Barn Talk

Welcome back to Barn Talk! In today’s Hot Topics episode, the conversation focused on what’s really going on across the ag markets and beef industry. The discussion explored the effects of recent government moves to import more foreign beef, the ripple impact of packing plant closures, and what all of this means for ranchers, feedlots, and rural towns like ours. One concept discussed was how these short-term fixes and political decisions rarely touch the real, deep-rooted issues behind cattle shortages and rising grocery prices.

A key theme that emerged was the vulnerability of independent cattle producers as big packers consolidate and government policies seem more aimed at quick wins than long-term solutions. Several points were raised, including how these structural problems are leaving producers with less leverage, what needs to change to keep rural America strong, and why supporting local, independent food systems matters more than ever. If you care about the future of American beef and the backbone of rural life, this episode is a must-listen.

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LISTEN ON:

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APPLE ➱ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/barn-talk/id1574395049

Follow Behind The Scenes👇🏻

● Barn Talk Instagram ➱ https://www.instagram.com/barntalkshow

● Barn Talk TikTok ➱ https://bit.ly/3qciekS

● Sawyer’s Instagram ➱ https://bit.ly/3BtX0n4

● Tork’s Instagram ➱ https://bit.ly/3LGZJxS

● Sawyer’s X ➱ https://x.com/SawyerWhisler

● Tork’s X ➱ https://x.com/TorkWhisler

00:00 Promoting the Barn Talk Newsletter

05:28 Ethanol production in Indiana

14:01 Attending a well-organized event

16:18 Value of Live Experiences

24:46 Impact of Guns N' Roses on music

26:52 Trump's foreign beef import plan

34:11 Impact of cattle prices on consumers

39:01 American agriculture and political influence

44:10 Supporting rural America through livestock

50:41 Consolidation of beef packers

55:26 Challenges in the cattle industry

01:02:35 Challenges in cattle industry

01:06:31 Sterile fly program update

01:14:03 Childhood memories of lamb chops

01:18:56 US-Canada trade tensions

01:21:01 US-Canada trade negotiations stall

01:30:55 Global debt crisis concerns

01:32:08 Concerns about future entitlements

01:37:58 Longtime friendship and staying connected

01:44:40 Thanking the audience and supporters

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⚠NO FINANCIAL ADVICE / DISCLAIMER⚠

The Information discussed and shared on Barn Talk is provided for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only, without any express or implied warranty of any kind, including warranties of accuracy, completeness, or success for any particular purpose.

The Information contained in or provided from or through this podcast is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice, investment advice, trading advice, or any other advice.

The Information on this podcast and provided from or through our content is general in nature and is not specific to you, the user or anyone else. You should not make any decision, financial, investment, trading or otherwise, based on any of the information presented on this podcast without undertaking independent due diligence and consultation with a professional, professional broker or financial advisory.

Understand that you are using any and all Information available on or through this website at your own risk.

RISK STATEMENT– The trading of Bitcoins, alternative cryptocurrencies, NFTs, individual stocks, etc. has potential rewards, and it also has potential risks involved. Trading may not be suitable for all people. Anyone wishing to invest should seek his or her own independent financial or professional advice.

#EP214

#perc
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Welcome back to Barn Talk! In this episode, Tork and Sawyer sit down for an open and honest conversation comparing their lives and mindsets at the age of 26. Tork reflects on his experiences coming up in the late 1990s from the financial pressures and risks of running a farm to weathering the collapse of the hog market. Sawyer, now 26 himself, shares what it's like navigating business, investing, and rural life in today's world, where information is everywhere and opportunity looks different than it did for his father.

Together, they explore generational shifts in work ethic, financial lessons, risk-taking, relationships, and the role of faith. Through personal stories and real-world examples, Tork and Sawyer highlight what’s stayed the same and what’s changed for young people trying to build a meaningful life in rural America. This episode is full of hard truths, honest reflections, and valuable advice for anyone thinking about their own journey no matter their age.

JOIN THE BARN TALK NEWSLETTER & GET LIVE EVENT ACCESS: We're on a mission to get 10,000 subscribers, and once we do, we're hosting a live event at the barn! Sign up to get exclusive access to tickets and details.👇🏻

Help us get there: https://www.joinbarntalk.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ➱ https://bit.ly/3a7r3nR

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS’LL DO FARM ➱ https://bit.ly/2X8g45c

LISTEN ON:

SPOTIFY ➱ https://open.spotify.com/show/3icVr4KWq4eUDl7Oy60YMY

APPLE ➱ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/barn-talk/id1574395049

Follow Behind The Scenes👇🏻

● Barn Talk Instagram ➱ https://www.instagram.com/barntalkshow

● Barn Talk TikTok ➱ https://bit.ly/3qciekS

● Sawyer’s Instagram ➱ https://bit.ly/3BtX0n4

● Tork’s Instagram ➱ https://bit.ly/3LGZJxS

● Sawyer’s X ➱ https://x.com/SawyerWhisler

● Tork’s X ➱ https://x.com/TorkWhisler

00:00 Discussing Midwest corn crop outlook

18:24 Financing the First Property

30:49 Buying a Camaro as a teen

36:28 Discovering Business and Investing

49:08 Following in kids' footsteps

01:02:17 Family dynamic and generational gap

01:05:02 Childhood memories and adventures

01:18:15 Importance of delegating tasks

01:27:58 Transitioning to construction work

01:42:33 Surviving the hog market collapse

01:54:51 Father's tough love lesson

02:03:56 Importance of Communication in Relationships

02:08:30 Family and church discussions

02:23:14 Valuing old friends and partners

02:30:46 Audience poll and listener feedback

-------------------------------

⚠NO FINANCIAL ADVICE / DISCLAIMER⚠

The Information discussed and shared on Barn Talk is provided for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only, without any express or implied warranty of any kind, including warranties of accuracy, completeness, or success for any particular purpose.

The Information contained in or provided from or through this podcast is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice, investment advice, trading advice, or any other advice.

The Information on this podcast and provided from or through our content is general in nature and is not specific to you, the user or anyone else. You should not make any decision, financial, investment, trading or otherwise, based on any of the information presented on this podcast without undertaking independent due diligence and consultation with a professional, professional broker or financial advisory.

Understand that you are using any and all Information available on or through this website at your own risk.

RISK STATEMENT– The trading of Bitcoins, alternative cryptocurrencies, NFTs, individual stocks, etc. has potential rewards, and it also has potential risks involved. Trading may not be suitable for all people. Anyone wishing to invest should seek his or her own independent financial or professional advice.

#EP213

#iowacorn #perc #gateway
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Welcome back to Barn Talk! In this episode, Sawyer and Tork are diving headfirst into some of the hottest topics shaping our world right now, with a special focus on the rapid rise of AI and its ripple effects across farms, industry, and global markets. From skyrocketing energy demands and oil market turmoil to the explosive growth in AI infrastructure and the controversial spread of data centers across rural America we’re breaking down what all this means for everyday folks, blue-collar workers, and business owners alike.

We’ll explore the competition between tech giants like Google, Meta, and Tesla to build out AI capabilities, the bubble-or-boom debate in Silicon Valley, and how open-source AI models from China are shaking up the industry. Plus, we get into government regulation, AI’s escape from a “sandboxed” environment, and the tough questions facing rural communities as farmland goes up for sale to data center developers.

Whether you’re curious, concerned, or just wondering how all this new tech could disrupt your world, this episode is packed with straight talk, debate, and some practical advice you won’t want to miss. Pull up a chair—the barn doors are wide open!

JOIN THE BARN TALK NEWSLETTER & GET LIVE EVENT ACCESS: We're on a mission to get 10,000 subscribers, and once we do, we're hosting a live event at the barn! Sign up to get exclusive access to tickets and details.👇🏻

Help us get there: https://www.joinbarntalk.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ➱ https://bit.ly/3a7r3nR

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS’LL DO FARM ➱ https://bit.ly/2X8g45c

LISTEN ON:

SPOTIFY ➱ https://open.spotify.com/show/3icVr4KWq4eUDl7Oy60YMY

APPLE ➱ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/barn-talk/id1574395049

Follow Behind The Scenes👇🏻

● Barn Talk Instagram ➱ https://www.instagram.com/barntalkshow

● Barn Talk TikTok ➱ https://bit.ly/3qciekS

● Sawyer’s Instagram ➱ https://bit.ly/3BtX0n4

● Tork’s Instagram ➱ https://bit.ly/3LGZJxS

● Sawyer’s X ➱ https://x.com/SawyerWhisler

● Tork’s X ➱ https://x.com/TorkWhisler

00:00 Growing the show through sharing

08:12 Impact of shipping disruptions

14:34 Oil production concerns and impacts

17:10 Rising oil prices and impact

24:29 Elon's data center expertise

26:49 Complaints about open source models

33:52 Big tech's competitive advantage

40:08 Changes in Local Government Elections

45:14 Debating technology's impact on culture

52:23 AI escapes containment sandbox

56:59 The promise and pitfalls of AI

01:03:10 AI replacing legal analysts

01:06:59 Challenges in the labor market

01:11:25 Embracing Ownership and Taking Risks

01:18:12 Discussing AI agents episode

01:20:47 Using agents for data analysis

01:26:10 Hoping for good crop conditions

-------------------------------

⚠NO FINANCIAL ADVICE / DISCLAIMER⚠

The Information discussed and shared on Barn Talk is provided for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only, without any express or implied warranty of any kind, including warranties of accuracy, completeness, or success for any particular purpose.

The Information contained in or provided from or through this podcast is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice, investment advice, trading advice, or any other advice.

The Information on this podcast and provided from or through our content is general in nature and is not specific to you, the user or anyone else. You should not make any decision, financial, investment, trading or otherwise, based on any of the information presented on this podcast without undertaking independent due diligence and consultation with a professional, professional broker or financial advisory.

Understand that you are using any and all Information available on or through this website at your own risk.

RISK STATEMENT– The trading of Bitcoins, alternative cryptocurrencies, NFTs, individual stocks, etc. has potential rewards, and it also has potential risks involved. Trading may not be suitable for all people. Anyone wishing to invest should seek his or her own independent financial or professional advice.

#EP212
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Welcome back to Barn Talk! In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the world of barbecue, entrepreneurship, and rural revival with special guests Garren and Kelly Kirkman of John G’s Barbecue in Peachland, North Carolina. Hosts Sawyer and Tork sit down with the Kirkmans to uncover their incredible journey from humble beginnings in cattle farming and hospital work, through the all-night pop-ups and food truck hustle, to national recognition as one of the best barbecue joints in the country.

You’ll hear what it takes to master brisket, the power of community-driven business, and how to build resilience through every setback, including the pandemic. Along the way, we explore what it means to be a cornerstone business in rural America, how to elevate food quality above the industry norm, and why the American Dream is still alive and well, especially when there’s a little smoke in the air.

So grab a plate, settle in, and let’s head to the barn for stories of hard work, delicious barbecue, and the faith it takes to make good things happen.

JOIN THE BARN TALK NEWSLETTER & GET LIVE EVENT ACCESS: We're on a mission to get 10,000 subscribers, and once we do, we're hosting a live event at the barn! Sign up to get exclusive access to tickets and details.👇🏻

Help us get there: https://www.joinbarntalk.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ➱ https://bit.ly/3a7r3nR

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS’LL DO FARM ➱ https://bit.ly/2X8g45c

LISTEN ON:

SPOTIFY ➱ https://open.spotify.com/show/3icVr4KWq4eUDl7Oy60YMY

APPLE ➱ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/barn-talk/id1574395049

Follow Behind The Scenes👇🏻

● Barn Talk Instagram ➱ https://www.instagram.com/barntalkshow

● Barn Talk TikTok ➱ https://bit.ly/3qciekS

● Sawyer’s Instagram ➱ https://bit.ly/3BtX0n4

● Tork’s Instagram ➱ https://bit.ly/3LGZJxS

● Sawyer’s X ➱ https://x.com/SawyerWhisler

● Tork’s X ➱ https://x.com/TorkWhisler

00:00 The show's audience support

10:52 Getting recognized by Texas Monthly

15:38 Iowa Corn Checkoff benefits

16:47 4th of July childhood memories

24:25 Grandma's brisket cooking attempt

31:28 Online debates and personal approach

37:06 Starting with a pop-up stand

42:08 Getting a food truck in 2018

48:26 Setting up the kitchen and food truck

49:46 Opening challenges with restaurant traffic

59:25 Offering à la carte barbecue

01:04:33 Managing Tuesday Invoice Orders

01:09:49 Pricing early catering jobs

01:14:41 Challenges for young cattle ranchers

01:16:17 Unexpected celebrity encounters

01:26:22 Supporting rural small town growth

01:28:19 Staying local in Peachland

01:36:17 Brisket cooking technique discussion

01:40:02 Building a consistent brand

01:45:31 Restaurant kitchen hood issues

01:49:50 Thanking Garren and Kelly

-------------------------------

⚠NO FINANCIAL ADVICE / DISCLAIMER⚠

The Information discussed and shared on Barn Talk is provided for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only, without any express or implied warranty of any kind, including warranties of accuracy, completeness, or success for any particular purpose.

The Information contained in or provided from or through this podcast is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice, investment advice, trading advice, or any other advice.

The Information on this podcast and provided from or through our content is general in nature and is not specific to you, the user or anyone else. You should not make any decision, financial, investment, trading or otherwise, based on any of the information presented on this podcast without undertaking independent due diligence and consultation with a professional, professional broker or financial advisory.

Understand that you are using any and all Information available on or through this website at your own risk.

RISK STATEMENT– The trading of Bitcoins, alternative cryptocurrencies, NFTs, individual stocks, etc. has potential rewards, and it also has potential risks involved. Trading may not be suitable for all people. Anyone wishing to invest should seek his or her own independent financial or professional advice.

#EP211

#iowacorn #landus #gateway
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Welcome back to Barn Talk! In this special episode, the conversation focused on uncovering the traits and habits that set successful people apart—especially those who've visited the barn as guests over the years. Instead of the usual hot topics, the discussion explored the common threads among high-achieving farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, and business owners, sharing lessons learned firsthand from memorable interviews and personal experiences. A key theme that emerged was the importance of going "all in," lifelong learning, resilience, humility, and staying true to your values of faith, family, and legacy. Tune in for an episode packed with insights and real stories aimed at inspiring anyone striving to carve their own path and live a life of meaning and purpose.

JOIN THE BARN TALK NEWSLETTER & GET LIVE EVENT ACCESS: We're on a mission to get 10,000 subscribers, and once we do, we're hosting a live event at the barn! Sign up to get exclusive access to tickets and details.👇🏻

Help us get there: https://www.joinbarntalk.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ➱ https://bit.ly/3a7r3nR

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS’LL DO FARM ➱ https://bit.ly/2X8g45c

LISTEN ON:

SPOTIFY ➱ https://open.spotify.com/show/3icVr4KWq4eUDl7Oy60YMY

APPLE ➱ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/barn-talk/id1574395049

Follow Behind The Scenes👇🏻

● Barn Talk Instagram ➱ https://www.instagram.com/barntalkshow

● Barn Talk TikTok ➱ https://bit.ly/3qciekS

● Sawyer’s Instagram ➱ https://bit.ly/3BtX0n4

● Tork’s Instagram ➱ https://bit.ly/3LGZJxS

● Sawyer’s X ➱ https://x.com/SawyerWhisler

● Tork’s X ➱ https://x.com/TorkWhisler

00:00 Encouraging reviews and subscriptions

08:23 Oil market reactions to canal issues

13:47 Pfizer's role in cheese production

15:50 Discussing traits of successful guests

23:51 Importance of taking risks

28:45 Embracing diverse learning experiences

36:45 Focusing on priorities over quitting

40:05 Building success from failure

44:48 Embracing not knowing everything

51:25 Following your own path

56:13 Embracing contrarian thinking

01:03:09 Balancing personal and professional life

01:05:06 Balancing Work and Family Priorities

01:13:45 Life's constant problem-solving

01:19:44 Speaking at Iowa State Fair

01:20:17 Meeting us at state fairs

-------------------------------

⚠NO FINANCIAL ADVICE / DISCLAIMER⚠

The Information discussed and shared on Barn Talk is provided for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only, without any express or implied warranty of any kind, including warranties of accuracy, completeness, or success for any particular purpose.

The Information contained in or provided from or through this podcast is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice, investment advice, trading advice, or any other advice.

The Information on this podcast and provided from or through our content is general in nature and is not specific to you, the user or anyone else. You should not make any decision, financial, investment, trading or otherwise, based on any of the information presented on this podcast without undertaking independent due diligence and consultation with a professional, professional broker or financial advisory.

Understand that you are using any and all Information available on or through this website at your own risk.

RISK STATEMENT– The trading of Bitcoins, alternative cryptocurrencies, NFTs, individual stocks, etc. has potential rewards, and it also has potential risks involved. Trading may not be suitable for all people. Anyone wishing to invest should seek his or her own independent financial or professional advice.

#EP210
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