Bulkloads Podcast

A trucking podcast that covers all aspects of bulk freight trucking. Hosted by Jared Flinn, owner of multiple trucking-related businesses. Jared brings on a new guest weekly to discuss technology, innovation, safety & compliance, insurance, trucking success stories, and much more related to the bulk freight trucking industry. This podcast hits on all aspects of the industry, our audience includes bulk haulers, shippers, brokers, merchandisers, farmers, and more. Check out our related businesses for bulk freight: BulkLoads - www.bulkloads.com Bulk Insurance Group - www.bulkinsurancegroup.com Smart Freight Funding - www.smartfreightfunding.com Transportation Management (TMS) - https://www.bulktms.com/ Permitting- https://www.bulkloads.com/tools/permitting/

BLP 370: Rolling Coal, an $18M Fine, and Redemption: The PDI Story 07/16/2026

BLP 370: Rolling Coal, an $18M Fine, and Redemption: The PDI Story They fined him $18 million. He built a diesel empire anyway. Jerad Wittwer grew up the son of a St. George milkman and rancher, overhauled his first engine at 13, and turned a passion for horsepower into Performance Diesel Inc. (PDI) — one of the most recognized names in diesel performance. But the road there ran straight through one of the most controversial chapters in trucking: EPA investigations, deleted trucks, and an $18 million federal fine. In this episode, Jerad sits down with Jared Flinn for an unfiltered conversation about the whole journey — the rise, the reckoning, and the redemption. He opens up about the mistakes he made at the top, how his faith and family pulled him back, and how PDI reinvented itself into a manufacturer building 12,000+ part numbers that beat OEM quality. Today the company is on track for $55–60 million in revenue, growing 22% a year — and Jerad still isn't for sale. This is a story about horsepower, risk, faith, and the relentless pursuit of building something better. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 – Welcome & St. George Roots 2:07 – His Grandpa, His Dad & the Milk Route 6:08 – Work Ethic & Overhauling His First Engine at 13 9:57 – Trade School & Early Mechanic Days 12:02 – Marriage, the Milk Route & a Walmart Detour 17:33 – Taking the Leap: Starting Performance Diesel 21:57 – The Tune-Up Boom Years 28:28 – "The Smoke Don't Mean It's Broke" 30:35 – Getting Into Semis & Manufacturing Parts 35:00 – When Emissions Regulations Hit 37:00 – The EPA Comes Knocking 44:58 – The $18 Million Fine 46:07 – The Comeback & Being the Only Company Released 47:36 – Reinventing PDI: 12,000 Parts & Better Than OEM 54:01 – Going Global & the "Gucci of Diesel" 55:45 – The Partner Buyout & Funding Growth 1:01:37 – Vision, Family & the $200 Million Goal 1:08:16 – The Future of Trucking: Autonomous & Electric 1:11:27 – Faith, Peace & Staying Grounded 1:16:14 – Dream It & Do It /episode/index/show/bulkloads/id/42113640

BLP 369: 1 Gas Station to 1,400 Employees: How Wallis Built a Fuel Empire 06/25/2026

BLP 368: We Doubled Our Trucking Company, Then 2025 Hit 06/18/2026

BLP 368: We Doubled Our Trucking Company, Then 2025 Hit Watch on YouTube: Rob and Kate have been together since high school. Years ago they took over the family farm and trucking operation, doubled the business, and then watched 2025 turn into the hardest year of their lives. In this episode they get honest about what it actually takes to run a trucking company as a husband and wife team. The 16-hour days through the freight recession. The financial calls that kept them up at night. The hardest decision they ever had to make. And how they protected their marriage and their kids while fighting to keep the trucks moving. If you run a fleet, drive for one, or you are trying to survive this market alongside the people you love, this conversation is going to hit home. Chapters 00:00 A Different Company Than the Last Time We Talked 01:51 Building Trucking Jobs Young Families Actually Want 02:50 Why Kate Walked Away From Her Career 05:39 Cutting Costs by Bringing Everything In-House 08:00 How They Doubled the Business in 5 Years 09:14 "2025 Was a Bloodbath" 09:34 When the Freight Recession Followed Them Home 10:52 The Support That Got Them Through the Worst Year 13:23 Trauma Bonding and Mental Health in Trucking 15:40 Yin and Yang: How Two Opposites Run a Company 17:21 "I Haven't Seen Our Bank Account in 5 Years" 17:53 Why Rob Has to Pitch His Own Wife to Buy a Truck 22:15 "I Have a Name": More Than the Owner's Wife 22:46 The Hardest Call They Ever Had to Make 26:43 Retire at 52? Building the Long-Term Vision 29:10 Working Yourself Out of Your Own Business 30:05 The One Job Rob Can't Replace: Sales 34:07 Will Their Kids Take Over the Family Business? 38:01 Legacy Without Setting Your Kids Up to Fail 41:30 Real Advice for Surviving a Freight Recession 43:46 The Covid Mistake That Cost Them Later 45:36 Who's Really in Your Corner When It Gets Hard 50:06 Closing: People Serving People BulkLoads.com - Bulk Insurance Group - BulkLoads Factoring - BulkLoads TMS - BulkInsights - /episode/index/show/bulkloads/id/41689370

BLP 367: The $1 Million Bet That Built a Trucking Dynasty 06/09/2026

BLP 367: The $1 Million Bet That Built a Trucking Dynasty Tom Keller spec'd his first truck at 20 years old to haul watermelons off his family's farm. He'd drive a load to Indianapolis, not like the price, keep driving to Detroit, sell them, and set the cash on the kitchen table — then do it again the next morning. That hustle became Keller Logistics Group: 350 trucks, four divisions, and $200 million in sales out of Defiance, Ohio. In this episode, Jared Flinn sits down with Bryan Keller and Jonathan Wolfrum to unpack how a melon farmer's instinct for finding the next opportunity built a company that's survived every freight cycle since — including the recession that just leveled half the dry van market. They get into the speculative warehouse bets, walking away from General Motors, why they moved into bulk and ag freight, and what it actually takes to be named a Best Fleet to Drive For nine years running. If you're a carrier, owner-operator, or fleet owner trying to figure out your next move, this one's full of plays you can run. ➡️ Hauling bulk or looking to grow your freight? Find loads and grow your operation at 🎥 Want your story featured on the channel? Get featured at CHAPTERS 00:00 – Meeting Tom Keller 00:24 – The watermelon farm that started it all 01:22 – The Detroit melon run (cash on the kitchen table) 03:05 – From farm machinery to five trucks 04:10 – The thank-you card that landed Bryan the job 05:48 – "Bryan, we gotta be organized" 07:14 – Out-engineering the big carriers 08:58 – Scaling from 20 trucks and the warehouse gamble 12:39 – The 332,000 sq ft Dallas bet 15:04 – Walking away from General Motors 16:17 – The Campbell Soup phone call that changed everything 17:08 – Jonathan joins — 350 trucks today 20:48 – Faith, the prayer room, and "give to grow" 21:38 – Inside the Ignite Academy 25:29 – Why Keller moved into bulk and ag 29:54 – Farm roots run deep 32:12 – Breaking through growth plateaus with EOS 35:36 – Building a legacy, not a payday 36:39 – 9 years as a Best Fleet to Drive For 38:37 – The driver advisory board 42:53 – Closing thoughts /episode/index/show/bulkloads/id/41584640

BLP 366: $10,000 to Replace a $300 Part? The Dealership Trap Explained 06/02/2026

BLP 365: For This Business, Success isn't Measured in Trucks 05/28/2026

BLP 364: Why This 31-Year-Old Says Fancy Trucks Are Killing Owner-Operators 05/11/2026

BLP 364: Why This 31-Year-Old Says Fancy Trucks Are Killing Owner-Operators Watch on YouTube: Craig Broerman left a corporate mechanical engineering career, sold the money meant for his grandparents' farm, and bought a belt trailer in 2019. Six years later, he and his cousin Alan Lennartz are running 7–10 trucks across the Midwest hauling DDGs, soybean meal, cottonseed, and industrial products — and they did it before either of them turned 32. In this episode, Jared sits down with Craig and Alan on location in Portland, Indiana to talk about the BulkLoads find that changed everything, the phone call in a North Carolina cornfield that made Craig get out of the truck for good, the mistakes they made buying "shiny" equipment, and the insurance and scaling realities nobody warns young carriers about. If you're an owner-operator, small fleet, or thinking about getting into bulk trucking — this one's a roadmap. ⏱ TIMECODES 00:00 – On location in Portland, Indiana 00:43 – From mechanical engineer to belt trailer owner 02:25 – Finding BulkLoads and the first direct customer 03:25 – Retiring his wife from her corporate job 04:40 – Alan's path: asphalt, COVID, and "buy a truck" 06:00 – The conversation that split the businesses 06:30 – The cornfield phone call that changed everything 09:40 – How they funded the first truck (the farm gamble) 11:00 – Why posted loads = desperation (and opportunity) 13:30 – Reading the cottonseed market before it shifted 15:30 – Playing the long game on rates and relationships 17:15 – Why Craig thinks 5 years ahead, not 5 days 20:30 – What's actually moving in/out of Ohio–Indiana ag country 22:18 – Why they can't run hoppers in this region 24:40 – The real ROI of the BulkLoads Conference 27:30 – Trust, transparency, and family in business 28:00 – Biggest mistakes: overpriced trucks and hiring too soon 31:30 – How they decide when to scale (and when to wait) 36:50 – Spec'ing equipment: powertrains, trailers, and tonnage 39:00 – 48' vs 53' Conestoga — three months of research 42:30 – DDG market shifts and lane risk 44:00 – The insurance ceiling nobody talks about 47:20 – Advice for young people getting into trucking and logistics 51:30 – Why this part of the country looks the way it does 🚛 ABOUT BULKLOADS BulkLoads is the freight marketplace built for bulk carriers, brokers, and shippers. From the load board to Smart Freight Funding, Bulk Insurance, Permitting, and BulkTMS — we're the operating system for bulk trucking. 👉 Become a member: 🎙 Subscribe for more carrier stories every week 🎤 Join us at the next BulkLoads Conference /episode/index/show/bulkloads/id/41253295

BLP 363: The $500K Lesson: Inside Blackwell Trucking's Pivot to Hopper Freight 05/04/2026

BLP 363: The $500K Lesson: Inside Blackwell Trucking's Pivot to Hopper Freight Watch it on YouTube: What does it take to run a four-generation family business through cotton, cattle, pipeline restoration, AND a 7-truck hopper fleet — all at the same time? This week we sat down with Bob Blackwell and his son-in-law Jared Reaves at Blackwell Trucking in Wayne, Oklahoma. Three generations of Blackwells have worked this land. Bob started chasing pipeline restoration jobs 25 years ago when one came across his field — and built Blackwell Trucking on the side just to keep his own equipment moving. Then the last four years took a swing at them. Pipeline work went quiet. Solar customers walked off with over half a million dollars of unpaid work. Flatbed rates collapsed. And the family that had survived everything from boll weevils to a 1970s farm bankruptcy was looking for a way forward. Then Jared heard a podcast in his pig barn that changed everything. In this conversation we get into the full picture: how pipeline restoration actually works, why Bob won't buy stockers, the brutal economics of cattle and cotton, why he calls solar "a shell game," the wreck-truck rebuild, the engine that came apart in the shop, the role of faith in their business, and the very human moments behind the family's "GIG, GAP" philosophy — God Is Good, God Always Provides. If you're a carrier wondering whether there's a more consistent path than flatbed, a shipper looking for hard-working family operators, or a farm-and-ranch family trying to figure out the next chapter — this episode is for you. ▶ Find consistent hopper and bulk freight: ▶ Are you a shipper looking for family carriers like the Blackwells? ▶ Subscribe wherever you listen: Apple, Spotify, YouTube CHAPTERS 00:00 — Meet the Blackwells: 3 Generations on the Same Land 00:55 — How a Pipeline Across Bob's Field Started Everything 02:30 — Why They Started Blackwell Trucking 03:00 — Today: 7 Trucks, Goal of 10 04:34 — The Podcast in the Pig Barn That Changed Everything 05:30 — Why Hoppers Are More Consistent Than Flatbed 06:00 — Working with Chris & Michael at RFG 06:50 — The End Game: Cutting Out the Middleman 07:30 — "It's a Turtle Race" 08:00 — Cattle, Wildfires, and What Bad Land Management Looks Like 09:30 — The Engine That Came Apart in the Shop 10:00 — What Pipeline Restoration Actually Is 12:53 — Inside a 100-Mile Pipeline Project 13:30 — The $500,000 Solar Disaster 14:30 — "Solar is a Shell Game" 17:30 — Three Generations of Blackwells 18:00 — Why Bob Won't Buy Stockers 20:40 — The 8-Cent Brangus Lesson That Changed His Cattle Operation 22:00 — When Bob Got Into Rodeo Stock 23:30 — Where He Markets His Cattle Today 25:40 — Cattle Prices: Then vs. Now 28:20 — Cotton Country: How an Entire Region Dried Up 29:30 — Milo, Sorghum, and Fallow-Ground Decisions 31:42 — "The Only Difference Between Farming and Vegas..." 32:30 — Why Weather Is 95% of the Business 33:30 — What They Do for Fun: Lake Murray 34:30 — How Jared Got Here: Saint Louis → Mizzou → Bartlett → Springfield 37:00 — Why Joplin Stockyards Surpassed Oklahoma City 38:30 — "The Wealthiest Companies Got Wealthy off the Backs of Farmers" 39:50 — Why Cotton Doesn't Pencil Anymore 41:00 — The Peanut Program and Government Subsidies 43:00 — The Soybean Crop That Paid for His Son's Birth 45:30 — Why Equipment Payments Don't Work Anymore 46:30 — Converting Cropland to Bermuda Grass 47:04 — How Faith Holds the Whole Operation Together 48:30 — "GIG. GAP. God Is Good. God Always Provides." 48:50 — The Check-in-the-Mail Moments CONNECT WITH BLACKWELL TRUCKING Wayne, Oklahoma CONNECT WITH BULKLOADS Website: https://bulkloads.com?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Blackwell+Podcast #BulkLoads #FamilyTrucking #HopperFreight #AgTrucking #PipelineRestoration #CattleBusiness #SmallBusinessAmerica #TruckingPodcast /episode/index/show/bulkloads/id/41149945

BLP 362: From a Coin Flip to 750 Trucks: Inside the 75-Year Wayne Transports Empire 04/28/2026

BLP 362: From a Coin Flip to 750 Trucks: Inside the 75-Year Wayne Transports Empire Check this episode out on our YouTube: https://youtu.be/hc33VvhAS_I In 1950, a teenager who'd dropped out of school to save the family farm bought one truck and started hauling gasoline. Today, Wayne Transports runs 750+ trucks, moves nearly 290,000 loads a year, and posts driver turnover rates a fraction of the industry average. In this episode, we sit down with the next generation of Wayne ownership to unpack the full story — the Korean War tragedy that almost ended the company before it started, the bank loan that gave it its name, the move from Milaca to Rosemount that unlocked decades of growth, and how the family handed the president's chair to a non-family member for the first time in company history… one month before COVID hit. We also get into the operational side: the AI tools rebuilding their dispatch floor, the camera + safety stack keeping their fleet on the road, the acquisition playbook that's added 35 trucks a year, and why their turnover sits at 18% while the rest of the industry burns through drivers at 60-90%. If you run a fleet, drive for one, or want to understand how a real American trucking dynasty actually gets built — this one is for you. 🚛 Need freight? BulkLoads connects shippers and carriers across the bulk space — find your next load at ⏱ TIMECODES / CHAPTERS 00:00 — Meet the next generation of Wayne ownership 00:35 — Handing the presidency to the first non-family member (Jason Bucci) 01:37 — One month in, COVID hits: 86 drivers laid off overnight 02:30 — "If you can't keep it in the black, I'm coming back" — Wayne's mandate 03:00 — Memories of Grandpa Wayne, cinder blocks, and card games 05:00 — The 8th-grade coin flip that started everything 06:30 — Hauling cattle to the South Saint Paul Stockyards 07:30 — The Korean War tragedy that almost ended the company 08:11 — The bank loan, the collateral form, and how "Wayne Transports" got its name 09:08 — Building the Malacca shop and the 1979 move to Rosemount 09:45 — Deregulation in 1980 and the growth that followed 10:24 — From 250 trucks (2007) to 750+ today 12:07 — Why Rosemount? The Flint Hills Resources advantage 13:30 — Fleet breakdown: petroleum, chemical, dry bulk, asphalt, ag 15:58 — Company drivers vs. independent contractors — the right ratio 17:30 — 40-year drivers and what loyalty actually looks like 18:50 — The tech stack: Samsara, TMW Suite, Avion AI, Idelic safety 21:16 — Why customer demand forced the technology shift 22:30 — The "Traction" book and building a real culture 23:29 — How Wayne keeps turnover at 18% while the industry runs 60-90% 26:01 — Beyond trucking: Miko Maintenance, real estate, renewables 28:36 — The acquisition playbook — 30+ trucks added in a single year 31:00 — How Wayne finds (and earns) acquisition deals #Trucking #FamilyBusiness #BulkFreight #FleetManagement #BulkLoads #TruckingPodcast #TankerTrucking What surprised you most — the coin flip that started it all, the Korean War twist, or the 18% turnover number? Drop a timestamp + reaction below 👇 🚛 Looking for loads? BulkLoads has you covered → Check out our companies! BulkLoads - Insurance - Factoring - Transportation Management (TMS) - Bulk Freight Insights: /episode/index/show/bulkloads/id/41046570

The Heavy Haul Operator Riding the AI Data Center Wave 04/21/2026

The Heavy Haul Operator Riding the AI Data Center Wave Watch episode on YouTube: He started with one truck at 18 years old — and went bankrupt within a year. Most people would have quit. Kendal Mast didn't. Today, KM Wood Products runs 60+ trucks, hauls some of the heaviest freight in the country, and has quietly become one of the biggest players in AI data center freight — with 65% of their entire fleet dedicated to it. But the road here wasn't straight. Kendal rebuilt this company from zero multiple times, survived COVID with his family living in the truck, fired his entire driver pool to save key contracts, and learned million-dollar lessons the hard way. This is one of the most raw, honest conversations we've had on the BulkLoads Podcast. If you're an owner-operator, a small fleet owner, or just someone trying to build something real — this one's for you. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode ⏱ TIMECODES 00:00 — Starting with one log truck at 18 01:02 — Switching to wood chips and surviving early failure 01:33 — Going OTR, hiring owner operators, and pivoting to flatbed 02:24 — COVID hits — lays everyone off and starts over with his family in the truck 03:05 — How he rebuilt to 60 trucks 04:11 — The partner situation that nearly destroyed key contracts 07:01 — Fleet breakdown: RGN, step deck, tanks, and heavy haul 08:02 — The 99-load gas plant project that changed his entire strategy 09:32 — Why he only chases projects with 20+ loads 10:56 — Oversized and super load regulations explained 12:43 — How permitting works state to state 14:18 — Managing fuel costs and surcharges in heavy haul 16:16 — Why the freight market is finally turning in 2026 17:00 — AI data centers driving 65% of their freight volume 19:01 — Moving MARTA tram cars into Atlanta 20:19 — How he connected with Jesse Bounds and 10-4 Coaching 22:26 — The two biggest things he learned from coaching 24:33 — Growth mindset — the plan to reach 100+ trucks 26:24 — Trailer rental and freight brokerage as side revenue 27:26 — How word of mouth and showing up wins more business than load boards 29:36 — Faith, peace, and giving it to God 31:23 — His 5am morning routine: sauna, Bible app, and prayer 33:07 — His biggest weakness as a leader 34:39 — Biggest mistakes: wrong accountant and a million-dollar lease deal About BulkLoads: BulkLoads is the #1 bulk freight marketplace connecting carriers and shippers across the country. Whether you're hauling grain, fertilizer, heavy haul, or anything in between — we help you find the freight that fits your operation. 👉 Start finding loads today at BulkLoads.com #BulkLoads #Trucking #HeavyHaul #DataCenterFreight #OwnerOperator #TruckingPodcast #FreightMarket #Flatbed #KMWoodProducts Check out our companies! BulkLoads - Insurance - Factoring - Transportation Management (TMS) - /episode/index/show/bulkloads/id/40944745

BLP 361: She Never Planned to Run It — Now She Leads 140 Trucks | Julie Andrich of Autumn Transport 04/07/2026

BLP 360: How One Truck Puts $50,000 in Your Pocket Every Year 03/02/2026

BLP 359: The Most Valuable 30 Minutes for Running a Trucking Company 02/23/2026

BLP 359: The Most Valuable 30 Minutes for Running a Trucking Company Watch the video on our YouTube: 109,000 new trucking companies entered the market in 12 months. That’s 300 new competitors per day. So the real question isn’t “Is trucking competitive?” It’s: How do you win anyway? This is the BEST trucking advice we’ve captured over the past few years — condensed into one powerful 30-minute masterclass for owner-operators and fleet owners who want to stay profitable, stay booked, and build something that lasts. Inside this video, experienced operators break down: ✅ Why SAFETY must be the foundation of your company (or you’re built on sand) ✅ How to avoid going out of business during slow freight markets ✅ The truth about cost per mile (most truckers calculate it wrong) ✅ Why cheap tires actually cost you MORE money ✅ How to manage cash flow before it’s too late ✅ Why balancing your checkbook monthly could save your company ✅ The difference between being busy and being profitable ✅ How diversification protects you when a major customer disappears ✅ Why trust & reputation beat marketing ✅ The difference between a “driver” and a true professional You’ll also hear hard-earned lessons about: Growing too fast Insurance mistakes Underestimating accounting Seasonal trucking challenges Fuel efficiency strategies Working on your business vs. just in it This isn’t theory. This is real-world trucking experience from operators who’ve survived downturns, fires, rate swings, and market crashes. If you’re serious about building a trucking company that lasts longer than the next freight cycle — this video is for you. 🔔 Subscribe for real-world trucking insights: We share stories, strategies, and lessons from the people actually building successful operations. #trucking #owneroperator #smallfleet #truckingbusiness #dumptrucking #freight #logistics #cdldriver #truckerlife #businessadvice Clip 1 - Sam Watts, 10-4 Truck Insurance Clip 2 - Mike Bennet, Eagle Logistics Clip 3 - Evan Shelley, Truck Parking Club Clip 4 - Steve Miller, Reliant Transportation Clip 5 - Brian Kinsey, International Used Trucks Clip 6 - Roger Zima, Foltz Trucking Clip 7 - Mark Walker, Transland Clip 8 - Matt Gibbs, Ozarko Tire Clip 9 - Jesse Bounds, Bounda Hay Clip 10 - Justin Sturgill, Justin Sturgill Trucking Clip 11 - Jesse Runions, Ben R Brown Trucking Clip 12 - Earl Martin Jr., ERM Trucking Clip 13 - Brad & Jason Hammes, Hammes Trucking Clip 14 - Austin Hammen, AH Trucking Clip 15 - Woody Bogler, Woody Bogler Trucking Timestamp: 00:00 "Trucking Success Starts with Safety" 04:47 "Planning Ahead for Efficiency" 08:15 "Efficient Used Truck Strategy" 10:13 "Truck Driver's Perspective" 14:06 "Tire Tracking for Cost Reduction" 16:57 "Challenges of Understanding Accrual Accounting" 22:12 DIY Truck Maintenance Tips 24:29 Building Trust in Business 27:36 "Working on the Business" 29:53 Family Farms Facing Decline . . . Check out our companies! BulkLoads - Insurance - Factoring - Transportation Management (TMS) - Permitting- /episode/index/show/bulkloads/id/40199490

BLP 358: Do you actually know what the Department of Ag does? 12/22/2025

BLP 358: Do you actually know what the Department of Ag does? Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn joins Jared for a deep dive into the realities of modern farming, livestock operations, rural policy, and how government programs actually impact producers on the ground. Whether you're a farmer, livestock producer, trucker, ag student, grain hauler, or rural leader, this episode gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping agriculture today. Chris shares her personal story of growing up in Missouri ag, running a diversified family farm, and balancing life between Jefferson City and the home operation. She breaks down federal aid programs, drought relief, weights & measures, livestock transportation rules, and how technology has transformed production agriculture in the last 20 years. If you want to understand where Missouri agriculture is right now — and where it’s headed — this episode is a must-watch. 🔥 TOPICS COVERED • The role of the Missouri Department of Agriculture • How federal disaster & bridge payments actually work • Challenges facing today’s farmers: land access, financing, regulations, labor • Missouri’s diverse ag landscape: cattle, row crops, cotton, peanuts, poultry & more • The future of family farms and generational transition • Technology's impact on modern farming • How MoDOT & Ag collaborate on trucking weight limits and hauling regulations • Livestock transportation, inspections, and state-federal partnerships • How small farms can use “Missouri Grown” for marketing & business growth • The rising age of farmers — and what the next generation needs 🚜 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR ✔️ Farmers & ranchers ✔️ Agriculture students (FFA & 4H shout-out!) ✔️ Truckers and bulk haulers serving the ag industry ✔️ Missouri rural advocates & policymakers ✔️ Anyone who wants to understand real-world agriculture 🏆 ABOUT CHRIS CHINN • Missouri Director of Agriculture since 2017 • Lifelong farmer & livestock producer • Operates a diversified hog, cattle, corn, soybean & hay operation • Advocate for rural communities, youth programs, and practical regulatory reform 📌 RESOURCES MENTIONED Missouri Department of Agriculture 👉 Missouri Grown Program 👉 Timestamp: 00:00 "Balancing Farm Life and Opportunity" 05:29 "Diverse Agriculture Across Regions" 09:11 Supporting Next-Gen Farmers' Access 10:19 "USDA Bridge Payments Explained" 14:29 "Missouri Transportation Collaboration Explained" 18:27 Balancing Controversy in Agriculture 23:00 Evolving Family Farm Legacy 24:36 "Missouri Grown: Supporting Local Farms" Tickets for 2026 Bulk Freight Conference: BulkLoads: Smart Freight Funding: Bulk TMS: Insurance: Permitting: /episode/index/show/bulkloads/id/39470305

BLP 357: How Iowa 80 Truck Stop Became a Haven for Drivers Across the Nation 10/30/2025

BLP 357: How Iowa 80 Truck Stop Became a Haven for Drivers Across the Nation In this episode, Jared Flinn sits down with Ben Huston from the Iowa 80 Group — home of the World’s Largest Truck Stop — to talk about the incredible history behind Iowa 80, how the company supports America’s truck drivers, and what makes their locations in Walcott, IA, Joplin, MO, and Kenly, NC a home away from home for drivers across the country. Ben shares stories from his journey in the trucking world, the legacy of the Moon family who started it all, and what it takes to run a truck stop with 900 parking spaces, 24 showers, and nine restaurants — all designed with drivers in mind. Plus, hear about the exciting new partnership between BulkLoads and Iowa 80 offering major fuel savings (up to 70–80¢/gallon) through the BulkLoads Fuel Card, along with discounts at Truckomat washouts and CAT Scale locations nationwide. Watch on YouTube: 🚛 Topics Covered: The history and growth of Iowa 80 and the Truckers Jamboree Why safe, legal truck parking matters now more than ever Iowa 80’s approach to trucker comfort, amenities, and safety The BulkLoads Fuel Card partnership and exclusive savings The importance of driver relationships and community in trucking Hopper bottom washouts and the challenges of keeping them certified 🎙️ Guest: Ben Huston, Iowa 80 Group 📍 Locations: Walcott, IA | Joplin, MO | Kenly, NC 💬 Host: Jared Flinn, BulkLoads #Trucking #BulkLoads #Iowa80 #TruckersJamboree #FuelCard #TruckStop #TruckerLife #Transportation #Logistics #BulkHauling 2026 Bulk Freight Conference: Timestamp: 00:00 "Affordable Model Production Challenges" 03:15 "Teen's Journey into Trucking" 08:05 "Driver-Friendly Truck Stop Focus" 09:33 "Ultimate Truck Stop Experience" 14:51 Truck Stop Planning Essentials 18:54 Fuel Savings Program Partnership 20:07 TA Petro Partnership Progress 25:01 Driver Preferences Over Fuel Savings 27:26 "Kinley Truck Stop Acquisition" 31:52 "Truck Show and Education" 33:41 Massive Joplin Truck Show 36:36 Certified Washouts for Hopper Bottoms 41:50 Hopper Washout Compliance Challenges . . . Check out our companies! BulkLoads - Insurance - Factoring - Transportation Management (TMS) - Permitting- Fuel Card- /episode/index/show/bulkloads/id/38800505

BLP 356: The Company Fueling Rural America Since World War II 09/03/2025

BLP 356: The Company Fueling Rural America Since World War II The Company Powering Rural America | BulkLoads Podcast What does it take to keep America’s farmers, truckers, and rural communities moving? In this episode of the BulkLoads Podcast, Jared Flinn sits down with John Ihler, President & CEO of MFA Oil, to discuss how one of the nation’s largest farmer-owned cooperatives powers rural America through fuel, propane, lubricants, solar energy, convenience stores, and more. 👉 You’ll hear how MFA Oil: Serves 40,000+ farmer members with fuel, propane, and lubricants Runs a fleet of 1,000+ trucks, making it one of the largest propane suppliers in the U.S. Operates Break Time convenience stores and Big O Tires franchises across Missouri and beyond Invests in solar energy, logistics, and technology to prepare for the future of farming Supports rural communities through scholarships, cooperatives, and reinvestment This episode dives into the future of agriculture, the logistics behind propane & fuel delivery, and why service and community trust remain the backbone of MFA Oil’s success. Watch this episode on YouTube & Subscribe! Free Video Shoot From BulkLoads? How can we pray for you? Email us: 📌 Chapters 00:00 – Intro & MFA Oil Overview 04:10 – The Cooperative Model Explained 10:25 – Fuel, Propane & Tire Business 18:45 – Logistics & Fleet Operations 28:30 – Innovation: Solar, Storage & Lubricants 38:50 – The Future of Farming & Rural America 46:00 – Scholarships & Community Impact 💡 Why watch? If you’re in agriculture, trucking, logistics, or rural business, this episode gives an insider’s look at how a 97-year-old cooperative continues to innovate and support America’s heartland. 🔔 Subscribe to the BulkLoads Podcast for more conversations with leaders in bulk hauling, farming, and logistics: [Subscribe Here] 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, hit LIKE, drop a COMMENT about your experience with cooperatives, and SHARE this with a farmer, trucker, or ag professional who needs to hear it! ✨ Follow us for more: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | TikTok (@BulkLoads) #Agriculture #Trucking #Farming #RuralAmerica #BulkLoadsPodcast #Propane #Cooperative #Logistics /episode/index/show/bulkloads/id/38075430

BLP 355: The Tire Mistake Costing Truckers MILLIONS 08/25/2025

BLP 355: The Tire Mistake Costing Truckers MILLIONS Think you’re saving money with cheap truck tires? Think again. In this episode, we sit down with Matt Gibbs from Ozarko Tire to reveal the real costs of poor tire choices, the truth about retreads, and why tire maintenance can make or break your bottom line. Whether you’re an owner-operator, fleet manager, or just someone in the trucking industry, this conversation will change the way you think about your tire program. You’ll discover: The hidden difference between Tier 1 and Tier 4 tires How retreads can slash your cost per mile The #1 cause of roadside breakdowns (and how to prevent them) Why “cheap” tires often cost you more in the long run How to choose the right tire for your specific hauling needs 💬 Question for you: What’s been your biggest tire expense or breakdown story? Share it in the comments! Subscribe for more insider trucking tips, industry interviews, and strategies to run a more profitable operation. Watch this episode on YouTube & Subscribe! Free Video Shoot From BulkLoads? How can we pray for you? Email us: Ozarko Tire: Check out our companies! BulkLoads - Insurance - Factoring - Transportation Management (TMS) - Permitting- Fuel Card- Timestamp: 00:00 Trusting Expertise in Fleet Management 06:09 Offshore Tires Impact Retreading Industry 09:30 Inspiring Growth and Expansion 12:57 Retread Advantage: Michelin Innovations 15:50 "Tire Retreading Benefits Explained" 19:36 From Ministry to Michelin Career 22:56 Michelin's Leading Tire Reputation 24:03 Maximizing Tire Budget Efficiency 28:00 "Trucking Tire Retreading Basics" 31:16 Fleet Cost Evaluation Education 33:28 "Michelin XLEZ Plus Steer Tire" 38:45 Customizing Fleet Operations 40:11 Understanding Super Singles in Trucking 44:10 "Tire Load-Bearing and Risks" 47:18 Tire Air Pressure Guessing Contest 50:56 "Prioritize Tires with Warranties" 52:35 "Technology Transforms Tire Durability" /episode/index/show/bulkloads/id/37834785