Shows
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Cotton Foliar ROI Under $50 Budget | XtremeAgIn this episode of Cutting the Curve, host Damian Mason discusses the Economic Fertility Challenge focused on cotton production with XtremeAg farmer Matt Miles and fellow contributors Kevin Matthews, Kelly Garrett, agronomist Stephanie Zelinko, and Gabe Saxon from AgroLiquid. The challenge, held on Matt Miles’ Arkansas farm, tested various foliar nutrition strategies on cotton under a strict $50 per-acre budget. With different teams applying nutrients using alternate timing and formulation methods, the goal was to evaluate return on investment (ROI) and yield efficiency in the face of tightening commodity margins. Despite differences in regional experience and field conditions, all participants em...
2025-11-3014 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Is It Time to Trust Non-Branded Ag Inputs? | XtremeAgIn this episode of Cutting the Curve, XtremeAg tackles the widespread skepticism surrounding post-patent (generic) crop protection products. Host Damian Mason speaks with Brian Adams of Volunteer Ag Services and Bret Corbett of Albaugh to explore the misconceptions about generics, their formulation quality, and their role in modern farming systems. The conversation emphasizes that while not all generics are created equal, many U.S.-manufactured post-patent products undergo rigorous testing, comply with EPA standards, and often contain updated surfactants and adjuvants. The panel outlines how farmers can confidently adopt these inputs by evaluating product sourcing, compatibility, and supplier credibility—of...
2025-11-2419 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Double Crop Soybean Fertility Strategies | XtremeAgIn this Cutting the Curve episode, XtremeAg farmers Chad Henderson, Matt Miles, and Temple Rhodes, along with AgroLiquid agronomists Gabe Saxon and Stephanie Zelinko, explore fertility strategies for maximizing double crop soybean yields. Each team worked within a $40 foliar fertility budget, customizing nutrient programs based on specific field conditions and crop goals. Applications were timed at the R3 growth stage to align with fungicide passes and minimize additional fieldwork. Despite environmental constraints—especially heat and limited growing windows—participants pursued combinations of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and micronutrients. The trial aimed to evaluate which nutrients, if any, could cons...
2025-11-0623 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | In-Season Tile Drainage Strategies for Better YieldsIn this episode of XtremeAg’s Cutting the Curve, Lee Lubbers of Gregory, South Dakota, shares his experience with innovative tile drainage strategies, including in-season installation during planting. Despite conventional wisdom warning against springtime drainage due to compaction and crop loss, Lubbers reports minimal disruption and significant yield improvements. He has installed over 3,000 acres of tile, enhancing soil structure, increasing organic matter, and reducing waterlogging. Alongside ADS representatives Cole Rath and Tim Dahl, the discussion also covers the growing role of water recycling through retention ponds, including collaborative projects that benefit wildlife and neighboring livestock operations. This episode highlights th...
2025-11-0330 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Machinery Market Trends 2025 | XtremeAgIn this episode of Cutting the Curve by XtremeAg, host Damian Mason speaks with Kevin Ten Haken, Executive Vice President at Demco, to assess the current state of the farm machinery market amid a challenging farm economy. With lingering impacts from trade disputes, inflationary input costs, and lower farm income following record years, the conversation outlines how machinery purchasing behavior is shifting. Ten Haken provides insight into inventory management, dealer relationships, and manufacturing inputs like steel and aluminum, noting that while material availability has improved, demand has sharply declined. The discussion emphasizes practical purchasing decisions, equipment right-sizing, and the...
2025-10-2729 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | How Is AI Changing Ag Operations? | XtremeAgIn this special "Next Generation" episode of Cutting the Curve, the XtremeAg team dives deep into how artificial intelligence (AI) and rapid tech advancements are reshaping agriculture. A roundtable of second-generation farmers—including Jackson Henderson, Layne Miles, Danielle Venable, Alexander Evans, Caleb Coots, and Connor Garrett—discusses the real-world implications of AI in ag operations, from data management and soil recommendations to autonomous equipment and drone scouting. While many acknowledge the potential of AI to enhance efficiency, optimize chemical applications, and reduce labor, they also express concerns about overreliance, information overload, and the risk of diminishing human skill sets. Key...
2025-10-2043 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Farming With Purpose: Soil Health, Legacy & SustainabilityIn this episode of XtremeAg’s Cutting the Curve, host Damian Mason is joined by Arkansas farmer Matt Miles and Brian Strider of Holganix for a reflective conversation on the deeper meaning of modern farming. The discussion emphasizes farming with purpose—balancing profitability with long-term soil health, family legacy, and sustainable agronomic practices. Miles shares the generational story of his family farm and the steps he’s taking to prepare the next generation, while Strider highlights the value of biologicals and reducing synthetic inputs. Together, they explore how stewardship, education, and innovation are shaping the future of agriculture.
Pres...
2025-10-1235 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Soil Health & Nitrogen Efficiency | XtremeAgThis XtremeAg Cutting the Curve episode, hosted by Damian Mason, explores nitrogen use efficiency from agronomic, economic, and environmental perspectives. Kelly Garrett shares how his farm reduces synthetic nitrogen inputs by leveraging soil mineralization and testing, while Scott Lay of Agricen discusses how N-Finity, a biological nitrogen efficiency tool, enhances soil performance through three key modes of action: mineralization, atmospheric nitrogen fixation, and microbial recruitment. Trial results across multiple XtremeAg farms—including those of Kevin Matthews, Chad Henderson, Matt Miles, and Johnny Verell—demonstrate consistent yields with significantly reduced nitrogen use. The episode highlights improved ROI, potential for carbon cred...
2025-10-0627 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Maximizing Soybean ROI on $50 Fertility | XtremeAgIn this episode of Cutting the Curve, the XtremeAg team dives into the “Economic Fertility Challenge” focused on growing 100-bushel soybeans using only $50 worth of post-applied fertility products. With fertility prescriptions designed by XtremeAg members and applied across irrigated and double-crop soybean plots in North Carolina, the challenge tests practical ROI strategies under varying field conditions. Participants include Kevin Matthews, Chad Henderson, Johnny Verell, Stephanie Zelinko, and Gabe Saxon. The discussion explores nutrient timing, input efficiency, crop yield environments, and data-driven decision-making to help growers optimize fertility spend without compromising performance.
2025-09-2916 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Precision Corn Fertility Trials | XtremeAgIn this episode of Cutting the Curve, XtremeAg farmers Kelly Garrett, Matt Miles, and Johnny Verell—alongside AgroLiquid’s Stephanie Zelinko and Aarron Stahl—discuss the Economic Fertility Challenge focused on growing high-yield corn with a constrained post-applied fertility budget of $60 per acre. Each farmer approached the challenge differently: Kelly emphasized micronutrient balance guided by SAP testing; Johnny opted for higher volume of core nutrients like phosphorus, calcium, and sulfur; and Matt took a hybrid strategy. Results from past trials showed significant overapplication of nitrogen with little return, prompting a shift toward precision nutrient management using data from SAP and ti...
2025-09-0817 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Drying Wheat and Barley Efficiently in Wet Harvest ConditionsIn this episode of XtremeAg Cutting the Curve, Johnny Verell and Rodie Jelleberg of Superior Grain Equipment explain how to adapt grain drying systems for wheat, barley, and canola amid high humidity and persistent rain. Verell details how his western Tennessee operation dried two-thirds of their wheat crop to preserve test weight, prevent dockage, and plant double-crop soybeans earlier. Jelleberg offers insight from the Upper Midwest, where growers are modifying standard setups to dry cereal grains due to disease pressure and late-season storms. The conversation highlights efficient low-temperature drying, cost control, and the versatility of modern mix-flow systems in...
2025-09-0116 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Are Soil Sensors Worth The Investment? | XtremeAgIn this episode of Cutting the Curve, host Damian Mason discusses real-world applications of soil moisture and weather monitoring technology with Jacob Appleberry of Live Oak Agronomy and Nick Emanuel, founder of CropMetrics and now with CropX. The episode focuses on integrated soil sensors and weather stations used across 18,000 acres, providing key insights into irrigation timing, fertility planning, and root development. Appleberry shares his firsthand experience deploying over 20 sensors on irrigated and dryland farms, including work with XtremeAg’s Matt Miles. Emanuel explains how the CropX platform combines hardware and AI-powered software to simplify decision-making and improve ROI. Whether ma...
2025-08-2538 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Grain System Expansion Strategies | XtremeAgIn this episode of XtremeAg’s Cutting The Curve, host Damian Mason is joined by Randy Coffee and Trevor Van Loo of Superior Grain Equipment to explore the economics and strategy behind expanding or upgrading on-farm grain systems. They address the growing need for storage driven by increasing yields and limited commercial capacity, even amid low commodity prices. The discussion highlights opportunities to offset investment costs through USDA and FSA loan programs, energy efficiency grants, and smart system design. Efficiency gains from faster unloading, labor reduction, and optimized harvest timing are emphasized. The episode also identifies common pitfalls—such as u...
2025-08-1822 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Low-Volume Spray Efficiency | XtremeAgIn this episode of the Cutting The Curve farming podcast, Chad Henderson and Chase Garner share how to reduce spray water volume without losing coverage or control. By combining water pH adjustment, optimized chemistry, and adjuvant use with crop oil, they achieve low GPA spraying of just 3–6 gallons per acre instead of the traditional 15–20. They explain nozzle selection tips, spray pressure management between 20–28 PSI, and droplet size optimization to ensure consistent weed kill and avoid oil-water separation. The approach improves spray application efficiency, reduces machine hours, and increases acres per load, all while maintaining herbicide performance and lowering fuel use.
2025-08-1124 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | How To Grow Big Wheat For Under $30 Per AcreIn this episode of Cutting The Curve, the XtremeAg team takes on the challenge of how to grow wheat for just $30 per acre—without giving up yield or quality. Hosted by Damian Mason, the discussion features AgroLiquid’s Stephanie Zelinko and Gabe Saxon, along with farmers Kelly Garrett, Temple Rhodes, and Johnny Verell. Their goal? Reach 120-bushel yields while maximizing efficiency.
You'll hear how these growers used late-season foliar feeding, nutrient balance, and targeted nitrogen management to enhance both grain fill and protein—while staying under budget. Kelly Garrett shares a standout result: wheat tested at sub-0.4% vomito...
2025-08-0516 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Is Agriculture Cool? | XtremeAgThis episode of the Cutting The Curve farming podcast features Damian Mason and Chad Henderson in a forward-looking discussion on the future of farming. They examine how agriculture can solve its recruitment challenges, engage youth in ag, and remain culturally relevant in an era of rapid change. Highlighting Gen Z farming values, social media in farming, and succession concerns, the episode offers strategies to build sustainable ag talent and enhance industry image. If you’re navigating ag labor sustainability or planning for long-term viability, this is a must-listen.
This episode is presented by Teva Corporation
2025-07-2826 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Quebec Field Day Preview: Skip Row Corn & Yield TrialsHost Damian Mason is joined by Sam Coutu to preview the upcoming Quebec field day focused on corn yield trials.
This episode breaks down how real-world, field-proven strategies are tested: skip row versus traditional corn planting, high vs. low population density, soybean fertility management, and the impact of late planting. By leveraging soil test data and cross-regional collaboration with U.S. XtremeAg members, Sam structures agronomic programs that deliver transparent results and actionable insights.
Farmers will learn how side-by-side trials and open, bilingual field panels offer both increased yield and cost-effective fertility options, especially valuable...
2025-07-2116 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Nitrogen Reduction & Pop Trials | XtremeAgIn this special edition of Cutting The Curve, the farming podcast previews Johnny Verell's upcoming 2025 field day in Jackson, TN.
Verell breaks down how he’s using nitrogen reduction strategies and corn variety trials to manage input costs while improving return per acre. With a focus on planting population trials, biological integration, and drone application in ag, he explains the benefits of split nitrogen use, hybrid-by-zone planning, and See & Spray precision.
Listeners will take away insights into reducing fertilizer costs, improving hybrid ROI, and tackling field variability with a data-driven mindset.
2025-07-1426 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Specialty Crop Contracts With Sesame | XtremeAgThis episode of the Cutting The Curve – farming podcast features Texas farmer Todd Kimbrell and his game-changing pivot into sesame farming. Learn how Kimbrell diversified with 1,500 acres of sesame using a specialty contract model that includes Act of God protection and logistical support. With no fertilizer and minimal inputs, he’s seeing $100+/acre returns on fields that used to sit idle after wheat harvest. Discover how dryland crop options, contract farming models, and low-input systems can drive high ROI potential, maximize idle land use, and reduce farm risk in today’s tight-margin ag economy.
Presented by Nach...
2025-07-0632 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Cotton Trials & ROI Fertility StrategiesThis episode of the Cutting The Curve – farming podcast previews the June 2025 XtremeAg field day in McGehee, Arkansas, led by Matt and Layne Miles. Cotton trials are front and center this year.
The event highlights ROI fertility strategies, low-nitrogen trials, and partner-led field plots designed to cut input costs and boost yields. Listeners will hear about lessons learned from last year’s plot challenges and get a sneak peek into precision irrigation and harvesting tech that helps farmers improve farm profitability and make data-driven farming decisions.
Presented by Nachurs
2025-05-2627 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Cost-Efficient Fertility & 30-Inch Soybeans | XtremeAgThis episode of the Cutting The Curve – farming podcast features Fertilizer for Soybeans trials from Chad Henderson’s 2025 Alabama field day.
In this episode of the Cutting the Curve podcast, Chad Henderson previews his May 22, 2025, XtremeAg field day in Madison, Alabama.
Key agronomic demonstrations include 30-inch soybean fertility strategies, skip-row and circular corn planting, and strip-till vs. conventional systems. Participating companies—Nachurs, AgroLiquid, Spraytec, ADS, and Concept AgriTek—will showcase input programs focused on plant health, fertilizer efficiency, and real-world application.
The event will also explore irrigation water quality testing and its impact on nutri...
2025-05-1216 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Hiring an Agronomist for Farm Success | XtremeAgThis episode of the Cutting The Curve - farming podcast features a deep dive into the value of hiring an agronomist. Johnny Verell and Brian Adams explain how to build a support system of consultants, crop scouts, and agronomic advisors that improve efficiency, reduce mistakes, and deliver a better bottom line. Learn what to ask for in a scouting contract, how to measure agronomic ROI, and how the right expert team can scale to any size operation.
Presented by Nachurs Bio-K
2025-04-2844 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | How a Faster Sprayer Fill System Adds Acres & ROI with Temple RhodesThis episode of the Cutting The Curve farming podcast explores how the faster sprayer system from Dura Products is transforming farm operations by cutting costs and boosting productivity. Temple Rhodes of XtremeAg reveals how his team now fills sprayers in just five minutes, sprays an additional 100 acres per day, and has completely eliminated chemical handling risks. With simplified trailer setups, safer chemical mixing, and a plug-and-play design, this system delivers rapid ROI for both farmers and commercial applicators. If you're looking to maximize sprayer efficiency, this episode delivers the insights you need.
Cutting The Curve Farming Podcast...
2025-04-2124 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming Podcast | Bringing the Department of Phosphorus Efficiency to Your Farm | Reduce Costs, and Improve Crop YieldsThis episode of the Cutting The Curve farming podcast dives into phosphorus efficiency, focusing on how to get phosphorus into soil effectively. Damian Mason hosts experts from AgroTech USA and XtremeAg, who discuss how farmers can raise phosphorus levels in soil through optimized fertility programs. They reveal practical strategies to reduce input costs, improve crop yields, and combat phosphorus deficiency in plants while enhancing soil health. This episode is crucial for anyone looking to boost their nutrient management practices while keeping more money in their pockets.
2025-03-2738 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastUsed Farm Machinery Buying Guide: Will Prices Come Down?The supply chain disruptions you heard so much about from 2020 through 2022 unsettled the machinery market. Now in 2024, the farm equipment marketplace is still adjusting. Inventory of used machines has been climbing rapidly over the last year. This run up in supply should equate to lower sale prices…but it’s not. Casey Seymour of Moving Iron LLC and host of The Moving Iron podcast, provides a market update and outlook. If you’re looking to update your fleet, listen to this for Casey’s advice on buying farm machinery.
Presented by CLAAS
2024-04-1838 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFixing Poor Ground: Transforming Marginal Farm Land into Profitable Acreage.In this informative podcast episode, Damian Mason talks to Concept AgriTek Agronomist Bert Riggan and XtremeAg’s Kelly Garrett about methods to enhance underperforming farm land. Uncover practical tips and strategies for increasing ROI on your least productive farm acres. Learn how to change your approach and farming practices to turn 'poor' ground into a profitable asset. Tune in for expert insights on maximizing farming profits through land optimization.
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems
2024-01-1836 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastIs your Grain Bin Facility Making You Money?The grain storage facilities on today's modern farms are larger than the local elevator of just a few decades ago. With size and scale comes a huge deployment of capital (and planning!). Johnny Verell sits down with Damian to explain how he went from essentially no on-farm grain storage in 2006 (they grew mostly cotton) to having a huge, modern grain facility today. Johnny explains the things he planned right and the things he wishes he’d considered at inception. Your grain facility is a HUGE, expensive piece of infrastructure. Listen to this for ideas on making it future proof!
Presented by...
2024-01-1633 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarm, Family, Business and a Lasting LegacyUnfortunately, many farm families end up with fractured relationships at the time of transition. This can all be prevented according to Farm Family Coach, Elaine Froese. Do you have a transition plan in place for your farm? Is the next generation involved in your farming operation, and if so, are they equity holders in the farm? What about the non-farming siblings — should their inheritance be the same as the farming siblings? If you’re involved in a family farming operation, it’s time to share your vision for the future, then put a plan together to make it reality. This episod...
2024-01-0941 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastHow Autonomous Machinery Will Change Your FarmIntelligent labor — as Matt Miles calls it — is always a challenge to find, hire, and keep employed. With equipment costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, you can’t just turn anyone loose in your fields. Labor is one compelling case for autonomous machinery but issues of economics, timeliness, and environment are other reasons autonomy will change your farm. Soon! Brandon Montgomery, Brand Manager for Fendt joins Matt and Damian for this future-looking episode.
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems
2024-01-0437 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastMaximizing Crop Health in 2024: Achieving Plant Balance and Sustainable FarmingKelly Garrett set out to make stress reduction for his crops an overriding theme for 2022. Damian Mason sits down with Kelly who explains what a balanced plant is and why he’s focusing on this subject. Maximization of inputs, yield bump, disease pressure reduction, and issues of sustainability are four benefits Kelly plans on attaining from his new focus of plant balance. What’s your big 2024 objective?
2023-12-3117 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastMachinery Decisions That Make MoneyModern farms have huge dollars tied up in equipment, but does that equipment provide an ROI? Johnny Verell joins Steve Simon of Simon Innovations and host Damian Mason to discuss machinery decisions and equipment upgrades. Are you upgrading equipment just to keep up with the neighbors? Does that shiny machine you saw at the farm show really need to be in your tool shed? We dig into the money side of equipment upgrades. As Johnny’s grandfather advised him, “Son, a man can justify anything he wants” but is it really a good financial decision?
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems
2023-12-2924 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastChanging Equipment for Better Farming ResultsDoes your machinery match the methods for how you can best run your farm? Johnny Verell is making several changes on his Tennessee farm to increase efficiencies while producing better crops. He’s changing out his 20-inch planters for 30-inch units, which means he’s also changing out his corn heads and adjusting his sprayer routine. Mr. Verell explains his equipment changes to XA’s Damian Mason. One big reason for the change: reduction of late season corn loss during sprayer treatments.
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems
2023-12-2718 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastGetting Your Sprayer Ready For Spring with Proper WinterizationLee Lubbers, a meticulous advocate for sprayer maintenance, ensures his two units undergo rigorous rinsing and blowing with every product change. Additionally, he conducts extensive cleaning and winterizes the sprayers before seasonal storage. Highlighting more than just preventive care, Lee underscores the risks of damaged crops and weed problems linked to inadequate sprayer cleaning. Joined by Nick Fleitz, a dedicated 'sprayer geek' from Pentair, they emphasize the criticality of thorough sprayer maintenance.
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems
2023-12-2531 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastIs Your Succession Plan Going To Leave A Mess For Your Family?We proudly say in Agriculture that 97% of America’s farms are family operations. That’s cool. But these farms are also businesses. With a lot of moving parts. And, a boat load of financial capital in play along with hefty assets. Sadly, about 80% of farming operations don’t have a succession plan in place. That’s irresponsible from a business perspective but it’s even more damaging — in many cases — for the family relationships that make the farm go. Ben Hansen with Gross & Company of Iowa joins Damian to discuss the legal, financial, and personal side of estate planning. Farming is your legacy...
2023-12-2235 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastTaking Back Control: Key Farming Decisions For The Upcoming YearIn the latest XtremeAg discussion, Bert Riggan of Concept Agritek, along with Temple Rhodes and Damian Mason from XtremeAg, delves into the critical subject of farmers reclaiming control over their farming operations. This insightful conversation addresses a common scenario where farmers, burdened by the multitude of decisions such as product selection, application timing, and agronomic practices, often resort to delegating these choices to Ag retailers or consultants. This delegation, while seemingly convenient, can lead to farmers losing actual control over their farms. Bert Riggan, with his extensive expertise, alongside Temple Rhodes and Damian Mason, explores the reasons behind this trend...
2023-12-1837 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastHope Doesn’t Pay the Bills - A Discussion with XA Member Charlie LeagerCharlie Leager left the Maryland family farm as a young man because there was no room for him in the operation. In 2020 — as a middle aged man and owner of a construction business — he took over the reins of the farm when his dad suddenly passed away. At age 56 and about to embark on his fifth season as a full-time farmer, Charlie discusses the lessons he’s gleaned, changes he’s making, and the business side of farming. As Charlie says, “I watched my father and grandfather farm on hope, but hope doesn’t pay the bills.”
Presented by Loveland Products
2023-12-1244 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastMoney Mistakes & Financial Fixes For Your Farming BusinessAnother installment on the business side of farming, Ben Hansen joins Damian to outline common money mistakes he sees farming operations make and how to fix them. It’s not as sexy as high yield corn, admittedly, but understanding how to manage debt, keep records, and surround yourself with the right business advisors will guarantee you more longevity in farming than a year of good corn. Ben’s organization — Gross & Company of Dunlap, Iowa specializes in tax advisory and consultation for Agriculture. Ben outlines simple steps you can take to successfully manage your farm, which is indeed a business— so run it l...
2023-12-0625 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastTwin Row Versus Single Row: Corn & Soybean Results On Raised BedsIn the Arkansas delta, where cotton was king, cropping systems were dictated by what was good for cotton. When Matt Miles started producing corn in 2006, he planted single row corn on 38 inch spacing on raised beds with furrow irrigation between the beds. Then he experimented with twin rows atop each raised bed and the results have never varied — twin rows trump single rows by at least ten bushels per acre. Matt and Layne Miles explain the practices they employ to maximize twin row production.
Presented by Loveland Products
2023-12-0428 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastInsights and Lessons Learned From 25 Years of Using Plant Growth RegulatorsLee Lubbers and his brother Terry surveyed their wheat in 1998 and determined they needed stronger plants to prevent lodging. Their search for a solution took them to the specialty crop arena where they discovered plant growth regulators. At the time, PGR’s weren’t commonly used in broad acre Ag outside of cotton. Even today, applying plant hormones to crops isn’t a widespread practice. Lee and Stoller’s Dale Hanke discuss Lee’s quarter century journey with applied plant hormones. Lee shares what he’s learned, and how he’s making bigger yields via PGR’s, even after a hailstorm nearly...
2023-11-3035 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastHigh-Tech Grain Carts: How Grain Cart Advancements Are Transforming HarvestGrain carts have evolved over the years, mostly in that they’ve become enormous. Aside from size, what else is happening with the ubiquitous implements running beside combines at harvest? Right hand discharge and dual augers are two new technologies already available. The future promises autonomous grain catchers, in-field grain reservoirs, and more. Damian talks to Demco’s Troy Woelber and Benji Vande Griend.
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems
2023-11-2725 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastChoosing the Right Lime for Your Farm: Tips From Kevin MatthewsIn this episode of Cutting The Curve, Kevin shares his experience of switching to lime sourced from coastal areas or even from out of state. Understand why simply correcting soil pH isn't enough. Learn about the crucial calcium to magnesium ratio and its effect on soil composition. Matthews Farms observed immediate improvements in their fields after this change. How can the right lime can lead to balanced soils, enhanced porosity, increased organic matter, and more efficient fertilizer use. Remember, your closest lime source is not always your best lime source.
Presented by Loveland Products
2023-11-2219 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastOvercoming Drought and Boosting Farm YieldsLee Lubbers says farmers too often— and too early — give up on their crop. We get it. It’s hot. It’s dry. Things don’t look good and the prospect of bumping out a respectable yield seem unlikely. But, as Lee has learned, you gotta continue to round the bases even during a drought year like he just experienced. Lee explains to Damian how he’s adjusting for success in 2024 with amended practices he’s already performing.
Presented by Loveland Products
2023-11-2018 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastWhat agronomic adjustments can you make to create improved farming outcomes for next year?What agronomic adjustments can you make to create improved outcomes for next year? Analyzing your soil tests, reviewing this year’s tissue samples, and paying close attention to your lesser farm ground. Those are just a few of the many recommendations from Bert Riggan, Agronomist with Concept AgriTek. Bert is joined by XA’s Temple Rhodes to talk through adjustments to improve farming results.
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems
2023-11-1541 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastIs it Genetics or Fertility?Did seed genetics exist 20-30 years ago that could have gotten today's yields if managed correctly with fertility? Or are our fertility plans just that much better at getting the most out of seed genetics? Damian asks XtremeAg's Kevin Matthews and Nachurs' Jason Worley: "Is it the Chicken or the Egg?"
2023-11-1508 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastCropping Mix Mastery: How Data Analytics Drives Successful Farming DecisionsMatt Miles is opting not to plant wheat this fall for 2024 harvest. Instead, he’s opting to plant full-season soybeans this spring, which is actually late winter in the Arkansas delta. Matt is making a cropping mix change based on price, manpower, moisture management, farm cost structure, and a few other reasons. He explains to Damian the analytics that go into his cropping decisions. Are you analyzing all aspects of your farm operation and financials to make cropping decisions? This episode will help you!
Presented by Loveland Products
2023-11-1429 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastMaking Cover Crops Work On Your FarmSometime between your crop's late reproductive stage and mid-winter, you have the opportunity to improve your soil quality and protect it from erosion by planting cover crops. Do you plant cover crops? Chances are, you don’t. Because most farm ground acres lay barren from harvest until planting. Kelly Garrett sees that as a mistake now that he’s seeing big results and financial returns after several years into his cover crop journey. Kelly is joined by Austin Tiefenthaler, a cover crop seed producer, with advice on incorporating cover crops into your operations.
Presented by Loveland Products
2023-11-1036 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFinancial Fundamentals for the Beginning FarmerFarming is a business with high capital investment and historically low margins. Successful farming depends on more than just high yields — navigating the financial aspects of the farm is crucial, especially when the farm economy tightens. We owe it to Ag’s next generation to prepare them with the financial fundamentals to succeed. Nutrien Financial’s John Maman discusses farm finance for the beginning farmer in this episode of Cutting The Curve. If you want your farming legacy to continue, please share this with the next generation!
Presented by Loveland Products
2023-11-0937 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastMember Spotlight: How Fresh Ideas Fuel First Generation Farmer James HeppThe Member Spotlight is on Iowa’s James Hepp. James — to put it lightly — isn't afraid to try new new things. He got into farming by crafting an arrangement with a retiring operator whose children wanted to retain the farm asset. James does cover crops, variable rate seeding, and a combo of no-till / strip-till. He does this all this with very modest machinery as he focuses on keeping the business side of his operation solvent. Aside from agronomics, James shares with Damian some financial and business tips that could help an aspiring young farmer get established.
Presented by Advanced Drainage System
2023-11-0633 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastThe Role of Roots in Increasing Organic Matter In Your SoilContrary to what you may have heard, you CAN increase the organic matter percentage in your soil. And…it won’t take you a lifetime to do so. The key: Roots. Darren Hefty joins XtremeAg’s Lee Lubbers in a hugely informative and enlightening conversation with Damian Mason about the critical role roots play in upping the organic matter in soil. Lee and Darren explain how they’ve increased OM composition considerably on their farms through reduced tillage, cover crops, and fostering soil biology. If you don’t value organic matter, you will after hearing Darren provide some of the numbers —...
2023-10-0335 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastMember Spotlight: Greg Dell - Young Maryland Farmer Unafraid of ExperimentationAbout 90 miles from XtremeAg’s Temple Rhodes, you’ll find 29-year-old farmer and XA member Greg Dell. Greg didn’t want to go to college, but his dad wouldn’t allow him back on the farm until he’d worked somewhere else for three years. He explains the growth and learning experience being employed by a large-scale farming operation allowed him. Greg discusses with Damian his aspiration to be better but not necessarily bigger, the value of experimentation, and the farm's profitable expansion into bird seed production.
Presented by Loveland Products
2023-09-2123 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastMaking Money Off Of High Moisture CornXtremeAg's Johnny Verell fired up the combine to shell corn last year on August 20th. He was finished with corn harvest a month later. Even by western Tennessee farming standards, Johnny pulls the trigger fast on corn harvest. Why? Because harvesting corn at 30% moisture makes him more money than if he allows it to dry down to the teens. Mr. Verell and his agronomic partner Brian Adams join Damian to explain the method to their high moisture madness. If you’re interested in: higher yields, avoidance of “phantom loss,” capturing positive basis in the markets, spreading out your labor, minimizing weathe...
2023-07-2609 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastOH HAIL! MANAGING YIELD AFTER A HAIL STORMStorms happen. So, how do you manage a yield when the clouds clear? XA affiliate Matt Swanson discusses his adaptations and practices post-hail storm this spring and what outcomes he expects. Is your corn flattened or just leafless? How many soybeans did you lose? To re-plant or let it ride? And what exactly is your insurance going to cover and what are you on the hook for? It’s all here in XtremeAg’s Cutting The Curve podcast with Damian Mason.
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems with support from Loveland Products.
2023-06-2730 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastStriving For Stress-Free Plants with Kevin MatthewsA common theme among the XtremeAg guys is the quest for stress-free crops. Kevin shares the practices and products he turns to to keep his plants from getting stressed out. He was an early adopter on plant growth regulators, he’s been experimenting with biologicals for years, and he now realizes he wasn’t using products to their full stress -reducing capacity early on. If you’re losing yield to preventable stress (and trust us, you are!), this is the episode for you.
Presented by Loveland Products
2023-06-0148 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFeeding The Biology of the SoilWe don’t do garden plots at XtremeAg, we do legit, large scale trials. This year, Kelly and Temple each have 40 acre lab trials with AgXplore — Temple is doing soybeans and Kelly is doing corn. The guys explain what they are trying to find, what they are using, what they are already seeing, and most importantly, what they will deem as success.
Presented by AgXplore
2023-05-3025 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastSwitching From a Dry Fertilizer Program to Liquid & Making It ProfitableMatt Miles admits, when it comes to his fertility program, he wasn’t an early adopter. “It was old school, it was easy…and easy isn’t always the best.” He’s seen the light with encouragement from his XtremeAg peers. He now uses frequent liquid fertilizer applications — in-furrow, via Y-drop, and over the top foliar. This from a farmer who relied on dry fertilizer and chicken litter only a few years ago. Matt, along with son Layne, explain their fertility program evolution. Yes, they spend more money but the cost decreases precipitously per each added bushel.
Presented by Advanced Drainage Syste
2023-05-1216 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastSWAT Soil Mapping: What It Is & Why You Need ItSoil survey maps are cool to look at, but they may not be completely accurate because they were done by hand decades ago. Yield maps — now spit out by your combine — are fun to look at, but it turns out they may not be completely accurate either due to lack of user re-calibration. So what should you do if you want a real good picture of what’s happening in your fields? XtremeAg affiliate Matt Swanson says you should look at SWAT soil mapping. He explains how it works, what it shows, and why you need it.
Presented by AgXplore
2023-03-2438 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastCover Cropping For Positive Results & Positive EconomicsXtremeAg member James Hepp is a first generation Iowa farmer who has been expanding his cover- cropped acres for the past three years. His motivation to continue upping his cover crop game got a shot in the arm this winter after seeing ditches filled with topsoil from the neighbor’s fall-tilled fields. James joins Integrated Ag Solutions’ Mike Evans to discuss the how, why, and when of cover cropping. He also shares the economic returns — which approach a couple hundred dollars per acre — of cover cropping.
Presented by Loveland Products with support from Agricen.
2023-03-2040 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming in Quebec With Sam of the NorthSam Coutu wasn’t raised on a farm but he knew he wanted to work in production agriculture. He spent summers at his uncle’s dairy farm in his native Quebec then spent 3 months on a farm in Switzerland as a teenager. Today this first generation farmer operates 1,540 acres of corn, soybeans, and wheat. (Only 2% of the land in Quebec is farm ground!) Sam will be conducting XtremeAg trials using products from Spraytec and AgrotechUSA. Listen in and learn about Agriculture north of the St. Lawrence from our newest affiliate “Sam Of The North!”
Presented by AgXplore.
2023-03-2028 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFinding The Key PieceMatt and Layne Miles talk about the Lab they are conducting this season to determine the key application in boosting row rice production.
In 2023, AgroLiquid is once again teaming up with XtremeAg for large-scale, on-farm labs to improve products and in-field performance. Five XtremeAg farmers will experiment with different applications, planting practices, and methods using a myriad of AgroLiquid products.
2023-03-0716 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFixing The Limiting FactorsIn 2023, AgroLiquid is once again teaming up with XtremeAg for large-scale, on-farm labs to improve products and in-field performance. Five XtremeAg farmers will experiment with different applications, planting practices, and methods using a myriad of AgroLiquid products.
In this podcast, Kevin talks about focusing on fixing his limiting factors, specifically calcium and potassium deficiencies that are prevalent in his part of the country.
2023-03-0713 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFinishing The PodsKelly Garrett will be teaming up with AgroLiquid to set his crop up for late season success. He acknowledges that the lack of a late season strategy in the past has resulted in significant yield loss.
In 2023, AgroLiquid is once again teaming up with XtremeAg for large-scale, on-farm labs to improve products and in-field performance. Five XtremeAg farmers will experiment with different applications, planting practices, and methods using a myriad of AgroLiquid products.
2023-03-0716 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastHitting The Right Crop StagesIn 2023, AgroLiquid is once again teaming up with XtremeAg for large-scale, on-farm labs to improve products and in-field performance. Five XtremeAg farmers will experiment with different applications, planting practices, and methods using a myriad of AgroLiquid products. In this podcast, Temple Rhodes talks about the importance of hitting the right crop stages.
2023-03-0715 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastMeet Caleb Traugh - Georgia Ag Consultant and XA AffiliateCaleb Traugh is quite an anomaly. He’s an Agricultural consultant who didn’t grow up on a farm and he doesn’t have a degree in any Agricultural curriculum. Heck, he doesn’t have a college degree at all. This unconventional path to Agriculture affords Caleb latitude to learn without having to re-learn. Caleb runs an Ag consultancy business that he began in 2020, mostly covering farming operations in southwest Georgia, southeast Alabama, and northwest Florida. Caleb discusses peanuts, the power of plant observation, and what he hopes to contribute to as well as learn from XtremeAg.
Presented by AgXplore.
2023-03-0730 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastMoving Cotton Calcium Into CottonMatt has said that cotton is a plant that is trying really hard to die right from the minute it emerges from the ground each spring. Matt is excited about working with AgroLiquid to find a way to move micronutrients, specifically calcium, into the cotton plant through a series of foliar passes.
In 2023, AgroLiquid is once again teaming up with XtremeAg for large-scale, on-farm labs to improve products and in-field performance. Five XtremeAg farmers will experiment with different applications, planting practices, and methods using a myriad of AgroLiquid products.
2023-03-0620 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastWhat Matt & Layne Learned From XtremeAg That Made Them MoneyModifications to planter setup for better crop emergence, changes to in-furrow fertility programs, and how not to treat your wheat like a lesser crop. These are three key takeaways Matt and Layne Miles got out of being a part of XtremeAg this year. You know that XA is a learning platform designed and created to help you shorten your learning curve — well, the Miles boys learned right along with you. They share details on these subjects and how you too can apply the lessons for greater productivity on your farm.
Presented by AgXplore
2023-02-2121 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastSelect Shot In-Furrow Product Performance Review with Kevin MatthewsCapstanAg’s Select Shot system was trialed in 2022 by three XtremeAg guys. Kevin delivers some feedback based on his two planter comparison — one set up with the SelectShot system, one without. Results: Better utilization of crop inputs. More precise in-furrow application. And the chance to reduce product usage which saves money. CapstanAg’s Stuart Meacham joins the conversation to explain the technology. One big challenge for tomorrow’s farmer will be environmental compliance and demonstrating judicious usage of inputs. The SelectShot system might help with that.
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems.
2023-02-0745 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastWhat Can We Learn From Illinois Farmer & Agronomy Guy, Matt Swanson?Matt Swanson is an XtremeAg affiliate from western Illinois. Matt explains his farming operation — which consists of acres in the Midwest as well as Arkansas. Matt did 2022 XA trial plots involving soybean fertility experimentation with products from Nachurs and AgXplore. In this conversation, Matt touches on those trials, his business diversification initiatives, and the letter grade he gives himself on various aspects of running a successful farm.
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems with support from Agricen.
2023-02-0336 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastNew Opportunities to Make More Per Acre in 2023XtremeAg’s Kelly Garrett was at the forefront of profiting off carbon credits. As the carbon marketplace becomes more clearly defined and understood, the opportunity to boost revenue on farms is expanding. According to Truterra’s Mariah Murphy, there are more dollars to be deployed through Ecosystem Services than available acres. She explains how the Truterra system carbon payments can be applied to your farm. It’s simple, and on average will fetch you $12 per acre for adjusting tillage and cover crop practices. Truterra is also rolling out a nitrogen reduction program that can add more non-crop revenue to your bottom...
2023-01-2440 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastJohnny’s Potentially Winning Wheat StrategyYou don’t think of western Tennessee as wheat country. Never the less, XA Affiliate Johnny Verell is bringing a competitive edge to the 2023 XtremeAg Wheat Wager. He takes his wheat very seriously -- something he admits the generations before him didn’t. But once he began treating wheat “like a real crop,” good things happened. Tune in to hear how Johnny maximizes yield and test weight by harvesting his wheat while it’s still wet — 25% moisture when the combines start rolling!
Presented by AgXplore
2023-01-1913 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastHow We Produce Big Yield, High Profit Wheat with Temple and ChadFace it, wheat production is often last on the list when it comes to the love and attention you devote (or don’t!) to the golden grain. But it shouldn’t be mistreated, it should be carefully treated, especially if you want bigger yields and bigger profits. Temple Rhodes and Chad Henderson team up in this podcast to share the practices and products they utilize to grow high yield wheat. There’s a ton of information here and, frankly, these guys put in a lot of effort with their wheat. If you’re serious about wheat production and you want to treat...
2023-01-121h 37
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastNo More Cotton? Meet Tennessee Farmer Johnny VerellJohnny Verell left his Jackson, Tennessee farm to attend Murray State University at his grandfather’s insistence. “He said I couldn’t farm if I didn’t go to college,” Johnny says. He returned to the farm and now runs the 3rd generation operation along with his dad. The family made a major decision in 2006 when they quit cotton. Johnny explains that business decision and his operation. He also shares the 3 subjects he’s learned the most about from XtremeAg as well as the subjects on which he intends to contribute to XtremeAg’s followers.
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems with Support f
2023-01-0531 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve Podcast3 Mistakes You Might Be Making With Your SprayerYour sprayer is an expensive piece of equipment that gets plenty of use deploying expensive crop inputs. With all that money involved, it’s important to prevent costly mistakes that can be remedied very inexpensively. Nick Fleitz, Agronomist with Pentair explains three mistakes — worn nozzles, fine droplets, and sprayer contamination — that could very well be robbing yield. Then, Nick outlines the easy fixes that’ll get your spraying dialed in!
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems with support from Agricen.
The information contained in this podcast is strictly based on the opinions, methods and best practices of the XtremeAg.farm team and does...
2022-12-1330 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastWhat The Markets Are Telling Us At Harvest Time & What We Can Learn From ItMarkets are always a bit volatile but 2022 was more so than average. Corn prices moved up and down by more than 30%, cotton prices dropped by half, and soybeans weren’t always stable. It’s a good practice to look back at what the year taught you in order to make adjustments for greater success in the year ahead. Bryce Guse and Sean Findley with Silveus Financial join XtremeAg’s Layne Miles to discuss 2022 surprises, predictions made right and wrong, and strategies that worked.
The risk of loss in trading futures and/or options is substantial and each investor and/or trader...
2022-11-2240 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastReaffirming Variable Rate Nitrogen ApplicationHere at XtremeAg we like to point out ideas and products that work so effectively, they become standard practice. Sometimes you need to prove to yourself that your standard operating procedure is still viable. Kelly Garrett and his agronomist Mike Evans did that this year when they varied from their standard practice of applying variable rate nitrogen. The results: A 12 to 15% yield drag. The two explain why they’ll never do flat rate “N” applications again and other lessons.
Presented by AgXplore
2022-09-2820 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastHybrid AgronomyKevin takes the opportunity to learn from 36 years of agronomy expertise when he talks to Leslie Lloyd, agronomist for Agrigold. An in depth conversation about hybrids, diseases, fungicide responses, application timing, stalk strength, drought stress, kernel depth, row spacing, population, when to combine and perhaps most importantly, a trick for keeping the gnats away.
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The information contained in this video is strictly based on the opinions, methods and best practices of the XtremeAg.farm team and does not constitute professional advice. Do not assume these practices will work on your farm. Always consult a professional before making any farming...
2022-09-2223 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastUNSTRATIFYING YOUR NUTRIENTSWater, oxygen and biology help break down and move nutrients into the root zone for uptake by plants. But it is not always a free flow of nutrients throughout the soil, in fact it is often not. So how do you get the nutrients that are below the root zone into the root zone and into the plant? Kelly and Mike talk about how they are "unstratifying their nutrients" with some help from Concept Agritek's Shaun Guthmiller.
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The information contained in this video is strictly based on the opinions, methods and best practices of the XtremeAg.farm team and...
2022-09-1911 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastSeaweed As A Crop Input?You probably didn’t realize this, but seaweed has been utilized as a crop input for 40 or 50 years in some specialty crop production systems. Now, seaweed’s benefits are being discovered and put to work in commodity cropping systems. With several of the XtremeAg guys trialing seaweed-derived crop inputs, it was time to sit down and discuss kelp technology in farming. In short, seaweed helps crops because it thrives in cold, dark, salty environments and it’s good at it — kelp has been in the oceans for millennia! Brian Cornelius, Director of Applied Sciences with Agricen explains the stress mitigation benefits...
2022-09-1428 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastNitrogen Reduction & Soil HealthSourceCorn is a product proposing this promise: Spend $14 per acre for this foliar applied product and you’ll save more than that in nitrogen application and maintain the same yield (or even do better!). This matters as we increasingly are impacted at the farm level by environmental policy or pressure to reduce our utilization of the big macronutrients — N & P. SoundAg is the company behind SourceCorn. XtremeAg is doing some trial work with the company this year. SoundAg’s VP of sales, Eamon Flood, joins me to discuss soil health and the future of using less fertilizer per bushel.
Presented by Adv...
2022-08-1431 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastStrategies For Reviving Soil Biology In A Dead FieldThe Red River valley of southern Manitoba experienced flooding in Spring 2022. XtremeAg affiliate Riley Anderson had one field submerged under flood waters for more than a month. This would be a problem anytime of the year but with it happening during spring warm up, the flooding killed off soil biology. As Riley puts it, “It smelled like it was dead and rotting.” Now he’s working to revive his soil biology to make it productive and healthy sooner versus later. Because...degraded assets are bad for business and as a farmer, your soil is your biggest asset!
Presented by AgXplore
2022-07-2823 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastIt’s Time to Test For Soil BiologyEach year 10 Million soil samples are pulled in North America. Those samples are sent to labs for analysis and the results are returned to farmers and their crop advisors. This is a good thing — knowing your nutrient and pH levels provides guidance for fertility treatments. The only problem: Much of what we do and how we do it when it comes to soil sampling hasn’t changed since the 1950’s! Al Toops with BiomeMakers joins Kelly and Connor Garrett of XtremeAg to discuss the future of soil analysis and why soil biology testing will change production Agriculture.
Presented by Advanced Draina...
2022-07-2439 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastPerspectives On Prairie Province FarmingRiley Anderson farms 24 miles north of the North Dakota / Canada border. As our newest XtremeAg affiliate, Riley will be providing insights, updates, and product trials from his Manitoba operation. What unique challenges do farmers face in an area that dips down to —40 degrees Fahrenheit? How does the product mix change when you go north of the border? And how are commodity markets navigated differently in the western provinces from where you farm? We dig into those topics and more in this episode!
Presented by AgXplore
2022-07-0733 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastAren't All Seed Companies The Same?It's all the same seed in a different bag with different label? Right? Damian asks the question and more with Agrigold's Leslie Rogers and XtremeAg's Matt Miles and Robb Dedman.
2022-07-0614 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastWEBINAR: CARBON MARKETS DEMYSTIFIEDYou’ve likely been hearing about carbon revenue opportunities for farmers for a couple years now. But what’s the deal and how do you go about making a carbon deal? What changes to your farming practices are required and who monitors your practices? Most importantly, how much money are we talking about — because let’s face it, carbon credit deals are still anything but mainstream. We know you have questions, and frankly so do we at XtremeAg. Which is why we devoted our June webinar specifically to carbon markets. Listen in as we discuss everything you need to know about se...
2022-06-161h 09
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastCost of Compaction and How To Avoid It!Soil compaction is a silent yield robber. Unlike a wind storm or hail damage, you may not see the harm to your crop — but you will certainly see it on your combine’s yield monitor. In the old days we thought deep ripping was the solution to correcting soil compaction but that’s timely -- and with the price of diesel — exceedingly expensive. XtremeAg’s Kevin Matthews discusses the cause and cost of compaction and offers solutions on avoiding or rectifying the problem. From tire pressure adjustments to cover crop utilization and a few other tips, Kevin can help you keep your...
2022-06-1542 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastShort Cuts: What is a plant health agent and does your crop need one?We've heard of secret agents and talent agents, but what is a plant health agent? And more importantly, do you really need one? Damian talks with Matt Miles and Trey Curtis from Concept Agritek about a 40 acre trial they are running with a new product called Bio Health that coats the plant with hundreds of different strains of bacteria and fungi that increases photosynthesis, respiration and keep the plant from having a a bad day. The theory being that if the plant is healthy it will defend itself from any stressors. So does this mean you don't need a costly...
2022-06-1313 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastFarming On The BayTemple Rhodes farms on Maryland’s eastern shore, operates a couple other business ventures, and he’s now contributing to XtremeAg. Throughout the season we’ll tune in to see what Mr. Rhodes is doing with fungicide treatments, seed plots, and micronutrient products to increase fertility uptake — a big issue for his geography. Because Temple farms in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, he’s under an environmental microscope. Enjoy meeting Temple and hear about how he runs his operation to “never become complacent.”
This episode is presented by AgXplore.
2022-06-0937 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastShort Cuts: The Rice FarmerMiles Farms is not only a producer of corn, soybeans, cotton and wheat, but they also manage a significant rice growing operation. Rice is a unique crop that many people outside of the 6 big rice growing states no very little about. Matt and Robbo talk with Damian about the unique needs, growth and care that is required to grow rice in the delta region. Tune in and learn something about a crop you may not know much about in this XtremeAg Short Cuts.
2022-06-0814 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastThe Highs And Lows of Cotton FarmingMatt Miles's father used to say, “Cotton is always looking for a reason to die.” Matt explains cotton production in the Arkansas delta — from moisture issues to managing a high maintenance crop to capitalizing (hopefully!) on record high cotton prices. As Matt explains, cotton is a high risk, high reward crop. With cotton picking equipment costing $900,000 new, it needs to be. This is XtremeAg’s first cotton-themed recording and Matt does a good job of explaining the nuances of cotton farming, which is in his heritage.
Presented by AgXplore.
2022-05-1335 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastHow Precise Can You Get With Your Starter Application?In the old days, we dribbled out fertilizer from our planters and hoped it found its way to the seed to boost early growth. Basically, as Stuart Meacham of CapstanAg says, it was a “controlled spill.” But with all the technological advancements in machinery, field mapping, and data analytics, isn’t it time for precision in-furrow fertilization? Lee Lubbers thought so, which is why he sought out CapstanAg’s Select Shot in-furrow fertility system. XtremeAg’s Lee Lubbers, Kelly Garrett, and Kevin Matthews will be running trial comparisons this season to measure fertilizer savings, analyze in-furrow fungicide application, and monitor plant and...
2022-04-2629 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastWill The World — And Your Farm — Have The Fertilizer It Needs?Fertilizer price spikes have been the subject of much media over the past six to twelve months. But what forces are at play globally that may make the problem worse or better? Bryan Bednarek fertilizer trading expert with StoneX Financial discusses the fertilizer supply chain, pricing, and explains why he’s not concerned about facing a full blown fertilizer shortage. He’s joined by XtremeAg’s Lee Lubbers for perspective on farm-level fertilizer availability and how to be prepared for the next season.
2022-04-2043 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastXyway - Do's And Don'ts For Using This Game Changing FungicideIn 2021 FMC launched Xyway, a systemic fungicide engineered to be applied at planting as a tank mix with starter fertilizer. 95% of the farms that used the product saw great results. But those farmers who applied Xyway in-furrow, especially in cool, damp soil, experienced germination issues.
Iowa farmer, Kelly Garrett, having heard of this potential issue through XtremeAg users, opted for a 2x2 application (2 inches deep and 2 inches away from the seed bed). His farm saw a 26 bushel yield bump using Xyway AND he didn’t have to perform a second fungicide treatment mid-Summer. Kelly is joined by FMC’s Gail Stra...
2022-02-2527 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastROI Driving Crop Rotation DecisionsThere’s a lot to consider heading into any new crop year but especially as we prepare for 2022 with record run-ups in input prices, lack of input inventory, Covid marketplace impacts, and uncertainty. One consideration always in play is whether or not to alter the crop rotation. XtremeAg farmer, Chad Henderson explains why he’s staying the course in 2022 with his usual crop acreage splits. That is, unless the weather throws him a curve ball this spring. Chad explains the reasons and experiences that guided his decision against making radical changes to his cropping plan. Principal among them: "Crop rotation make...
2022-01-2231 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastNutrient Management With Drip IrrigationFertilizer and diesel prices are up considerably. Meanwhile farms are under increasing environmental pressure. These forces combine to create a real opportunity for manure utilization via drip irrigation. Drip irrigation, as we’ve discussed in previous episodes, is a more efficient means of delivering moisture to your crop. But drip is also a very effective means of nutrient management which saves time, machinery hours, and diesel all while eliminating the soil compaction common with manure application. Then there is the environmental concern and complaints associated with manure that are eliminated by using in-ground drip application. Kurt Grimm with NutraDrip joins Xtr...
2022-01-1842 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastWhat 2021 Taught Chad & Applying It To 2022Winter is a good time to reflect back on what the prior farming season taught us and how we can apply those lessons for success in the new year. Alabama farm operator and XtremeAg co-founder Chad Henderson discusses some of his 2021 investments and ventures. He also covers the business and personal lessons he’s applying for a more prosperous 2022. From installing drainage (for the first time!), to practicing patience as a manager, Chad has plenty of lessons to share from the year that was.
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems
2022-01-1230 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastPerfecting Practices Learned In 2021Kevin Matthews is always looking for a way to improve upon how he does what he does on his North Carolina farming operation. In 2021 he implemented changes in how he plants, how he sprays, and how he harvests. Looking ahead to crop year 2022, he discusses how he’ll perfect his newly implemented changes. Remember, if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten. And that simply won’t do for an XtremeAg producer!
2022-01-1030 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastIncome Diversification For Your Farm (Using Resources You Already Have!)Over the years, American farms have become increasingly specialized. That’s been good for productivity but not necessarily for protecting farm profitability. Being too dependent on just a handful of crops -- or worse, a handful of buyers — puts farming operations in a precarious spot. Remember the old saying about having all your eggs in one basket? Sometimes the smart business move is to change up your offering to diversify your income stream. And if you can do it with resources, relationships, and knowledge you already have, all the better. Kelly Garrett discusses his budding direct-to-consumer meat enterprise. He explains his...
2021-12-1330 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastReleasing Fertility Within Residue Through BiologicalsOn average — and at current fertilizer prices — there is $125 worth of N,P& K in each acre of corn stalks post harvest. Are you getting that fertility buck back for your next crop? As fertilizer prices skyrocket, it’s more important than ever to harvest nutrients already in your fields for your next harvest. Not to mention the importance of proper residue management — too much residue prevents solid seed-to-soil contact come next planting. Biological products such as Extract maximize nutrient release from residue while also breaking down that residue. Brian Cornelious and Steve Sexton from Agricen join XtremeAg farmer Kelly Garrett t...
2021-12-0825 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastNew Biologicals To Reduce Stress On Your CropsMarrone Bio is a 15 year old Agricultural company you’ve probably never heard of if you’re in the business of producing row crops. That’s because Marrone Bio’s roots are in products for horticulture and specialty crops. But that’s changing as the company is bringing innovative, abiotic stress reduction products to the marketplace.
XtremeAg farmer Chad Henderson is trialing two Marrone products this year on 500 acres of corn and soybeans. Emergen (applied in-furrow) and Pacesetter (applied as a foliar at time of fungicide application), have one job: to reduce plant stress. Or, as Chad says, “they keep my crops fro...
2021-11-2216 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastWill There Be Ag Input Shortages?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...
2021-10-2029 min
XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve PodcastBeing Equipped to Seize OpportunitiesThe 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
2021-08-2424 min