XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve Podcast

Supply chains the world over have been majorly disrupted since governments began shutting down economies and transit in Spring of 2020. Agriculture has not been excepted from these disruptions — from meat processing to paper goods shortages, we’ve been impacted. But what about Ag inputs — the very goods we require to grow crops and feed the world? Will we have what we need? Right or wrong, many of our ingredients for fertility and chemistry products derive from Asia and that could be — in fact it already is — a big problem. Tommy Roach of NACHURS and XtremeAg co-founder Kelly Garrett discuss strategies to manage input shortages.

Terms like “by-product” and “waste” have a negative connotation. But they shouldn’t! As Ag producers become more scrutinized and even regulated on environmental impact, we have an opportunity to showcase our “green” contribution while enhancing the black on our bottom line. One method to do this is by utilizing by products as fertility enhancements on our farms. Kelly Garrett explains how he capitalizes on free lime and free time while keeping the pH levels on his property where they need to be and saving big money too.

Lee Lubbers of Lubbers Farms in Gregory, South Dakota was a no-till pioneer. In fact, he and his brother attempted to purchase no-till planting equipment back when it was so unpopular, the John Deere dealer refused to order it in for them! The farmers began no-tilling in the 1980s out of necessity — lack of labor, lack of money, lack of equipment. They also looked at it as a way to better utilize their farm land resource — leaving land fallow for a season to gain moisture was common at the time, and they needed a crop every year. Today Lubbers’ entire 17,000 acre operation is no-till. How do they do it, what are the benefits and pitfalls, and what do you need to know to succeed while avoiding tillage? Find out in this episode! Presented by Advanced Drainage Solutions

Inside your combine there are a LOT of moving parts and some of those parts — specifically your machine’s concaves — might not be pulling their weight. What if an $8,000 change got you through harvest 25% faster, or allowed you to increase the size of your combine head — without changing out your combine? What if your combine’s concaves are losing a bushel per acre out the rear end of the machine? Or worse yet, grinding and splitting your crop or allowing too much foreign matter to end up in the hopper? Chances are, you don’t think a lot about the belly of your machine but you should. Chad Henderson discusses the benefits he’s seen on his Alabama farm by making a simple change to the XPR2 Concaves by Estes Performance Concaves. Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems

With bigger corn crops come more stover in the field, which can prevent proper seed-to- soil contact following planting. Biologicals such as ResidueRX eliminate this problem, along with preventing disease, maximizing nutrient utilization, and saving you time and money by allowing you to apply during your pre-emergent spray pass. In this episode we discuss residue management to attain bigger yields — especially while reducing planting population.

Fertilizer prices are doubling from last crop season as overall Ag input prices are increasing. Savvy farmers understand the need to squeeze every penny out of their input dollars. Biological products like TitanXC — a fertilizer coating — do just that by making phosphorous and potassium more available for crops. Studies show that as much as 60% of your phosphorous goes un-utilized. Can you afford to let that much of your purchase go unused? Brian and Steve from Agricen join Iowa producer Kelly Garrett to discuss the science and the financial return. The best part: All it takes is a phone call to your Nutrien rep to use less fertilizer and make more money! Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems

When your farm operates as a "one man band” you wear every hat, but as your operation expands you quickly realize the need to prioritize responsibilities based personality, interest, or aptitude. Nobody can be an expert at everything. Generally, some of us love production, while others of us gravitate to the business side of farming. Stuart Sanderson of Henderson Farms explains how their operation divides responsibilities for a success and harmony. And, no, “harmony” doesn’t mean a lack of disagreement! Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems.

Inflation is upon us, now the only question is: For how long and how much will prices keep accelerating? This is a challenge for every business, especially production Agriculture, which operates on thin margins and involves the acquisition and application of a lot of expensive inputs. To successfully navigate the pricing turmoil, you need to know why prices are increasing and strategies to employ to guarantee you have the inputs you need come spring. This is a panel discussion featuring a manufacturer, retailer, and farmer — Darla Huff with Advanced Drainage Systems, Jon Gilbert with Agtegra, and Lee Lubbers of Lubbers Farms. Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems

Kevin Matthews of Matthews Family Farms in Yadkinville, NC joins Ruhiyyih Young of BASF to discuss how to achieve great results with proper soybean fungicide treatment. Kevin’s approach to soybeans is all about maximizing daylight for maximum plant performance. Once you’ve got the timing worked out, fungicide application — and its proper timing— can set you on the path to higher yields. Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems

In the old days if you wanted a bumper crop of corn, you sprayed copious amounts of Atrazine and put down a lot of nitrogen. While some farmers may think that’s still the game plan, Kevin Matthews attains record yielding corn with a different approach — he maximizes micronutrients with a big assist from the folks at Agroliquid. That company has multiple product corn fertility trials in place on Kevin’s North Carolina farm where he has 135 acres devoted to experimentation. Galynn Beer and Stephanie Zelinko from Agroliquid join Kevin to explain nutrient management and how to get huge bushels with efficient nutrient utilization. Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems

Matt Miles once believed a yield monitor was a nice — although not completely necessary — gadget for the combine. Today, he won’t let the combines roll if the yield monitor isn’t working properly. Matt and next generation son, Layne Miles, explain the adaptations their farm has made since Layne joined the farm full time in 2016. Technology and data analysis allows the Miles to reduce water use, manage resources, and even keep an eye on straying employees. They explain how they go about gathering and applying data and how you can do the same on your farm to achieve better — more profitable — outcomes! Sponsored by Advanced Drainage Systems

Planters have come a long way since the old days but there’s more to making your planter profitable than just paying for new paint. Illinois NCGA record setter, Dan Luepkes explains the Precision Planting system on his retrofitted planter. We start in the machinery shed overviewing the components of the equipment then move to the field. Throughout this hands-on “field trip,” Dan tells us the why and how of maximizing your seeding effort through precision planting. If you want bigger yields, watch this! Sponsored by Advanced Drainage Systems

In a previous episode we explained Plant Growth Regulators (PGR’s). In this episode, Peter Rousenelos and Gunther Kreps of AgXplore join Iowa farmer Kelly Garrett to further explain the mode of action and benefits of using PGR’s on your farm. The big benefit of course is yield — which equals dollars. Even if you’re already familiar with PGR’s, give this a listen as the AgXplore team discusses trials — there’s a reason the company has seen a 3.5 times increase in acres treated! Kelly’s experience with application methods and timing offer practical lessons you can use. Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems.

Every successful farming operation has practices that make the business. Likewise, farms are owned and operated by humans. Humans are prone to habit — both good and bad. And all businesses have experienced set backs, but those setbacks make you stronger if you’re willing to learn from them. Generation three and four of fifth generation Henderson Farms sit down for a discussion about practices, habits and failures. Sponsored by Advanced Drainage Systems

The marketplace is in constant motion. Weather events, foreign trade and production occurrences, crop reports, and other factors create opportunities for gains (and losses!). Seasoned farm operators understand the need to exploit higher returns when the marketplace allows an opportunity to do so. XtremeAg farmer Matt Miles, discusses his grain facility expansion and dryer addition. The upgrade creates grain handling efficiencies and this year it’s making him an extra dollar or so per bushel by selling into an inverted market. Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems

Lee Lubbers and his brother started farming when even established farmers had trouble getting loans. It was during the midst of the ’80’s farm crisis. The brothers scraped and toiled to keep improving their financial position — always paying their expenses before themselves. Even so, their relationship with their local bank deteriorated and they were cut loose and left without financing heading into spring. They scrambled, found money, and then went about finding a lender to be their business partner. They did so. Their operation has flourished in part due to a long term, working relationship with an Ag lender who also acted as mentor to Lee. Find out how to replicate their success here! Sponsored by Advanced Drainage Systems

Oftentimes urban and suburban encroachment impacts farming operations as farm land is sold off for development. If you’re the fortunate owner who sells former farm property for 30- 50,000 dollars per acre, you simply have a tax problem. But what if you’re the tenant farmer? Where do you go to pick up acres to keep your operation rolling? Chad Henderson rented 1,200 acres 140 miles away to offset land lost to development. After two complete crop seasons farming from a distance, he offers his lessons on making it work.

In the old days you grabbed a few soil probes from an 80 acre field, sent it to a lab and considered yourself a proficient soil manager. Those days are done - or at least they should be. Soil is the most important resource in production agriculture. How you manage it determines your farm’s long term success. Robb Dedman of Ultimate Ag Consulting joins Matt Miles of Miles Farms to discuss their 21st century approach to monitoring, measuring, and managing their farm’s precious soil resource. They make recommendations, explain how they "decrease inaccuracies,” and — most of all — talk about the profit potential using modern, disciplined soil analysis. Sponsored by Advanced Drainage Systems

Agriculture essentially began with humans tilling the soil. To say tillage has been around a while is an understatement — the bible references farmers being either a tender of the flock or a tiller of the soil. So, it stands to reason tillage is still around even in a world pushing no-till and regenerative practices. But when is the right time to cultivate your soil and is it doing more harm than good? Should you skip the tillage altogether? And what type of tillage equipment should you be using? Dan Luepkes of Chana, Illinois explains his concept on cultivation — when and why he does or doesn’t make the decision to turn the soil. Sponsored by Advanced Drainage Systems

Mark Coots, founder and CEO of Teva Corporation. That’s news to a lot of farmers who are still unfamiliar with the products 42 years after their alleged introduction. Mr. Coots and his plant biologist son, Caleb, join Kelly Garrett to explain PGR technology and the results farmers can attain when PGR’s are used in conjunction with other best farming practices. Sponsored by Advanced Drainage Systems

In most of the corn and soybean growing regions, we envision center pivots when we think of irrigation. But in an Ag world impacted increasingly by environmental forces compelling us to till less and drastically reduce resource consumption, we may utilize more drip irrigation. Dan Luepkes explains the Netafim drip irrigation system he uses to set yield records on his Illinois farm. You’ll see command central, the distribution infrastructure, and head in field to see the results. Sponsored by Advanced Drainage Systems