Barn Talk

Forty companies own 70 percent of the hogs in this country. Fewer than 100 plants slaughter 99.7 percent of them. Small farms running their own processing account for 0.3 percent of the pork on shelves, 2 percent of the beef. So when a menu names a farm, the math says it almost never is one.

Greg Gunthorp is a fourth generation pastured hog farmer in Indiana, 400 sows on 275 acres, with a USDA-inspected plant on his own farm and pork sold by name at Rick Bayless restaurants, including inside Disney. In 1998 hogs were bringing 8 cents a pound minus trucking. He maxed his credit cards, pulled pennies out of his daughter's piggy bank for a school field trip, and drove a pig packed in ice in the back of his wife's Suzuki Swift into Chicago, where Wine Spectator had just named the restaurant he was selling to the best in the world.

Then the big packers noticed. He calls it winning a few battles and losing the war, shadow brands priced 25 to 40 percent over commodity, selling the same conventional product the independent farmers built their name on. Until January of 2026, foreign meat repackaged here could legally say Product of USA on the label.

Also in this one: why farmers get 14 cents of every food dollar, the JBS bribery scandal and the 97 day pause on Brazilian imports, why he ranks solar grazing above his own kill floor, why 70 percent of the lamb sold in America is imported, and the same four point reform pitch that landed the same way with a MAHA crowd and an antitrust crowd.

His line on what these farms actually export: the topsoil and the kids.

What should we dig into next week? Put it in the comments.

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THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

● Propane Farm Research Program ➱ propane.com/farmfunding

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Cold open and guest introduction04:45 In '94 his dad said the little guy was done05:29 40 companies own 70 percent of America's hogs06:20 600 acres, woven wire fence, hogs on pasture10:14 172 dollars an acre, and a 17,000 dollar silo that same year12:07 A home equity loan, a foreclosure notice, a piggy bank14:01 1988, an exchange trip, sheep farms selling straight to restaurants16:24 Sponsor break, Propane Farm Research Program17:04 Purdue, 1994, buying the family sow herd20:01 8 cent hogs, and nobody was cheap enough to survive22:21 A cold call to a chef who never answers25:30 A hog packed in ice in a Suzuki Swift to Chicago27:06 The best restaurant in the world, by accident28:17 Rick Bayless becomes his biggest customer32:01 Why he had to own the processing himself43:41 Built the plant, maxed the cards, went all in44:31 Farm to table dies, the big guys copy the label45:36 0.3 percent of pork, 2 percent of beef52:02 Box primals with somebody else's label on them58:38 A pallet of pig rectums bound for Thailand1:02:19 What greenwashing actually costs a shopper1:04:01 Product of USA meant nothing for over a decade1:15:09 JBS bribed up to 2,100 officials, then paused 97 days1:19:06 Argentina's beef, antibiotics, and a 25 percent discount1:23:00 Same four reforms, a MAHA crowd and an antitrust crowd1:26:07 275 acres, 15 employees, a USDA plant on the farm1:29:58 Two thousand ewes and a bet on solar grazing1:34:46 Why 70 percent of American lamb is imported1:37:42 Ranking every enterprise, slaughter dead last1:47:06 How to actually fight the USDA and win1:56:12 Farmers get 14 cents of the food dollar2:01:11 Term limits, campaign finance, a balanced budget2:04:21 Born on third base, cheering the home run2:11:23 Delegating, risk, and farming with his son2:23:54 Topsoil and kids, what we really export2:28:19 Tip of the Hat

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⚠NO FINANCIAL ADVICE / DISCLAIMER⚠Barn Talk is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only, with no warranty of accuracy or completeness. Nothing here is financial, investment, or trading advice, and none of it is specific to you. Do your own due diligence and consult a licensed professional before making any financial decision. Trading stocks, crypto, and NFTs carries real risk and is not suitable for everyone. You use this information at your own risk.

#BarnTalk #Perc

#EP216
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A rancher outside Kansas City put collars on 30 cows and went from moving them every two days to every four or five days on the same ground, at the same cow condition. That is double the carrying capacity overnight, and we spent most of this episode on how virtual fencing works and what it costs.

The collar runs $280 plus a subscription. Users report getting back 8 to 10 hours a week. The GPS is accurate to about 4 or 5 feet, which is roughly one fat cow in any direction. One challenger cow averaged 800 sound warnings a day for three weeks, about one every 30 seconds she was awake, while other cows in the same group got one a week. When a cow does get out, she is back inside 80 percent of the time within 5 to 10 minutes, because her friends are still there. There are around 6,000 of these collars in North America and they only started selling here in June.

Then we put the skeptic hat on. What happens to your herd if the company runs out of money. Who owns the data. Why he tells customers to never trust a virtual fence alone along a highway, because the liability is too big. And what happens to cattlemen when Silicon Valley decides cattle are a robotics problem.

Also in this one: an engineer who quit a VP title in Norway, visa on Monday and a plane on Friday, a farmhouse built in 1318 and the man who will not give it up, why so many farmers keep a town job for the insurance, and what a Norwegian thinks of American water, groceries, and youth sports.

Low profit is the one problem every farmer in every country has in common. The other is that not one of them thinks he owns the land.

What do you want us to dig into next week? Drop it in the comments and we read them.

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THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

● Propane Farm Research Program ➱ https://propane.com/farmfunding

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Fencing cattle without building any fence

04:00 A Norwegian engineer lands in Kansas

06:24 The engineer who got pulled into sales

07:43 Back from paternity leave to 30% cuts

08:57 The gala dinner that changed everything

12:35 The news story that started a company

14:05 Seven engineers, a prototype in 2 months

18:57 Propane Farm Research Program

19:28 Their US hire quit before he ever moved

21:20 Dying broke with a bank of good stories

23:10 Visa on Monday, gone by Friday

27:32 A float trip with people who bought nothing

33:48 Kruger Dunning and the Mountain of Stupidity

43:18 So what is virtual fencing, exactly

44:18 A sound first, then a shock she remembers

51:46 One cow tested it 800 times in a day

54:42 Splitting 100 acres into 5 acre paddocks

01:00:19 Carrying capacity doubled overnight

01:04:01 Cell service, GPS, and 4 feet of drift

01:10:20 Most escapees walk back in within 10 minutes

01:14:53 $280 a collar and 10 hours a week back

01:19:22 Never trust it alone along a highway

01:22:34 Every farmer, every country, same problem

01:33:21 A farmhouse that was built in 1318

01:34:24 When Silicon Valley calls cattle robotics

01:49:16 The Skeptic Block

01:50:03 What if the company runs out of money

01:52:10 Who actually owns your cattle data

01:55:14 Only 6,000 collars, and why pick them

02:10:05 Raising robust kids on purpose

02:13:40 Rapid Fire

02:16:16 Tip of the Hat

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

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

⚠NO FINANCIAL ADVICE / DISCLAIMER⚠

Barn Talk is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only, with no warranty of accuracy or completeness. Nothing here is financial, investment, or trading advice, and none of it is specific to you. Do your own due diligence and consult a licensed professional before making any financial decision. Trading stocks, crypto, and NFTs carries real risk and is not suitable for everyone. You use this information at your own risk.

#BarnTalk #perc

#EP215
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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.

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👇🏻

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● 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

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

⚠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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