Midday

Stonie Cooper sits in for Al Dutcher & gives a wet weather outlook. We continue coverage from Washington Watch with Congressman Jeff Fortenberry who shares his thoughts on what he refers to as the "trade war" with China. Featuring Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts from the Ag Roundtable he and Senator Deb Fischer hosted in Grand Island Friday.

Hannah Borg talked with Erica Bayer about Culver's "Scoops of Thanks Day". May 3rd, Culver's famous frozen custard is just $1 with proceeds donated to local FFA chapters. Congressman Adrian Smith discusses the House Farm bill, the President's China trade tactic and the state of the rural economy. Abbey Durheim of the Nebraska 4-H Foundation talks about the "Raise Your Hand" campaign and how Nebraska 4-H would use the $20,000 award.

Featuring Brady Kappler, BASF Technical Service Representative. U.S. Senator Ben Sasse takes a strong stance against President Trump's trade strategies in China and on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Dr. Romulo Lollato, K-State Wheat and Forage Specialist continues the conversation on his latest research project. Dr. Lollato is asking producers to provide wheat data from previous harvests. Today we learn how the data will be used and when it will be available to producers.

DTN Meteorologist Bryce Anderson gives a detailed weather outlook on the remaining spring season. U.S. Senator Deb Fischer discusses agriculture trade, the rural economy and agriculture issues facing lawmakers in Washington DC. Dr. Romulo Lollato K-State Research and Extension wheat and forage specialist talks about his latest project of collecting on farm management data from producers.

Martin Kerschen, Team Kerschen Farms, discussing his experience as a participant on the recent Kansas Department of Agriculture trade mission to South Africa. Weston Givens President of the Oklahoma Cattleman's Association talks about the recent letter sent to President Trump inviting him to tour the damage left by recent wildfires. Dr Tommy Wheeler of USDA on new meat safety testing procedures.

Al Dutcher reports a decent shot of warm planting weather is on the way for farmers ahead of rain into next week. Juli Obudzinski, Deputy Policy Director with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, talks about the Next Generation in Agriculture Act that aims to help young farmers and ranchers get a fair start. Dr. Tommy Wheeler of USDA on new meat safety testing procedures.

James Anderson is with the Adventure Travel Trade Association and he discusses how the adventure industry is changing and how it could benefit ag producers looking to expand their operation. Joan Ruskamp, Cattlemen's Beef Board Chairman talks the latest in the National Beef Checkoff. Rod Johnson from Nebraska State Dairy Association talks about an upcoming Margin Protection Program Webinar.

Crop Adviser Dave Warner talks about taking it patient and slow with the cooler weather starting off this planting season The National Cattlemen's Beef Association is keeping a close eye on all the latest in trade - from China tariffs to NAFTA renegotiation. We get an update with Kent Bacus, Director of International Trade and Market Access for NCBA. Ag Sec. Sonny Perdue fielded questions from the Senate Ag Committee on Trade war issues.

Featuring Director of State Government Relations with the NE Farm Bureau, Ansley Mick, discussing the Governor's veto of LB 449 which would have rescinded the Prairie Dog Management Act of 2012. The Chief ag negotiator for the office of the U.S. Trade Representative is working to calm the waters in ag trade. We hear comments from Gregg Doud about China, NAFTA and progress being made in new markets. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue talks about trade & its effects on rural America speaking before the Senate Ag Committee.

Travis Gustafson with Syngenta talks about early weed control. New gene editing technology could increase the protein levels in sorghum grain, helping make the crop prevalent in the Midwest again. We learn more about the research from Dr. David Holding, a UNL Associate Professor of Plant Molecular Genetics Dr. Cameron Hall of the Republican Valley Animal Center talks about how temperature swings and late winter weather is affecting calf health. Dr. Hall touches on how he is changing his vaccination protocol.

State Ag Extension Climatologist Al Dutcher tells Shalee Peters that Nebraska may turn the corner toward planting by late next week. Jayson Jorgensen talks with Husker Online's Sean Callahan on his observations going into the Husker Spring Game. Summer camps are "right around the corner" and Marsha Lee of Central Platte NRD visits with Alex Voichoskie about scholarships available for summer camps.

Sarah Sortum, Operator at Calamus Outfitters, discussing how she took her family's ranch and turned it into a successful eco/agri-tourism business. When hail strikes, Nebraska Extension has new resources to answer producer's questions. Hannah Borg talks to Ashley and Nathan Mueller about "Hail Know" Arlan Suderman of FC Stone talks about the recent China & U.S. Sorghum trade issue

Dan Atkisson, National Sorghum Producers Legislative Chairman discusses new Chinese tariffs placed on US Sorghum exports. Chancey Hanson, Director of Communication for the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, giving an update on the wildfires and relief efforts. Corn planting progress has slipped behind average this week. We talk about cold soil temperatures and optimal planting windows with Nebraska Extension Educator Jenny Rees.

Husker Food Connection is an event at UNL striving to educate college students about where their food comes from. We catch up with lead organizers, David Schuler and Amanda Kowalewski, who talk about the event and its purpose. Carrie Johnson, Cargill Ag Marketing Services product line leader speaks about the costs of production, and the effect an unpredictable spring can have on them. Sarah Heidzig-Kraege of FSA talks about the timeline for USDA livestock loss help due to blizzard conditions faced by Nebraska cattlemen this past weekend.

The U.S. and Argentina finalized an export certificate allowing the American pork industry to ship pork products into the country. We talk with Joe Schuele, U.S. Meat Export Federation Vice President of Communications about the new export opportunity. Chairman of the American Lamb Board talks about work underway to increase lamb consumption. Veronica Nigh, AFBF economist tackles the issue of US ag companies owned by foreign investment being used as leverage in trade negotiations and there role in National Security.

(Apologies for a few unavoidable audio skips) Al Dutcher talks about the major spring storm system moving in over the next 48 hours bringing blizzard conditions across Nebraska and Northern Kansas Tom Lamberty of the American Coalition for Ethanol and UNL's Dr. Richard Perrin discuss their difference of opinion on capping RINs . They find common ground to fix the issue. KS Congressman Dr. Roger Marshall talks on the House Ag Committee's farm bill mark up.

Veronica Nigh of American Farm Bureau Federation tackles the question of how foreign ownership in US ag companies affects producers. Jake Joraanstad, CEO/Co-Founder of the "Bushel" platform, introduces a cloud-based tool that farmers and grain sellers to can share information in real-time. It was discussed ahead of the Ethanol 2018 Emerging Issues Forum in LaVista. Travis Pralle discusses the upcoming NACTA judging conference, the largest agriculture conference in the nation.

Mike talks on the midday Thursday markets.

Interview with Linda Emanuel from North Bend, RN and Community Health Nurse with the AgriSafe Network. This is "Stand Up for Engulfment Prevention Week" and she highlights some webinars they're hosting this week. Featuring Steve Melvin, Irrigated Cropping Systems Extension Educator for NE Extension, taking a look at advantages and disadvantages of in-canopy vs. above-canopy sprinkler systems. Union Bank and Trust, alongside Nebraska FFA, packed meals for "Living to Serve: Meal Packing Service Project" during Nebraska's State FFA convention. Alex Voichoskie caught up with UBT's Glenn Baumert who was part of the event.

Senator's Deb Fischer & Joni Ernst talk trade & its effects on agriculture. Nebraska FFA has selected a new group of student leaders. We talk with each of the new Nebraska FFA State Officers about their FFA backgrounds and reactions to the election. Dr. Kev Sullivan is an Australian Veterinarian who has developed what he calls a "Five Star Resort" program for handling and caring for cattle.