Strategic Farming: Let's talk crops! was live from the Ag Expo

In today’s episode of Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops, we were LIVE at the MN Ag Expo. The MN Ag Expo in Mankato, Minnesota is an annual event featuring commodity group business meetings, educational seminars and demonstrations, and a trade show.

We had many guest speakers that were attending the Expo. Bob Lindeman, a Brownton farmer and Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) governing board member was our first guest, and he talked about the MSGA, his farm, and some of the challenges facing Minnesota farmers.

Second we had a visit from several Minnesota 4-H ambassadors. 4-H ambassadors are participating in the 4-H ambassador leadership program and are passionate about agriculture and educating others on agricultural topics.

Up next, we had Dan Lemke, a familiar face and voice in Minnesota Agriculture. Dan is an ag weather specialist and reporter/producer for the Linder Farm Network. He talked about one of Minnesotan’s favorite subjects, the weather (turns out the upcoming weekend weather will be good for hotdish). Many of us enjoy visiting with Dan during the growing season providing weather condition and crop development updates from our various regions of the state.

Jeff Vetsch, soil scientist and researcher at the Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca was up next. Another familiar face to Minnesota’s farmers and ag professionals he provided some updates on current nitrogen and crop prices, and some fertility management ideas for farmers headed into another year of tight margins.

Fellow educator Brad Carlson highlighted his work with nitrogen and crop production. Nitrogen management education is a key priority for the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council and Brad has been leading an effort to educate farmers and ag professionals on nitrogen management issues in Minnesota. Click here for more information on the suite of Nitrogen Smart educational offerings.

After Brad, we talked with Corey Hanson, a farmer from Gary, Minnesota. Gary also is a director for the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. Gary talked about soybean research priorities, how the soybean checkoff works, and shared information on some of the projects being funded with checkoff dollars.

Jim Kukowski, farmer from Strathcona, MN wrapped up the program. He talked about his crop and beef farm in Northwestern Minnesota, his experiences working with the MSGA at the local and national levels, and a unique soybean product called SoyFoam. Learn more about SoyFoam’s unique firefighting capabilities here!

Be sure to tune into the episode next week when we discuss farm finance. See you next year at the MN Ag Expo.