DRG Agriculture In-depth podcast: Explaining the Beef Checkoff program

Dec. 8, 2025:  Explaining the Beef Checkoff program

The Beef Checkoff program in the United States will turn 40 years old in 2026. The cattle industry has changed over the years, but the job of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be stewards of those dollars remains the same. In this episode, CBB CEO Greg Hanes and DRG News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra talk about the program and what Hanes sees coming in 2026.

Incidentally, Hanes will be speaking Dec. 11, 2025, during the South Dakota Farmers Union’s 110th annual convention in Huron.

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*NOTE: You can find previous episodes of Agriculture In-depth, for free, by clicking on either of the links below:

• on the DRG Media Group website, https://drgnews.com/2025/07/31/agriculture-in-depth/
• on the DRG Media Group Beyond the Mic Podbean podcast platform, https://kgfxbeyondthemic.podbean.com/

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Nov. 24, 2025:  Funds are the biggest factor in current agriculture commodity market prices swings

During the 2025 National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention, Arlen Suderman, Chief Commodities Economist at StoneX, chatted with DRG News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra about some of the main factors causing swings in the agriculture commodity markets in recent months.

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Nov. 17, 2025:  FARM program giving USD Sanford School of Medicine students extensive training experience in rural healthcare

In its 118 years of delivering medical education, the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine has designed and implemented programs specifically to train physicians who are prepared and eager to practice in rural and underserved areas. In this episode, USD SSOM Dean Dr. Tim Ridgway chats with DRG’s Jody Heemstra about the school and their Frontier and Rural Medicine– or FARM—program, where students are immersed in rural clinical settings, fosters a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of rural practice.

Current FARM training sites are in Chamberlain, Milbank, Mobridge, Parkston, Pierre, Spearfish and Vermillion. In addition, with clinical school campuses in Yankton and Rapid City, along with clinical partners across the state, students are guaranteed a wide range of training experiences.

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Nov. 10, 2025: Sustaining the Legacy of your farm or ranch

Between Dec. 2025 and March 2026, South Dakota State University Extension is hosting Sustaining the Legacy conferences in Winner, Mitchell, Aberdeen and Watertown. In this episode, Heather Gessner with SDSU Extension explains how these conferences help farmers and ranchers evaluate their current estate plans and determine if they need to make any changes.

The conference is designed for farming and ranching families at all planning stages. Participants will learn methods to pass on farm and ranch assets and businesses and provide a financial inheritance to non-farming and ranching children. Estate planning and ranch transition attorneys, along with other industry experts, will present the material.

Registration is required and seats are limited. The early registration fee is $70 per person up to two weeks before each conference, or $80 after that. Registration closes one week before the first date of each conference and can be done through the SDSU Extension Events website, https://extension.sdstate.edu/events, by searching “legacy.”

The locations and dates for the Sustaining the Legacy conferences are:

• Winner– Dec. 4, 11 and 18, 2025;
• Mitchell– Jan. 8, 15 and 22, 2026;
• Aberdeen– Feb. 3, 10 and 17, 2026; and
• Watertown– March 3, 10 and 17, 2026.

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*NOTE: You can find previous episodes of Agriculture In-depth, for free, by clicking on either of the links below:

• on the DRG Media Group website, https://drgnews.com/2025/07/31/agriculture-in-depth/
• on the DRG Media Group Beyond the Mic Podbean podcast platform, https://kgfxbeyondthemic.podbean.com/

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Nov. 3, 2025: South Dakota State University and Capital City Campus team up to offer Ag Science Degree in central SD

People in the central part of South Dakota can earn an Associate Degree in Agricultural Science thanks to a collaboration between South Dakota State University in Brookings and the Capital City Campus in Pierre.

In this episode of Ag In-depth, Capital City Campus Executive Director Laurie Gill sat down with DRG Media Group News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra to talk more about the 60-credit-hour program approved by the state Board of Regents in May 2024.

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Oct. 27, 2025: South Dakota readying for America 250th activities

South Dakota kicked off its America250th activities during the 2025 State Fair, but as state Historical Society Director Dr. Ben Jones tells DRG Media Group News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra, there’s plenty more in the works before July 4, 2026.

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Oct. 20, 2025: R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard talks buying beef from Argentina and how MCOOL could help

United States President Donald Trump said Oct. 19, 2025, that the United States could purchase Argentinian beef in an effort to bring down retail beef prices for American consumers. In this episode, R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard doesn’t think that’s the answer, but he does think implementation of Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling– MCOOL– would make a difference.

Agriculture In-depth is brought to you by Kimball Livestock Exchange.

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Oct. 6, 2025: Mosquitoes, Multicolored Asian lady beetles and Minute pirate bugs, oh my!

While some people have been enjoying the mild fall weather so far in South Dakota, others are waiting for a good, hard freeze or two to kill off this year’s crop of pesky biting insects. In this episode, SDSU Extension Urban Entomology Field Specialist Dr. Amanda Bachmann talks about mosquitoes, Multicolored Asian lady beetles, Minute pirate bugs and what we can do to try to minimize how much they annoy us until they disappear for the winter.

Agriculture In-depth is brought to you by Kimball Livestock Exchange.

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Sept. 23, 2025: South Dakota farmer discusses current struggles of row crop producers

Trent Kubik farms near Hamill, SD. In mid-September 2025, he was part of a roundtable discussion organized by South Dakota U.S. Senator Mike Rounds, that also included representatives from agribusiness, ag banking, corn, soybeans, wheat. In this episode, Kubik, who represented South Dakota Corn on the panel, recaps the roundtable discussion and talks about his personal operation.

Agriculture In-depth is brought to you by Kimball Livestock Exchange.

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Sept. 8, 2025: 77 Years of Horse Racing in Fort Pierre, SD

Two days of  horse racing action will happen Oct. 4-5, 2025, at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre, SD. In this episode, Track Manager Shane Kramme chatted with DRG Media Group News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra about some history and what people can look forward to this year.

Agriculture In-depth is brought to you by Kimball Livestock Exchange.

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Aug. 25, 2025:  Farmers share luncheon, property tax panel, safety and more all part of South Dakota Farmers Union Day at 2025 South Dakota State Fair

The 2025 South Dakota State Fair runs from Aug. 27 through Sept. 1 at the state fairgrounds in Huron, with Saturday, Aug. 30 being Farmers Union Day. In this episode, SD Farmers Union President Doug Sombke chats with DRG Media Group News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra about SDFU’s support for the fair, the 52 cent cost of the Farmer’s Share Luncheon, their interactive Farm Safety Trailer and more.

The Farm Safety Trailer will be set up every day of the fair, on Third Street of the state fairgrounds, in front of the Dakotaland Museum. The safety demonstrations will be given at 11 AM, 2 PM and 4 PM, each day of the 2025 South Dakota State Fair.

Agriculture In-depth is brought to you by Kimball Livestock Exchange.

July 29, 2025: Public invited to tour Stomprud Angus Ranch, SD’s 2025 Leopold Conservation Award® winner

Agriculture In-depth is brought to you by Kimball Livestock Exchange.

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July 22, 2025: Food Safety Modernization Act training course for ethanol producers being held in Sioux Falls, SD

To comply with preventive control requirements as mandated by the Food Safety Modernization Act, a training course for ethanol producers is being held August 26-28, 2025, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In this edition of Agriculture In-depth, Farm Broadcaster Cindy Zimmerman spoke with one of the organizers with the Renewable Fuels Association and has more.

To learn more about the training course and to register, click here.

Agriculture In-depth is brought to you by Kimball Livestock Exchange.

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July 14, 2025: USDA National Farm Security Plan

On July 8, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins alongside U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the details of USDA’s National Farm Security Action Plan. In this episode, hear Rollins, Hegseth, Bondi and Noem lay out their respective agency’s role in implementing the Plan.

You can also hear the conversation by downloading the podcast– for free– from most podcast platforms.

Agriculture In-depth is brought to you by Kimball Livestock Exchange.

To read the full plan, click this link.

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July 7, 2025: SDSU Extension helps first responders train for crashes involving livestock

Livestock Field Specialists from South Dakota State University and North Dakota State University have developed a training program to help those responding to vehicle accidents involving cattle, bison, sheep, horses or other livestock understand how to handle the animals in that type of stressful situation. In this episode, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Robin Salverson chats with DRG Media Group News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra about developing a Bovine Emergency Response Plan.

Agriculture In-depth is brought to you by Kimball Livestock Exchange.

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June 30, 2025: Testing quality of livestock water sources helps prevent loss from reproductive issues, poor weight gain or even death

South Dakota State University Extension is offering free, on-site livestock water testing services to farmers and ranchers across the state. In this episode, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Robin Salverson says animal health should not be used as the indicator of water quality. She encourages producers to test water sources prior to turnout because contaminated water can cause illness or death, and even clear water can be of poor quality.

You can also hear the conversation by downloading the podcast– for free– from most podcast platforms.

Agriculture In-depth is brought to you by Kimball Livestock Exchange.

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June 23, 2025: Sioux Nation Fort Pierre celebrates 40 years with launch of Drake Seed

July 7, 2025, is the scheduled official opening date for the new Drake Seed seed cleaning facility in Fort Pierre, SD. Business partners Cody Hostler and Chad Stoeser bought the Sioux Nation feed, seed and animal health store about 7 years ago. In this episode of Agriculture In-depth, Hostler talks with DRG Media Group News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra how and why they decided to expand the seed cleaning portion of the business.

You can also hear the conversation by downloading the podcast– for free– from most podcast platforms.

Agriculture In-depth is brought to you by Kimball Livestock Exchange.

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June 9, 2025: Diverse crop rotation, turning cropland back to grass and more to be discussed June 17, 2025, at Dakota Lakes Research Farm field tour near Winner

People interested in learning more about conservation practices used in farming can do that June 17, 2025, during the Dakota Lakes Research Farm’s Foxley Farm Field Tour near Winner, SD.

Blake Foxley says the field tour goes from 9-11:30am CT. To RSVP or to get directions to the Foxley Farm Field Tour, call the Dakota Lakes Research Farm at 605-224-6357 or email manager@dakotalakes.com.

You can also hear the conversation by downloading the podcast– for free– from most podcast platforms.

Agriculture In-depth is brought to you by Kimball Livestock Exchange.

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June 9, 2025: How to use high tunnels, low caterpillar tunnels and other ways to extend your gardening season

People interested in learning more about different structures and techniques used for gardening have the opportunity to do that June 12, 2025, from 10am-4pm CT at Cedar Creek Gardens located south of Midland, SD. Held in coordination with the South Dakota Specialty Producers Association, co-owner Peggy Martin says there will be information for people at all levels of gardening experience. Registration is not required.

Find more information at https://cedarcreekgarden.com/ or at www.sdspecialtyproducers.org.

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May 19, 2025:  Forage production and outlook for South Dakota

South Dakota’s USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service produces a forage production and outlook map, available to farmers and ranchers for free. In this episode of Agriculture In-depth, DRG News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra visits with NRCS State Rangeland Management Specialist Emily Rohrer to learn more.

Forage maps relate to grassland forage production and not cropland, and the maps will not predict forage quality. These reports will subside starting July 1. Find more information using this link: https://bit.ly/Range_Pasture.

You can also hear the conversation by downloading the podcast– for free– from most podcast platforms.

Agriculture In-depth is brought to you by Kimball Livestock Exchange.

May 5, 2025: Federal government drops criminal charges; Maudes finally able to speak

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins hosted South Dakota ranchers Charles and Heather Maude at a news conference in Washington, D.C., on April 30, 2025,– the day after the federal government dropped criminal charges it had filed against the West River couple. In this episode, hear that news conference in its entirety. Additionally, USDA launched a new web portal for potential victims of ongoing lawfare originating under the Biden Administration to submit their concerns and experiences. This site is www.usda.gov/lawfare.

You can also hear the conversation by downloading the podcast– for free– from most podcast platforms.

Agriculture In-depth is brought to you by Kimball Livestock Exchange.

You can also listen to the news conference using the audio file below:

Heather, Kennedy, Lyle and Charles Maude.
Photo credit to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Flickr account).

Lyle and Kennedy Maude.
Photo credit to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Flickr account).

April 24, 2025: What are weather models showing for rainfall outlook this spring in South Dakota?

This episode of DRG Media Group’s Agriculture In-depth podcast features SDSU Extension State Climatologist Laura Edwards. She talks about spring weather models and what they show heading into spring planting Season in South Dakota.

You can also hear the conversation by downloading the podcast– for free– from most podcast platforms.

Agriculture In-depth is brought to you by Kimball Livestock Exchange.

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April 7, 2025: “Probing Our Country’s Soil Health” project

In this episode, SDSU Extension Soil Health Field Specialist Hans Klopp and DRG Media Group News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra talk about a new nationwide project called “Probing Our Country’s Soil Health.” The project leaders are working to understand the status of soil health around the country and use that information to develop a new tool called Soil Health Assessment Protocol and Evaluation– or SHAPE. SHAPE is an online tool designed to interpret soil health measurements, monitor soil health change and offer management practice alternatives for improving soil health. The goal of the project is to collect 13,000 soil samples across the U.S. from approximately 6,000 fields, sampling different soil, climate and management conditions. The SHAPE tool will be available as a free web-based app for easy soil health scoring. Project leaders want 80 South Dakota farmers and ranchers to participate.

For more information, go to https://extension.sdstate.edu/news/80-south-dakota-farmers-needed-nationwide-soil-health-project-enroll-today or contact Jason Clark, SDSU Extension Soil Fertility Specialist, at Jason.D.Clark@sdstate.edu, or Hans Klopp, SDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist, at Hans.Klopp@sdstate.edu.

You can also hear the conversation by downloading the podcast– for free– from most podcast platforms.

Agriculture In-depth is brought to you by Kimball Livestock Exchange.