This Week in Agribusiness is on the road at Commodity Classic in Denver, Colorado with both Mike Pearson and Max Armstrong.
First up on the show is Pearson reporting on a conversation he had at Commodity Classic with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. The first question is whether mass culling of poultry flocks will continue across the country when a flock is diagnosed with bird flu. Rollins says it's the quickest way to stop the spread of the virus. However, the USDA is beginning to implement new ideas and work with large poultry producers on some ways to solve the problem without mass culling. However, for now, it's the best option.
Pearson also talks with Rollins about the elimination of jobs in the USDA. She says the one place, jobs should not disappear is in the county or local offices where face to face customer service is most important.
Also on the agenda, was a conversation between Pearson and Matt Clark, Senior Rural Economical Analyst for Terrain. Clark announced a new series called, Shrink. In 2065, the world should be a peak population. But the question is what will happen to agriculture? Clark talks about how agriculture will need to find new markets for agriculture products over the years.
Greg Soulje is in with a weather forecast for the week.
One theme at Commodity Classic this year was "uncertainty." Some uncertainty was attributed to the tariffs, some -- the markets and other due to the weather.
Arlan Suderman, Chief Commodities Economist at StoneX, talks about the realignment of the geo-political situation. He says the goal for Trump is to contain China. This involves Trump's decision making in Ukraine and Russia. Suderman also talks about how it's getting dry in Brazil and how it impacts American agriculture.
Next up is Max Armstrong as he talks with Alex Caldwell, Product Marketing Manager, CASE, about the latest technology. One product discussed as SenseApply Technology. It involves a cab mounted camera that analyzes field conditions and provides custom spraying ensuring the product gets to where it is needed.
Greg is back with an extended weather outlook.
Also on tap was a discussion with Wallaces Editor Gil Gullickson at Commodity Classic. Pearson talks with Gullickson about the theme he was seeing at the show which was uncertainty. The discussion centered around the weather, economics, tar spot in Iowa and how farmers remain optimistic. Plus, a little about the Iowa Master Farmers awards.
There's a 1206 International in Max's Tractor Shed. Or at least the Half Century Show of Progress is searching for 350 of them to attend this year's show from Aug. 21-Aug. 24 in Rantoul, Ill. The tractor was produced from 1965-1967 and Armstrong shows off a few this week.
Mark Stock shares the lineup for BigIron Auctions.
The FFA tribute this week goes to Nick Bush, of the Rossville, Ind. FFA.
Bush is from Rossville, Ind. and with the help of sponsors and funding, the FFA chapter members made their way to Denver, Colorado.
Mike Pearson talks with Bush about agriculture in the area around the FFA Chapter. It is comprised mainly of corn, soybeans and raising cattle.
Bush says some of the best parts of FFA include getting to connect with different people. He says he likes meeting people, something you don't get to do as much unless you are in FFA.
In the future, Bush would like to attend school in Tennessee and major in agriculture engineering. He would also like to study precision agriculture and learn more about drones plus, study soils.
In the ag tech segment, Chad Colby reminds us hay season is right around the corner and a new baler produced by Hesston-- Massey Ferguson may be what your operation needs. It made a debut at the National Farm Machinery Show. It is a twin small square baler that doubles the output. It has dual chambers with individual knotter trips so it improves the bale consistency despite the bale row. Right from the cab, the driver can keep track o the bale size, the density, the weight of the bale, the flake county and even the moisture levels.
Pearson also talks with Donnell Rehagen, CEO of the Clean Fuels Alliance America about what is ahead for commodities and how clean fuels plays into it. Rehagen says there is a great demand for clean fuels and it is expected to grow in the marine and rail industries in an effort to lower their carbon score. This is where soybeans will become very important. It is clear that in the future higher volumes will be needed and many are willing to pay extra for it.
This Week in Agribusiness features market news, ag technology, weather and farm management and equipment information and opinions. This leading ag news program airs weekly on RFD-TV, and can be found each week on FarmProgress.com.