This episode of Weather and Ag in Focus, recorded on Thursday, September 18th, covers a variety of topics, including weather updates, agricultural market news, and a deep dive into farm succession planning. Meteorologist Dean Wysocki and Ag Director Bridgette Readel discuss current rain and shower activity, noting that some areas have received a significant amount of rain recently, with one area pushing an inch and another receiving over eight inches in the last week. The hosts also touch on upcoming weather, mentioning that Friday will be wet, but Saturday and Sunday look drier, with Sunday being the "pick day of the weekend".
The podcast then shifts focus to September as Suicide Awareness Month, particularly for those involved in agriculture. The hosts highlight resources like the
AgriStress hotline and the 988 crisis hotline. The hosts also discuss the return of avian flu in North and South Dakota, and efforts to increase biosecurity to prevent the virus from spreading.
The episode features an interview with Heather Venenga, who discusses her new book,
The Bible, The Barn and The Back 40, which serves as a workbook for farm transition planning. She addresses the stress on farm families, why the older generation may be hesitant to transition, and the importance of a "dream team" of advisors. Venenga also emphasizes that "fair" does not always mean "equal" when it comes to passing on a farm, citing that it's not realistic to split a farm and expect it to continue. The podcast concludes with a reminder about a charity car wash event and a warning about flooded roads near Jamestown.
Key Moments:
- 0:00 - A quick overview of the current weather, including low-sixties temperatures and showers moving from southeast to northwest. The hosts note a wide variety of precipitation totals, with some areas receiving over half an inch and others seeing as much as eight inches in the last week.
- 2:20 - A discussion about September being Suicide Awareness Month, with a special focus on farmers and ranchers. Resources like the AgriStress hotline (1-833-897-2474) and the national 988 crisis hotline are mentioned.
- 3:03 - The hosts talk about the return of avian flu, with a confirmed case at a turkey farm in Dickey County, North Dakota. They mention a separate case in South Dakota that led to the elimination of 55,000 birds.
- 7:19 - The hosts interview Heather Venenga, who talks about her new book, The Bible, The Barn and The Back 40, a resource for farm succession planning.
- 10:30 - Venenga explains why "fair" doesn't always mean "equal" in farm succession planning and how to provide for non-farming children while keeping the farm whole.
- 12:20 - Venenga details her journey from corporate America to becoming a specialist in farm succession planning. She also highlights the importance of a "dream team" of advisors, including an attorney, CPA, and financial advisor.
- 14:15 - The hosts give a final weather update, re-emphasizing the wet forecast for Friday before drier weather and warmer temperatures arrive over the weekend and into next week. They also issue a warning about street flooding and closed roads around the Jamestown area due to heavy rain