DRG Media Group Beyond the Mic podcasts

Agriculture In-depth-- Testing quality of livestock water sources helps prevent loss from reproductive issues, poor weight gain or even death

South Dakota State University Extension is offering free, on-site livestock water testing services to farmers and ranchers across the state. In this episode, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist Robin Salverson says animal health should not be used as the indicator of water quality. She encourages producers to test water sources prior to turnout because contaminated water can cause illness or death, and even clear water can be of poor quality.

Ryen Sheppick- Players Perspective

Ryen Sheppick joins the show to talk the State High School Finals Rodeo and the upcoming National High School Finals Rodeo in July. We talk about the competition in Fort Pierre and what's to come in Rock Springs, WY. We also talk about the Oahe Zap's win streak and their red hot offense on this episode of Players Perspective (Ryen Sheppick 27:00 mins in)

Agriculture In-depth-- Sioux Nation Fort Pierre celebrates 40 years with launch of Drake Seed

July 7, 2025, is the scheduled official opening date for the new Drake Seed seed cleaning facility in Fort Pierre, SD. Business partners Cody Hostler and Chad Stoeser bought the Sioux Nation feed, seed and animal health store about 7 years ago. About 5 years ago, Hostler says they began talking about an expansion for the seed cleaning portion of the business.

THE MAKING OF AMERICA

Pierre Track & Field State Record Holders Emlyn Swanson, Kali Ringstmeyer & Charlee Williams-Smith- Players Perspective

The 4x200m relay team made up of Emlyn Swanson, Kali Ringstmeyer, Charlee Williams-Smith and Lennix DuPris made history at the State Track & Field meet by posting the first ever sub-1:40:00 time in the event. Emlyn, Charlee and Kali come on to talk about this historic accomplishment, their seasons and more. We also dive into the US Open, Stanley Cup Finals and Oahe Zap baseball's incredible standoff on this episode of Players Perspective.

Agriculture In-depth-- Diverse crop rotation, turning cropland back to grass and more to be discussed at Dakota Lakes Research Farm field tour near Winner

Challenges of having a diverse crop rotation, integrating livestock on your farm when you don't own livestock, turning cropland back to grass and more will be topics during Dakota Lakes Research Farm’s Foxley Farm Field Tour near Winner, SD, on June 17, 2025. To RSVP or to get directions to the Foxley Farm Field Tour, call the Dakota Lakes Research Farm at 605-224-6357 or email manager@dakotalakes.com .

Agriculture In-depth-- How to use high tunnels, low caterpillar tunnels and other ways to extend your gardening season

People interested in learning more about different structures and techniques used for gardening have the opportunity to do that June 12, 2025, from 10am-4pm CT at Cedar Creek Gardens located south of Midland, SD. Held in coordination with the South Dakota Specialty Producers Association, co-owner Peggy Martin says there will be information for people at all levels of gardening experience. Registration is not required. Find more information at https://cedarcreekgarden.com/ or at www.sdspecialtypr...

THE MAKING OF AMERICA

Jones County's Adrik Schoon, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup Finals- Players Perspective

Adrik Schoon beat a 46 year old state record held by US Senate Majority Leader John Thune. He and his teammates also won the 4x400 relay at the tournament as well. We talk about his career and what's to come, also about his meeting with Thune after he broke the record. We also recap the start of the NHL & NBA finals, including covering one of the worst losses in MLB history on this episode of Players Perspective.

THE MAKING OF AMERICA

THE MAKING OF AMERICA

Agriculture In-depth-- Forage production and outlook for South Dakota

South Dakota's USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service produces a forage production and outlook map, available to farmers and ranchers for free. In this edition of Agriculture In-depth, DRG News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra visits with NRCS State Rangeland Management Specialist Emily Rohrer to learn more. Forage maps relate to grassland forage production and not cropland, and the maps will not predict forage quality. These reports will subside starting July 1. Find more information using ...

THE MAKING OF AMERICA

THE MAKING OF AMERICA

Hall-of-Fame horse trainer Bill Mott talks about his South Dakota roots, race horse breeding, winning two Kentucky Derbys and more

The trainer of the horse that won the 2025 Kentucky Derby (May 3, 2025) is originally from Mobridge, SD. Sovereignty had 7-1 odds of winning the 1¼ mile long Kentucky Derby for four-time trainer of the year Bill Mott, but the colt did it in a time of 2:02.31. DRG Media Group News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra had the opportunity to chat with Mott about his horse training roots in South Dakota, his Derby wins, the horse racing industry and more.

Agriculture In-depth-- Federal government drops criminal charges; Maudes finally able to speak

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins hosted South Dakota ranchers Charles and Heather Maude at a news conference in Washington, D.C., on April 30, 2025,-- the day after the federal government dropped criminal charges it had filed against the West River couple. In this episode, hear that news conference in its entirety. Additionally, USDA launched a new web portal for potential victims of ongoing lawfare originating under the Biden Administration to submit their concerns and experiences. ...

THE MAKING OF AMERICA

Agriculture In-depth-- Weather models early precipitation outlook for Summer 2025

The majority of the soil in South Dakota is coming into the 2025 spring planting season being very short or short of moisture. In this episode of Agriculture In-depth, SDSU Extension State Climatologist Laura Edwards says the rain expected during the last few days of April 2025 will help, but the U.S. Drought Monitor shows there’s quite a bit of moisture deficit to make up for.

Agriculture In-depth-- What are weather models showing for rainfall outlook this spring in South Dakota?

In this episode of DRG Media Group's Agriculture In-depth podcast features SDSU Extension State Climatologist Laura Edwards. She talks about spring weather models and what they show heading into spring planting Season in South Dakota.

THE MAKING OF AMERICA

Steve Steele on Grey Zabel Going First Round, NWT in Pierre & the Sharpe Showdown- Players Perspective

Pierre Governor Head Coach, Steve Steele, joins the show to talk about the historic moment of Grey Zabel becoming the first Pierre Governor to get drafted into the NFL, what it means to the city and what his NFL career will look like. We also talk about the National Walleye Tour's first day out on Lake Sharpe, and the 3rd annual Sharpe Showdown coming up this weekend on this episode of Players Perspective.

THE MAKING OF AMERICA

Professional NWT Angler Thomas Huynh & Masters Recap from the Grounds- Players Perspective

We recap the dramatic finish to the 2025 Masters and I give you the perspective from the grounds of Augusta National. We also welcome on Pro Angler Thomas Huynh ahead of the National Walleye Tour coming to Pierre to compete on Lake Sharpe on this episode of Players Perspective. (Masters recap 2:00-32:00) (Thomas Huynh interview 32:00-1:14:00)

THE MAKING OF AMERICA

THE MAKING OF AMERICA

Agriculture In-depth-- South Dakota farmers and ranchers invited to participate in nationwide soil health assessment

A new nationwide project called “Probing Our Country’s Soil Health” and is looking for 80 South Dakota farmers to participate. The project leaders are working to understand the status of soil health around the country and use that information to develop a new tool called Soil Health Assessment Protocol and Evaluation-- or SHAPE. SHAPE is an online tool designed to interpret soil health measurements, monitor soil health change and offer management practice alternatives for improving soil health. ...

THE MAKING OF AMERICA

Agriculture In-depth-- Horse racing on track to happen in South Dakota in 2025

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has signed a bill that will partially fund the horse races in Fort Pierre in October 2025. DRG Media Group News and Farm Directror Jody Heemstra sat down with Track Manager Shane Kramme to talk about how the dollars are used to keep the horse racing industry alive in South Dakota. The horse races will be held Oct. 4-5, 2025, at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre. Fort Pierre is the last location left in South Dakota that still hosts horse racing even...

Agriculture In-depth-- SD Sec. of Ag and Natural Resouces recaps 2025 legislative session, National Ag Week, state fair and more

In this episode of Agriculture In-depth, South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Secretary Hunter Roberts chats with DRG Media Group News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra about conversations had during a recent trip to Washington, D.C., the 100th South Dakota Legislative Session, National Agriculture Week, the SD State Fair and more.

THE MAKING OF AMERICA