Ag Solutions Network

04/01/2026

When an executive order declared glyphosate essential for national security, it sparked a heated debate from both sides — from advocates claiming it’s vital to defense and food security, to critics warning of its potential dangers. But what’s the backstory behind this widely-used chemical?

AgEmerge Podcast 184 with Dr. Michael McNeill and Bottens dive into a discussion about glyphosate and its impacts.

When an executive order declared glyphosate essential for national security, it sparked a heated debate from both sides — from advocates claiming it’s vital ...

03/31/2026

Stay tuned for a future AgEmerge Podcast with Natalie Sturm as she takes Dakota Lakes Research Farm into its next chapter. Congratulations Dr. Sturm!

BROOKINGS, S.D. — March 27, 2026 — Natalie Sturm first learned about the Dakota Lakes Research Farm...

03/24/2026

The Saga of the Soggy Sauerkraut | Tune in to AgEmerge Podcast 184 as Dr. Michael McNeill explains the journey of glyphosate through the farm system: how it lingers in manure from treated feed and a company crisis that lead to an interesting discovery.

Dr. Michael McNeill explains the journey of glyphosate through the farm system: how it lingers in manure from treated feed, carries over to contaminate even ...

03/23/2026

Many farmers recall their childhood days of clearing trees and pulling stumps to expand cropland and boost short-term efficiency on the family farm. But what if we flipped the script?

Agroforestry—intentionally combining trees with crops, livestock, or both—can deliver long-term wins: improved soil health, better water quality, enhanced biodiversity, carbon sequestration, wind protection, diversified income from nuts/fruits/timber, and greater farm resilience against weather extremes.

The Savanna Institute is helping make this practical in the Midwest by expanding its Agroforestry Farm Network. As of March 2026, the network now includes partner farms in Illinois and Iowa, building on the Wisconsin sites that joined in 2025.

These demonstration farms showcase real-world agroforestry practices, host on-farm research, and create peer-to-peer learning opportunities so farmers can collaborate, share successes, and see how trees can work profitably alongside traditional agriculture.

Check out the announcement for more details and ways to get involved: https://www.savannainstitute.org/agroforestry-farm-network-expands-to-include-illinois-iowa-and-wisconsin/

It's time to let trees pull their weight on the farm—rather than the other way around. 🌳🚜

03/18/2026

Meet your new unofficial weatherman, Monte Bottens. Whenever a major snowstorm slams the Midwest, Monte mysteriously vanishes… and magically reappears in sunny California.

The man behind California Ag Solutions (which he founded back in 2004) was spotted this week speaking at the Precision Planting Clinic—because apparently dodging blizzards is just part of the job description.

03/17/2026

What began as a crop-share arrangement opened the door for James Hepp to farm full time. Today, James operates his own crop insurance agency, manages about 1,400 acres of corn, soybeans, and small grains as a first-generation farmer. Give AgEmerge Podcast 183 a watch or listen to hear James and Monte Bottens discuss getting into farming differently with success.

Rockwell City native James Hepp aspired to farm, but with no direct ties to land, that dream seemed out of reach. So how did he get to be farming thousands o...

03/16/2026

“Oftentimes we’re told we feed the world and it’s all about bushels, all these kind of standard themes from the industrial ag complex,” he says. “And, the reality is that isn’t what our customer wants. Being aware of where these trends are heading, how do we be better prepared today to adopt and meet those trends in the future?” - Monte Bottens

A fifth-generation Illinois farmer says no-till is not enough to build soil health and encourages growers to consider more regenerative practices. Monte Bottens tells Brownfield he turned to no-till in the 1990s as a way to save time and money, but wanted to push the system to do more. “We integra...

03/13/2026

What happens when machinery is scaled down and autonomous? Salin247 founder Dave Krog and Monte Bottens talk through it all on AgEmerge Podcast 183.

This Week's Lineup: Replacing Massive Equipment with Small-Scale Autonomy Tagging Along with a Case IH Precision Specialist Independent Dealer Gets Autonomy Crash Course Precision Panel: Farmers Share Their See & Spray Numbers 4 Economic Models Redefining Ag Retail

03/12/2026

Whenever Liz Haney has something to share, you listen. Find her recent post on LinkedIn about nitrogen and dig deep through AgEmerge Podcast episodes 173 and 174 to learn more as Liz breaks down the Haney Soil Test with Monte Bottens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFbleiHQ5ew

03/10/2026

James Hepp, a native of Rockwell City, Iowa, dreamed of becoming a farmer—but without family land or direct connections, that felt nearly impossible.
So how did this first-generation farmer end up managing thousands of acres today, while also serving as a Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner?

Tune in to hear his story of perseverance, innovation, and conservation on AgEmerge Podcast Episode 183 with host Monte Bottens.

Rockwell City native James Hepp aspired to farm, but with no direct ties to land, that dream seemed out of reach. So how did he get to be farming thousands o...

03/09/2026

The 2026 Conservation Tillage & Technology Conference set in Ada, OH, kicks off this week. The annual gathering features ASN CEO Monte Bottens as keynote speaker, and more than 60 presenters covering soil health, precision agriculture and farm management strategies.

Annual agricultural event features keynote speaker Monte Bottens and sessions on soil health, precision farming and management.

03/06/2026

We know how tough it feels right now. Input costs are high, commodity prices are unpredictable, and every purchase decision weighs heavier than it used to.

But here’s what we’ve learned from farming families across the country: The decisions you make today don’t just affect this season — they shape the next 5, 10, and 20 years of your operation.

Our dealer network is here to help you take the next right step — the one that fits your farm, your timeline, and your goals.
You don’t have to figure it out alone. We're here for the long haul.