The Co-op Feeds Podcast

This month on Feeding Traditions, host Mary Jane Arnette sits down with Claire Hill, Executive Director of the Tennessee Farmers Co-op Foundation, whose work is centered around investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders.

From her own roots in FFA to her role today, Claire shares how her passion for serving others has shaped her career and continues to drive the mission of the foundation. Through programs like Round &am...

This month on Feeding Traditions, we’re heading to White Bluff, Tennessee, to meet Beth and Phil Dawson, a husband and wife farming team who have built their life around hard work, faith, and community. From raising row crops and cattle to facing floods and changing times, their story is full of determination, grit, and heart.
Over the years, their farm has grown and evolved, from 1,200 acres of corn and soybeans to a smaller, ...

This month on Feeding Traditions, our guest is Dani Morrison, a team member at First Farmers Cooperative, whose story is one of resilience, faith, and the power of community. In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dani opens up about her personal journey through multiple cancer battles and the strength she found in her Co-op family along the way.

Raised in a true Co-op family in Hardin County, Dani’s connection to ...

 Mike Richardson has dedicated more than 40 years to the Co-op system, starting in a temporary role at the fertilizer plant, moving into the warehouse and bagging room at the feed mill, and ultimately finishing his career as the LaVergne plant manager. Known for his integrity, leadership, and commitment to farmers, he has guided the LaVergne mills through decades of change while building lasting friendships along the way. This Nove...

Marty and Mark Tolley of Darden, Tennessee, are a father-and-son duo carrying on a family cattle tradition that began in the late 1940s. From Marty’s early start raising pigs with $20 earned picking cotton to today’s partnership in a 45,000-head Kansas feedyard, the Tolley family has built an operation rooted in hard work, faith, and generational values.

Now managing both their Henderson County herd and a growing beef business servi...

Benjie Daniel of Charlotte, Tennessee, carries on a remarkable family tradition spanning over 150 years. As the sixth generation on a century farm, Benjie has seen the operation evolve—from its start as a row crop and dairy farm into a thriving stocker and cow-calf beef business. Today, the farm manages about 150 cow-calf pairs, a few hundred stockers, and takes care of roughly 1,800 acres of stock, hay, pasture, and crops. With th...

In this episode of Feeding Traditions, we’re proud to feature the story of Todd Jennings, a Moore County cattle producer. From humble beginnings to growing his family’s thriving operation, Todd reflects on his journey, the lessons learned, and the changes he’s seen in the farming industry.
 
For Todd, farming is more than a job—it’s a calling built on hard work and community. He shares how mentorship shaped his path, the jo...

In honor of National Agriculture Day, join host Mary Jane Arnette as she sits down with Mr. Donald Jernigan, a Rutherford County farmer whose journey is as inspiring as it is heartwarming. From humble beginnings with small truck gardens to cultivating a thriving farm, Mr. Jernigan shares the intimate story of his hard work, innovation, and the unbreakable bond he shares with his family and the land.

This episode is part of a new ser...

In the February edition of the Co-op Feed Bin podcast, we’re joined by Kevin Thompson, Director of the Middle Tennessee UT AgResearch and Education Centers, to discuss the exciting changes coming to their Bull and Heifer Program. Kevin dives into the upcoming improvements and innovations aimed at enhancing livestock production, research, and education in the region. He shares insights on how these changes will benefit producers and...

 In the January edition of the Co-op Feed Bin podcast, hosted by John Houston, Director of Business Services for ProTrition Feed, we explore how Co-op Feeds can be your trusted partner in facing the challenges of winter weather. From mineral supplementation to tubs, range cubes, and more, John discusses how these vital products help keep livestock healthy and productive through the colder months. He also previews upcoming events Pr...

The December edition of the Co-op Feed Bin podcast, hosted by John Houston, Director of Business Services for ProTrition Feed, features an in-depth discussion on the importance of cattle mineral supplementation with Jacob Sparkman, Zinpro Southeast Account Manager, and Todd Steen, ProTrition Nutritionist. Proper mineral nutrition is a cornerstone of successful cow production in Tennessee, where variable soil types and forage qualit...

Tune into the November episode of The Feed Bin podcast, where host John Houston records live at the Tennessee Beef Heifer Development Program in Lewisburg, TN. This special episode features a Q&A session during the Tennessee Beef Heifer Development Program Field Day event. Joining him are a panel of experts, including Kevin Thompson, Research Center Director; Dr. Darrh Bullock, UK Extension Beef Specialist; Charlie Stogner, Bee...

In the October episode of The Feed Bin podcast, host John Houston and ProTrition Nutritionist Todd Steen discuss significant updates to the Co-op cattle mineral line. They introduce the Balancer, a cost-effective mixing mineral requiring just 1 bag per ton, and highlight the Foundation line's increased levels of essential minerals tailored for Tennessee forages, including zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, and cobalt. The Suprem...

Join us for the latest episode of The Feed Bin podcast, where host John Houston dives into the pressing issues of short forage as we transition into the fall and winter months. In this episode, John explores the co-op Rationalyx and Sensiblelx lines, discussing their benefits and how they can help farmers navigate the challenges of the colder seasons. Tune in for valuable insights and practical tips to ensure your livestock stay he...

Join us for the latest episode of The Feed Bin podcast, where host John Houston sits down with Protrition Nutritionist Todd Steen to discuss our new product that’s set to transform cattle feeding— Co-op Beef Generator. Whether you’re a seasoned producer or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights on how you can boost your cattle's growth and enhance your bottom line. Don’t miss out on learning how this innovativ...

 Join John Houston and special guest Charlie Stogner, along with Dr. Saulo Zoca and Claire Hunkler, all esteemed employees of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), in the July edition of The Feed Bin. This episode dives into the operations of the UTIA heifer and bull research stations and explores how these operations contribute to advancing the beef industry in Tennessee under the UTIA model. Whether you&apo...

Join John Houston and special guest Charley Martinez, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UTIA, on the June edition of the Feed Bin. They'll explore the critical issue of agricultural, farm, and forest land loss, shedding light on ongoing research efforts. Curious about the extent of farmland lost? Visit https://farmmanagement.tennessee.edu/land-loss/ to learn more about the farmland...