Barn Talk

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In this special episode, the conversation focused on uncovering the traits and habits that set successful people apart—especially those who've visited the barn as guests over the years. Instead of the usual hot topics, the discussion explored the common threads among high-achieving farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, and business owners, sharing lessons learned firsthand from memorable interviews and personal experiences. A key theme that emerged was the importance of going "all in," lifelong learning, resilience, humility, and staying true to your values of faith, family, and legacy. Tune in for an episode packed with insights an...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! Today’s episode is all about Taylor Moyer, a guy who swapped the fast lane of NASCAR for the wide-open spaces of cattle ranching outside Charlotte, North Carolina. The conversation focused on Taylor’s wild ride from pit crews to pasture, where he’s doubled his ranch’s acreage, built his own family home, jumped into ag-tourism, dabbled in tech, gone viral on social media, and still found time to be a hands-on dad.

A key theme that emerged was Taylor’s willingness to shake up the status quo. The discussion explored how he mad...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, the conversation focused on the incredible journey of Grey Zabel, who demonstrates that you can make it to the absolute peak of professional sports while remaining a farm kid at heart. From growing up in Pierre, South Dakota as a fifth-generation farmer to his college football career at North Dakota State and being picked 18th overall by the Seattle Seahawks, Grey’s story is both inspiring and down-to-earth. A key theme that emerged was the importance of faith, family, farming, and football, which Grey describes as the four pillars of his...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, we have an inspiring conversation with Rick Anglin, a fourth-generation dairy farmer from Arizona who made the bold decision to leave behind the conventional dairy business after 17 years and forge a new path for his family’s future. Rick tells the remarkable story of how he bet it all to start Fond du Lac Farms- a fully integrated raw milk operation where they raise the cows, bottle the milk, and deliver it directly to grocery shelves. We dive deep into the challenges of cutting out the middleman, the transition from comm...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today’s guest episode, we’re joined by Nicole Glenn an agronomist, content creator, and founder of the Farm Company, who’s earned a dedicated following by speaking honestly about agriculture, soil health, and her experiences as a young woman in the industry. Nicole grew up on her family's Kentucky farm, traveled all the way to Australia to farm and explore new perspectives, and has since transitioned from working with big ag companies to independent consulting focused on building soil health and farm resiliency.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Nicole opens up about her jo...

Welcome to another episode of Barn Talk! In this Hot Topics edition, Sawyer and Tork open up about what's happening in rural America and beyond.They kick things off by reflecting on an exciting month filled with outstanding guests and conversations, and they offer heartfelt thanks to listeners for making it all possible.

Today's episode covers some of the biggest issues impacting farmers and rural communities: rising farm bankruptcies, major changes in the ag markets, and mounting financial pressures faced by producers. Sawyer and Tork discuss the struggles of rural hospitals under federal budget cuts, share first-hand...

Welcome back to Barn Talk. In today's episode, our guest is John Haskell, an accomplished rancher, business owner, and expert at turning struggling ranches around. John has spent years working on ranches across the country, building up his own herd, and helping others transform their operations from losing money to becoming truly profitable. As the founder of Ranch Right LLC, John is passionate about teaching farmers and ranchers how to understand their finances, take control of their numbers, and create long-term success for their families. In this episode, we hear about John's journey from leaving home as a teenager...

Welcome to Barn Talk, where what happens in the barn doesn’t always stay in the barn. In this episode, Tork and Sawyer sit down with Zach Lahn, a sixth-generation Iowa farmer, entrepreneur, community advocate, and current candidate for governor. Zach shares his perspective on the challenges facing rural America, including the struggles of modern family farming, rising input costs, consolidation across agriculture, and the need for more opportunities for young and beginning farmers.

You'll hear Zach discuss his journey from rebuilding his family's homestead, to creating innovative schools, and now taking his passion for local communities an...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In this episode, we sit down with Jesse Jordan, Vice President of Jordan Farms out of Nashville, Tennessee. Jesse gives us an inside look at the world of dark fired tobacco, grown and cured using the same tried and true methods from 200 years ago. From starting tobacco in greenhouses, nurturing it in the fields, and mastering the delicate art of curing, Jesse walks us through the hands-on journey that every plant takes. But Jesse’s story is about more than just tobacco. He’s also the owner-operator of a thriving tree service business and shar...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, you'll get a front-row seat for a deep, honest conversation with Luke Schultz, a fifth-generation cattleman from the heart of Kansas and a seasoned ag lender at Conterra Ag. Known as the “Force of Nature,” Speaker A shares how his upbringing in the Flint Hills shaped his approach to both ranching and banking. Speaker B and Speaker C dig into everything from the evolving world of agricultural lending, to multi-generational farm transitions, to the state of the cattle market and creative ways producers are adapting in uncertain times.

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Welcome to Barn Talk, where what happens in the barn doesn’t always stay in the barn. Today, we’re joined by none other than Cavin Malloy better known online as Stone Cold Cavin—the southeast Iowa farmer who’s been making big waves on TikTok with his razor-sharp wit and no-bullshit take on rural life. In this episode, Cavin Malloy shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from his family farm, his jump into content creation, and why sarcasm just hits different in ag communities.

 We’ll dig into everything from creative excuses to skip unwanted events, farmer “algebra,” and the legenda...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today’s Hot Topics episode, Sawyer and Tork are rolling up their sleeves to dive deep into the biggest issues facing rural America, the agriculture industry, and the world at large. Kicking things off with a market update spoiler alert: there’s not much sunshine the guys get real about the uncertainty shaking up everything from commodity prices to oil futures, and what that means for farmers on the ground.

Then, they jump into the hottest debates on Ag Twitter, from the regenerative farming “math problem” and the illusion of feeding the world, t...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today's episode, we're joined by Brandon from NBC Precision Spraying LLC a farmer and ag entrepreneur who's been making waves on TikTok with his authentic, no-BS takes on agriculture. Brandon shares his journey from growing up on a small Iowa farm, building a custom spraying business from the ground up, and landing the opportunity to massively expand his operation through the power of relationships and hard work.

We dive deep into the realities of farm expansion, balancing family and business, finding reliable labor, and the fast-changing world of ag technology from the...

Welcome to a new episode of Barn Talk! On this “Hot Topics” episode, Sawyer and Tork are back in the barn, diving headfirst into the biggest stories and challenges shaping agriculture and rural life today. You’ll get the latest market update, talk of spiking fertilizer prices, and a frank analysis of how global politics, tariffs, and industry dynamics are impacting real farmers.

But it's not just Ag news: Sawyer and Tork get into the booming trades, the realities of AI and automation, and the need for rural youth to rethink what success looks like...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this episode, hosts Sawyer and Tork welcome Brian Hula, a Nebraska native with deep roots in agriculture and a knack for helping businesses save money through smart tax strategy. Brian Hula grew up on a farm working in the hog industry and eventually made his way into the world of sales and insurance, but it’s his expertise in R&D tax credits that brings him to the barn today.

From his no-nonsense Midwest background to his hands-on experience across farming, estate planning, and insurance, Brian Hula pulls back the curtain on a...

Welcome back to Barn Talk, where what happens in the barn usually stays in the barn—but not today. In this episode, Tork and Sawyer welcome fifth-generation Minnesota farmer and powerhouse AG creator Chet Larson to the show. With nearly half a million YouTube subscribers, Chet Larson has built Larson Farms into one of the most recognized names in agriculture, giving viewers an unfiltered look at the mud, breakdowns, triumphs, and everyday madness of real farm life.

In this wide-ranging conversation, the guys dig into what it takes to grow a massive online following while maintaining an au...

On this episode of Barn Talk, hosts Sawyer and Tork sit down once again with their friend and neighbor David Zieser for a no-holds-barred conversation about all things farming and rural life. This time, they swap stories about last season’s harvest, share laughs over equipment mishaps, and dive into the technical side of strip-till methods and adapting to unpredictable weather.

Beyond ag talk, they tackle hot topics like Iowa’s water quality, estate planning, the real costs of nursing homes, and what the future holds for family farms. With their trademark humor and honest perspectives, this epis...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this episode, Tork and Sawyer bring the heat with their Hot Topics round-up, tackling everything from the realities in today’s AG economy to the latest political buzz and cultural shifts. They dig into the newest farm bill, the struggles with rising input costs, and the truth behind government bailout checks. You’ll also hear their unfiltered takes on John Deere’s big equipment reveal, the ongoing consolidation of dealerships, and how automation is shaking up rural life.

Plus, stick around for market updates, the “Sawyer Spotlight” covering everything from podcast recommendations to the wil...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, hosts Tork and Sawyer sit down for another candid, insightful conversation, this time with David Newman, a true leader in the U.S. pork industry and the current CEO of the National Pork Board. From his roots as a fourth-generation pig farmer to guiding national marketing strategies on behalf of 60,000 pork producers, David Newman brings a unique perspective straddling both boots-on-the-ground agriculture and big-picture industry leadership.

Together, they dig into the major shifts that pork producers have seen in the last year, from resilient domestic demand and record-setting ex...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this Hot Topics episode, Sawyer and Tork are back in the barn to tackle everything from the ups and downs of farm life to big-picture issues shaking the world right now. Sawyer opens up about the tough decision to close his direct-to-consumer meat business, Farmer Grade, sharing an inside look at the challenges of doing it all, why health comes first, and how focusing on less can lead to greater impact. The guys jump into headline-making topics like the latest bombshells from the Epstein files, debates around voter ID laws and the SAVE Act...

Welcome to a special on-the-road edition of "Barn Talk," where Tork and Sawyer bring their honest, down-to-earth conversation about farming to a live audience in Buffalo Center, Iowa. In this episode, you'll hear about their multi-generational journey, the tough realities facing modern agriculture—from razor-thin profitability and labor shortages to the challenge of passing on the farm—and how they've used social media and creative business ideas to adapt and succeed.

The hosts share candid stories from their own experiences, spotlighting both the hardships and the opportunities that come with farming today. They also dig into the impo...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In this episode, Sawyer and Tork bring you a rundown of the week’s hottest topics—from farming market updates and surviving winter storms, to Trump’s bold moves at Davos and eye-opening government fraud in Minnesota.

The guys also break down the new food pyramid and share their own experiences with nutrition and whole foods. You’ll get honest opinions, relatable insights, and plenty of laughs as they explore college football’s latest underdog story, and wrap up with a discussion on faith and being a better man, inspired by Pastor Joby Marti...

Welcome to Barn Talk! Today, we're excited to welcome back Jesse Bounds, a hay export entrepreneur and coach whose last episode quickly became a listener favorite. Join Tork, Sawyer, and Jesse Bounds as they unpack the big challenges facing agriculture—from razor-thin profit margins and financial troubleshooting, to the disruptive impacts of technology and AI.

Jesse shares his journey building a business from scratch, lessons learned through tough years, and why community and coaching are game-changers right now. The conversation hits on survival strategies in Ag, the realities of succession planning, and the importance of balancing hustle wi...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this episode, Tork and Sawyer are kicking off 2026 with a heavy-hitting conversation covering everything from the latest farm market updates to eye-popping geopolitical events and the new realities of artificial intelligence. The guys break down what the latest corn, bean, and cattle prices mean for Midwest farmers, before diving deep into some of the hottest global headlines—like the U.S. military’s dramatic actions in Venezuela, the complex ties with China and Russia, and why leaders around the world should be paying close attention.

But it’s not just big-picture geopolitics. Tork a...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this Hot Topics episode, Sawyer and Tork cover everything from what’s happening on the farm to the bigger picture in AG, economics, and world events. You’ll get the latest market updates on corn, beans, and livestock, plus hear firsthand stories from rural life and how changing weather is impacting the Christmas season in Iowa.

The guys break down the financial headwinds facing farmers—including interest rates, operating loans, equipment values, and the squeeze on small towns—and ask some big questions about the future of land and food production. They also dig...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In this episode, Tork and Sawyer dive deep into the world of manure and yes, there’s a whole lot more to it than you might think. Joined by guests John and Mark from Stutsman’s, a leading AG retailer in southeast Iowa, the crew explores the evolution of manure handling, from the early days of hauling with simple vacuum tanks to today’s high-tech dragline systems moving thousands of gallons every minute. You'll hear how innovation, customer service, and company culture have driven Stutsman's growth, and get a firsthand look at how manure manage...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, we welcome seasoned farmer Jim Cuddeback to the barn. Jim Cuddeback shares his family’s extraordinary 335-year journey in agriculture, experiences weathering tough times, and the evolution of farming from hands-on chores to high-tech machinery.

This lively conversation covers everything from succession planning and land prices to the value of good relationships and faith on the farm. If you’re looking for wisdom, perspective, and real stories from a lifetime in farming, this is an episode you can’t miss!

Shop Farmer G...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In this Thanksgiving episode, Tork and Sawyer bring holiday cheer (and pilgrim hats) as they answer listener questions and reflect on everything they're grateful for. The discussion covers farm life, market updates, family succession, and the future of small town America, along with some honest thoughts on health and favorite Thanksgiving foods. Tune in for practical insights, family stories, and plenty of gratitude—Tork and Sawyer remind us why it's important to appreciate what we have and invest in our communities. It’s a heartfelt, festive episode perfect for the holiday season!

Sawyer and Tork take on everything from ag market trends and farm finance headaches to the recent NYC mayoral election and rising concerns about socialism in America. They dig into consolidation in agriculture, challenges facing young people in today’s uncertain economy, and how war and technology are shaping our future. If you’re wrestling with big questions about politics, money, and opportunity—or just curious what’s on everyone’s mind around the dinner table—this episode is for you. Tune in for honest conversation, practical advice, and plenty of barn wisdom from Sawyer and Tork!

S...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, Sawyer and Tork are joined by brand builder, restaurateur, and bourbon aficionado Tim Jones. From his small-town Kentucky upbringing—where cattle farming, moonshining, and greeting card factories shaped his early days—to working with iconic bourbon brands like Buffalo Trace and Weller, Tim Jones shares his journey through the world of creativity and entrepreneurship. We dig into the grit behind building great brands, Tim Jones’s leap into owning his own businesses, including the buzzworthy Boondogs hot dog joint, and how bourbon became a centerpiece of his story. Plus, hear about Tim Jone...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, hosts Tork and Sawyer open up the barn doors and let it all out, tackling everything from current farm market updates to hot-button issues in agriculture and beyond. The guys dive into the realities of input costs, farmer bailouts, tariffs, and beef prices in America, giving honest—and sometimes blunt—takes on what’s really hurting farmers and the rural economy.

They share stories from the field, debate the impact of corporate consolidation everywhere from farm inputs to restaurants, and discuss the growing influence of AI on business and jobs. As...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, hosts Tork and Sawyer welcome fifth-generation Iowa farmer and Iowa Corn Growers Association First Vice President, Steve Kuiper, for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about the realities of modern corn farming in America.

Steve shares stories from his family’s multi-generational farm, the crucial role corn plays in everything from food and fuel to clothing, and the challenges of keeping the business strong in a time of rising costs and tighter margins. The trio discusses the impacts of ag policy, environmental stewardship, and the importance of speaking up and getting invo...

Welcome to Barn Talk! Today’s episode is all about fresh starts and relentless hustle, featuring Grant and Spencer Hilbert—the Hilbert brothers. These first-generation Iowa farmers have built their operations from the ground up, documenting every step on YouTube and even branching into farming simulation gaming and ag software development.

Sawyer and Tork sit down with Grant and Spencer to talk about their journey: growing up in the suburbs, turning YouTube revenue into land purchases, learning through trial and error, and how they’re now selling beef direct-to-consumer through Farmer Grade. The brothers share hard-won lessons on bus...

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, we’re bringing you a truly one-of-a-kind conversation with NASCAR star and proud watermelon farmer, Ross Chastain. Sawyer and Tork sit down with Ross to dig into everything—from his eighth-generation family farm roots in south Florida to his meteoric rise in the racing world.

You’ll hear Ross share stories of growing up surrounded by watermelon fields, learning the grit and grind of farm life, and how that translated into his “just do it” mentality behind the wheel. We get a behind-the-scenes look at how his family moved from packing...

Welcome to Barn Talk. From the ins and outs of this year’s harvest – including dryer breakdowns and yield surprises – to the realities of market updates, carbon credits, and the ever-evolving pressures on modern farmers, nothing’s off limits. The guys also weigh in on the changing landscape of agriculture, the future of beef prices, and even the controversy swirling around Jimmy Kimmel’s firing. Throw in some candid thoughts on the NFL, a Friday whiskey review, and shoutouts to friends of the show, and you’ve got a down-to-earth, no-BS conversation you won’t want to miss. Grab your favorite...

Welcome to Barn Talk. Today, we’re excited to bring you a conversation that truly celebrates the grit, diversity, and heart of Iowa agriculture. Our guest is Matt Kroul—an Iowa farm kid turned University of Iowa football standout, NFL lineman, and now a passionate advocate for the future of the family farm.

Matt sits down with Tork and Sawyer to share his incredible journey—from growing up surrounded by livestock, sports, and hard work, to the highs and grind of college and professional football, and ultimately, returning home to join the next generation guiding his family’s operat...

Welcome back to Barn Talk, where what happens at the barn doesn’t always stay in the barn. Today’s episode is a somber one, as Tork and Sawyer come together to reflect on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah. With heavy hearts, the hosts share their thoughts and prayers for Charlie’s family and friends, acknowledging the deep impact of his loss on the country, especially among the younger generation.

After a brief market update, Tork and Sawyer dive into a candid conversation about the repercussions of political violence, the dangerous state of public discou...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In this special guest episode, hosts Sawyer and Tork open up the barn doors to welcome the crew from the Farm4Profit podcast—Corey, Dave, and Tanner—for a lively, wide-ranging conversation about life in agriculture, the world of ag podcasting, and so much more. From humble beginnings podcasting in a basement bedroom surrounded by spare blankets, to building a multi-host, multi-platform media brand, the Farm4Profit team shares their journey, biggest growing pains, and the lessons they've learned along the way.

The crew gets candid about balancing full-time work, family, and the...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In this episode, Sawyer and Tork welcome a very special guest—Jeff Crotwell from Easter Seals Wisconsin’s Farm Program. Jeff’s story starts on a dairy farm in southwest Wisconsin, where an accident changed his life at just 16 years old. Rather than letting it hold him back, Jeff turned his experience into an opportunity to help others in the agricultural community. He now dedicates his work to supporting farmers who have suffered injuries or face physical challenges, helping them adapt so they can stay on the land and keep farming.

In this h...

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, Sawyer and Tork are opening up the barn doors and getting real with a good old-fashioned Q&A session. From farm life to local politics—and even makeup tips—nothing’s off the table. The guys kick things off with a lively market update, diving into the latest prices and trends for corn, beans, livestock, and more, before shifting gears to tackle your burning questions.

You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of running a family farm, supporting a direct-to-consumer meat business, and what makes their farm-to-ta...