Western Ag Network, Ag Information Network announce strategic merger
On Jan. 27, Western Ag Network (WAN) and Ag Information Network (AIN) announced a strategic merger powered by Nemetz Communications, Inc.
The merger will unite two highly respected ag media organizations to form a comprehensive, far-reaching ag broadcast platform, serving farmers and ranchers across the U.S. with a primary focus in the West and Southeast.
Russell Nemetz, president and owner of Nemetz Communications, Inc., has been a trusted voice in ag broadcasting for nearly 30 years.
Nemetz says the merger will combine the strengths of the two networks to increase accessibility and depth of agricultural information across the West and beyond.
Trusted sources
Both WAN and AIN have a long legacy of delivering trusted news coverage to the agriculture industry.
According to a Jan. 27 press release posted on the WAN website, the merger will combine the two networks’ “complementary strengths” in order to serve a broader and more diverse agricultural audience.
Originally founded in 1985 as the Evan Slack Network, WAN has deep roots in agriculture and rural America and has been serving listeners for over 40 years.
AIN also brings more than three decades of experience serving American agriculturists – with a focus on crop reporting and farm broadcasting – to the merger.
The press release ex-
plains WAN has long served as a cornerstone of agricultural reporting across the West, while AIN brings decades of authoritative regional programming and deep relationships within specialty crop sectors.
“Together, the two networks combine complementary strengths to serve a broader and more diverse agricultural landscape,” states the release. “With more than 200 radio affiliates across 17 states and a combined legacy of trusted agricultural journalism, the unified network offers an expanded, streamlined and highly-efficient channel for delivering agricultural news, market reporting and industry insights to producers, communities and national agribusiness partners alike.”
Core values
As the merger moves forward, the press release notes WAN and AIN are committed to maintaining their core values of integrity, accuracy and meaningful service to the producers and industries which rely on them every day.
WAN has promised to preserve the established identity of AIN while working towards a seamless transition, noting listeners and industry partners will continue to hear familiar AIN programming and trusted hosts as the two networks align behind the scenes.
“This merger reflects a shared commitment to elevate the accessibility and depth of agricultural information across the West and beyond,” says Nemetz. “We’re combining the strengths of two respected networks to create a stronger, more connected platform – without losing the authenticity and credibility our audiences expect.”
Kelly Allen, president and owner of Allen Media, emphasizes the merger will not affect the established editorial identity and values which define AIN.
“Our listeners and partners value consistent, trusted information,” says Allen. “Joining WAN allows us to expand service while maintaining the editorial identity that has defined the AIN for more than 30 years.”
Nationwide coverage
Together, WAN and AIN now deliver ag news, markets, weather and rodeo coverage to more than 200 affiliates across Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
WAN says the unified network will strengthen service by expanding coverage areas, improving reporting capacity and providing more consistent regional information.
Nemetz notes uniting AIN and WAN under the same umbrella will create one of the most comprehensive and far-reaching ag broadcast platforms in the nation, bringing leading coverage on agricultural issues affecting farmers and ranchers in a variety of regions together in one place.
“In the West, we talk about important issues from private property rights and predators to water issues,” Nemetz states. “A lot of these issues apply to folks in the Southeast, just in a different scope.”
In addition to reporting on traditional topics like livestock, cereal grains and pulses, Nemetz says bringing AIN to the merger will increase the network’s authority on specialty crops in several regions, from potatoes and grapes in the Pacific Northwest to peanuts in Georgia and citrus in Florida.
“This merger increases our focus and passion of serving farmers, ranchers and rural communities,” Nemetz concludes.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
