Farm Tales Unplugged - Daily Farm Brief

World TradeX
  • 5.0 (3)
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A fast, funny, no-nonsense daily podcast for farmers, ranchers, truckers, growers, equipment operators and everyone connected to agriculture. Each episode delivers fresh farm news, commodity and futures updates, harvest and planting progress, trucking and freight developments, ag technology, dairy and livestock updates, seasonal weather impacts, and the stories shaping rural America.  We also mix in This Day in History, the Farmer’s Almanac Corner, unusual stories in You Don’t Hear That Every Day, a Farm Fact of the Day, and short jokes for both farmers and truckers. The goal is simple: useful information, current agriculture news and a little humor — without turning your morning into a 45-minute lecture. Whether you’re in the tractor, the truck, the barn, the shop or headed down the highway before sunrise, Farm Tales Unplugged gives you a quick daily look at what matters across farming, freight and the food supply chain. Presented by World TradeX — The Future of Food.

  1. 1d ago

    Understanding the Grain Markets for Dummies | Grain Futures Made Simple | Daily Farm Brief

    What makes grain prices rise and fall—and what exactly are futures? Grab your coffee and join Rick Portanova for a relaxed Farm Tales Unplugged — Daily Farm Brief bonus show that explains it all in plain English. Follow a fictional corn farmer through simple examples showing why grain markets exist, how weather and demand affect prices, and how futures contracts work. We walk through what buying and selling a contract means, how a farmer closes a futures trade, and how money from the grain sale and the futures account fits together. No experience needed. Just clear explanations, everyday examples, and helpful visuals. Prices used are illustrative examples, not current market quotes. Brought to you by World TradeX. Visit farmtalesunplugged.com for more, and follow, like, and share the show. See our Youtuvbe version for graphs, graphics and charts to assist Send us Fan Mail Sponsored by World TradeX

    Understanding the Grain Markets for Dummies | Grain Futures Made Simple | Daily Farm Brief

  2. 2d ago

    Apple-Picking Chaos, Weed-Hunting Sprayers & Soybean Protection | Ep. 31 Daily Farm Brief

    When did apple picking start involving traffic control, security checks, and stolen fruit hidden under a spare tire? Rick Portanova brings a fast, lively look at agriculture in this Friday, October 23, 2026 edition of Farm Tales Unplugged — Daily Farm Brief. First, Pioneer’s Victrato seed treatment joins its soybean lineup for the 2027 growing season. The goal: protect young plants against damaging root pests and diseases before trouble becomes visible above ground. Then, what does USDA’s $8 billion harvest fuel relief announcement actually mean for farmers? Rick explains the difference between help with estimated losses and a dollar-for-dollar diesel refund—and which payment details are still to come. At Ohio’s Lynd Fruit Farm, the apple-picking experience comes with an unexpected problem: people hiding unpaid fruit in their cars. A relaxing fall outing gets complicated when the orchard has to deal with theft. In the High-Tech Moment, Greeneye’s camera-guided spraying system identifies weeds as equipment moves through a field, directing herbicide where it’s needed. It’s a tough time to be a weed. The Old Farmer’s Almanac brings a fuzzy surprise: woolly bear caterpillars aren’t dependable winter forecasters, but they do carry their own natural antifreeze. Plus, a quick futures check covering corn, soybeans, Chicago wheat, live cattle, and feeder cattle. Hosted by Rick Portanova. Brought to you by World TradeX — Empowering Farmers. Find more at farmtalesunplugged.com. Follow the show and share this episode with someone who grows it, hauls it, or just enjoys a good farm story. Send us Fan Mail Sponsored by World TradeX

    Apple-Picking Chaos, Weed-Hunting Sprayers & Soybean Protection | Ep. 31 Daily Farm Brief

  3. 2d ago

    Runaway Pumpkin, Apple-Picking Robots & Cattle Markets | Daily Farm Brief — October 22

    A giant pumpkin escapes a family farm, robots team up to find hidden apples, and cold weather gives the fall garden a sweeter finish. Join Rick Portanova for Farm Tales Unplugged — Daily Farm Brief, Thursday, October 22, 2026. Farm News — A Clearer Look at Cattle Prices USDA is adding a regional cash cattle report covering Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas. We explain why combining sales across the region could give producers another useful reference as fewer cattle trade through negotiated cash deals. Family Farm Story — The Pumpkin That Got Away At Phillips Farms in Cary, North Carolina, an enormous inflatable pumpkin became an unexpected runaway. Hear how a gust of wind sent the decoration rolling, how helpers brought it under control, and why the farm’s new anchoring arrangement involves 2 tractors. Market Watch — Grains, Cattle & Dairy Wednesday’s update covers corn, soybeans, Chicago wheat, live cattle, feeder cattle and Class III milk. Corn and cattle moved higher while soybeans and wheat slipped. The milk price is identified as the latest quote, pending final settlement at recording time. High-Tech Moment — Finding the Apples Robots Can’t See Researchers are exploring how flying robots and ground robots could work together to uncover apples hidden behind leaves. The goal: help machines find and harvest fruit without bruising it. This is research in development, rather than a commercially proven picking system. Old Farmer’s Almanac — When Cold Makes the Garden Sweeter Discover why kale and parsnips can taste sweeter after cold weather, along with practical tips for harvesting the late-season garden. Find the matching episode blog at farmtalesunplugged.com. Brought to you by World TradeX — Empowering Farmers. Enjoy the show? Follow, like and share with a farmer, trucker or friend who likes a good farm story. Send us Fan Mail Sponsored by World TradeX

    Runaway Pumpkin, Apple-Picking Robots & Cattle Markets | Daily Farm Brief — October 22

  4. 4d ago

    Buffalo Houseguest, Purple Warning Corn & the Hot-Spray Beetle | Daily Farm Brief

    A 2,500-pound buffalo moved into the house—and watching television was part of his routine. Add an underground harvest found by a dog, corn designed to signal trouble, and a beetle with an extraordinary chemical defense, and there’s plenty to discover this morning. Join Rick Portanova for Farm Tales Unplugged — Daily Farm Brief, Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Episode 29. We begin with USDA’s $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief announcement, including the payment details farmers are still waiting to learn. Then we explore ethanol’s move into commercial shipping, with Maersk’s fuel trials raising an interesting question for agriculture: could ocean-going ships become another customer for crop-based fuel? In Texas, we revisit the remarkable story of Ronnie and Sherron Bridges and their buffalo, Wild Thing. This unusual houseguest had his own room, enjoyed television, and even played a memorable role in the couple’s vow renewal. At Virginia Truffles in Rixeyville, Virginia, the harvest happens beneath the soil. Discover the Martin family’s long wait for their first truffles, daughter Olivia Taylor’s role in the business, and why a trained dog’s nose is such an important farm tool. Our Quick Market Watch checks corn and soybean futures from the October 19 close and explains why the local cash bid still matters. In the High-Tech Moment, meet Insignum AgTech’s developing corn trait, designed to produce a purple warning signal when disease begins—potentially helping growers spot trouble earlier. And in the Old Farmer’s Almanac, discover how the bombardier beetle fires its hot defensive spray, plus why ground beetles and a little autumn leaf cover can help your garden. Find the matching episode blog and more information at farmtalesunplugged.com. Brought to you by World TradeX — Empowering Farmers. Follow, like, share, and leave a review to help more of Farm Nation and Truck City find the show. Send us Fan Mail Sponsored by World TradeX

    Buffalo Houseguest, Purple Warning Corn & the Hot-Spray Beetle | Daily Farm Brief

  5. 4d ago

    New BioFuel Rules, USDA Progress Update, Fertilizer made from Air, Diesel Prognosis, Hurricane Destroys Cotton | Daily Farm Brief

    Could part of a farm’s fertilizer be made from air, water, and electricity? That’s the idea behind the cold-plasma research featured in this edition of Farm Tales Unplugged — Daily Farm Brief. Rick Portanova explains what researchers are exploring—and the costs and field tests that still stand between a promising experiment and everyday farm use. For Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Episode 28, we start with the news affecting Farm Nation and Truck City: an EPA biofuel proposal with implications for corn and soybean demand, cotton growers facing severe storm losses in Florida and Alabama, and the factors shaping the diesel price outlook. Then we head to The Musk Ox Farm in Palmer, Alaska, where a comb helps harvest qiviut, the soft undercoat these Arctic animals naturally shed. In Medford, New Jersey, Gil Johnson and Johnson’s Corner Farm turn to sweet potatoes, sunflowers, and popcorn after spring frost disrupts apple picking. It’s a look at how a family farm keeps visitors coming when its usual crop falls short. We also include the fresh USDA Crop Progress update released Monday, October 19, at 4 p.m. Eastern / 1 p.m. Pacific. Corn harvest reached 44%, soybean harvest 64%, and winter wheat planting 63%. Hear how those figures compare with the five-year averages, alongside a look at harvest weather, local grain bids, and the winter outlook. And in our Old Farmer’s Almanac corner: a mole’s underground pantry, where the food is still alive. Brought to you by World TradeX — Empowering Farmers. Find the matching episode blog and more information at farmtalesunplugged.com. If you enjoy the show, follow, like, and share it with a farmer, a trucker, or anyone who wants to know what happened while they were busy working. Send us Fan Mail Sponsored by World TradeX

    New BioFuel Rules, USDA Progress Update, Fertilizer made from Air, Diesel Prognosis, Hurricane Destroys Cotton | Daily Farm Brief

  6. 6d ago

    Farm-Stay Grants, NASCOW Cow Racing & Pepper X | Daily Farm Brief

    Could a farm stay open a new source of income? Today’s show starts with a grant opportunity, then takes us to a cattle race, a pepper breeder’s years of work, and technology that helps seeds bury themselves. Join Rick Portanova for Farm Tales Unplugged — Daily Farm Brief for Monday, October 19, 2026, made for Farm Nation and Truck City. We begin with Airbnb and American Farmland Trust’s Farm to Stay grant program, supporting farm stays and visitor experiences. Then we head to Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, Virginia, where the upcoming October 22 NASCOW cow race raises support for animal care. Defending champion JoJo faces a field that includes a young Jersey steer named John the Deere. Pepper X takes us to South Carolina and Ed Currie of PuckerButt Pepper Company, also known for creating the Carolina Reaper. Rick looks at the years of breeding behind that remarkable heat. Our Market Watch puts Friday, October 16 closing prices in context as the new week begins. Next comes Linda Katz’s Prairie Tumbleweed Farm in Garden City, Kansas, and her historical account of supplying NASA researchers with tumbleweeds to study a wind-driven Mars-rover concept here on Earth. For the High-Tech Moment, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and partner institutions explore a wooden seed carrier that twists with moisture and buries itself. It is a research-stage approach with potential for restoration planting. The expanded Night Shift Almanac follows bats and moths—from echolocation and tiger moths’ sonar-jamming defenses to the crop pests bats help keep in check after sunset. Find the matching episode blog and more about the topics covered  at www.farmtalesunplugged.com. Brought to you by World TradeX — Empowering Farmers. If you enjoy the show, follow, like, and share it with a farmer, trucker, or friend. Send us Fan Mail Sponsored by World TradeX

    Farm-Stay Grants, NASCOW Cow Racing & Pepper X | Daily Farm Brief

  7. Oct 16

    Weekend Farm Shockers: 800K Tons of Soybeans, Japan’s Corn Buy & Farm Tech | Daily Farm Brief

    BONUS WEEKEND EDITION | Saturday, October 17, 2026 | Episode 26 An 800,000-metric-ton soybean purchase, fresh corn-buying news from Japan, and some remarkable surprises from American farm country! What do these major agricultural purchases mean for American farmers? Rick Portanova breaks down the latest export news and what it could mean for the markets. But that's just the beginning! This weekend, we're exploring farm drones, cranberry trouble, and fascinating new egg-scanning technology that could change how eggs are inspected. Then things get a little unusual. We're visiting a tower built for goats, discovering the surprising intelligence of crows, and sharing a little seasonal wisdom from The Old Farmer's Almanac. It's a special weekend edition packed with real agricultural news, remarkable technology, and the unexpected stories that make farm life so interesting. Join Rick Portanova for another lively edition of Farm Tales Unplugged — Daily Farm Brief, where farmers, truckers, and everyone connected to agriculture have a place at the table. Brought to you by World TradeX — Empowering Farmers. Enjoy the show? Follow, like, and share it with someone who loves farming! Visit farmtalesunplugged.com for the matching episode blog and more. Send us Fan Mail Sponsored by World TradeX

    Weekend Farm Shockers: 800K Tons of Soybeans, Japan’s Corn Buy & Farm Tech | Daily Farm Brief

  8. Oct 16

    PLANTS THAT MINE METAL! China Buys Soybeans & Colorado Gator | Daily Farm Brief

    What if farmers could grow plants that actually harvest metal from the ground? It sounds impossible, but scientists are exploring how certain plants can pull nickel out of the soil—and what that might mean for the future of agriculture. Join Rick Portanova for the Friday, October 16, 2026 edition of Farm Tales Unplugged — Daily Farm Brief, featuring important agricultural news, unusual farming operations, remarkable technology, and stories worth sharing. We begin with new Chinese purchases of American soybeans and the latest U.S. corn and soybean harvest numbers. Then, a major commitment from the John Deere Foundation promises $18.5 million in support for organizations helping fight hunger and recover food that might otherwise go to waste. Next, meet Deanne Coon, who grows natural luffa sponges on her California farm. Our Market Watch checks grain and livestock prices before we head to Colorado Gators, an extraordinary operation with a most unusual collection of animals. In our High-Tech Moment, discover plants that absorb nickel from the earth and why researchers are interested in the possibility of harvesting valuable metals through agriculture. We finish with the Old Farmer's Almanac, featuring barn owls and the important work these nighttime hunters do around farms. Brought to you by World TradeX — Empowering Farmers. Find the matching episode blog at www.farmtalesunplugged.com. Enjoy the show? Follow, share it with a friend, and leave us a review! Send us Fan Mail Sponsored by World TradeX

    PLANTS THAT MINE METAL! China Buys Soybeans & Colorado Gator | Daily Farm Brief
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A fast, funny, no-nonsense daily podcast for farmers, ranchers, truckers, growers, equipment operators and everyone connected to agriculture. Each episode delivers fresh farm news, commodity and futures updates, harvest and planting progress, trucking and freight developments, ag technology, dairy and livestock updates, seasonal weather impacts, and the stories shaping rural America.  We also mix in This Day in History, the Farmer’s Almanac Corner, unusual stories in You Don’t Hear That Every Day, a Farm Fact of the Day, and short jokes for both farmers and truckers. The goal is simple: useful information, current agriculture news and a little humor — without turning your morning into a 45-minute lecture. Whether you’re in the tractor, the truck, the barn, the shop or headed down the highway before sunrise, Farm Tales Unplugged gives you a quick daily look at what matters across farming, freight and the food supply chain. Presented by World TradeX — The Future of Food.

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