XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve Podcast

Farming Podcast | Running a Family Farm Remotely | XtremeAg

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, Damian Mason speaks with South Dakota native Derek Skogsberg about building a modern, financially viable farming operation while living out of state. With a professional background in agronomy and agribusiness, Skogsberg shares how he returned to his family’s legacy farmland after decades in other industries, creating a business model that balances investment, operational efficiency, and generational preservation. Farming approximately 1,000 acres—half owned, half family-managed—Skogsberg details the transition from investor to operator, the importance of pro forma financials, equipment investments, hiring the right personnel, and using tools like John Deere Operations Center to farm remotely. He emphasizes treating the operation as a standalone business and offers key insights for families considering a non-traditional path to maintaining farm viability.

Farming Podcast | Soil Health Strategies That Pay

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, host Damian Mason is joined by Temple Rhodes and Barrett Ersek to explore the concept of "Thriveability" — a farmer-driven mindset focused on improving soil health, reducing inputs, and enhancing long-term economic outcomes. Barrett, founder of Holganix, explains how the company has shifted from selling crop inputs to becoming a partner in soil health by leveraging microbial technologies, intensive data collection, and prescriptive agronomic support. Temple shares real-world results from implementing Holganix's fall and spring biological products, including measurable gains in soil structure, water infiltration, and crop performance. The conversation highlights how integrating soil health strategies into a farming operation — paired with quantifiable metrics and optional carbon credit opportunities — can deliver immediate and long-term financial returns while improving the resilience of the land.

Farming Podcast | Can You Boost Wheat Yields on Budget? | XtremeAg

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, host Damian Mason discusses the results of the Economic Fertility Challenge with farmer Johnny Verell and agronomist Stephanie Zelinko. The challenge, conducted in partnership with AgroLiquid, aimed to maximize wheat yields with a $30 foliar fertility spend per acre. Johnny Verell achieved the highest yield at 114 bushels per acre and won on both yield and ROI, outperforming fellow farmers Kelly Garrett and Temple Rhodes. The discussion highlights strategies such as spoon-feeding nutrients, leveraging crop tissue testing, and aligning applications with growth stages. Despite depressed commodity prices and high input costs, targeted foliar nutrition proved to be a viable approach to maintaining yields while managing budgets.

Farming Podcast | Precision In-Furrow Strategies Tested | XtremeAg

In this episode of Cutting The Curve, Damian Mason hosts Temple Rhodes, Chad Henderson, Kevin Matthews, Joe Leslie, and agronomist Stephanie Zelinko to discuss the Economic Fertility Challenge—a collaborative in-furrow fertility trial with AgroLiquid, aiming to maximize ROI under a $40/acre fertility budget. The challenge was conducted on irrigated corn with a 300-bushel yield goal, testing varied nutrient strategies across different farms without revealing treatment identities to eliminate bias. The discussion emphasizes budget-conscious fertility planning, precision placement, and how real-world application on different soil types impacts results. Farmers share insights on phosphorus prioritization, micronutrient selection, and the efficiencies gained from targeted in-furrow applications—highlighting that agronomic effectiveness and profitability can be achieved even under financial constraints.

Farming Podcast | Reducing Phosphorus Fertilizer Costs | XtremeAg

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, Damian Mason hosts Temple Rhodes and agronomist Rebekah Muench of Concept Agritek to address how growers can reduce phosphorus fertilizer costs without sacrificing yield. With phosphorus sources like DAP and MAP becoming prohibitively expensive, the conversation centers on improving phosphorus efficiency by unlocking tied-up nutrients in the soil, utilizing banded and seasonally timed applications, and enhancing microbial activity through residue management. Muench explains the science behind phosphorus availability and tie-up, while Rhodes shares practical methods from his own operation, including a transition to liquid fertility, pH optimization, and spoon-feeding nutrients during key growth stages. The episode offers practical, cost-saving strategies to maximize phosphorus ROI under tightening margins.
Presented by BASF

Farming Podcast | Is Foam in Your Spray Tank Costing You Time and Money?

In this episode of Cutting The Curve, host Damian Mason is joined by Kevin Matthews and Jeremy Geerts from SprayTec to explore the hidden costs and risks associated with foam in spray applications. Excess foam in the spray tank can reduce effective volume, distort herbicide rates, tie up active ingredients, and cause off-target environmental contamination. The conversation outlines how foam affects agronomic performance and profitability, including increased risk of weed resistance and wasted product. Jeremy provides insights into proper tank mixing practices and how SprayTec's FullTec adjuvant supports foam mitigation and water conditioning. Kevin shares real-world management tips to ensure accurate applications and improved efficacy.

Farming Podcast | Are You Adapting To Thrive In Tomorrow’s Agriculture?

In this special edition of Cutting the Curve, Damian Mason sits down with the next generation of XtremeAg contributors—Connor “Vern” Garrett, Alexander Evans, Danielle Venable, Jackson Henderson, and Layne Miles—joined by Caleb Coots of Teva Ag. The discussion centers on adaptability in agriculture: economic pressures, changes in herbicide regulations, evolving input strategies, and shifting mindsets. With real-world examples from each operation, the group explores how young ag professionals are responding to tighter margins, input bans, changing technologies, and the stress of expansion. They also challenge conventional ideas around growth, highlighting the need for operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.
 
Presented by TEVA

Farming Podcast | Cotton Foliar ROI Under $50 Budget | XtremeAg

In 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 emphasized strategic potassium management and spoon-fed foliar nutrition to optimize yields. Results from this collaborative trial offer valuable insights for improving nutrient efficiency and profitability, even beyond cotton.

Farming Podcast | Is It Time to Trust Non-Branded Ag Inputs? | XtremeAg

In 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—offering a cost-effective strategy in today’s challenging ag economy.

Farming Podcast | Is There Life Outside the Farm? | XtremeAg

In this candid episode of Cutting the Curve, Damian Mason hosts a roundtable with members of the next generation of agriculture—Alexander Evans, Connor “Vern” Garrett, Danielle Venable, Jackson Henderson, and Layne Miles—joined by Caleb Coots of TEVA Ag. The group shares how they balance personal time with the demands of farming, how their identities are shaped by agriculture, and why building family traditions off the farm is as vital as yield goals. Topics include drag racing, falconry, parenting, mental health, generational expectations, and the pressure to embody the "farmer" identity 24/7. A thoughtful look into how young ag professionals are reshaping what it means to live and work in production agriculture today.
 
Presented by TEVA