Dr. Ferrell emphasizes the significance of having a plan in place for the transition of farm ownership from one generation to the next. With the average U.S. farm and ranch holding assets worth approximately $1.2 million, it is essential to retain the integrity of these assets during the succession process. However, statistics indicate that only about 30% of farms and ranches successfully transfer ownership to the next generation while keeping the asset base intact.

Narrow Rows and Variety Selection: Keys to Soybean Yield There has been a shift towards prioritizing soybean planting due to its resilience to less ideal conditions, such as colder and wetter weather, compared to corn. Dr. Lindsey helps us understand why the optimal planting window for soybeans in Ohio, which is typically between mid-April to mid-May, and why weather limitations impact planting schedules. She also shares the importance of variety selection in soybean production, focusing on yield potential and disease resistance to address specific challenges like seedling diseases and foliar diseases. She tells us about the "Battle for the Belt" project, comparing corn and soybean yields based on planting dates, and the surprising outcomes that challenge conventional planting recommendations. Finally, the potential for double cropping soybeans in Ohio, mainly south of I-70, and the considerations for producers looking to adopt soybean farming or improve their soybean yields.

Exploring the Complex World of Alfalfa Production Joseph Sagers, with the University of Idaho Extension, brings his extensive knowledge of alfalfa production to this episode of the AgNow Roundup. With a deep understanding of the agricultural challenges and opportunities in Idaho, Sagers dives into the nuances of alfalfa cultivation, a crop pivotal to the dairy and livestock industries not just in Idaho, but across the nation. He sheds light on the environmental, soil, and management factors that make alfalfa a unique and valuable crop. In our conversation, we uncover the intricate details of alfalfa production, from variety selection to overcoming environmental challenges. Specifically: The critical role of environmental conditions in Idaho that favor alfalfa growth, including low humidity and the unique day-night temperature variations. How soil types and pH levels in Idaho contribute to alfalfa's success, and the importance of avoiding waterlogged conditions for optimal growth. The benefits and challenges of multiple cuttings per season, including the timing for planting and the impact of seasonal changes on alfalfa's dormancy and yield. Insights into the autotoxicity of alfalfa, which prevents new alfalfa growth in existing fields, and strategies for crop rotation and reseeding. Management practices for nutrient application, emphasizing alfalfa's need for phosphorus and potassium over nitrogen. Effective strategies for controlling weed and insect pressures, including the use of specific herbicides and the importance of early management. The emerging threat of voles in Idaho and the limited options for control, highlighting the need for ongoing research and innovative solutions. Guidelines for selecting alfalfa varieties tailored to specific environmental and management conditions, with a nod to the resources provided by the National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance. Join us as Joseph Sagers takes us through the complexities of alfalfa production, offering valuable insights for farmers and agricultural professionals looking to optimize their alfalfa yields and contribute to the thriving dairy and livestock sectors. Whether you're a seasoned alfalfa grower or new to the field, this episode is packed with practical advice and expert knowledge to help you succeed.

In just ten short weeks we learned about nine crops produced across 12 states, feeding and clothing billions of people around the world! Take a listen and see what we learned this season!

Sunflower production flourishes in the United States because it's a hearty plant that thrives in parts of the Great Plains, and that is because of the region's abundant sunlight and well-suited soils. Most of the nation's sunflowers are grown across the upper Great Plains, and today we're talking about sunflower production across the panhandle of Nebraska with Dr. Cody Creech with the University of Nebraska. Meteorologist Matt Makens says almost every state in the lower 48 has the potential of freezing temperatures in the coming week. He also shows us how much rain the south could receive this week. Learn More at AgNowTV.com

We’re talking with Dr. Johnathan Kleinjan with South Dakota State University about soybean production in the northern Great Plains and his research on planting dates and how it impacts yields. Dr. Kleinjan also discusses a research project he is a part of looking into biological seed treatments. Meteorologist Matt Makens shows us who should receive rain and show this week. He also shows us how soil temperatures are changing across the country and who can expect freezing soil temperatures in the coming week.

The northern states, especially those in the Midwest and Northern Plains, offer ideal conditions for sugarbeet growth, where the cooler temperatures and extended daylight during the growing season contribute to high yields and quality sugar content. Outside of its agricultural impact, sugarbeet production is a cornerstone for rural economies especially along the North Dakota/Minnesota border, providing a stable source of income for farmers and supporting a thriving sugar industry that caters to both domestic and international markets. Today, we’ll be talking with Dr. Tom Peters with North Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota about the perfect growing conditions for sugarbeet in his part of the world.

Soybeans are grown across the globe and within the U.S., soybeans are grown in 29 states. The warm and extended growing seasons in the southern regions of the U.S. create an ideal environment for soybeans, allowing for multiple planting dates and harvesting. Additionally, advancements in technology, such as precision farming and variety options, have played a crucial role in optimizing soybean productivity. We're looking at soybean production across the southern United States, and we're talking with Auburn University's Dr. Eros Francisco and Oklahoma State University's Dr. Josh Lofton.

As a staple food for millions of people around the world, rice plays a central role in many of our diets. Its production is an economic powerhouse, generating revenue, providing livelihoods to countless farming communities around the globe, and contributing significantly to the United States agricultural exports. Rice production demonstrates a commitment to sustainable agriculture, often leading the way in water management and innovative agricultural practices, which are a cornerstone of environmental conservation. With its impact on nutrition, economics, and environmental stewardship, rice production is an essential element of the United States' agricultural future and food security. We're talking with Dr. Bruce Linquist with the University of California's Extension Service about rice production in one of the largest rice-producing states. But first, let's take a look at the weather across Rice country and the rest of the United States with Meteorologist Matt Makens.

Canola is grown for its high-quality oil, and its health benefits. When it comes to production, canola is used as a utility crop for rotational crops, and for enriching soil quality. It can adapt to various climates canola is grown from Texas and Oklahoma well into Canada as well as states in the Northwestern United States. We'll talk with Dr. Anitha Chirumamilla of North Dakota State University about canola production across the northern United States and Dale Whaley with Washington State University about canola in the Pacific Northwest.

The 2023 cotton crop is nearing harvest across much of the southern part of the United States, so we're taking a look at how one of the most exported commodities, has fared this year. Meteorologist Matt Makens shows us how drought has mirrored much of the country's cotton-producing regions. He also has good news about rainfall moving into those areas. Last week's NASS Report estimates that 90% of the bolls across Oklahoma are open and about 12% of the state's crop is harvested. We talk with Jackson County, Oklahoma cotton producer Matt Muller about the 2023 crop in his area. Finally, Texas A&M AgriLife's Dr. Jourdon Bell about last year's cotton crop took such a hard hit and how the 2023 crop across the Texas Panhandle looks as harvest approaches.

2023 was a challenging year for wheat production across the Southern Great Plains, but with the promise of a changing weather pattern, producers are hopeful for at least an average year for wheat yields. Meteorologist Matt Makens has an optimistic outlook for precipitation across the wheat-growing areas of the United States and is even watching snow possibilities as we near November. Then, we talk with Kansas State University's Dr. Romulo Lolotto about the recent moisture and what it means for the wheat crop going into the soil across Kansas. Finally, Oklahoma State University's Dr. Brian Arnall explains why late-September planted wheat has the chance to thrive even without rain since the seeds went into the ground across parts of Oklahoma.

When people think of corn production in the United States, Interstate 80 comes to mind. While these states carry the country with acres of corn, many other states contribute to the national crop. This week, we look at how corn production differs for producers along the Interstate 40 corridor. Matt Makens has an update on the weather for the coming week focused on crop production. Dr. Ron Heiniger with North Carolina State University explains why North Carolina has a perfect storm for crop diseases and how corn prospers. Then Dr. Jason Kelley with the University of Arkansas explains how robust the Arkansas corn crop can be, even if they don't have 50"+ annual rainfall. Learn more at AgNowTV.com

This week on the AgNow Roundup, we learn about the sorghum crop across the Great Plains. We discuss the Texas sorghum crop with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Cropping Specialist Dr. Ronnie Schnell. We also learn about sorghum production in the northern Great Plains from Nebraska Extension County Educator Todd Whitney. We start with a weather update from Meteorologist Matt Makens.