Podcasts about Iowa State University

On this episode of The Squeal, we're taking a closer look at one of the most critical, but often overlooked, components of swine health management: truck wash biosecurity.  Our host, Dr. Rebecca Robbins, PIC Health Assurance Veterinarian is joined by Dr. Kate Dion, Postdoctoral Research Associate at Iowa State University, and Emiliano Hidalgo, PIC Technical Operations Manager to discuss the importance of a truck wash and its procedures.  Transportation plays a major role in protecting herd health, and even small gaps in cleaning and disinfection protocols can create significant disease risk across production systems. From trailer sanitation and drying time to employee compliance and facility design, maintaining strong truck wash biosecurity requires attention to detail at every step. Whether you're managing transportation logistics, overseeing site health, or working directly in the wash bay, this episode offers actionable insights to help strengthen one of the industry's most important lines of defense.

Ag View Solutions: https://www.agviewsolutions.com/Farm Profit Manager: https://www.farmprofitmanager.com/Today's guest is Shay Foulk of Ag View Solutions and the Farm Profit Manager app. I've known of Shay for years as a podcaster and farm management consultant, and his presence on social media. Shay and I both have been a part of webinars for Fractal Ag in the past, and shout out to Ben at Fractal for helping to make today's episode happen. Some background on Shay: Shay Foulk is a farm business consultant with Ag View Solutions who works with operations to improve profitability and efficiency, manage risk, and grow. They offer this to farmers in the form of consulting, coaching, Peer Group facilitation and the Profit Manager app that we'll talk a lot about today. He grew up in NE Iowa working on a row crop and livestock operation with his father, uncles, and grandfathers. He attended Iowa State University where he majored in Agronomy. After graduating, Shay enlisted in the United States Army, and served 5 years with the 75th Ranger Regiment. He continues to serve with the Illinois National Guard out of Peoria. He also farms and runs Monier Seed with his father-in-law and wife, Hannah, near Sparland, IL.Shay's step dad, Chris Barron, started Ag View Solutions clear back in the mid 90s. He developed the foundation of what became what they called Profit Manager. He noticed that he knew his numbers a lot better on the hog production side of his farm, and wanted to apply the same business analysis to the crops side. So with his college roommate he developed the first version of Profit Manager on DOS. After years of consulting with farmers he turned it into an Excel-based tool. For years they have sold the tool and offered consulting services. Shay joined the business in 2019, and just this year they converted the Excel-based Profit Manager into this new app called Farm Profit Manager, and offered it for free.

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. José González-Acuña, recent Ph.D. graduate at Iowa State University. They discuss José's Thesis work on frogeye leaf spot and efforts to expand the ever growing library of plant disease predictive models. Additional Resources https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-46975-z#Sec14 https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/horttech/27/5/article-p710.xml https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/news/new-crop-risk-tool-enhances-disease-management-decisions Time Stamps 00:00 Understanding Machine Learning Models 03:23 Choosing the Right Model for the Project 06:13 Metrics for Model Evaluation 08:48 Challenges in Data Collection and Standardization 11:38 Insights on Frog Eye Leaf Spot Modeling 13:44 Future Directions and Improvements 17:40 Understanding Weather Data's Role in Disease Modeling 19:42 Data Collection and Analysis for Disease Severity 21:29 Introduction to Decision Support Systems (DSS) 22:27 The Importance of Decision Support in Agriculture 24:09 Future of Predictive Modeling and Decision Support Systems 28:44 The Role of Farmers in Utilizing Predictive Models 32:14 Economic Benefits of Decision Support Systems 34:29 Elevator Pitch: Explaining Predictive Modeling to the Public 37:58 outro with logo.mp4 Zaworski, E. (Host) and González-Acuña, J. (Interviewee). S5:E8 (Podcast). Frog Eye-PM: Predictive Modeling Part 2. 5/20/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.   Transcript

We're talking about the pressure parents feel to “have it all together.” But, inevitably life happens. Curve balls come. For my new friend, Kim Harms, she had 2 back-to-back curve balls in the form of cancer - both coming to her attention on Jan 20, just 7 years apart. She's joining to help us experience more of God's strength in these desperate times of our lives.Kim Harms is a two-time breast cancer survivor and the author of Carried Through Cancer: 70 Days of Spiritual Strength from Cancer Fighters, Survivors and Caregivers, and Life Reconstructed: Navigating the World of Mastectomies and Breast Reconstruction.  She has a degree in English from Iowa State University and more than two decades of professional writing experience for a wide variety of publications. Married to Corey for 27 years, the two have three sons and one English Springer Spaniel who thinks he's the fourth child. Kim offers support and resources for cancer fighters on her website. She can also be found on Instagram  @kimharmsauthor and Facebook at KimHarmsAuthor. Today, we're talking about:Feeling God's love in the unexpected gifts in griefHow to lean on God's strength to uphold youGod's promise to be with us through the ugly and hard parts of life - why this is enoughC A N D A C E  C O F E Rauthor + speaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠youtube⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠facebook⁠

What does it take to build the data systems that sit behind your genetic evaluations?This week on the podcast, Ferg catches up with Dan Garrick from Helical. Dan grew up on a sheep, beef and venison farm in the Manawatu before moving to the US at 13, where he went on to complete a PhD in aerospace engineering at Iowa State University. He's the son of Professor Dorian Garrick, one of New Zealand's most respected animal breeding geneticists, and his grandfather was one of the world's leading experts on sharks, making Dan a third-generation PhD.Dan explains how the same maths used to model fluid dynamics around rockets is used to generate breeding values, and how he ended up joining the family business in 2017 to help roll out some of the first production single step evaluations in the US for American Hereford and IGS. That work quickly revealed a major bottleneck in managing the genomic data flowing in from DNA testing labs. That's where Helical was born.Ferg and Dan talk through how Helical now serves breed societies, genetics companies, universities and labs across beef, dairy, sheep, horses, dogs, aquaculture and forestry. They also look ahead at where things are going. From decision support tools and AI in commercial herds, to the potential for wearable devices like virtual fencing collars to generate entirely new breeding values nobody has thought of yet - both Dan and Ferg agree the future is bright for Agriculture. Head Shepherd is brought to you by neXtgen Agri International Limited. We help livestock farmers get the most out of the genetics they farm with. Get in touch with us if you would like to hear more about how we can help you do what you do best: info@nextgenagri.com.Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, Heiniger Australia and New Zealand, and ProWay Livestock Equipment. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.Check out the MSD range HERECheck out Allflex products HERECheck out Heiniger's product range HERECheck out ProWay's product range HERE

Fire blight can spread fast through orchards and backyard fruit trees, leaving growers scrambling to protect their crops. On this Horticulture Day episode, we talk with Iowa State University assistant professor and fruit tree specialist Suzanne Slack about how fire blight develops, what warning signs to look for and the impact it can have on fruit trees across Iowa. Later, Aaron Steil, Iowa State University Extension horticulture specialist, joins the conversation to share more gardening insight and answer listener questions.

Rapid planting progress continues across much of the Corn Belt as farmers also navigate tightening fertilizer supplies, shifting trade developments, and ongoing weather concerns heading deeper into the 2026 growing season. This week's agriculture headlines include the latest USDA Crop Progress report showing corn and soybean planting continuing ahead of the five-year average across much of the Midwest. Weather updates focus on improving planting conditions following recent frost concerns, while hotter and drier conditions continue stressing winter wheat in parts of the Plains. Other headlines include President Donald Trump delaying planned action tied to beef imports, a federal trade court ruling against the administration's global tariff policy and fertilizer markets tightening as global supply concerns continue driving volatility for key crop nutrients. Additional stories include updates on nationwide E15 legislation, a new biofuels partnership between Bayer Crop Science and bp focused on camelina production, new EPA conservation grant funding and Smithfield Foods releasing its latest sustainability report. Today's interview is with Ag News Daily summer intern Josie Kelly. She is a junior at Iowa State University studying Agricultural & Rural Policy Studies alongside Public Relations. In today's conversation, she shares more about her background, interests in agriculture and what she is looking forward to this summer with the Ag News Daily team. Stay connected with us for daily agriculture content on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, along with our weekly videos!

As we head into the weekend, we sit down to talk commodity and livestock markets with Chad Hart, Professor and Economist at Iowa State University. We discuss the markets chasing headlines, the weather impacts, the law of supply and demand, ethanol/E15 legislation, US/China talks and much more. Plus it was a busy week in the cattle markets with plenty of news and record cash trade. Joe Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek joins us for livestock and grain market analysis to close out the week. Find more at https://www.kkvtrading.com.

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. José González-Acuña, recent Ph.D. graduate at Iowa State University. They discuss José's Thesis work on frogeye leaf spot and efforts to expand the ever growing library of plant disease predictive models. Additional Resources https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-46975-z#Sec14 https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/horttech/27/5/article-p710.xml https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/news/new-crop-risk-tool-enhances-disease-management-decisions Time Stamps 00:44 Introduction to Jose's Academic Journey 03:13 The Path to Plant Pathology 13:45 Understanding Frog Eye Leaf Spot 18:55 Management Strategies for Frog Eye Leaf Spot 21:51 Fungicide Resistance and Its Implications 23:39 The Journey to Predictive Modeling 25:57 The Role of Predictive Models in Agriculture 28:49 Understanding Predictive Modeling 34:26 Types of Predictive Models 40:09 Logistic Regression and Machine Learning Models 45:36 outro with logo.mp4   Zaworski, E. (Host) and González-Acuña, J. (Interviewee). S5:E7 (Podcast). Frog Eye-PM: Predictive Modeling Part 1. 5/13/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.   Transcript

In this episode of the ISU Dairy News & Views Podcast, we sit down with Liz Brock to explore the powerful connection between herd health and human well-being in agriculture. While dairy production often focuses on animal performance and efficiency, this conversation shifts attention to the people behind the cows—the farmers, students, and professionals who carry the emotional and physical weight of the industry. Together with voices from Iowa State University, we discuss the pressures facing agricultural communities, the importance of mental health awareness in rural spaces, and practical ways to build resilience and support systems within dairy and livestock production. Additional Resources: https://health.extension.wisc.edu/mental-well-being/wecope/ https://extension.umn.edu/get-help/resources-difficult-times#coping-with-stress-or-crisis-1250210  

Two psychologists from Iowa State University join the program. Their whose research seeks to improve accuracy in witness and suspect testimony in the criminal justice system. Professor of psychology Zlatan Krizan discusses how sleep deprivation may influence confessions and witness statements, while associate professor of psychology Andrew Smith explains how video recording of eyewitness suspect lineups could improve confidence in those practices and assist in criminal trials. Later, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine researcher Colin Kenny explains how using zebrafish in research can help to better understand a rare eye cancer and improve treatment.

Walking is a totally free, easy exercise that requires little effort, and benefits not only your physical but also your mental well-being. If you're looking for a simple yet very effective way of losing weight and improving your overall health, walking is something just for you. People who are physically active throughout their life are much less prone to this disease than those who have a more sedentary lifestyle. And that's because they have more volume in their hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for verbal memory and learning. A daily half-hour walk helps avoid serious problems, like coronary heart disease to name one, by lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol levels and improving blood circulation. Because of better-quality and deeper breathing, some symptoms associated with lung disease can show significant improvement thanks to walking. Muscle tone and weight loss is also totally achievable through simple walking. Find your optimal pace, but don't break out into a jog. This sort of speed walking is low impact and doesn't require any recovery time, which means no sore muscles to keep you from getting out and walking the next day. The Arthritis Foundation recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate walking a day to reduce pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the joints. Building strong bones will help you prevent osteoporosis and reduce bone loss. Walking contributes to better blood circulation within the spinal structures, pumping important nutrients into the soft tissues and improving posture and flexibility, both of which are vital for a healthy spine. A group of researchers at Iowa State University worked with hundreds of college students. Walking changed their mood for the better, even though no one warned them it could do so. If you still don't feel motivated enough to start walking for your health, try joining a class or find a buddy who also wouldn't mind getting all the benefits of walking. Another idea could be to hire a personal trainer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we're joined by Ames High senior Isabelle Stagg as she reflects on where her cheer journey began, and whether she ever imagined it would lead her to Iowa State University. You'll hear how her time in Ames High cheer shaped her skills while building leadership, teamwork, and perseverance, along with the moments that made her experience truly meaningful.

Today's episode features guest host Michael Upshall (guest editor, Charleston Briefings) who talks with Rachel Caldwell, Academic Engagement, University of Massachusetts, Amhurst, and Robin Sinn, Director of Collections and Open Strategy, Iowa State University. Rachel and Robin are two librarians who co-founded the Library Partnership Rating which is a "collaborative and library-developed framework for librarians who seek to quantify the alignment of publishers with themselves as they consider investing library resources." It's an open, rubric based system to evaluate journal publisher practices that now has a large advisory council of five library organizations along with publishers and university presses. In this conversation, Rachel and Robin talk with Michael about what their current job titles entail, how they came into librarianship, and why they felt the need to create the Library Partnership Rating and the problems they hoped this decision-making tool would solve.  Robin says they aren't taking on publishers but, instead, working to show publishers what libraries want and need while gathering information that libraries want and need and pulling together those data points for useful conversations and collaboration to forward academic publishing. The video of this interview can be found here: https://youtu.be/ETePSv0zMFo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mupshall/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-caldwell-947a10247/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-n-sinn/ Keyword #LibraryPartnershipRating #LibraryLeadership #LibraryInnovation #Library Resources #LibraryCollaboration #PublishingEthics #PublisherPractices #InformationProfessionals #AcademicLibraries #career #scholcomm #ScholarlyCommunication #libraries #librarianship #LibraryNeeds #LibraryLove #ScholarlyPublishing #AcademicPublishing #publishing #LibrariesAndPublishers #podcasts

On this Politics Day, political scientists Donna Hoffman of the University of Northern Iowa and Jonathan Hassid of Iowa State University dissect the debate between Democrat Senate hopefuls Josh Turek and Zach Wahls. They also reflect on the end of the 2026 Legislative session, Vice President J.D. Vance's stop in Iowa to campaign for Rep. Zach Nunn and the Iowa Secretary of State's choice to turn over voter data to the Trump administration.

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Send us Fan MailJoe Morgan is CEO of Poky Feeders, a custom cattle feeder in Scott County, KS. He began feeding cattle after his graduation from Iowa State University in 1973. He began at Poky in 1985, and has grown the yard from a 17,000 head capacity to 103,000 one-time capacity today.Joe serves as Vice-Chair of US Premium Beef and is a long time member of the Kansas Livestock Association and National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

In today's show, Dustin wraps up his conversation with Iowa Senator Joni Ernst from his trip to Washington D.C., Riley has the latest South America update with Greg McBride of Allendale, and special correspondent Russ Parker visits with Amy Mendee of Iowa State University about their pathways program.

The Dirty Thirties might seem like the distant past but according to IDEAS contributor and professor Evan Fraser now is the time to dust off the lessons about what worked to save farmers and agriculture. The confluence of drought, scorching temperatures and terrifying storms was devastating for farm families forced to abandon their land. Fraser argues the Dust Bowl should serve as a warning of compounding crises that lie ahead. But he adds it can also be a guide to solutions that could help us muddle through as the world lurches into another chapter of environmental, political and economic upheaval.Guests in this episode:Evan Fraser is a geography professor and director of Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph.Pamela Riney-Kehrberg is a distinguished professor of history at Iowa State University.Robert McLeman is a professor of geography and environmental studies at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Guest Minnesota native Aaron Hebeisen grew up hunting, fishing, and recreating outdoors. His lifelong passion for wildlife led him to earn an Animal Ecology degree from Iowa State University. He has worked for the Minnesota Conservation Corps, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture on wildlife disease research, and is now the Field Operations Coordinator with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, supporting chapters in 10 states across the Midwest and the southern U.S. Summary This episode explores the meaning, management, and future of public lands in the United States. The discussion begins by defining public lands—roughly 640 million federally managed acres overseen by agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service—and emphasizes their "multiple-use" mandate, balancing recreation, resource extraction, and conservation. Aaron highlights BHA's mission to advocate for these lands on behalf of all users, not just hunters and anglers, framing Americans as "public landowners" with both rights and responsibilities. A key theme is the complexity of land and water access, illustrated through conflicts over stream access laws in states like Illinois, where differing definitions of "navigability" create legal gray areas and tension among stakeholders. The conversation also examines policy advocacy, including coalition-building, lobbying, and navigating bipartisan politics. Aaron describes BHA's approach as "radically purple"—engaged but nonpartisan—focused on finding common ground across competing interests. A major case study is the rollback of mining protections near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area via H.R. 140, which Aaron argues could set a precedent for weakening environmental safeguards nationwide. Despite such challenges, the episode remains grounded in a broader philosophical reflection: public lands are a uniquely American inheritance that fosters personal connection, humility, and stewardship. Ultimately, Aaron underscores that protecting these lands requires active civic engagement—if people don't participate, they risk losing access to what is collectively theirs. A key takeaway Public lands belong to all of us, but their future depends on whether people actively engage in protecting them—through stewardship, advocacy, and participation in the political process. References / Links Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Beyond Fair Chase: The Ethic and Tradition of Hunting LinkedIn Instagram Facebook

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Kurt Rosentrater, Professor of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University, breaks down what sustainability really means across food and agriculture. He explains why feed efficiency matters more than any single additive, how DDGS and ethanol co-products fit ruminant diets, and why systems thinking, not silver bullets, drives lasting results. Listen now on all major platforms!“Feed efficiency is one of the holy grails of sustainability. It is all about converting protein and energy into an animal product.”Meet the guest: Dr. Kurt Rosentrater is a Professor of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University. His research focuses on grain processing, ethanol co-products including DDGS, and sustainable food and feed systems, bridging historical data with precision feeding tools to help producers make better decisions. Learn more from Dr. Kurt Rosentrater on The Dairy Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:59) Introduction(03:18) Growing up on a farm(11:50) Sustainability across systems(17:42) Carbon scoring in formulation(24:49) Value of historical research(30:25) Feed efficiency as sustainability(37:13) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Agri-Comfort* Adisseo* Afimilk* Evonik* Priority IAC* CowManager- DietForge- Agrarian Solutions- BoviSync- Chemlock- Protekta- dsm-firmenich- AHV- Natural Biologics

In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh is joined by Scott Post to discuss how continuous improvement and lean thinking can help create more good work days. Reflecting on how they first met years ago in a project management class, including a memorable lesson involving a "crazy red chicken," Scott shares how he found his path into lean, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. The conversation explores lean leadership as servant leadership, Scott's long‑term involvement with lean consortiums such as the Iowa Lean Consortium and his fifteen years on the board of the Siouxland Lean Consortium, and the value of learning together through conferences and engaging meetings. They also touch on small business entrepreneurship and how lean principles apply across organizations of all sizes.   -- Scott Post is an Operational Excellence and Lean Leadership Coach with over 20 years of experience in leadership, continuous improvement, and Lean methodology. Known for his ability to identify inefficiencies and optimize processes, Scott helps individuals and organizations unlock their full potential through practical, results-driven approaches. Scott's passion for process improvement began during his service in the United States Marine Corps and continued as he earned an Industrial Engineering degree from Iowa State University. His expertise deepened through roles at Pella Corporation and later as Chief Operations Officer at Pizza Ranch, where he led the Operations, Training, and Process Improvement teams toward operational excellence. Scott founded S Post Consulting in 2021 and began working full-time with clients in 2023. Based in Northwest Iowa, the firm helps Siouxland business leaders stabilize operations, boost profits, and build momentum. Scott helps organizations move from chronic inefficiencies to high-performing operations. Through a diagnostic, boots-on-the-ground approach, he uncovers root causes, aligns leadership, and builds sustainable systems that reduce waste, improve execution, and drive long-term profit, without adding headcount or complexity. Clients consistently experience improved employee engagement, increased labor efficiency, shorter lead times, and stronger bottom-line results. A dedicated Servant Leader, Scott has also been an active contributor to the local Lean communities, serving on the board of the Siouxland Lean Consortium, and volunteering with the Iowa Lean Consortium. Outside of work, he enjoys family life, camping, and a hobby farm by Rock Valley, Iowa with his wife, four children, and a collection of farm animals. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scott-post Other: http://www.spostconsulting.com  

In today's episode, Lorrie Boyer is joined by Iowa State University expert Mark Licht who shares insights on planting progress, stand establishment, early emergence, and replant decisions, helping farmers optimize yield and manage risks effectively. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The magic of spring has done its work. Iowa is green again, and with lawns waking up across the state, it's time to start thinking about spring yard care. From knowing when to mow for the first time to getting your grass off to a healthy start, the season's first lawn decisions can shape how your yard looks all summer long. On this Horticulture Day episode, Adam Thoms, Iowa State University turfgrass specialist, joins to talk about spring lawn care and how to tell when it's finally time to mow. Then, Aaron Steil, Iowa State University Extension horticulture specialist, joins the conversation to answer listener questions about lawns, gardens and making the most of spring growth.

Dr. Kellie Lindquist was raised in a rural area part of Northern California. Her first career interest was human medicine, but she changed her focus to veterinary medicine during her undergraduate studies. She earned her veterinary degree from Iowa State University in 2011.After graduation, she worked in a mixed animal practice in Oregon before she joined a small animal practice in Anchorage, Alaska. She still works at that same practice.Her holistic interest started after a personal health challenge. She is a Reiki Master, is certified in Acupuncture by IVAS, in TCVM Palliative and End of Life Care and Chinese Herbal Medicine by Chi University, and in Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy and Veterinary Massage and Rehabilitation Therapy by the Healing Oasis. She combines these modalities with traditional care for her patients.Please enjoy this conversation with Dr. Kellie Lindquist as we discuss her education, practice experience, and holistic training.

A uniform seedbed starts with properly leveled tillage equipment. In this Successful Farming Saturday Short, Iowa State University specialist Ryan Bergman explains why leveling your implement front to back and side to side is critical for consistent soil depth and accurate seed placement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Send us Fan MailWelcome back to the FinanZe Podcast, episode 25.Today's guest is Marty Vanderploeg, Co-Founder and former CEO of Workiva — the cloud platform that fundamentally transformed how organizations manage, connect, and report critical data. Today, Workiva serves over more than 80% of the Fortune 1000.Marty's journey into software and entrepreneurship is anything but conventional. He began his career as a professor at Iowa State University before making the leap into building companies, founding Engineering Animation Inc., a pioneer in visualization software whose technology played a role in some of the most complex and high-profile events in modern history.He later co-founded Workiva, scaling it into a category-defining SaaS platform at the intersection of financial reporting, compliance, and enterprise data management.In today's conversation, we'll dive into Marty's transition from academia to entrepreneurship, the story of EAI, the founding and scaling of Workiva, establishing a positive company culture, the lessons from building multiple companies, and what it takes to create, the future of software companies in today's AI first world, and advice to young people on building enduring companiesLet's get into it.Support the show

Ticks are becoming a growing concern across the Midwest as species like the Lone Star tick and Asian Longhorned tick expand their range northward. In this episode, FarmSafe explores what that means for both livestock producers and rural communities, with expert insight from Grant Dewell of Iowa State University and Iowa State Public Health Veterinarian Andrew Hennenfent. The conversation highlights how ticks can impact cattle health, the symptoms to watch for, and management strategies. Episode ResourcesTicks and Tick-borne Diseases in Iowa, ISU ExtensionAlpha-gal Communication Resources, CDCAbout Alpha-gal Syndrome, CDC

Iowa State University historian Simon Cordery talks about his recently published biography of Albert Pullman with Hagley's Ben Spohn. From the publisher: “Simon Cordery's Gilded Age Entrepreneur illuminates the fascinating and chaotic business world of Albert Pullman. The influential but little-known older brother of George Pullman and the craftsman of the family, Albert designed the first luxurious Pullman railroad cars and hosted promotional trips to show them off. In those heady early days, he met national business and political leaders and hired the first Pullman porters. “Albert and George made a formidable team, but as the Pullman Company grew, Albert's role shrank. He turned to his own investment portfolio, often with disastrous results. Beginning with the industrial laundry that cleaned sleeping-car linens, Albert appeared before the Supreme Court after a catastrophic insurance investment, ran afoul of federal banking regulations, and failed in an attempt to corner wheat futures. With evermore unsuccessful speculations, Albert was tempted by extralegal land sales and entered the silver-mining game. Finally, his own family in crisis and his relationship with George shattered, Albert Pullman launched into one last round of adventurous investments with mixed results. “Gilded Age Entrepreneur demonstrates that Albert Pullman embodied the small-time investors who were legion after the Civil War. From banking and insurance to manufacturing and mining, a host of hopeful dreamers like Albert Pullman fueled the circulation of capital by forging political connections, creating and losing businesses, issuing shares, and longing for profit.” For more Hagley History Hangouts, and more information on the Center for the History of Business, Technology, and Society at the Hagley Museum and Library, visit us online at hagley.org.

Originally uploaded April 3rd, reloaded April 19th. Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Lisa Shimkat, Associate Administrator of Field Operations for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Can you give us an overview of the SBA's Made in America Manufacturing Initiative and what it means for manufacturers? You're meeting with manufacturers across Michigan this week—what are you hearing directly from businesses about their biggest challenges? The SBA recently introduced the Onshoring Portal—how does that help companies bring operations back to the U.S.? Access to capital is always a key issue—how is the SBA helping manufacturers secure funding and support? Can you explain the new MARC loan program and how it benefits manufacturers looking to grow or manage cash flow? SBA Associate Administrator for the Office of Manufacturing & Trade Lisa Shimkat was touring Michigan manufacturers and holding roundtables in Lansing, Flint, and Detroit at the end of March and early April. Lisa Shimkat serves as the Associate Administrator of Field Operations for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), where she oversees 68 District Offices and 10 Regional Offices across the country. In this role, she leads the SBA's nationwide field network, ensuring that small businesses have access to vital capital, contracting assistance, and business development programs. She works in collaboration with SBA organizations to expand entrepreneurial support and economic growth in communities across the United States. In addition to her Associate Administrator role in the Office of Field Operations, Lisa serves as the Acting Associate Administrator of the Office of Manufacturing and Trade (OMT). In her OMT role, she leads a team of high-level finance specialists dedicated to supporting small manufacturers and exporters by facilitating access to capital through partnerships with financial institutions. Additionally, she oversees OMT's trade policy team, which advocates for small business interests in trade and international affairs. Previously, Lisa was the State Director of America's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Iowa, where she led a network of fifteen centers dedicated to providing business counseling and support to entrepreneurs across the state. Under her leadership, the Iowa SBDC played a pivotal role in fostering small business growth, disaster recovery efforts, and rural business development. She has extensive experience in economic development, having managed a multimillion-dollar revolving loan fund to assist rural entrepreneurs and manufacturers in expanding their businesses, as well as serving as a plant manager for an agricultural rebuilder. Lisa earned her Associate of Arts degree from Iowa Central Community College, followed by a Bachelor's and Master of Business Administration from Iowa State University. She has a long-standing commitment to small business advocacy, previously serving on the Securities and Exchange Commission Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies and held a seat on the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board from 2019 - 2024. Additionally, she served three terms on America's Small Business Development Center, National Association Board and chair. She was an elected member of the Fort Dodge Community School Board of Education for over ten years showing a commitment to community and service. Her contributions to economic development and entrepreneurship have earned her numerous accolades, including being recognized as a Distinguished Iowa Central Alum and Hall of Fame Inductee in 2022. In 2023, she was honored as a Woman of Influence in Iowa by the Des Moines Business Record. Lisa is passionate about fostering small business success, ensuring equitable access to SBA programs, and strengthening the national support system for entrepreneurs to thrive and grow.

Crabapple trees get a bad rap for cluttering yards and attracting pests, but Iowa State University professor of horticulture Jeff Iles says not to write off all varieties. On this Horticulture Day, Iles joins to talk about the small trees missing from your yard. Then, Iowa State University Extension horticulture specialist Aaron Steil joins the conversation to answer listeners' gardening questions.

Steven welcomes Cason Murphy, associate theatre professor at Iowa State University to this episode to discuss Murphy's commentary on theatre organizations seeking to "fix" Shakespeare in an appeal to modern American audiences and what effect that may have on the authorship mystery. Support the show by picking up official Don't Quill the Messenger merchandise at www.dontquillthepodcast.com and becoming a Patron at http://www.patreon.com/dontquillthemessenger  Made possible by Patrons: Clare Jaget, Courtney L, David Neufer, Deduce, Earl Showerman, Edward Henke, Ellen Swanson, Frank Lawler, Garrett Jackson, Heidi, James Warren, Jen Swan, John Creider, John Eddings, Jon Foss, Kara Elizabeth Martin, Michael Hannigan, Neal Riesterer, Patricia Carrelli, quizzi, Richard Wood, Sandi Boney, Sheila Kethley, Stephen Hopkins, Teacher Mallory, Tim Norman, Tim Price, Vanessa Lops, Yvonne Don't Quill the Messenger is a part of the Dragon Wagon Radio independent podcast network. For more great podcasts visit www.dragonwagonradio.com

Artists Tommy Riefe and Lexa Walsh join me to discuss the New Museum expansion and show, New Humans: Memories of the Future curated by Massimiliano Gioni and Gary Carrion-Murayari. We discuss the success of the building itself and then move onto the show's major themes—the history of the human body as mediated by technology.    Additional Resources:  Tommy Riefe Lexa Walsh  The New Museum, New Humans: Memories of the Future Jeffrey Deitch, Post Human, 1992   Boris Groys, Art Power, 2008 Jason Farago, The New Museum Reopens Asking: “What is Human?”, 2026, The New York Times   Artist guests:  Tommy Riefe  Riefe earned his BFA in Art History and Sculpture from the University of Northern Iowa in 2014, and later received his MFA from the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis in 2017. He has been in numerous group exhibitions and has public sculptures in the collections of Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Ashburn, VA (2022) Fort Dodge, IA (2021) Lakewood, MN (2019), Iowa State University (2018), Minnesota State University (2018), Laneken, Belgium (2018), Cedar Falls, IA (2017) Rock Island, IL (2016), and Sioux City, IA (2016).   Lexa Walsh Lexa Walsh is an artist, cultural worker and experience maker.  With a background in both sculpture and social practice, Walsh makes site specific projects, exhibitions, publications and objects, using an array of materials including ceramics and textiles, employing social engagement, institutional critique, and radical hospitality to question hierarchies, power and value.   Walsh founded the experimental music and performance venue the Heinz Afterworld Lounge, and co-founded and conceived of the all women, all toy instrument ensemble Toychestra.  Walsh worked for many years as a curator and administrator at CESTA, an international art center in Czech republic, whose team created radical curatorial projects to foster cross-cultural understanding. She founded Oakland Stock & Soup for Social & Racial Justice, and the Bay Area Contemporary Art Archive. She is a graduate of Portland State Universitys Art & Social Practice MFA program and was Social Practice Artist in Residence in Portland Art Museums Education department. She was a recipient of Southern Exposures Alternative Exposure Award, the CEC Artslink Award, the Gunk Grant and was a de Young Artist Fellow. Walsh has participated in projects, exhibitions and performances at Apexart, di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art, FOR-SITE, Grand Central Art Center, Kala Art Institute, Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, NIAD, Oakland Museum of California, SFMOMA, Smack Mellon, Walker Art Center, Williams College Museum of Art, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and has done several international artist residencies, tours and projects in Europe and Asia.

A war at a volatile tipping point and a "barnburner" race for Iowa's governor. On this Politics Day episode, political scientists Karen Kedrowski and Jim McCormick of Iowa State University join to discuss how the Iran war is raising concerns about the global economy, as well as the Iowa governor's race now being rated a "toss up." Also, President Donald Trump's clashes with the Pope and what that could mean for Catholic voters and why two congressmen — including Iowa native Eric Swalwell, resigned this week.

In this episode of The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Lance Baumgard, Distinguished Professor at Iowa State University, explains how stress affects gut barrier function and dairy cow productivity. He highlights how immune activation redirects nutrients away from milk synthesis and discusses key stressors like heat, overcrowding, and transition periods. Learn how stacked stressors amplify biological responses and impact performance. Listen now on all major platforms!"Stress across production systems consistently disrupts gut barrier integrity, allowing harmful compounds to cross into circulation and initiate immune responses that directly reduce dairy cow performance."Meet the guest: Dr. Lance Baumgard is a Distinguished Professor and Norman L. Jacobson Endowed Professor in Dairy Nutrition at Iowa State University. His research focuses on stress physiology, gut health, and nutrient partitioning in dairy cattle, helping advance understanding of how stress impacts productivity and biological function. Click here to read the full research article!Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What will you learn: (00:00) Highlight(01:39) Introduction(02:17) Gut barrier(03:56) Immune response(05:25) Nutrient demand(06:52) Glucose priority(08:49) Farm stressors(12:13) Closing thoughtsThe Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by the innovative companies:* Vetagro* Kemin* Adisseo* Barentz* Fortiva- Virtus Nutrition- DietForge

In this episode of The Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Stacey Roberts, Senior Director of Nutrition at Versova, explains how genetics influence layer nutrient requirements and feeding strategies. She highlights digestible amino acids, alternative ingredients, and how to apply research data in commercial systems. Dr. Roberts also discusses aligning nutrition with production goals and flock challenges. Listen now on all major platforms!"Layer nutrition benefits from broader research perspectives, including broiler studies, where faster trial cycles and higher responsiveness provide valuable insights applicable to long-cycle layer systems."Meet the guest: Dr. Stacey Roberts earned her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from Iowa State University, focusing on animal nutrition and environmental science. As Senior Director of Nutrition at Versova, she leads feed formulation, research, and implementation strategies to improve bird performance and efficiency. Her work centers on practical poultry nutrition solutions for commercial systems. Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:23) Introduction(03:29) Genetics impact(05:05) Ingredient strategies(06:45) Applying research(07:48) Mode of action(08:46) Broiler data use(10:28) Closing thoughtsThe Poultry Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Fortiva* Kemin- Poultry Science Association- Anitox- DietForge

Conversation #352:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Cat Rudolph, MS, RD, LDN and Nutritional Sciences PhD StudentToday's conversation is with Cat Rudolph, a registered dietitian and nutritional sciences PhD student. As is a life-long learner, she has taken charge of her future by connecting opportunities challenging her comfort zone to support her professional and personal growth. Her background includes experiences in community nutrition education/research, food security initiatives, farmers' markets, oncology, and clinical nutrition. She is being intentional with her career,  pursuing a doctoral degree in Nutritional Sciences with a minor in public policy at Iowa State University and is excited for what the future holds. Please enjoy my conversation with Cat. Connect with Cat.InstagramLinkedInwww.anneelizabethrd.comCopyright © 2026 AEHC & OPISong: One Of These DaysArtist: The Geminiwww.thegeminimusic.comMusic used by permission. All rights received.© ASCAP OrtmanMusic

In this week's episode of Weekend Ag Matters Mark Magnuson runs down the news headlines, Riley Smith speaks with Kristine Tidgren, a professor at Iowa State University, Dustin Hoffmann is joined by Nathan Kramer of John Deere, and Russ provides his faith-based segment.

Chad Hart, professor of economics at Iowa State University, and Peter Orazem, university professor and interim chair of economics at Iowa State University, discuss the economy at both the local and national levels.

When you encounter an insect in a surprising place it can be alarming, particularly if you're one of the many people who has an uncomfortable relationship with insects. Entomologist Zach Schumm of Iowa State University joins this Horticulture Day to give us the tools we need to decide if an insect is a pest or something we should leave in peace. Extension horticulture specialist Aaron Steil also joins to answer listeners' horticulture questions.

Back in 2011 Dakota Kieffer received a scholarship from the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA) and went to business school at Iowa State University. Here in "Where Are They Now" presented by NTPDA is the story of Dakota, his brother,, his wife, parents and the business he now owns with his brother Travis, Plastics Unlimited.  Meet Dakota:  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.

On the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, Peggy Coffeen interviews Dr. Stephanie Hansen of Iowa State University at Adisseo's VIP seminar about why beef-on-dairy calves often fail to thrive in the feedlot. Hansen, a feedlot “mineral nerd,” explains how high liver copper—seen in necropsy results at 800–900 ppm—can originate from late-gestation cow diets and be compounded in dairy systems by copper-fortified milk replacer and starter feed while calves are still functionally monogastric, leading to greater absorption. Research funded by the Iowa Beef Checkoff found high liver copper did not affect vaccine response but did worsen outcomes in a respiratory disease challenge, increasing fever, clinical signs, and lung consolidation, alongside systemic inflammation and potentially compromised liver health. Action steps include moderating copper in late-gestation and calf starter diets, avoiding feedlot copper over-fortification, reassessing frequent vaccination protocols, and considering zinc's anti-inflammatory benefits. Hansen also notes she writes national-park crime thrillers under the pen name SL Hansen, with a new book due April 2026.This Episode is brought to you by AdisseoThis episode is sponsored by Uplevel Dairy Podcast Founding Partner Adisseo, a global leader in nutritional solutions and premier provider of rumen-protected methionine for dairy producers who want to optimize milk production, capture more value from components, and maintain the health of their high-performing herds. Learn more at https://www.adisseo.com/en/00:00 Why Calves Struggle00:45 Sponsor Message01:30 Meet Mineral Nerd03:21 Feedlot Mystery Copper04:46 Beef Copper Fortification07:25 Dairy System One Two Punch09:26 Toxicity Signs Inflammation12:34 Respiratory Challenge Study15:25 Other Thrive Factors17:29 Producer Action Steps21:15 Zinc Balancing Idea22:04 Author Side Quest23:56 Wrap Up Takeaways

Dr. Baumgard opens by explaining the origin of the “immune suppression” theory in transition cows. Research dating back to the late 1970s showed slower neutrophil infiltration into the mammary gland in early lactation, which led to the assumption that cows are immunosuppressed after calving. This idea has shaped industry thinking for more than 40 years. (10:43) He outlines two primary mechanisms traditionally blamed for immune suppression: the cortisol surge at calving, which may impair neutrophil migration, and the metabolic changes of early lactation—high NEFAs, ketones, and low calcium—which appear to reduce neutrophil function in laboratory settings. (13:16) Dr. Baumgard then challenges the central assumption: are cows truly immunosuppressed, or are they simply exposed to greater pathogen loads and stressors during a narrow window around calving? He argues that morbidity may reflect increased environmental and physiological challenges rather than a dysfunctional immune system. (15:25) Dr. Fry shares field data from three herds representing over 100,000 calvings. After implementing management changes—primarily building a well-designed transition barn with lower stocking density, improved hygiene, and better cow flow—metritis rates dropped from 21.3% to 9.7%. Nutrition and innate immunity remained unchanged, suggesting management and environment were key drivers. (21:29) The panel discusses the role of stress stacking during the transition period. Dr. Baumgard explains that multiple simultaneous stressors, such as overcrowding, heat stress, hygiene challenges, social stress, and nutritional shifts, may overwhelm cows. He emphasizes growing evidence that stress compromises gut integrity (“leaky gut”), potentially triggering systemic inflammation and increasing susceptibility in tissues like the mammary gland. (27:27) Heat stress provides another example. While mastitis rates often increase during humid Midwest summers, they decline in arid regions like Arizona and Israel despite severe heat stress. Dr. Baumgard suggests environmental pathogen load—not immune suppression—is the primary driver. (27:43) The conversation shifts to ketosis and hyperketonemia. Dr. Baumgard and Dr. Pralle discuss how elevated BHB and NEFAs may not always indicate disease but instead reflect normal metabolic adaptation to support milk production. The key distinction is productivity: cows milking well with high ketones may not require intervention, while cows with high ketones and poor milk production warrant deeper investigation into underlying causes such as metritis, mastitis, hypocalcemia, gut inflammation, or environmental stress. (37:13) Dr. Fry reinforces the importance of whole-cow and whole-environment evaluation rather than treating metabolic markers in isolation. Monitoring milk yield, rumination, activity, and cow demeanor—along with assessing stocking density, pen hygiene, hoof health, and stockmanship—are critical to identifying true problems. (44:00) The group emphasizes reducing pathogen load through simple, practical management: minimizing manure accumulation, maintaining clean and dry bedding, improving calving hygiene, and lowering stocking density—especially for close-up and fresh cows. (33:39) Looking ahead, Dr. Baumgard describes his lab's focus on modeling “stacked stressors” to better replicate the real-world transition period. Rather than studying stressors in isolation, his team is investigating how combined stressors influence physiology, particularly gut health. (47:11) In closing, the panel encourages industry professionals to reconsider the immune suppression paradigm. Instead of trying to “fix” the immune system at calving, the emphasis should shift toward removing stressors and minimizing environmental challenges that create excessive pathogen exposure. (53:01) 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 2022, Ava Jones was an outstanding high school basketball player, heading for a college career at the University of Iowa, when her life changed in a moment. Jones was walking with her parents and younger brother in Louisville, Kentucky, when an impaired driver jumped the curb and struck them. Ava and her mother Amy were seriously injured, and her father Trey died days after the incident. The University of Iowa honored Jones' scholarship to attend college, and 2025 brought her another life-altering circumstance: a cancer diagnosis. She is now in remission and shares her story of resilience. Later in the episode, Cathy McMullen of Iowa State University joins to talk about woodland wildflowers that are beginning to bloom around the state, and how Iowans can grow their own.

Hauling water or liquid chemicals on an ATV or UTV? That sloshing load can quickly turn dangerous. In this Successful Farming Saturday Short, Iowa State University safety specialist Chuck Schwab explains how liquid tanks change a vehicle's center of gravity and create “live loading” that can lead to rollovers. Learn why weight distribution matters, how baffles improve stability, and what to check with your manufacturer before hauling liquid loads on the farm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Braver Angels Ambassadors are among the most courageous of courageous citizens.Not only do they bridge the partisan divide, these volunteers meet people where they are. At meetings and events across the country, they go speak about Braver Angels as they try to convince skeptics that rebuilding civic trust is a cause worth supporting. In this episode, we hear from Barbara Hancin and Ron “Sugar Bear” McFarland, volunteer co-chairs of the Braver Angels ambassadors program.“What we're were doing is giving hope to people,” says Barbara. “We don't have to stay in the rancor. There are ways to build bridges and we'll help you do that.”Barbara has more than 35 years of experience in higher education, with expertise in linguistics and second language learning, global studies, and academic administration. She's a moderator for workshops that bring people together across differences. Barbara leans Blue and lives in Colorado. Ron leans Red and calls home home Ames Iowa. A former star college football player at Iowa State University, Ron has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as an educator, coach, mentor and civic bridge builder. In this episode, we hear about the mission of Braver Angels Ambassadors, plus exactly how and why they do their work. We share compelling and surprising examples of how Ron and Barbara engage with total strangers.Both of them say their volunteering has brought personal rewards. “It made me be more patient,” says Ron. “It changed me to understand that just because I think something should be a certain way that doesn't mean the other person agrees.”“How Do We Fix It?” publishes frequent reports on the people, projects and ideas of Braver Angels, the largest nation group of citizen volunteers who are working to overcome America's divides and restore civic trust. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catalog descriptions and garden center tags can make every cultivar sound like the best one, but firsthand experience can make all the difference. Horticulture specialist Dan Fillius of Iowa State University shares the cultivars he loves to plant and what makes them stand out in a home garden.

Mokuhanga is a medium that invites an adventurous side to ones personality. It can carry your ambitions to different places, allowing you to explore and grow—not only in your work, but in yourself.   Raluca Iancu joins me, a mokuhanga printmaker who investigates her practice through other forms of printmaking, travel, and learning from diverse teachers and instructors from around the world.   Raluca speaks with me about how she discovered mokuhanga, how her work is shaped by other printmaking mediums, and how her travels and residencies have influenced her practice. We also discuss her time with MI Lab and her role as Associate Professor of Art & Visual Culture, Printmaking at Iowa State University, and how these experiences inform her mokuhanga work.   And finally, we explore if  mokuhanga can be a medium for change—whether it can serve as an act of activism or a tool for transformation. Please follow The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast and my own mokuhanga work on my website andrezadoroznyprints.com Instagram @andrezadoroznyprints or email me at theunfinishedprint@gmail.com Artists works follow after the note if available. Pieces are mokuhanga unless otherwise noted. Dimensions are given if known. Print publishers are given if known. If there are any issues with something you've heard in the episode please don't hesitate to email.  Notes: may contain a hyperlink. Simply click on the highlighted word or phrase. Raluca Iancu  - website, Instagram More notes to come © Popular Wheat Productions logo designed and produced by Douglas Batchelor and André Zadorozny  Introduction music while working - Oscar Peterson Disclaimer: Please do not reproduce or use anything from this podcast without shooting me an email and getting my express written or verbal consent. I'm friendly :)  

When plants start growing and insects start buzzing, plant diseases aren't far behind. On this Horticulture Day episode, Chelsea Harbach of the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic at Iowa State University joins to share what you can do to prevent some common diseases. Horticulture Specialist Aaron Steil and Iowa DNR forester Mark Vitosh also join to answer tree and gardening questions.

When you plant a tree, the hope is that it will remain healthy and strong for decades but the recommendations for what to plant often change faster than the trees themselves, sometimes creating frustration and even controversy. On this Horticulture Day, we talk with Jeff Iles, professor of horticulture at Iowa State University, about how recommended plant and tree lists are created and why they sometimes spark debate. Later, Iowa State University Extension horticulture specialist Aaron Steil and entomologist Laura Iles join the conversation to answer listeners' gardening questions.