Montana State University Extension launches Profitability in Montana Agriculture podcast series

BOZEMAN - Montana State University Extension has launched a podcast series, Profitability in Montana Agriculture, that aims to provide information to help farmers and ranchers increase profits and reduce losses. The series includes four episodes highlighting the work of MSU Extension faculty whose applied research and outreach address critical issues in Montana's agriculture and natural resources industries.

The podcast is co-hosted by Joel Schumacher, MSU Extension agriculture and natural resources program leader, and MSU Extension Director of Communications John Hawley.

"Farmers and ranchers make management decisions throughout the year on crop varieties, fertilizer application, marketing, equipment purchases, government programs and weed management, just to name a few," said Schumacher. "The goal of all of these decisions is to have a profitable operation over the long term."

Each episode features different MSU Extension faculty members discussing topics related to their subject matter expertise, such as integrated weed management, soil science, agricultural economics and livestock production. The episodes are available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and are listed below.

Invasive Pests, Cropping Systems and their Impacts on Producer's Bottom Line
Featuring: Jane Mangold, rangeland weed specialist, and Tim Seipel, cropland weed specialist

Effects of Fertilizer Management on Agricultural Profitability
Featuring: Clain Jones, soil fertility specialist

The Economics of Conservation: An Exploration with an Agricultural Profitability Lens
Featuring: Kelsey Larson, agricultural economics specialist

Exploring Profitability in the Beef Industry
Featuring: Sam Wyffels, beef cattle specialist

Resources discussed on each episode, like AgEconMT and other Extension economic tools, provide timely market information and models that support decision making for fertilizer use, leasing, pricing, risk management and more. MSU Extension agents frequently share these resources with farmers and ranchers in communities across Montana.

"The goal of this podcast is to highlight how the research and outreach provided by our 45 subject matter experts and 97 locally based Extension agents improve producers' bottom line," said Hawley. "MSU Extension provides educational resources in a variety of formats, but this is the first statewide podcast we have offered."

More information about the podcast and the work of MSU Extension to address the topic of agricultural profitability can be found at https://www.montana.edu/extensionecon/agprofitability/.

The Profitability in Montana Agriculture podcast series was recorded using the Podcast and Lecture Capture Suite, which is a resource available in the Teaching and Learning Technology Studio. The suite and other similar resources are made available by the MSU Academic Technology and Outreach team to all MSU faculty, staff and students.