Rural Stories

Author, Livestock Illustrator and Ranch Hand meet CJ Brown

Recently we attended the Iowa Cattlemen's Beef Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. We were there to visit with cattle producers and take in the trade show. One of the booths that caught our attention was filled with very detailed images of farm and ranch scenes. So fine that, at first we thought they were photographs.  But, no...it is art work created by the very talented livestock illustrator CJ Brown.  CJ not only creates these amazing portraits but she also writes books and loves to talk about beef production in the U.S. You can see her work here but first, listen to her story.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and More 20 February 2024

Great to be back with you following a day off for President's Day as we joined the markets and other financial folks by kicking back a bit. Coming up today we start things off with a story about a central bank cutting it's prime rate.  No, not in the U.S. but in China and why the second largest economy on the planet did so. Also today, for the interview, you'll meet David Swartz from Swartz and Associates who specialize in helping commercial property owners appeal their assessments and...win.  Finally, if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
China cuts it's prime lending rate and why;
Big news from the world of credit cards;
Hard times? Recession? Nope say U.S. casinos;
Small business owners and their concerns for 2024;
Some E-15 news from corn producing states;
The Wall Street Report;
Retirements are kicking up and why that matters.
For the interview you'll meet David Swartz who, along with his brother, operates Swartz and Associates. Their skill is to successfully appeal commercial property tax assessments and their record for winning is pretty amazing. How and why?  We asked and David answered. To hear that conversation click this link.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and More 15 February 2024

While other nations struggle the U.S. continues to see an economy that marches on. Why that is makes for our first news story today. Also today you'll meet Janine Moore who has a long time history with the Iowa Beef Industry Council. We caught up with Janine during the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) meeting in Orlando earlier in the month. That and more in this edition of the Business News Headlines. Also, if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
The story of a strong economy and what drives it;
Fewer people have filed for unemployment...again;
Retail sales fell in January and why some are happy about it;
New news about Wells Fargo hit today;
Microsoft to make some XBox games available to others;
Women are driving the world of sports apparel;
The Wall Street Report;
New AI generated video...like what could go wrong?
For the interview you'll meet Janine Moore who with her husband run a small cow/calf herd in What Cheer, Iowa. She has been part of the Iowa Beef Industry Council and we talk about the beef industry, not only in Iowa but nationwide. Plus we also deal with the issue of expanded beef imports and why some exports have gotten more expensive for other nations.  To listen, click this link.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Talking Beef with Janine Moore

While we were on assignment at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) annual convention in Orlando we met with Janine Moore from the Iowa Beef Industry Council. Janine and her husband ranch in What Cheer, Iowa and our conversation was not only about the Iowa beef industry but the national and international impact beef has.  She has spent years working on behalf of the beef industry and her knowledge is remarkable. From Ranch to Restaurant to Farm to Table it's an interesting conversation. Enjoy...we did! 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and More 13 February 2024

Yes, it is the day before Valentine's Day...you have been notified. Today in the Business News Headlines we've got a couple of romantic business stories for you, a look at the disaster that happened on Wall Street and a conversation with Henry Arrowood the Colorado founder of Farmshare.co. It's a company that Henry says is a "business in a box" that enables farmers and ranchers to make more from their beef while helping consumers and restaurants know exactly where their meat comes from. Yes, it's a trend.  And, if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
The SBA has some exciting news about start-ups;
As well as loans to Black-Owned businesses;
The inflation report is out and we'll share;
Lab grown diamonds are a thing. But, there is a but;
Coca Cola is back...we're talking profits;
The Wall Street Report;
What says romance more than your...credit score?
For the interview the very talented Henry Arrowood the founder of Farmshare.co. Consumers want to know where their beef is coming from and restaurants also know this so Henry has created a way to track all of this plus give producers a "business in a box".  And, make sure you listen to his experience working at a Montana ranch...a place where he saw first hand the hard work and low prices may producers experience. To hear that conversation click this link.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Ranch to Resturant/Farm to Table with Henry Arrowood

He calls it a "Business in a Box". Henry Arrowood is talking about Farmshare a way for ranchers and farmers to take their beef directly to the consumer or restaurant. The very cool thing about this is Farmshare is nearly a "turn-key" arrangement.  They will provide the packaging, labels, shipping and more. What you do is let folks know that you have the beef they want. Listen as Henry tells us what farmers/ranchers currently make per pound and what he has proven Farmshare can accomplish. The numbers are amazing. Oh...and catch what he did to experience ranch work. It's a hoot! We sure enjoyed this conversation and think you will too...producer or consumer or restaurant meet Henry! 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines 9 February 2024

The end of yet another busy week. We've been out doing interviews much of the week and we'll be bringing those stories to you real soon. The top line today is about eating out and the 180 McDonald's is doing due to consumer push back on prices. That's coming at you first. And if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today: 
What's with the $3 hashbrown? McDonald's does a 180;
New inflation data to share with you and it's good;
The missing 200 foot radio tower in Alabama...
And YOU can help them get back on the air!
$5 billion for R&D of U.S. computer chips made the news;
The Wall Street Report;
Don't want to wait? Pay for priority but, there is a but.
A reminder that we're back on Sunday, Noon Central and only on News/Talk 1540 KXEL and yes we do stream. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and Ringing The Peace Bell with Yoko Tanaka

Welcome to 2024 and the Business News Headlines for Tuesday the 2nd day of January. Happy New Year to you and yours and thanks for being with us again in the new year.  Just ahead some of the big business news stories of the day plus an interesting conversation with Yoko Tanaka the Executive Director of the Japan America Society of Iowa and what we were doing early this past Sunday Morning in the freezing cold with dozens of others. I promise you'll learn something. Also if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today: 
Workers in 22 states get a pay bump;
Price Cuts and EV sales made the news;
Nebraska Governor Pillen gets pushed back;
How you spend your money matters;
The U.S. beef industry has some issues;
The Wall Street Report;
Look for drone delivery to ramp up this year.
Those stories and you'll meet Yoko Tanaka from the Japan America Society of Iowa who explains why we were out in the freezing cold this past Sunday Morning ringing a huge bell 108 times.  Why 108?  She's share that and more.  To hear that conversation click this link.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.
 

The Business News Headlines and More 12 December 2023

Only 1.4% of the total number of farmers in the United States are...Black. Back in 1944 12% of the farms were being tended to by African-Americans. What happened and what can farmers of color do to reverse the trend? Click ahead for a conversation with Todd Western III whose family has been farming in Iowa since 1864. It is an amazing story. Todd is the person behind the Iowa Farmers of Color Conference that happens in Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday the 16th of December. We think you'll find this conversation stunning. Also, if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today: 
New news about inflation in the U.S.;
What? A hostile hotel takeover?
Google loses a massive anti-trust case;
A Tesla driver killed...think autopilot;
What will the Fed do tomorrow? Some thoughts;
Might you be in the "Upper-Class"? We'll share numbers;
The Wall Street Report;
And, the top Google search terms for 2023.
For the interview you'll meet Todd Western III who is bringing farmers of color from several states for the Iowa Farmers of Color Conference that happens on Saturday the 16th of December. Why is he doing this and why does it matter?  All asked and answered and you can hear that conversation by clicking this link.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Iowa Farmers of Color Conference with Todd Western

Here you’ll meet Todd Western III who’s family has been farming in Iowa since 1864. The Western’s are African-Americans who today account for 1.4% of all farmers in the U.S.  Why is he here? To share with you the first Iowa Farmers of Color Conference that happens on December 16 and YOU are invited to attend. For more about this event and to register, for free, head to Western Family Farms. Remember this is a conference for all interested parties and folks are coming from many surrounding states. Here is Todd Western III. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.