In a spirited podcast debate that had both sides trading playful jabs about everything from corn quality to football tailgating, Tanner Winterhof of the Farm4Profit podcast recently squared off with Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen on the “93” podcast hosted by Mark Fahleson. The episode showcased the long-standing agricultural rivalry between Iowa and Nebraska while giving listeners insights into both states’ agricultural strengths.

The Iowa-Nebraska debate

The podcast brought together Tanner Winterhof and co-host Corey Hillebo of the Farm4Profit media company with Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen to discuss which state reigns supreme in various agricultural categories. Winterhof, who grew up in Northwest Iowa “between Cherokee and Storm Lake, just an hour from the Nebraska border,” didn’t hesitate to defend his home state’s agricultural prowess.

When the conversation turned to corn production – perhaps the most contentious topic between the two states – Tanner Winterhof quickly asserted Iowa’s superiority: “I would argue that you have to have water to grow that corn and we don’t need that here. We have the better soil, so we don’t need to pull the water out of the ground. So I think better ground, better corn.”

Governor Pillen countered by highlighting Nebraska’s irrigation advantages: “Under pivots, we have some advantages and can raise a little bit more per acre,” noting that Nebraska’s 11 million irrigated acres regularly produce over 300 bushels per acre. The governor also emphasized that Nebraska’s irrigation systems provide reliability during dry periods, joking that in the past, his father would say “I wish grandpa would have stopped in Iowa instead of coming across the river,” but now with irrigation technology, Nebraska farmers no longer have those regrets.

Tanner Winterhof on agricultural rivalry

Throughout the podcast, Tanner Winterhof demonstrated the good-natured ribbing that has become a hallmark of Farm4Profit’s content. He explained that the podcast’s occasional shots at Nebraska come from a place of friendship: “We made such great friends with Nebraska farmers. Like it was almost a close enough relationship with the state that it gave us permission to treat them like a little brother.”

This friendly competitive approach has resonated with Farm4Profit’s growing audience. As Winterhof noted during the conversation, “It is a lot of fun, especially when you develop an audience like we have been very fortunate to develop on Farm for Profit that you can poke fun at any state, but it just seems like Iowa was always on top.”

Farm land value comparisons

When host Mark Fahleson brought up Iowa’s notoriously expensive farmland, Tanner Winterhof and his co-host provided insights into current land prices, noting that average Iowa farmland was around $12,000-$13,000 per acre. “If you were to buy ground right here, north of the Metro, it’s not far fetched to get 15 to $17,000 an acre,” Winterhof’s co-host explained, adding that in Northwest Iowa, prices can exceed $20,000 per acre due to the concentration of livestock facilities.

Governor Pillen responded by highlighting that Nebraska’s irrigated farmland has been closing the gap, with prices ranging from $12,000 to $14,000 per acre, and some areas near Humphrey trading at $16,000 to $17,000. The governor attributed this increase to “value added agriculture, renewable fuels policy and all those things.”

Finding common ground

Despite the competitive spirit, the conversation revealed several areas where Tanner Winterhof and Governor Pillen found common ground. When discussing the challenges facing animal agriculture, both agreed on the importance of standing together against restrictive regulations and alternative protein movements. Winterhof praised Nebraska’s proactive legislation against lab-grown meat, saying, “Please talk to Kim [Reynolds] about that. That would be good if we could do the same. I commend you on that.”

The participants also agreed that Illinois would make a suitable common enemy for both states, with Tanner Winterhof suggesting, “I think it’s Illinois. I think politically we’re both against them. We both grow better corn than Illinois. I think it’s really easy there.”

Farm4Profit’s success under Tanner Winterhof

During the podcast, listeners gained insights into the impressive reach of Tanner Winterhof’s Farm4Profit media platform. As noted in the introduction, the podcast has garnered “more than 3.5 million podcast downloads and more than 56 million YouTube views” and was “named in the top 5% of Spotify video podcasts for 2024.”

Winterhof explained how the platform has expanded, now producing two episodes weekly and approaching 500 total episodes. “If you come across something that you don’t enjoy, just wait, three days later, we’ll put out another one,” he remarked, adding that “at least a dozen, maybe 20 of those are with some really cool Nebraskan growers too.”

The Farm4Profit studio in Slater, Iowa not only produces their flagship podcast but also serves as a production hub for other agricultural shows, including the Iowa Turkey Federation’s “Turkey Talk” podcast.

Tanner Winterhof at Agricultural Events

The conversation revealed Winterhof’s commitment to engaging with agricultural communities across state lines. He mentioned Farm4Profit’s three-year presence at Husker Harvest Days in Nebraska, demonstrating the podcast’s influence extends beyond Iowa’s borders.

Winterhof also shared how Farm4Profit has facilitated business connections between states, mentioning, “We have made introductions with some of our partners and now they sponsor Nebraska Football.”

Livestock discussions

When the debate shifted to livestock production, Governor Pillen, a veterinarian and pig farmer himself, claimed Nebraska raises better hogs because they’re “more spread out” and therefore healthier. Tanner Winterhof’s co-host acknowledged the challenges Iowa faces with its dense concentration of hog facilities, particularly around metro areas like Des Moines where it’s “very unfriendly to animal agriculture.”

Winterhof added that Nebraska might have an advantage in this area, noting it could be “a little bit friendlier to those wanting to expand or improve their livestock operations” compared to Iowa’s more restrictive environment near population centers.

The future of agricultural media

As the podcast wrapped up, Tanner Winterhof directed listeners to the Farm4Profit platforms, emphasizing their multi-channel approach: “It’s F-A-R-M and then the number four profit. So farm the number four profit and we’re everywhere. We’ve got a YouTube channel. You can find us Apple, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, go to YouTube, iHeartRadia, Pandora, any social media platform.”

This cross-platform strategy has helped Winterhof build Farm4Profit into a prominent voice in agricultural media, bringing the perspectives of Midwest farmers to a global audience while maintaining the regional rivalries and connections that make agriculture in the heartland unique.

The full debate between Tanner Winterhof, Corey Hillebo, and Governor Pillen offers an entertaining look at the friendly competition between two agricultural powerhouses while highlighting the mutual respect and common challenges faced by farmers in both states.

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