In this week's Ohio Ag Net podcast, we recap the incredible career of Dale Minyo. Dale will be retiring at the end of the year, and he shares some of his memorable moments with Ty Higgins, including an interview at a county fair that will forever be etched in his mind.

Ty also talks with Dr. Leah Dorman to get the details on the newly created Protect OHIO initiative, which will deliver meaningful, measurable impact across our state by educating more veterinarians with a specific focus on enrolling more students from Ohio's rural communities, mentoring large animal and rural veterinarians, and expanding risk assessment and surveillance programs to protect Ohio's agricultural economy.

Then, Joel Penhorwood visits with Dr. Margaret Jodlowski, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics at Ohio State's College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences to get her outlook for farm labor in 2026 and beyond that was shared at Ohio State's recent Ag Policy Outlook Conference.

In this week's Ohio Ag Net podcast, Dale Minyo is in Ross County with Farm Credit Mid-America's Olivia Congrove, financial officer, and Rudi Pitzer Perry, Regional Vice President of Ag Lending. They spotlight FCMA's statewide "Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer" initiative, which is a county fair food drive sponsored by Rural First that brought in 448,827 pounds of donations for local food banks. Ross County led the state with a record-setting 122,640 pounds. Congrove and Pitzer Perry break down the program's purpose, its growth to 56 participating fairs, and the community impact behind the numbers.

Dale also talks with two participants in the contest. They reflect on what they learned and how the program heightened their understanding of food insecurity and service in their county.

Later in the episode, Ty Higgins reports from the Ohio No-Till Conference with The Ohio State University Professor Scott Shearer, Ph.D., from the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering. The two explore the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture, including autonomous field machinery and precision tools for weed control, nutrient management, and pest management. The conversation also covers how AI can boost return on investment and strengthen on-farm decision-making.

Dusty Sonnenberg checks in from the Ohio Soybean Hometown Tour with Brianna Metts of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC). They discuss USSEC's mission, recent movement (or lack thereof) of U.S. soybeans to China, and where soybean and meal exports from Ohio are heading. Metts also highlights Egypt's rapid emergence as a key market opportunity since 2018.

To wrap up, Joel Penhorwood reports from the 2025 Agricultural Outlook and Policy Conference with The Ohio State University Professor and Economist, Ian Sheldon, Ph.D. Their conversation dives into U.S. tariffs, trade relationships with global partners, and the broader market signals shaping agricultural policy today.

Ohio's Country Journal editor Brianna Smith talks with Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Director Brian Baldridge and State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Summers about the ongoing national concerns surrounding Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), which is caused by the equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) virus. While seven states are currently dealing with EHM, Ohio has no known clinical cases, though ODA is "heavily monitoring" the situation and working to keep the equine industry informed.

Dr. Summers explains that early symptoms often look like a typical respiratory infection: nasal discharge, coughing, and a sudden fever spike. Later cases can involve inflammation around the spinal cord and brain, leading to hind-end incoordination and even disorientation. He urges horse owners to be proactive with biosecurity and quick to report concerns.

Owners should contact their local veterinarian first, then reach out to ODA's Division of Animal Health at 614-728-6220 to determine whether symptoms need to be reported. Director Baldridge and Dr. Summers emphasize that awareness and early communication are key to keeping Ohio's horses safe.