AgNet News Hour

AgNet News Hour, Thursday, 01-09-25

In This Episode:
National Monuments and Agricultural Concerns
President Biden's designation of two new national monuments in California under the Antiquities Act.
A discussion on the act’s history and purpose, concerns from agricultural groups like the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), and the potential impacts on grazing lands and rural communities.
EPA Herbicide Strategy for Endangered Species
Lorrie Boyer interviews Aaron Hager, Weed Science Extension Specialist at the University of Illinois.
Details on the Environmental Protection Agency's new herbicide strategy, including changes influenced by agricultural feedback, runoff mitigation, and its extension to insecticides and fungicides.
Resources for growers, such as the Weed Science Society of America and EPA's runoff mitigation calculator.
2024 Almond Conference Highlights
Sabrina Halvorson speaks with Rebecca Bailey of the Almond Board of California.
Insights into the recent Almond Conference in Sacramento, with 3,600 attendees, 230 exhibitors, and over 20 sessions.
Session videos are available online, and the 2025 conference will feature a new Wednesday-Friday schedule.
Links and Resources:
Learn more about the Antiquities Act and its implications: National Park Service - Antiquities Act of 1906 and National Cattlemen's Beef Association.
EPA resources on pesticide runoff mitigation: Weed Science Society of America.
Details on the Almond Conference: almonds.com/conference.
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AgNet News Hour, Wednesday, 01-08-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the legal battle between the state of Montana and Yellowstone National Park regarding the park's bison management plan. They delve into the implications of increasing bison populations, such as the spread of brucellosis to cattle, ecological impacts, property damage, and government overreach. The conversation also touches on personal anecdotes and the complexity of balancing wildlife management with human safety and property rights.
Lorrie Boyer is joined by TJ Bingham, a technical agronomist for Koch Agronomic Services, who discusses targeting organic phosphorus in the soil, enhancing plant availability. Lorrie also talks with Robert Shaffer, co-chair of the 2025 Commodity Classic, who highlighted the event's growth, noting 30,000 attendees last year and the need for 6,500-7,000 hotel rooms in Denver. The event features educational sessions and a trade show floor with a 95% return rate for exhibitors and will take place March 2-4 at the Colorado Convention Center.
Sabrina interviews Jenny Lester Moffitt, Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at the USDA. They discuss USDA's initiatives to build a stronger and more resilient food system, including programs supported by the American Rescue Plan. Moffitt elaborates on investments in regional food business centers, meat and poultry processing facilities, and infrastructure developments aimed at supporting small to mid-sized farms. They also touch on the importance of ensuring food security as national security, the impact of these programs on local communities, and the benefits to consumers, such as better access to fresh and healthy food.

AgNet News Hour, Tuesday, 01-07-25

In this episode of AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss agricultural burning in the San Joaquin Valley, and the need to balance public health and agricultural practices. They discuss the history of agricultural burning regulations, alternative methods like chipping, and the ongoing challenges of managing agricultural waste responsibly.
Lorrie talks with Dave Booher, senior vice president of sales at My Land, who discussed the company's unique soil health approach using live, native microalgae to improve soil and crop health. My Land isolates algae from soil samples, cultivates it in fermentation vessels, and applies it through irrigation systems. This process enhances microbial diversity, water-holding capacity, and nutrient availability, benefiting a broad range of crops including corn, cotton, citrus, and specialty crops. The service is currently available in specific geographies like Texas, Arizona, and California, with plans to expand. My Land also supports organic farming practices, having secured certifications for their service.
Sabrina talks with Nicole Gault of the Almond Alliance who discusses their Pollinator Alliance grant program. This initiative helps growers plant habitats for pollinators, providing technical assistance, seeds, and materials at no cost to the growers. Gault explains the program’s aims, the ease of participation, and the reimbursement process. The three-year commitment involves quarterly photo monitoring, and the program is open to various commodities beyond almonds. For more information, listeners can visit PollinatorAlliance.farm.

AgNet News Hour, Monday, 01-06-25

In this episode, Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss key agricultural issues anticipated for 2025. The conversation explores rising input costs exacerbated by geopolitical events, ongoing supply chain pressures, and the impact of climate change. They also touch upon shifting consumer preferences towards plant-based proteins, vertical farming, and the impacts of inflation on the agriculture sector. The hosts emphasize the resilience of the agricultural industry in finding solutions to these challenges.
Lorrie talks with Ray Miller, a meteorologist with Meteorology, who discussed the impacts of climate change on weather patterns. He explained that increased CO2 levels lead to more extreme weather conditions, including severe droughts, heavy rainfall, and intense storms. He noted that the central U.S. saw above-average precipitation this year, but parts of the South remain in drought. Miller emphasized the critical need for water management in agriculture due to these extremes. He also highlighted the rise in hurricane intensity and size, and the increase in wildfires in unexpected regions. Despite other factors like urban heat islands and solar cycles, Miller stressed that human-induced CO2 and methane are significant contributors to climate change.
Sabrina interviews Mitch Hunter, Co-Director of the Forever Green Initiative at the University of Minnesota. They discuss the challenges and innovations in growing crops during winter in regions like North Dakota and Minnesota. Key topics include the development of winter-hardy cash cover crops such as winter camelina and domesticated pennycress, which can be harvested for biofuel. Hunter also highlights other exciting agricultural developments, including Kernza, a perennial grain crop. The Forever Green Initiative aims to promote soil health and provide farmers with diverse income streams. 

AgNet News Hour, Friday, 01-03-25

Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the looming threat of port strikes on the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast, with contracts set to expire on January 15th, 2025. They delve into the potential ramifications for agricultural exports, the criticality of timely contract negotiations, and the broader impact on the U.S. economy. Key topics include the role of government, the importance of maintaining international trade relations, and the ongoing debate over automation in port operations. They underscore the significant risk to the agricultural sector and the ripple effects on other industries and consumer prices.
Lorrie talks with Tom Harrington, President of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association, about the impact of wolf reintroduction in Colorado, highlighting issues such as livestock deaths and depredations. He criticized Governor Jared Polis for blaming ranchers and emphasized the need for better preparation and compensation plans. On the second part of the segment, Lorrie is joined by  Evan Holtine from the Illinois Farm Bureau. He discusses a lawsuit against the American Farm Bureau Federation over the termination of Illinois Farm Bureau's membership due to a business decision by affiliate company Country Financial.
Sabrina talks with Galen Beer, the national sales strategy and product management lead for AgroLiquid, about the current state and strategic approaches for the mid-year fertilizer season. He highlights early deliveries for 2025, agronomy meetings reviewing research from the past year, and important considerations for growers on the West Coast and Southeast. Galen emphasizes the necessity of having a detailed fertilizer plan, understanding soil tests, and addressing geographical challenges like sodium in irrigation water in California and nutrient washout in Florida. He advises growers to remove emotion from economic decisions and to consult experts, with AgroLiquid's resources available to assist.
This episode also features an excerpt of the Voices of the Valley podcast.

AgNet News Hour, Thursday, 01-02-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the ongoing conflict between the Illinois Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). The AFBF voted to expel the Illinois Farm Bureau due to their insurance company, Country Financial, deciding to sell policies to non-farmers, sparking a lawsuit. The conversation covers the potential ramifications for Illinois farmers, their representation in national policy, membership impacts, and the broader implications for other state Farm Bureaus.
Lorrie talks with JR Smith, Vice President and co-founder of the Veterans Ranch, who discusses the organization's origins and mission. Founded in 2017, the nonprofit aims to support veterans and their families through equine therapy and other services. Initially conceptualized on napkins at a Chili's, the ranch provides free therapy and discounted riding lessons, with plans to expand to 10 locations across Texas and Florida.
This week’s Almond Update is with Franz Niederholzer and emphasizes the critical importance of accurate pesticide spraying techniques in agricultural practices, particularly in almond orchards. The discussion highlights the impact of variables such as wind, humidity, and tank contents on spray efficacy. It explores advancements in spray technology, stressing the need for a strong foundational understanding of traditional practices. Topics like nozzle selection, calibration, and the role of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) are elaborated, providing essential guidelines for improving application efficiency and safety.

AgNet News Hour, Wednesday, 01-01-25

Hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer share some of their favorite recent interviews on this New Year’s Day. 

AgNet News Hour, Tuesday, 12-31-24

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the growing issue of wolf populations in California and its impact on livestock producers. They compare this situation with similar challenges faced in Colorado. The California Farm Bureau has recently updated its policies on wolf management, although enforcing these policies remains complex due to the wolves' status under various endangered species protections. The conversation highlights the multifaceted nature of the problem, including issues around depredation definitions, compensation for ranchers, and the financial and logistical burdens of managing wolf populations. Both states are striving to balance ecological needs with the protection and support of livestock operations.
Lorrie talks with John Sandbakken, executive director of the National Sunflower Association, who discusses the successful 2023 sunflower harvest, noting minimal delays and high yields despite reduced acreage. He highlights the importance of the Pacific Northwest and California for hybrid seed production due to their dry climates and cross-pollination controls.
Sabrina wraps up the show with an excerpt from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Beltway Beef podcast, and other news of the day.