COVID-19 ag support, and a look at two big fall farm shows

Coronavirus is top-of-mind these days as it wreaks havoc on the economy and agriculture. And we keep on hitting key topics on that issue. But we're doing a little non-coronavirus coverage too because work is getting done on other fronts, including the Farm Progress Show and Husker Harvest Days. Both aid for coronavirus, and prep for the fall shows, are on the agenda for this episode of Around Farm Progress, a new podcast from Farm Progress. First up, we dig into the ag-focused aid announced by Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue with Jacqui Fatka, policy editor for Feedstuffs and Farm Futures. She also shares some insight into increased ag market scrutiny from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Farmers are getting some aid, but there are concerns about future market impacts of COVID-19 and packer closings. After that, we turn to the future and the 2020 Farm Progress Show and Husker Harvest Days with Matt Jungmann, national events manager, Farm Progress. He shares an update on planting progress, then digs in on what's coming to these big shows for 2020, including the Hemp Pavilion and the Autonomy Showcase. Jungmann also discusses what makes the two shows different, and special, for the markets they serve. He also shares a little insight on something called the "good idea fairy" which long-time show visitors will enjoy learning about. Oh, and he discusses an interesting challenge of planting a hemp plot at the show sites: a need to get his fingerprints to the FBI. Give the podcast a listen to learn more. Comments or questions? Just send a note to [email protected]