Podcasts

Our educational podcasts equip producers with the knowledge they need to make the right decisions for their operations.

Fielding Questions Podcast

Fielding Questions is a podcast that explores a wide range of topics within the world of farm finance and rural living. Each episode features AgCountry staff who examine different issue areas.

Episodes

Year-end Planning
In this episode, AgCountry Farm Credit Services Vice President of Insurance and Customer Education Rob Fronning offers insight into end-of-the-year farm decisions.

Election Recap 2024
On this episode, we recap the election results and discuss potential impacts to American agriculture with Andy Martin, VP Legislative and Public Affairs. We discuss the prospects of a new Farm Bill and the potential timing and roadblocks that lay ahead. 

Eyes on South America
Marking Education Specialist Cody Didier joins the Red River Farm Network to discuss the market reaction to the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. All eyes are now on South America to see what their next crop will be. 

Yearend Planning
The 2024 calendar is nearing the end. David Krenz, AgCountry market vice president, joins the program to discuss what farmers and ranchers can do to take advantage of the current calendar year before the arrival of 2025. 

Fall Marketing Plans
With the October USDA WASDE Report in the rear view mirror, it is time to focus on the fall marketing plan. In this edition of Fielding Questions, AgCountry Farm Credit Services Marketing Education Specialist Cody Didier offers his thoughts on the grain market. With the current farm financial situation, Didier said it is more important than ever to know your breakeven levels.

Area-Based Insurance Options
Area-based insurance policies allow farmers and ranchers to protect their bottom lines. Nick Dryer, senior insurance specialist with AgCountry, rejoins the program to discuss what area-based plans are, how they work, and who could benefit. 

Getting Through a Tough Farm Economy
AgCountry Farm Credit Services Executive Vice President Marc Knisely joins RRFN Farm Broadcaster Don Wick to discuss the farm economy. Marc talks about the financial strength farmers and ranchers have built to help get them through tough times. 

Fall Weather Preview
As fall harvest draws near we preview what could be in store for the upper Midwest. Paul Trambley, chief meteorologist with Weatherology, discusses long-range forecasts and what an emerging La Niña means for the winter ahead. 

July 2024 Marketing Update
AgCountry Farm Credit Services Vice President of Insurance and Customer Education Rob Fronning recaps the latest supply demand report and the impact on markets. “Every year it is important to have a plan and to start marketing accordingly.”

Using Communication to Build a Succession Plan
Communication plays a vital role in succession and retirement planning. Bobbi Sondreal, consultant-Succession and Retirement Planning with AgCountry, draws on her experience helping farm families plan for the future by discussing why communication can make or break a successful plan. 

June WASDE Report & Planting Progress
AgCountry's VP Insurance and Customer Education, Rob Fronning, joins the podcast to discuss the June World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report and where we stand with Prevented Planting. 

Farm Bill Passes House Ag Committee
The House Agriculture Committee recently passed its version of the Farm Bill but the bill's future remains uncertain. We break it all down with AgCountry's Senior Legislative and Public Affairs Officer, Andy Martin. 

Construction Loans
Construction loans help finance building projects of all types. Jered Freudenberg joins the podcast to discuss construction loans and provide tips for those considering a building project. 

Taking Advantage of Today's Markets
Late April showers aren't a concern for farmers in the upper Midwest. Cody Didier, marketing education specialist with AgCountry, says more attention should be placed on having a marketing plan and executing that plan when an opportunity presents itself. 

Spring Market Opportunities
Field work is underway in the upper Midwest. Rob Fronning, VP insurance and customer education with AgCountry, discusses where markets sit for crop commodities and cattle while also addressing the importance of having a marketing plan. 

Buying Farmland
Several factors play into a decision whether to buy farmland or not. Keven Berdan, market vice president with AgCountry Farm Credit Services, joins the podcast to explain how interest rates and current land prices are impacting these decisions.

March 2024 WASDE Analysis
In this edition of the Fielding Questions podcast, AgCountry Farm Credit Services Marketing Education Specialist Cody Didier talks about the March USDA reports.

A Conversation with Shawn Hackett
Shawn Hackett, president of Hackett Financial Advisors Inc., is well known for taking historical context and turning it into forecasting for the future. We speak with Shawn about a wide array of topics impacting the future of agriculture, including inflation, demographics, and geopolitical conflicts.

Rural Home Loans
There is a lot that goes into building your dream home in the country. In this episode, we explore the topic with Becky Vogel, VP home loan officer with AgCountry. Listen along to hear tips and advice for those exploring a building project. 

Actions to Capitalize on Today's Markets
AgCountry VP Insurance and Customer Education Rob Fronning breaks down where markets are today and the factors that are driving it. From foreign conflicts to local weather issues, markets have changed over the past year. Listen in as Rob discusses what today's markets mean for farmers and ranchers and what they can do about it. 

Continuing Education
There is a lot of information out there to help farmers and ranchers make better decision for their operations. AgCountry Chief Marketplace Officer, Troy Andreasen, discusses why farmers should continue seeking out knowledge and what educational opportunities exist at AgCountry. 

Key Financial Ratios
On this episode, we speak with Kara Wulfekuhle, AVP loan officer with AgCountry, about key financial ratios farmers and ranchers should keep in mind to help gauge the health of their operation. 

Final 2023 WASDE Report
Cody Didier, marketing education specialist, joins the program to recap the final World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report from USDA.

Operating Loans
Farming and ranching is big business, and with it comes big price tags. Nicole Erickson, market vice president with AgCountry Farm Credit Services, joins the podcast to discusses operating loan financing.

Harvest 2023 & ERP Announcement
Rob Fronning, VP insurance and customer education with AgCountry, joins the podcast to talk about the latest USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. Rob gives an update on the 2023 harvest. He also talks about the recent announcement about the Emergency Relief Program (ERP). 

The Challenges of Passing a New Farm Bill
With no Speaker of the House, legislation in Washington, D.C. has come to a standstill. AgCountry's SVP Government and Public Affairs, Howard Olson, joins the podcast to discuss what elected officials in our nation's capital are telling him and what a potential timeline for passage of a new farm bill looks like. 

Is PRF Right For You?
Pasture, Rangeland, Forage coverage offers farmers and ranchers protection against a lack of moisture. AgCountry Senior Insurance Specialist, Scott Van Den Einde, joins the program to provide the ins and outs of PRF insurance. 

South American Plant Update & Insurance Options
AgCountry's VP Insurance and Customer Education, Rob Fronning, joins the podcast to give listeners an update on planting progress in South America along with insurance options available to crop and livestock farmers. 

The Ins and Outs of Margin Protection
Margin Protection is a crop insurance option farmers have to add extra protection to their acres. Ginger Harris, VP insurance with AgCountry, discusses all the ins and outs of Margin Protection. 

Mitigating Risk with Insurance
AgCountry Farm Credit Services Vice President of Insurance and Customer Education Rob Fronning reviews insurance coverage options for producers. Fronning reminds producers that it is not too late to get hail coverage for the season and discusses how to utilize insurance coverage to mitigate rising input costs and lock in prices. Livestock Risk Protection is a tool that remains available to protect high prices for livestock.

Farm Bill Update
On this episode of Fielding Questions, Andy Martin, legislative and public affairs officer at AgCountry, joins the program to give an update on where the new farm bill stands in Washington, D.C. 

How Weather is Impacting Markets
VP Insurance and Customer Education Rob Fronning joins the podcast to discuss how the weather is impacting today's commodity markets. Rob also discusses important crop insurance deadlines that are upcoming. 

Rural Energy for America Program & Value-Added Producer Grants
Farmers and ranchers have options in today’s world to help finance new projects. On this episode of Fielding Questions, Colleen Landkamer, state director of USDA Rural Development in Minnesota, joins the podcast to discuss the Rural Energy for America Program and the Value-Added Producer Grant program.

Updating Your Succession Plan
Updating your succession and retirement plan to reflect today's high land and machinery prices can help ensure your plan is still viable. On this edition of Fielding Questions, we speak with Russ Tweiten, SVP Succession and Retirement Planning, about why reviews are necessary and what they could mean for the future of your farming operation. 

Spring Market Opportunities
In the Fielding Questions podcast, AgCountry Farm Credit Services Vice President of Insurance and Commodity Marketing Education Rob Fronning discusses the current market environment. Fronning is encouraging farmers to take advantage of market rallies.

Late Planting
In this edition of Fielding Questions, AgCountry Farm Credit Services Vice President of Insurance and Customer Education Rob Fronning discusses the late start to the planting season, seasonal market trends and the cattle market. Fielding Questions is a collaboration between AgCountry Farm Credit Services and the Red River Farm Network.

Livestock Risk Protection
Raising livestock can be a tricky business at times. In this edition of Fielding Questions, AgCountry Farm Credit Services Insurance Specialist Megan Huether discusses the Livestock Risk Protection insurance policy. Listen as Megan details what the program has to offer and why those who raise livestock should explore it. 

YBF Starting Gate
Getting your start as a young or beginning farmer can be challenging. Wyatt Wardner, AVP loan officer with AgCountry Farm Credit Services, stops by to discuss what options exist for young or beginning farmers, including AgCountry's Starting Gate program. 

March Market Update
In this episode of the Fielding Questions, AgCountry's Marketing Education Specialist Cody Didier discusses the latest crop reports. Cody breaks down what the conditions of crops of Argentina and Brazil mean for U.S. farmers and ranchers. 

SCO & ECO
As crop prices remain high, farmers and ranchers are considering ways of protecting that price. One option could be adding SCO or ECO to their multi-peril crop insurance policy. Nick Dreyer, senior insurance specialist with AgCountry, discusses how these policies work and how they could benefit farmers. 

Spring Prices
In this episode of Fielding Questions, AgCountry Vice President of Insurance and Commodity Marketing Education Rob Fronning recaps the recent USDA crop report. Rob also touches upon the volatility seen during the month of February as crop insurance spring pricing is being calculated.

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