybe its sugar cane is coming to the area. Well, sugar cane doesn't get along with trees. And so, the farmers in this one part of Uganda that I write about, they're cutting down all their trees to plant sugarcane. And then it's like, wow, now that the trees are gone, now we see all these environmental and ecosystem results because of that. And so that's where this collision comes from then of being much more aware, and sensitive in their practices and responding to it. That they are both nourishing their families and then also being even better stewards of their land. And they're not doing any of this intentionally, right? It's not like they're going 'we have to do all this to the land, and you know, what do we care? We're just here for a certain amount of time.' But no, they know that this is their land, it's their wealth, it's their family property. It's for their children and future generations. And they need to both nourish and preserve and protect and heal at the same time. Well, you paint such a rich picture of how a single decision like mono cropping has this cascade of effects through the entire ecosystem of an area. Really interesting to hear about that. Tell me how these farmers are experiencing climate change. You think of climate change as something theoretical. You know, scientists are measuring these mysterious things up there and they talk about temperature changes. But what are these farmers actually experiencing in their day-to-day lives? So along with the monocropping, this whole notion that then has expanded and become kind of an article of faith through industrial and modern agriculture orthodoxies, is to get big or get out, and then to plant from fence post to fence post. And so, the weeds and the flowers and plants that would grow along the edges of fields, they've been taken down to put in more rows of crops. The wetland areas that have either been filled in. So, it was a policy here, the USDA would then fund farmers to fill in their wetlands. And now it's like, oh, that's been counterproductive. Now there's policies to assist farmers to reestablish their wetland. But kind of what we're seeing with climate change, it's almost every month as we go through the year, and then from year after year. Every month is getting hotter than the previous months. And each year then is getting subsequently hotter. As things get hotter, it really impacts the ability of some crops in the climates where they're growing. So, take for instance, coffee. And coffee that's growing, say on Mount Kenya in Africa. The farmers will have to keep going further and further up the mountains, to have the cooler conditions to grow that type of coffee that they grow. The potato farmers in Peru, where potatoes come from. And potatoes are so important to the global food chain because they really are a bulwark against famine. Against hunger crises in a number of countries and ecologies in the world. So many people rely on potatoes. These farmers, they call themselves the guardians of the indigenous of the native potato varieties. Hundreds of various varieties of potatoes. All shapes, sizes, colors. As it gets warmer, they have to keep moving further and further up the Andes. Now they're really farming these potatoes on the roof of Earth. As they move up, they're now starting to then farm in soils that haven't been farmed before. So, what happens? You start digging in those soils and now you're releasing the carbon that's been stored for centuries, for millennia. That carbon is then released from the soils, and that then adds to more greenhouse gases and more impact on the climate and climate change. It kind of all feeds each other. They're seeing that on so many fronts. And then the farmers in India that we write about in the book, they know from history and particularly the older farmers, and just the stories that are told about the rhythm of the monsoon season. And I think it was the summer of the monsoon season of 2022 when I was doing the reporting there for that particular part of the book. The rains came at the beginning, a little bit. They planted and then they disappear. Usually, the monsoons will come, and they'll get some rain for this long, long stretch of time, sometimes particularly heavy. They planted and then the rains went away. And as the crops germinated and came up, well, they needed the water. And where was the water and the precipitation? They knew their yields weren't going to be as big because they could see without the rains, their crops, their millet, their wheat crops were failing. And then all of a sudden, the rains returned. And in such a downpour, it was like, I think 72 hours or three days kind of rains of a biblical proportion. And that was then so much rain in that short of time than added further havoc to their crops and their harvest. And it was just that mercurial nature and failing nature of the monsoons. And they're seeing that kind of glitches and kinks in the monsoon happening more frequently. The reliability, the predictability of the rains of the seasons, that's what they're all finding as kind of the impacts of climate change. You're discussing a very interesting part of the world. Let's talk about something that I found fascinating in your book. You talked about the case of pigweed in Uganda. Tell us about that if you will. Amaranth. So here, we call it pigweed. That's a weed. Yeah, destroy that. Again, fence post to fence post. Nah, so this pig weed that's growing on the side or any kind of weeds. The milkweed, so I'm from northern Illinois, and the milkweed that would kind of grow on the edges of the corn fields and other fields, that's really favored by monarch butterflies, right? And so now it's like, 'Hey, what happened to all the monarch butterflies that we had when we were growing up?' Right? Well, if you take out the milkweed plants, why are the monarch butterfly going to come? So those pollinators disappear. And they come and they're great to look at, and, you know, 'gee, the monarchs are back.' But they also perform a great service to us all and to our environment and to agriculture through their pollinating. And so, the pigweed in Africa - Amaranth, it's like a wonder crop. And one of these 'super crops,' really nutritious. And these farmers in this area of Uganda that I'm writing about, they're harvesting and they're cultivating Amaranth. And they're mixing that in their homemade porridge with a couple of other crops. Corn, some millet, little bit of sugar that they'll put in there. And that then becomes the porridge that they're serving to the moms, particularly during their pregnancies to help with their nutritional status. And then to the babies and the small children, once they started eating complimentary food. Because the malnutrition was so bad and the stunting so high in that area that they figured they needed to do something about that. And the very farmers that this program from Iowa State University that's been working with them for 20 years now, first to improve their farming, but then wow, the malnutrition is so bad in these farming families. What can we do about that? Then it was, oh, here's these more nutritional crops native to the area. Let's incorporate them into farming. This crop is Amaranth. Basically, neglected in other parts of the world. Destroyed in other parts of the world. That is something that's actually cultivated and harvested, and really cared for and prized in those areas. It's a really interesting story. Let's turn our attention to the United States, which you also profile in your book. And there was a particular farmer in Kansas named Brandon that you talk about. And he said he was getting divorced from wheat. Tell us about that. Yes, thank you. That's a really interesting story because he's standing there kind of on the edge of his farm, looking at the wheat crops across the road that his neighbor was planting and he had some himself. And he's saying, yeah, I need to get a divorce from wheat. Because of the impact that that was having on the environment. Again, the planting of the wheat, you know, year after year. It's the wheat belt of our Great Plains, which then is legendarily known as the breadbasket, not only of America, but the breadbasket of the world. This wheat is particularly good and appropriate for the label of Breadbasket because it's really good for breads, baking materials. But he's looking at here's the impact it had on his soil. The organic matter on the soil has been dwindling. In the season that the wheat is underground, and the topsoil is uncovered, then you have the problems with erosion. He's seen the impact over time of the year after year after year of growing the wheat. What's interesting, he says, you know, I need to get a divorce from wheat. Well, it's his relatives, because he's a fifth descendant, of the Mennonite farmers from what is now Ukraine - one of the world's original grain belts, who brought their hard red winter wheat seeds with them when they came to the Great Plains in the 1870s. They're the ones that wed Kansas, the Great Plains, the United States to wheat. So now this farmer, Brandon-I-need-to-get-a-divorce-from-wheat, well, it's your ancestors and your descendants that wed us to that. There's kind of historic irony that's taking place. But along with the wheat seeds that came, then also came the plowing up the prairie lands for the first time. And wheat is an annual crop. It's planted year after year one harvest. With each planting, the soil is disturbed, releasing carbon that had been stored, that had been stored in the soil for millennium when they first started plowing. Carbon along with methane released by agricultural activities is, again, one of the most potent greenhouse gases. And in addition, you know, this annual plowing exposes the soil to erosion. You know, relentless erosion with the wind and the rain in the plains. That's what eventually led to the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. Some environmental and conservation agricultural practices come along because of that, but now that continues. And Brandon himself is seeing the impact as he measures the organic matter in the soil. These are the microorganisms in the soils that naturally work with the soils to grow the crops to feed us all. The nutrients in the soil are weakened and depleted, which then results in the need for more and more chemical enhancements and fertilizers, particularly nitrogen and all the rest. And then you see the runoff of the nitrogen into the water system. And so, yeah, he's seen the impact of all of this, and he's like I need to do something else. And so, he's taken a rather radical step than of planting and growing perennial crops, which you plant one season and then they'll grow for three or four years, maybe more and longer. He has some cattle, so he is able to graze that on those perennial crops. One in particular called kernza, which is an ancient intermediate wheat grass. Has some of the properties of wheat. And so the Land Institute in Kansas then is also working on perennial crops and how can they then be cultivated and harvested also as crops that we all eat. And so Kernza is very high in protein. There's all sorts of breads and pasta, pastries, that you can make with it. Cereals. It's a good ingredient for brewing. There's Kernza beer. And there's promise with that. And then so these perennial crops, then it's like, okay, so we don't have to plow every year. We plant, they grow, they provide a cover crop, but they also provide food for all of us. So perennials, good for our nutrition, good for the soils, good for the environment. You know, we've recorded a series of podcasts with farmers who've been doing regenerative agriculture. And the kind of story that you talk about Brandon, quite similar to what you hear from some of the other farmers. Farming was in their family for many generations. They were accustomed to a particular type of industrial agriculture. They saw it harming the land, thought it bad for the planet, and decided to really retool and do things entirely different. And they're making a go of it, which is really exciting. Roger, I wanted to ask you about Native Americans. As you write about their agriculture, spirituality, kinship, and how all these things come together. Tell us about that. Exactly. Thank you. And so, if you go travel a little bit further in our great plains from Kansas up to South Dakota, and the Sicangu Lakota communities in the southern part of South Dakota close to the Nebraska border. They're trying to reestablish their food sovereignty and the agriculture practices of the Native Americans destroyed, as we tried to destroy them and their communities. By taking of their land, forced relocations, the Trail of Tears, the Trail of Death, in various parts of the country, from various of the Native American communities. And they realize that, as you and the researchers at Duke, know really well, the health impacts that has had on the Native American communities and the high rates of diabetes and obesity, the shortened life expectancies in those communities. And one of the main factors then is their food pathways, and their nutrition being disturbed through all this. So how can they reestablish their food sovereignty? The emphasis on the crops that they used to grow, particularly the three sisters' crops, the maize, the beans, the squash. And then that they would have crops and taste and nutrients that were so vital to their systems traditionally. To recapture that in various growing projects that they have. And then also, with the Sicangu Lakota, they are trying to reestablish the buffalo herd, which was basically decimated from upwards of 30 million or more size of the herd basically down to several hundred with the intentional slaughter of the buffalo in order to really oppress and impact the Native American community. So vital not only to their food sources and nutrition, but basically everything. Clothing, tools - so using every inch of the buffalo. And then spiritually. And as they explain their approach to regenerative agriculture, they would put a picture of a buffalo as the very definition of regenerative agriculture. Just by the way that the buffalo grazes and then moves around. It doesn't graze to the soil it leaves something behind. Then the grasses grow quicker because there's something that's left behind. They leave things behind for other animals. The way that they migrate, and then kind of knead the soil as they go along. That also helps with the soil. So, all these regenerative agriculture, regenerative soil, healthy soil healing practices of it. And then they also say, look the spiritual nature of things that the buffalo represents their kinship. Their kinship of the people to the buffalo, to their land, to the environment. And to them, regenerative agriculture isn't just about food, about soils, about the cultivation and the planting, but also about this kinship. It is a kinship and a spirituality of kind of all of us together. We're all combined on this global food chain. And so that whole kinship element to regenerative agriculture, I think is also really important for us to all understand. Getting back to your original question about the wisdom. This is the wisdom of these farmers, these indigenous farmers, small holder farmers, family farmers. Like Brandon, the small holder farmers of African, India and Latin America are learning so much about their crops that we have so much to learn from.vIt's inspiring to think that some of the remedies that people are coming up with now in the face of all these challenges actually have historic roots that go back thousands of years is pretty inspiring. And it's nice to know that the resurrection of some of these techniques might really make a difference in the modern world. Roger, there are so many questions I'd love to ask you. And I'd urge people to read your book Against the Grain to further explore some of these issues. But I wanted to end with something. Are you hopeful that things will change in a positive direction? I am. I'm also concerned that we need to recognize the need to both nourish and heal. Recognize that this collision is looming, but it's already happening. And I think my hope, and cautious optimism I guess, then comes from the farmers themselves. They're very resilient, and they have to be, right? If you'd asked them the question about where their hope comes from or their optimism or their motivation and inspiration to keep going, it's they don't have any other option. I mean, this is their land. This is what they do. They're farmers, they're nourishing their families. If their families are to be nourished and to end the effects of poor nutrition as we see in this country, which is then common around the world, they need to adjust. So Abebe, a farmer Ethiopia this is kind of where my hope and inspiration comes from. And he begins the book. He's at the outset of the book and in the prologue. His land in Ethiopia was utterly degraded and you couldn't plant there anymore. They had already cut down trees, moved into areas that had been forested. The humble forest in the area had basically disappeared, in kind of the greater area of where Abebe lives. The bigger kind of ecosystem, environmental changes that then come from that, or the disappearance of a forest. And he had been following then the practices and the orthodoxies of modern agriculture. He realized that that was then behind the degradation of his land and the soil. He couldn't plant anymore. And the World Food Program, the Ethiopian government, other kind of NGOs, were then seeing, look these farm communities, these families, we're going to have to be assisting with food assistance forever because their lands are so degraded. They're not able to nourish their families from them unless we do something to restore and heal the land and bring the land back. And so, Abebe and his family and many others in his community, the kind of wider neighborhood and in this area, the humble forest, a lot of them, they stop farming on their land and they're given assistance saved by the World Food Program, kind of food for work. And they set about rehabbing their land. Kind of terracing their land so it'll hold the water. Digging shallow water pans to collect the rain so it then soaks into the soil, into the ground, and then regenerates the underground springs and sources of water. Planting grasses, bushes, letting kind of the land heal and regenerate itself. After a number of years, they see that happening. They move back to the land, and now he has this wide diversity as opposed to planting say corn every year or other mono cropping. Now he has this wide, wild, riotous array of different crops and vegetables and fruit trees. Some of the staple crops that he's grown also in rotation. Working with trees that have then grown up. Springs, a little pond has reformed that he didn't even know was there had come up because of the conservation the water. And he says, you know, my land, which once was dead, he's living again. Right? A profound statement and a realization from this farmer of this is how we can bring it back. So again, as I say, they've seen the future and it's ugly, right? He's seen his land degraded. He couldn't nourish his family anymore. He then does these practices, takes heed of this. I need to heal my land at the same time as farming it. And now his land is living again. So that to me is kind of a wonderful parable. So again, the wisdom of the farmers. It's through the stories and the wisdom of Abebe, that kind of the hope comes forward. Bio Roger Thurow is a journalist and author who writes about the persistence of hunger and malnutrition in our world as well as global agriculture and food policy. He was a reporter at The Wall Street Journal for thirty years, including twenty years as a foreign correspondent based in Europe and Africa. In 2003, he and Journal colleague Scott Kilman wrote a series of stories on famine in Africa that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in International Reporting. Thurow is the author of four books: Enough: Why the World's Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty (with Scott Kilman); The Last Hunger Season: A Year in an African Farm Community on the Brink of Change; The First 1,000 Days: A Crucial Time for Mothers and Children – And the World; and, Against the Grain – How Farmers Around the Globe Are Transforming Agriculture to Nourish the World and Heal the Planet. He has also been a senior fellow for Global Agriculture and Food Policy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, as well as a Scholar-in-Residence at Auburn University's Hunger Solutions Institute.
In this encore episode of the ScreenStrong Families Podcast, Melanie Hempe revisits an important conversation with Dr. Douglas Gentile, award-winning research scientist, educator, author, and professor of developmental psychology at Iowa State University.Together, they dive into the scientific research behind the addictive nature of video games and explore why many parents struggle to accept the mounting evidence. Dr. Gentile explains how gaming impacts children's developing brains, why certain games are designed to keep kids playing, and how overuse can prevent them from building real-world skills.He also offers a preview of what's ahead in the fields of diagnosis and screening tools for screen overuse, equipping parents with insight into how science is catching up with what many families are already experiencing.Dr. Gentile shares practical advice for parents: set limits, create balance, and stand firm even when children resist. As he wisely cautions: “Don't feed the bears.” His message is clear—it's worth the effort to protect your child's development. “Trust that parenting matters.”If you missed this episode the first time, or need a fresh reminder of why boundaries around gaming are so critical, this is a must-listen encore.Support the showDon't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW KBS Home Edition! Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more! Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount) Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) Production Team: Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin
In this episode Ed interviews Devin Radosevich, Ph.D. Student at Iowa State University. They discuss Devin's work, in the Gassmann lab, with short stature corn and insect pests. Additional Resources How to cite the podcast: Zaworski, E. (Host) Radosevich, D. (Interviewees). S4:E22 (Podcast). Crawlers of Compact Corn: Insect Pests and Short Stature Corn. 6/4/2025. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network. Transcript
Alan Lowe speaks with Dr. Simon Cordery about the transformative role of railroads in American history. From the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1828 to a national network by 1916, Cordery details how rail shaped commerce, industry, and infrastructure. He also explores regulation, from early oversight efforts to the 1980 Staggers Act, which revitalized the struggling industry. The conversation touches on Amtrak's dependence on subsidies, the challenges of expansion, and the promise of high-speed rail. Cordery also previews his book on Albert Pullman, a largely forgotten innovator behind the Pullman Company's early success and a symbol of overlooked entrepreneurial ambition. Guest Bio Dr. Simon Cordery is Chair of the History Department at Iowa State University and a leading scholar of American labor and transportation history. He previously served as department chair at Western Illinois University and Monmouth College. Dr. Cordery has authored several acclaimed books, including Mother Jones: Raising Cain and Consciousness and The Iron Road in the Prairie State: The Story of Illinois Railroading. His forthcoming work, Gilded Age Entrepreneur: The Curious Life of American Financier Albert Benton Pullman, explores the overlooked legacy of the elder Pullman brother and offers fresh insight into the entrepreneurial spirit of 19th-century America. Show Highlights (2:14) When railroads first arrived in America and how quickly they spread (6:18) Changes in the business world that supported and continued railroad expansion (7:16) The impact of government oversight as the industry develops (14:47) When deregulation of the railroad industry occurred and the effects it had (19:46) The effects railroads had on labor organization and the labor market in America (22:32) How railroad expansion affected how we keep time throughout the U.S. (24:28) The effect of digital technology on the American railroad industry (31:47) Is high-speed rail a profitable enterprise? (35:23) Simon Cordery's upcoming book, Gilded Age Entrepreneur: The Curious Life of American Financier Albert Benton Pullman Links Referenced Mother Jones: Raising Cain and Consciousness: https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Jones-Raising-Consciousness-Biography/dp/0826348106 The Iron Road in the Prairie State: The Story of Illinois Railroading: https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Road-Prairie-State-Railroading-ebook/dp/B017SJ126Q Gilded Age Entrepreneur: The Curious Life of American Financier Albert Benton Pullman: https://www.amazon.com/Gilded-Age-Entrepreneur-American-Financier-ebook/dp/B0DVMQHYWP
Feeding the Starving Artist: Finding Success as an Arts Entrepreneur
Rick and Ron welcome Bryan Uhl to the Feeding the Artist Podcast.Bryan is a trumpet player who graduated with music degrees from Iowa State University and the University of North Texas. During his career Bryan has enjoyed a varied and prolific performing career. In his 20-year tenure with the West Point Band (NY), Bryan performed everything from big band jazz, and classical chamber music at major sporting events, and for military and State Department ceremonial functions. Following his service as a West Point musician, Bryan is now a freelance trumpet player living in the New York area. During his career he has provided entertainment in theme parks, such as Busch Gardens (VA) and Walt Disney World (FL). Prior to joining the Back to the Future orchestra, You can find Bryan as a pit musician on Broadway, plays with the Back to the Future orchestra, and holds a trumpet chair in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular orchestra.
Welcome to Episode 190 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we chat with Iowa State University's resident expert on farmland values, economist Dr. Rabail Chandio. We also explore new research on Americans' meat purchasing habits, with Rick Stein, who's the Vice President of Fresh Foods for The Food Industry Association. Resource Mentioned in this Episode: Review Iowa State University's annual Farmland Value Survey. Learn how farmers provide nutritious meat while caring for their animals and the environment at RealFarmersRealFoodRealMeat.com. Learn more about the 2025 “Power of Meat” report.
Uncertainty is the name of the game right now when it comes to these grain and livestock markets. Weather, headline news risk, black swan events and so much more can be at play right now as planting season wraps up and summer growing season takes center stage. Chad Hart with Iowa State University joins us to share perspective on where the markets are at currently and what he is watching as we enter the month of June and look towards summer. Also, we start the show with a look at Friday's quiet market action with Mike Castle from StoneX in Segment One.
We are kicking off a new season of the PigX Podcast discussing the history of the Pig Livability Project, the current efforts and resources used to share information with the swine industry and how the project is continuing in the months ahead. Joining us on this episode are Dr. David Rosero, assistant professor at Iowa State University, and Dr. Joel DeRouchey, professor and state extension leader at Kansas State University. They will also highlight the upcoming Second International Conference on Pig Livability, taking place on November 5–6 in Omaha, Nebraska. For more details about the conference, visit https://piglivability.org/2025-conference. For project updates and additional resources, visit www.piglivability.org.
Recently Ro Crosbie the founder, President and CEO of Tero International spent some time at Iowa State University where she met with a group of honors students from various ISU colleges. She came away from that meeting energized about the future of our state and nation. Why? She found these students to be engaged, socially brilliant and ready to excel in their respective fields. It was a pleasure to hear her tell us the future is in good hands. Met Ro Crosbie. Thanks for listening! The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.
In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Michael VandeHaar from Michigan State University shares insights on bridging nutrition and genetics to breed more efficient dairy cows. He also discusses the upcoming ADSA meeting, highlighting sessions on applied nutrition, feed efficiency, and milk fat optimization. Listen now on all major platforms!"Some cows eat less than expected for whatever reason, and those are the cows we want in the future."Meet the guest: Dr. Michael VandeHaar earned his Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from Iowa State University and has been a Professor at Michigan State University since 1988. With over 35 years of experience, his research focuses on dairy cattle nutrition and improving feed efficiency through genetics. He also teaches mammary physiology and leads major initiatives in the American Dairy Science Association.Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:38) Introduction(03:58) Applied nutrition sessions(06:13) Milk fat and profitability(07:30) Overview of the ADSA(10:25) Nutrition and genetics link(13:28) Methane insights(16:05) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:* Adisseo- Virtus Nutrition- Zinpro- Volac- Afimilk- Kemin
About the Guest Monique Pairis-Garcia is a Professor and Veterinarian in Global Production Animal Welfare at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Pairis-Garcia earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and her Doctorate in Philosophy from Iowa State University and her Bachelor's degree in biology from Grinnell College. She is board-certified in the American College […]
CheloniaCast is joined by Dr. Nicole Valenzuela, Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at Iowa State University and principal investigator in the Laboratory of Evolutionary and Ecological Genomics at Iowa State University. Dr. Valenzuela is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and researches a variety of areas of evolutionary ecology and biology, using turtles as model systems primarily. She has published over 100 peer reviewed papers and co-edited the book “Temperature Dependent Sex Determination in Vertebrates.” The conversation dives deeper into her experiences both in the field and lab pertaining to her study of sex determination of turtles, turtle genomics, and evolutionary ecology. There is also valuable discussion on the challenges turtles can pose in developmental studies due to their slow growth and natural history. To learn more about Iowa State University's Laboratory of Evolutionary and Ecological Genomics visit: https://faculty.sites.iastate.edu/nvalenzu/ To view “Temperature Dependent Sex Determination in Vertebrates” visit: https://smithsonian.figshare.com/articles/book/Temperature-Dependent_Sex_Determination_in_Vertebrates/9761783 Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/ Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/ Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e
The U.S. government sells bonds so that it can collect cash to pay its bills. Today the results of the recent bond auction caused the stock market to sink. Don't worry, we'll explain it all. This is the Business News Headlines for Wednesday the 21st day of May and thanks for being with us. In other news, Target, TJX and Lowes offered up their sales numbers and what they expect for the rest of this year. We'll break it all down for you. Twelve states have filed a lawsuit against President Trump and his tariffs that on top of another case brought by five small businesses. Make America Healthy Again is facing some serious headwinds and some farmers are leading the charge. We'll share the numbers from the Wall Street Report and Amazon says the tariffs have not hurt their business…at all. For the Conversation we'll be joined by Ro Crosbie the Founder, CEO and President of Tero International. She's got a great story to tell about the future of leadership following a trip to Iowa State University. But, first the news. Thanks for listening! The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.
Dr. Paul Plummer came back home to Tennessee last year. The Sevier county native was named the 6th dean of the University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine last April. He was a graduate of the program in 2000 and he has spent much of his career at Iowa State University. But now he's back on the family farm and leading the vet college to further improve the school's nationally recognized program.
On this episode of “Sara Gonzales Unfiltered,” the panel points out the Democrat hypocrisy on tariffs over the years. Following President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs, everyone on the Left has come out against the use of tariffs. For many of these politicians, this is a complete change in their position from just a few years ago. Texas Land Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham joins the show to discuss how Texas has now claimed two strategic islands along the Rio Grande that have been previously claimed by the cartels. After that, the panel turns to a college Turning Point USA event at which Antifa destroyed everything while the campus police stood by and did nothing. Then, a female athlete took a knee and refused to fight her transgender opponent during a Maryland fencing competition. Finally, Iowa State University held a funeral for the school's LGBTQIA+ Student Success Center. Today's Guests: Sara is joined by Texas Land Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham and Eric July, founder of Rippaverse Comics. Today's Sponsors: Birch Gold: Get your free info kit on gold by texting SARA to the number 989898. "The King of Kings": I encourage you to see "The King of Kings," in theaters on Friday, April 11. Get your tickets today at http://www.Angel.com/SARA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices