Monte James (Your Ag Network, Inc., Yankton, SD) grew up on a ranch on the northern borders of the sprawling Sandhills of Nebraska. His family raised cattle and farmed on the scenic Niobrara River Valley in Keya Paha County. His radio career started at a small station in O’Neill, NE, doing everything from hosting the Polka Show to local news and markets. Monte’s “tour of duty” included stops at KSCJ (Sioux City, IA), where he served as morning-show host and farm director. He went on to WHO (Des Moines, IA) as part of the Marconi Award-winning air staff, as well as a lengthy stint at WNAX (Yankton, SD). 

 “During my time behind the mic and in the fields, I had the opportunity to work under the direction of farm broadcasting greats like Lee Kline, Keith Kirkpatrick and Col. Jon Phillips.” In 2004, Monte launched the groundbreaking Territorial Rodeo Update heard weekly on stations from the Rockies to the Great Plains with a large and loyal following abroad on the Internet. Also, he served as a Territory Manager for Sioux Steel Company from 2005 to 2015, building territories and selling livestock equipment across the Midwest. He then joined forces with Doyle and Carolyn Becker, owners of Riverfront Broadcasting, to launch Your Ag Network featuring market reports and ag news designed primarily for hot-country and hometown stations. “I shadowed acclaimed farm broadcasters Lorrie Boyer and Susan Littlefield to create a unique content and delivery style,” Monte said. Since its inception in February 2016, Your Ag Network has expanded to more than 25 hometown stations blanketing America’s top cattle and corn counties. Monte emphasizes, “Your Ag Network is proud to be an active member of the NAFB!”