
Practical agriculture guidance, one segment at a time.
The gist
Agriculture Today is a workday-ready agricultural news and advice program built around direct conversations with extension specialists, economists, veterinarians, and students. Episodes move quickly from grain prices and cattle vaccines to pond turnover, hay quality, weeds, weather, horticulture, and farm programs.
PRESS PLAY
Find your next episode
About Agriculture Today
Agriculture Today is a daily-style agricultural information program shaped around direct, utilitarian conversations. Its center is Kansas, but the subject matter reaches into national markets, animal health, weather systems, public programs, and production decisions that matter well beyond one state. The show moves fast. A single episode can start with grain futures and USDA reports, shift into New World Screwworm risks, and close with advice on fertilizing tomato plants. Another can pair feeder cattle and packer economics with pokeweed management and pond turnover. The tone is practical rather than glossy. Specialists explain what producers should look for, what can be controlled, and where weather, markets, pests, or policy limit the options. That gives the show a steady extension-service feel: useful, current, and built for people with fields, herds, equipment, ponds, gardens, or agricultural responsibilities to manage. Livestock coverage is especially concrete, ranging from cattle vaccination choices and syringe care to hay quality, dairy cooling systems, beef-on-dairy genetics, and summer heat stress. Crop and land segments bring the same level of specificity to erosion, soil health after heavy rain, harvest mapping, drone spraying, wild onion, wild garlic, soybean herbicide timing, and peanut yield forecasting. Markets are not treated as scoreboard chatter. Grain prices, exports, feeder cattle values, loan programs, and processor pressure are framed as conditions producers must navigate. The show also makes room for students, research projects, and K-State team achievements, so it is not only about immediate problems. It documents the educational pipeline behind the industry. Agriculture Today is best for listeners who want clear agricultural guidance in short segments, with credible voices and little ornament. It is not a personality-first talk show. Its value comes from the steady accumulation of field notes, market context, animal-care reminders, and extension expertise.
Made for: Agriculture Today is for producers, ranchers, growers, ag students, extension-minded landowners, and rural listeners who want timely, usable information. It also suits anyone tracking Kansas agriculture through markets, weather, livestock, crops, and public programs.
What sets it apart: The show stands out by combining quick radio pacing with specialist-level detail from agricultural, veterinary, economic, horticultural, and environmental voices. It connects markets, field conditions, animal care, and policy to decisions producers may need to make immediately.
In their own words
Agriculture Today is a daily program hosted by Shelby Varner and distributed to radio stations throughout the state. It features K-State agricultural specialists and other experts examining agricultural issues facing Kansas and the nation. Kansas State University has produced daily, ag-related broadcasts since KSAC radio first went on the air in 1924. Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to [email protected]‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county,…
As heard by us
Based on 6 episodes we listened to · September 2026
Agriculture Today connects agricultural markets and farm management through practical interviews grounded in prices, production risks, technology, and animal care.
Shelby Varner keeps Agriculture Today close to the decisions that shape a farm's working day. Interviews with agricultural specialists connect cattle prices, grain reports, exports, dairy genetics, field mapping, and spraying technology to their practical consequences.
Why you'd press play
Cattle prices meet the vaccine cooler; your to-do list probably has room for both.
Press play if you want
- to understand why feeder cattle prices don't tell the whole story when packers are losing money
- to catch the easily missed part of cattle vaccination: keeping doses cool until they reach the pasture
Talks about
Podcasts like Agriculture Today
AGRAR SCIENCE - Wissen kompaktHBLFA Raumberg-GumpensteinResearch translated for working agriculture.

Les Balados de la Grappe bio | Organic Science ConversationsorganicfederationField science for organic agriculture.
BBRO BeetCastSugar beet research, delivered in step with the season.
Field Day with Jordan HoewischerFollowing Ohio's farm phosphorus from field to Lake Erie.
Landwards - the podcast of the Institution of Agricultural EngineersAgricultural engineers on careers, safety, awards and new machinery.
Episodes
- 1
2218 - Using Data for Fields and Spraying...Heat Impacting Livestock and Humans
Hidden gemDeepak Joshi, K-State Agriculture Precision Specialist, says combine yield data can become yield maps that show high-, low-, and medium-performing parts of a wheat field.
Jul 7, 2026·28m·2 clips - 2
2217 - Cattle and Cutout Prices...Pokeweed in Fields
Hidden gemElliot Dennis says feeder cattle futures posted a broad sell-off, with CME futures down about $11 per hundredweight and packers losing about $200 a head around the July 4 week.
Jul 6, 2026·28m·1 clip - 3
2216 - Grain Market Response to Reports...Can Humans get New World Screwworm?
Hidden gemDaniel O'Brien says the June 30 USDA report pushed grain markets higher because corn stocks came in at 5.295 billion bushels, below the 5.408 billion estimate, while winter wheat planted acres fell to 31.52 million.
Jul 2, 2026·28m·1 clip - 4
2215 - U.S. Landmark Legal Decisions...Soil, Water and Crop Quality
Hidden gemA $2,000 Michigan tax dispute, a $76,000 auction sale, and a Roundup preemption ruling anchor Agriculture Today's legal segment with K-State and Washburn Law Professor Raj McOwen.
Jul 1, 2026·28m·2 clips - 5
2214 - Understanding More About Hantavirus...Goat and Sheep Breeding
Jun 30, 2026·28m - 6
2213 - Calm Cattle Market...Starting to See Brown Recluse Spiders
Jun 29, 2026·28m - 7
2212 - Waiting on USDA Reports for the Grain Market...Corn Disease Concerns
Jun 26, 2026·28m - 8
2211 - What is Popular in Dairy Products...How the Perception of Dairy has Shifted
Jun 25, 2026·28m - 9
2210 - Communication Between D.C. and Producers...Summer Learning for Youth
Jun 24, 2026·28m - 10
2209 - What is Being Expected for Farm Income...Cattle in the Feedlot
Jun 23, 2026·28m - 11
2208 - Cattle Report and Factors for the Market...June Cattle Management Needs
Jun 22, 2026·28m - 12
2207 - Grain Market Price Trends...Getting a Handle on Mosquitoes
Jun 19, 2026·28m - 13
2206 - Making Sure Cattle Have Enough Water...Feeding Pigs for Market
Jun 18, 2026·28m - 14
2205 - OBBBA Creates Financial Change for Agriculture...A Look from Above for Wheat
Jun 17, 2026·28m - 15
2204 - Extension Involvement for Wildlife Specialists...Weather Damaging Kansas Crops
Jun 16, 2026·28m - 16
2203 - Taking a Look into the Cattle Market...Weed Management After Wheat Harvest
Jun 15, 2026·28m - 17
2202 - Corn and Sorghum Conditions...Record Soybean Crush
Jun 12, 2026·28m - 18
2201 - Insurance for Annual Forages...Controlling Weeds in Wheat Before the Combine
Jun 11, 2026·28m - 19
2200 - Farm Service Agency Loans and Look Ahead...Beetles and Rootworms in Kansas Crops
Jun 10, 2026·28m - 20
2199 - Picking Out a Crop for Double Cropping...Helping with Weed Suppression
Jun 9, 2026·28m - 21
2198 - More Tightening of the Cattle Market...New World Screwworm
Jun 8, 2026·28m - 22
2197 - Crop and Price Conditions...Trying to Control Sericea Lespedeza
Jun 5, 2026·28m - 23
2196 - Pests in Crops and Alfalfa...Grain Expectations in Ukraine
Jun 4, 2026·28m - 24
2195 - Scam in Rural Real Estate...How Kansas Wheat is Doing
Jun 3, 2026·28m - 25
2194 - Invasive Species in Water...Dredging of Sedimentation
Jun 2, 2026·28m - 26
2193 - Financial Sentiment Impacts on the Cattle Market...Mitigating Heat Concerns
Jun 1, 2026·28m - 27
2192 - Ongoing Grain Market Seasonality...Cotton Thrips
May 29, 2026·28m - 28
2191 - Looking at Fields from a Drone...Helping Have Healthy Animals
May 28, 2026·28m - 29
2190 - Programs at FSA for Drought and Disaster...Getting Cattle Enough Mineral
May 27, 2026·28m - 30
2189 - Cattle Trade and Weather...Chinch Bugs Concerns
May 26, 2026·28m - 31
2188 - Grain Trade Deal...Understanding the Past Week of Weather
May 22, 2026·28m - 32
2187 - Considerations for Sorghum Planting...Early Weaning for Drought Management
May 21, 2026·28m - 33
2186 - Did the Court Decision Go To Far?...Clean Fields for Sorghum
May 20, 2026·28m - 34
2185 - Wildlife Trapping Options...Noxious Weed List
May 19, 2026·28m - 35
2184 - Beef Market and Drought Conditions...Brush Management
May 18, 2026·28m - 36
2183 - Market Changes from USDA Reports...Water Infrastructure for Rural Kansas
May 15, 2026·28m - 37
2182 - Factors that Contributed to 2025 Farm Income...Farm Income Around the State
May 14, 2026·28m - 38
2181 - CRP and Forage Programs...Tour of Kansas Wheat
May 13, 2026·28m - 39
2180 - Grilling to Celebrate Beef Month...Clothes for the Hot Summer
May 12, 2026·28m - 40
2179 - Concerns in the Cattle Market...Controlling Volunteer Corn and Gramoxone
May 11, 2026·28m - 41
2178 - What Crops are Planted...Fields Getting Too Much Rain
May 8, 2026·28m - 42
2177 - Going to Veterinary School at K-State...Coming Back to be the Dean
May 7, 2026·28m - 43
2176 - Understanding Agricultural Experts in Cases...Farm Safety for Kids
May 6, 2026·28m - 44
2175 - Deterring Birds with Lasers...E15 for Farmers and Customers
May 5, 2026·28m - 45
2174 - Cattle Market Cash and Contracts...Concerns for Kansas Wheat
May 4, 2026·28m - 46
2173 - Grain Market Volatility...Will we Have a New Farm Bill?
May 1, 2026·28m - 47
2172 - Tariffs Disrupting States...State Impacts from Imports and Exports
Apr 30, 2026·28m - 48
2171 - FSA Drought Program...Stunted or Low Performing Alfalfa
Apr 29, 2026·28m - 49
2170 - Making Decisions for Cattle Turnout...Sharing Extension
Apr 28, 2026·28m - 50
2169 - Cattle Market Factors and Impacts...Encountering Snakes
Apr 27, 2026·28m - 51
2163 - Grain Prices and Exports...Will we See More Rain in Kansas?
Hidden gemAgriculture Today covers April 16 grain markets with K-State grain economist Daniel O'Brien, including wheat futures up 19.25 cents, corn exports at roughly 87% of the USDA's 3.3 billion-bushel goal, and uncertainty from weather and fertilizer prices.
Apr 17, 2026·28m·1 clip - 52
2162 - Champion Meat Evaluation Members...Peanut Production
Hidden gemAgriculture Today episode 2162 features Riley Miller and Olivia Nitschke describing K-State’s national champion meat animal evaluation team and its three-day contest.
Apr 16, 2026·28m·2 clips - 53
2161 - FSA Program Loans, Rates and Deadlines...Cutting and Maintaining Quality Hay
Hidden gemDavid Shimm of the Kansas Farm Service Agency describes more than 5,500 Kansas producers holding over $1.3 billion in FSA loans, including refinancing up to $400,000 at 4.75%.
Apr 15, 2026·28m·1 clip - 54
2160 - Cattle Vaccination Choices...Taking Care of Vaccines and Syringes
Hidden gemAgriculture Today features K-State Extension Beef Veterinarian A.J.
Apr 14, 2026·28m·1 clip - 55
2159 - Cattle Market Reactions and Slaughter...Fertilizer Recommendation Tools
This episode of Agriculture Today covers cattle market reactions, fertilizer recommendation tools, and the impact of spring rain on water sources.
Apr 13, 2026·28m - 56
2158 - Wheat, Grain Sorghum, Corn and Soybean Domestic and International Market
Apr 10, 2026·28m - 57
2157 - Wheat Rust Outlook...Understanding Biofuels in the U.S.
Apr 9, 2026·28m - 58
2156 - Who Owns the Data of the Farm...What is Included on a Feed Tag
Apr 8, 2026·28m - 59
2155 - Feral Swine Damage and Management...Being Aware of Ticks
Apr 7, 2026·28m - 60
2154 - Increases in the Cattle Market and Demand...Seeing Already Planted Corn and Getting Planted
Apr 6, 2026·28m - 61
2153 - Grain Market Impacts and Prices...Planting Soybeans in the Field
Apr 3, 2026·28m - 62
2152 - Weevils and Aphids in Alfalfa...Winter Canola Freeze Concerns
Apr 2, 2026·28m - 63
2151 - Programs for Farmers....Learning Opportunity for Women in Cattle
Apr 1, 2026·28m - 64
2150 - Kansas Feedlots Inputs and Outputs...Ag Tech Day for Youth
Mar 31, 2026·28m - 65
2149 - Supply of the Cattle Market...Agriculture in Brazil
Mar 30, 2026·28m - 66
2148 - Factors Outside of the Grain Market...Mites Damaging Wheat Fields
Mar 27, 2026·28m - 67
2147 - How Wheat is in Kansas...Combination of Issues for Wheat
Mar 26, 2026·28m - 68
2146 - States Impacting Food and Agricultural Laws...Marestail Control
Mar 25, 2026·28m - 69
2145 - Aquatics Impact from Prescribed Burning...Ag Day
Mar 24, 2026·28m - 70
2144 - Tight Cattle Market...Peer to Peer Learning for Youth
Mar 23, 2026·28m - 71
2143 - Grain Futures, Cash, Transportation and Exports...Erosion Concerns After Wildfire
Mar 20, 2026·28m - 72
2142 - Looking in Alfalfa and Wheat Fields for Pests...The Hemp Hype
Mar 19, 2026·28m - 73
2141 - Using CRP and Hearing from Around the State...Giving Crops and Herbicides their Best Chance
Mar 18, 2026·28m - 74
2140 - Mealworms for Poultry Protection from HPAI...Teamwork for Avian Research
Mar 17, 2026·28m - 75
2139 - Input and Output of the Cattle Market...Preparing Irrigation Systems
Mar 16, 2026·28m - 76
2138 - Kansas Commodities...Grain Market Economics and Impacts
Mar 13, 2026·28m - 77
2137 - Managing Ground After Wildfire...Putting Cattle Back Out on Forages
Mar 12, 2026·28m - 78
2136 - Planning for Long-term Care to Protect the Farm...First Hollow Stem
Mar 11, 2026·28m - 79
2135 - Wildlife Around Brush Piles...Annual Medical Exam
Mar 10, 2026·28m - 80
2134 - Market Demand in Cattle...Ryegrass Control
Mar 9, 2026·28m - 81
2133 - March Grain Market Expectations...A Mixture of Weather
Mar 6, 2026·28m - 82
2132 - Price Changes for Crude Oil and Gas...Neospora, From Canine to Cattle
Mar 5, 2026·28m - 83
2131 - Where the FSA Director has Been...Water Meetings in Southwest Kansas
Mar 4, 2026·28m - 84
2130 - Starts of This Year's Crop Pests...Evaluating Damaged Brome Fields
Mar 3, 2026·28m - 85
2129 - Livestock Market Trade and Storage...Price Discovery Numbers
Mar 2, 2026·28m - 86
2128 - Grain Market Supply and Demand...Cattle Care After Fires
Feb 27, 2026·28m - 87
2127 - Livestock Risk Protection for Feeder Cattle...Kansas Cattle Risk Management
Feb 26, 2026·28m - 88
2126 - Prairie Fires Tax Hurdles...Broadcast Seeding Legumes
Feb 25, 2026·28m - 89
2125 - Livestock Pond Health...Bull and Female Selection and Sale
Feb 24, 2026·28m - 90
2124 - Cattle Market Report and Factors...Mineral Supplementation
Feb 23, 2026·28m - 91
2123 - Grain Market Adjustments and Futures Prices...Customer Service in Agriculture
Feb 20, 2026·28m - 92
2122 - 2025 Losses for Crop Insurance...Animal Welfare and Heavier Cattle
Feb 19, 2026·28m - 93
2121 - Producer Access and Programs with FSA...Nutritional Impact on Milk Yield
Hidden gemThis episode covers FSA programs for beginning farmers, research on dairy cow nutrition's impact on milk yield and reproduction, and emergency planning for livestock.
Feb 18, 2026·28m·1 clip - 94
2120 - Over-the-Top Dicamba Rules...Cattlemen's Day Looks Into the Future
Feb 17, 2026·28m - 95
2119 - Meat Demand Market...Winter Kochia Control
Feb 16, 2026·28m - 96
2118 - Grain Market Report...Macroeconomic Topic Impacts
Feb 13, 2026·28m - 97
2117 - Changes to ARC and PLC...What Growers Should Evaluate
K-State experts discuss how ARC, PLC, and crop insurance work together in modern farm risk management.
Feb 12, 2026·28m - 98
2116 - Pesticide Problems and Decisions...Wildfire Awareness
This episode covers pesticide shield laws and litigation, Kansas Wildfire Awareness Week, and a discussion on leaky gut in cattle.
Feb 11, 2026·28m - 99
2115 - Social Media Videos of Wildlife...Kansas Wheat Fields
This episode of Agriculture Today covers wildlife social media misinformation and the condition of Kansas wheat fields, plus previews K-State Dairy Days.
Feb 10, 2026·28m - 100
2114 - Cattle Policies and Processing...Cost-Savings Weed Management
This episode covers cattle market updates, processing capacity, and site-specific weed management for cost savings, along with a preview of K-State Junior Beef Producer Day.
Feb 9, 2026·28m