XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve Podcast

When it is Time for Tillage? A Deep Dive into Farming Tillage Strategies and Cover Crops with Temple Rhodes

Typically a reduced tillage kind of guy, Temple pulled out the disc-ripper on one of his fields this fall. Why? To fix a compaction problem years in the making, worsened by excessive moisture. Temple and Damian talk tillage, radishes, stover degradation, compaction, organic matter, and how to change up fall tillage by following it with a two-species cover crop.

Refurbishing a “New” 20-Year-Old Planter with Sam of the North

Sam Coutu is updating his bean planting unit for 2024. He bought a bigger — and soon to be better — planter for cheap. Now, he’s mapping out the upgrades he’ll be doing and parts he’s installing on the unit. Sam explains the economics, efficiencies, and objectives behind his planter decision. When it’s all said and done, he’ll be in his refurbished planter for a mere $60,000. If you’re contemplating planter changes for spring, listen to this! 
 
This episode is presented by CLAAS

3 Ways To Improve Your Starter Fertilizer Program

Getting your crops off to a healthy start is critically important to your yield come harvest time. Do you put down fertility at time of planting? If so, are you and your crops getting the maximum bang for your buck? Damian Mason talks to Kelly Garrett and AgroLiquid’s Aaron Stahl about three considerations for a more effective starter fertilizer program on every farm — seed safety, nutritional balance, and compatibility. With so much riding on early plant development, it’s important you get this right! 
 
This episode is presented by CLAAS

Corn, Cattle & Cover Crops — An Evolution in Soil Health

Temple Rhodes and his daughter took a field trip to visit Kelly Garrett's Iowa farm this winter. What they saw inspired Temple to up his soil health practices. Temple and Kelly talk with Damian about their agronomic evolution. Temple has been using cover crops for thirty years but this year he’s diversifying the species he plants. He’s also going to utilize cattle to increase carbon transfer and break down residue. If you’re ready to enhance your soil, listen to this fun and fast-moving discussion. 
 
This episode is presented by CLAAS

Grain Gains: Navigating Expansion and Efficiency in On-Farm Storage

On-farm grain storage today resembles what would have been a good-sized country elevator just a few years ago. The bins are bigger, the driers are faster, and the costs are much higher. Before spending money improving your grain infrastructure, listen to tips from a grain set-up expert and two guys who made several mistakes in constructing their grain facility.  XA’s Chad Henderson along with his cousin Stuart Sanderson describe the steps (and missteps) in the ongoing expansion of their grain structure. They are joined by Superior Grain Equipment's Rodie Jelleberg. Damian Mason leads this informative discussion. 
 
This episode is presented by CLAAS

Is Tile Drainage A Fit For Your Farm?

To tile, or not to tile, that is the question many farmers have. If you’re on the fence about drainage tile, a full— blown tile advocate, or in the camp of farmers convinced tile won’t work on your acres, listen to this! Damian Mason assembles a panel of all stars to talk tile. From the hills of western Iowa, to hard red soils of north Alabama, to Sharkey clays of the Arkansas Delta — Kelly, Chad, and Matt share their lessons and experiences with tile installation projects. Complete with financial info and yield data, the guys explain how tile works on their farms. They are joined by Darla Huff of Advanced Drainage Systems. 
 
This episode is presented by CLAAS.

Changing the Crop Rotation — From Corn to Soybeans, to Corn to Cows!

Kelly Garrett and his oldest son, Connor “Vern” Garrett, met with their farm’s financial and grain marketing advisor to strategize on their 2024 cropping mix. Upon putting pen to paper, soybean production looked like a loser. This, following losses of $300 per soybean acre in 2023, spurred some creative cropping ideas. Among them: They’re cutting way back on soybeans. But rather than rolling corn on corn, they’re experimenting with cover crops and cattle on would-be soybean acres. This will involve intensive management and a new way of looking at farm returns. Kelly and Connor explain.  
 
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘊𝘓𝘈𝘈𝘚

Maximizing Agricultural Profits in Tough Times: Lee Lubbers' Expert Strategies for 2024

Lee Lubbers and his sibling Terry have navigated through numerous challenges at their agricultural enterprise in Gregory, South Dakota. These challenges include not only literal weather disturbances but also financial tumults. Facing a less than optimistic forecast for commodity prices in 2024, Lee offers advice on generating profit during tough economic periods. Damian Mason talks to Lee about the implementation of the 5% rule, a strategy he acquired at TEPAP (The Executive Program for Agricultural Producers) and his approach to conserving operational funds to seize potential opportunities.
This episode of Cutting The Curve is presented by Claas.

Do You Know Your Soil’s Moisture Level?

In today's advanced agricultural landscape, accurately measuring soil moisture levels remains a challenge. The signs are clear when your soil is oversaturated, such as when you find yourself sinking into the field during the early spring. Similarly, the peak of summer in August unmistakably signals that your soils are in desperate need of hydration. But determining the exact levels of saturation and dryness can be perplexing. Beyond these obvious signs, for the majority of the year, farmers are left to speculate on the moisture content within different layers of soil. Damian Mason talks with Kurt Grimm of NutraDrip and Kelly Garrett about a new satellite technology that is helping farmers understand moisture levels across their fields, enabling more informed and precise agricultural decisions.
 
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems
 

Getting Your Sprayer Ready For Spring with Proper Winterization

Lee 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