AgNet News Hour

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.

AgNet News Hour, Monday, 12-30-24

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the environmental impact of biofuels versus electric vehicles. The conversation pivots around several environmental groups suing California air regulators over the recent update of the climate program, arguing biofuels still pose pollution risks. Sabrina and Lorrie reflect on the shifting perceptions of biofuels, the challenges of building infrastructure for electric vehicles, and potential environmental costs associated with both. Personal stories and expert opinions highlight the complexity of transitioning to more sustainable energy sources, especially in agriculture.
Lorrie Boyer talks with Bryan Little, chief operating officer for farm employer labor service, which is an affiliated company of the California Farm Bureau. They discuss developing a plan to help small agricultural producers and dairy operators cope with the zoonotic disease standard and the requirements for protecting employees from H5N1 avian influenza. They working to put out information to dairy operators and Farm Bureau members to help them understand the basic requirements for protecting employees, both before and after experiencing an H5N1 infection in their herd.
In a featured guest interview, C. J. Miller talks with Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, discusses the recent dispute panel ruling that found Mexico violated commitments under the USMCA by attempting to ban genetically modified corn imports from the U.S. McKinney emphasizes the ruling's global significance and potential repercussions if Mexico does not comply. The conversation also covers the nominations of Brooke Rollins and Stephen Vaden for key USDA positions under President Elect Trump, highlighting their qualifications and expected contributions to the agriculture sector.

AgNet News Hour, Friday, 12-27-24

On today’s show, Lorrie Boyer interviews Dr. Wayne Ayers (starts at 15:25), a veterinarian technical consultant, who discussed bovine respiratory disease (BRD) with Lorrie Boyer. BRD is a complex syndrome involving four viruses and four bacteria, costing the U.S. cattle industry $1 billion annually. Symptoms include lethargy, increased respiratory rates, and high fevers. The disease is highly contagious, especially in high-stress situations like weaning and transport. Prevention strategies include reducing stress, proper nutrition, and vaccination. Antibiotics are used for treatment, with metaphylaxis for high-risk cattle. A new third-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic is expected to be available soon, offering potential benefits according to Dr. Ayers.
Sabrina talks with Erin DeLong (starts at 31:20), Marketing Manager for Durango Boots, who discusses the significance of the National Day of the Cowgirl and the scholarship initiative launched by Durango Boots. The scholarship, introduced in 2022, aims to support young women pursuing Western-affiliated degrees. Erin highlights last year's inaugural scholarship winner, Caitlin Collins, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and empowering women in the Western industry. The episode concludes with details on the application process for the upcoming scholarship and the impact it has had on the community.