Orion Samuelson

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Orion "The Big O" Samuelson (first name pronounced OR-ee-uhn) (born March 31, 1934 in La Crosse, Wisconsin) is an American broadcaster, most widely known for hosting U.S. Farm Report. He was inducted in to the Radio Hall of Fame in 2003.^[1]

His early work was based in Wisconsin; working at WKLJ in Sparta, WHBY in Appleton, and WBAY-TV/AM in Green Bay. He is best known for his association with WGN Radio in Chicago, serving as the station's head agriculture broadcaster since 1960. Three years into his tenure at WGN, he was the staffer on air that read the news of the John F. Kennedy assassination. He currently co-hosts, along with his associate Max Armstrong, the Morning Show and Noon Show on Saturdays. In addition, he also hosts a three-minute daily "National Farm Report" and a weekly commentary, "Samuelson Sez," both of which are syndicated to various stations across the country through Tribune Broadcasting's Tribune Radio Network.^[1]

In the 1960's he hosted an early morning television show on WGN-TV called "Top 'O' the Morning" first with co-host and organist Harold Turner then later with Armstrong. From 1975 to 2005, Samuelson was also the host of U.S. Farm Report, a weekly television news magazine dedicated to agriculture. He has since retired from that position and John Phipps has taken his place. He now hosts a similar show, This Week in Agribusiness, on RFD-TV, along with Armstrong.^[1]

Politically, Samuelson is a significant supporter of the use of ethanol fuel as derived from corn, as he feels its use will help American farmers.^{[citation needed]}