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In the second part of our conversation with Micah Malcolm, we dive deeper into his insights as a show pig breeder, coach, and team leader. Micah shares valuable advice for beginning showmen, offering tips and lessons he’s learned to help others succeed in the competitive world of show pigs.

We also tackle a controversial topic in the industry—sow and gilt breeding soundness and the use of C-sections in show pig production. Micah provides his perspective on these practices and their impact on breeders and exhibitors alike.

The episode concludes with Micah answering our signature five questions, delivering a couple of unexpected nuggets of wisdom and humor that you won’t want to miss.

Key Topics We Discuss:
✅ Advice for beginning showmen and their families
✅ Lessons learned to become a better breeder, coach, and leader
✅ Tackling controversial topics: breeding soundness and C-sections in the show pig industry
✅ Fun and insightful answers to our five signature questions

Whether you’re a seasoned breeder, an aspiring showman, or simply curious about the show pig industry, this episode is packed with practical advice, industry insights, and plenty of inspiration.

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This is the first of a two-part conversation with Micah Malcolm, a standout athlete and rising star in the show pig industry.

In this episode, Micah shares his roots growing up on his grandparents’ farm, where he learned invaluable lessons from his grandfather Kenny and father in the farrowing house and livestock pens. We also dive into his roles at Sam Malcolm and Family Show Pigs, Platt Show Pigs, and Upper Hand Genetics. Micah reflects on the experiences that shaped his passion for agriculture and the values instilled by his family.

Key Topics We Discuss:
✅ Micah’s upbringing on his grandparents’ farm and lessons from his grandfather Kenny working in the farrowing house and livestock pens
✅ His involvement with Sam Malcolm and Family Show Pigs, Platt Show Pigs, and Upper Hand Genetics
✅ How family and farm life laid the foundation for his success in agriculture

We conclude the episode by touching on Micah’s athletic journey in basketball, track, and cross-country, and how sports prepared him for the challenges of the show pig industry. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive deeper into the world of show pigs and Micah’s insights into the industry.

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I this episode of Patio Pondering, we bring you conversations from the Fort Wayne Farm Show, where I spoke with 10 incredible agriculture professionals. From grain merchandising to farm broadcasting, each shared their thoughts on the future of agriculture in 2025 and the lessons from their ag roots that shape their daily lives.

💡 In this episode, we discuss:
✅ What these professionals see as the most important thing for agriculture in 2025
✅ Personal reflections on lessons from their ag upbringing that still influence their daily lives
✅ A diverse range of insights from farmers, agronomists, sales professionals, and ag leaders

You’ll hear from:

• Isabelle Wellman – Grain Merchandiser at CGB
• Neil Koch – Consultant at G&K Concepts
• Greg Kneubuhler – Owner/Agronomist at G&K Concepts
• Scott Hartsell – Sales & Nutrition Consultant at Milan Center Feeds
• James Wolf – County Extension Director in Fort Wayne
• Bob Prible – Owner at Prible Ag
• Brent McKillip – Owner at McKillip Machinery
• Jamie Bultemeier – Corporate Sales & Agronomist at A&L Great Lakes Labs
• Mike Burkhart – Retired Farmer & CEO of the Travis Burkhart Foundation
• Rob Winters – Farm Director at WOWO Radio

Join us as we explore their insights, their stories, and their hopes for the future of agriculture.

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In this episode of Patio Pondering, we sit down with AJ Friedges, a numbers-driven livestock and crop farmer and agribusiness professional from northeastern Iowa. Known for his meticulous focus on profit projections and profitability analysis, AJ uses his expertise to manage his cattle and crop farms while helping his customers at Farmers Mill achieve their own financial goals.

We explore:
✅ How AJ’s love for numbers shapes his approach to farming and agribusiness
✅ Strategies for improving profitability in livestock and crop operations
✅ The rise of direct-to-consumer meat sales and its financial implications for farmers
✅ Key insights into market trends and customer success stories
✅ The lessons farming teaches about resilience, decision-making, and financial planning

Join us for an engaging discussion that blends data-driven farming with practical advice for navigating the evolving world of agriculture. Whether you’re a farmer, an agribusiness professional, or just curious about the business side of farming, this episode offers valuable perspectives on profitability and sustainability in modern agriculture.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform!

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In this episode of Patio Pondering, we sit down with Dave Voors, a seasoned agribusiness professional and active crop farmer from Monroeville, Indiana. With experience spanning equipment sales, agricultural banking, and managing his own crop farm, Dave brings a unique, firsthand perspective on the intersection of farming, finance, and innovation.

We explore:
✅ How his farming background shaped his career in agribusiness and banking
✅ Key takeaways from the Ag Bankers Conference at Purdue
✅ Challenges farmers face today, from a banker's perspective
✅ Discussion on relationship selling as a banker and transition challenges about to hit agriculture
✅ The unexpected lessons farming teaches about sustainability, resilience, and business strategy

Join us for a candid discussion that blends real-world farming wisdom with industry expertise. Whether you're a farmer, banker, or just passionate about agriculture, this episode offers valuable insights into the forces shaping modern farming and finance.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform!

#Agriculture #Farming #Agribusiness #Finance #Podcast

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This is the second installment of my three-part conversation with Todd Thurman, founder of Swine Insights, industry consultant, and co-host of the Business of Ag Success Group with Damian Mason. In this episode, we continue our deep dive into consolidation in the swine industry, examining the long-term impacts on profitability, producers, and global markets.

What started as a push for efficiency and scale has reshaped the industry in ways few anticipated. From shifts in ownership structures to the influence of technology and AI, we explore the forces shaping the future of raising pigs—both in the U.S. and internationally.

Key Topics We Discuss:

✅ The evolving role of investment and consolidation in the swine industry
✅ How technology and AI are transforming pig production
✅ The challenges and opportunities for independent producers
✅ What the next 10–15 years may hold for global swine production

If you’re involved in agriculture—or simply curious about how the business of pork is changing—this episode offers valuable insights into the past, present, and future of the industry.

🔗 Connect with Todd Thurman: LinkedIn

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This is the final installment of my three-part conversation with Todd Thurman, industry consultant, founder of Swine Insights, and co-host of the Business of Ag Success Group with Damian Mason. In this episode, Todd answers our five standard closing questions—but as always, the discussion takes us in some unexpected directions.

Over the past few decades, consolidation and investment have transformed the swine industry, bringing both opportunities and challenges. What began as a push for efficiency and scale has left lasting effects on producers, rural communities, and the future of independent agribusinesses.

Key Topics We Discuss:

✅ How consolidation and investment have reshaped the swine industry
✅ The growing role of technology and AI in pig production
✅ Todd’s journey from the Texas Panhandle to international consultancy
✅ Predictions for the next 10–15 years in swine production

Whether you’re a producer, industry professional, or simply passionate about agriculture, this episode offers valuable perspectives on where the industry has been—and where it’s headed.

🔗 Connect with Todd Thurman: LinkedIn

🎧 Listen, subscribe, and let me know your thoughts!

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This is the first of a three-part conversation with Todd Thurman, founder of Swine Insights, industry consultant, and co-host of the Business of Ag Success Group with Damian Mason.

In this episode, Todd shares his journey from the dusty plains of the Texas Panhandle to Texas Tech University and how his career path led him to international consulting in the swine industry. We explore the pivotal experiences that shaped his expertise and set the stage for our deep dive into consolidation and its impact on the swine sector.

Key Topics We Discuss:

✅ Todd’s career journey and how he became a leading voice in swine production
✅ The forces driving consolidation and investment in the pork industry
✅ The unintended consequences of industry shifts on producers and rural communities
✅ What consolidation means for the future of independent agribusinesses

This episode is a great introduction to Todd’s insights and sets the stage for the deeper discussions to come in Parts 2 and 3. Whether you’re a producer, industry professional, or just passionate about agriculture, this conversation provides a unique perspective on the evolution of the swine industry.

🔗 Connect with Todd Thurman: LinkedIn

🎧 Listen, subscribe, and let me know your thoughts!