XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve Podcast

Correcting Planter Problems to Save Time & Money

Kevin Matthews is going to get through the remainder of Plant ’23 with his current planter set-up. But, he’s going to make some wholesale changes to the planter in the off-season. Why? Well for one reason, at time of recording, his planter was in the shop with two guys working on it and that’s not where planters are supposed to be in springtime. Kevin explains how he’s going to modify his planter to eliminate inefficiencies. Is your planter set up ideally for how and where you farm?
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems with support from Loveland Products.

Using Data For Better Decision Making

Modern production Agriculture has moved into the data realm. Your combine collects data, your sprayer and planter might be collecting data. Hire an agronomic consultant and they’ll go about compiling data. Basically, every juncture of farming is now a data point. But how do you use these reams of data to improve your yields and efficiency without becoming overwhelmed with so much information. Temple Rhodes explains how he collects then applies data for better decision making.
Presented by AgXplore

Adapting When The Weather Shuts Your Planter Down

"You can’t throw good money at bad money,” says Temple Rhodes as he explains the adjustments and adaptations he is making as extreme precipitation has halted his planting. He discusses his procedure and protocols when the weather pauses planting progress for an extended time. In this episode Temple talks about planter maintenance, product mix, and preventing panic. It’s fun one — tune in!
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems with support from Loveland Products.

Creative Thinking About Your Farm Business

We talk a lot in Ag about lifestyle and legacy, but without a viable farm business there will be neither of those things. Faced with declining commodity prices, elevated input prices and a doubling of interest rates, now is the time to think creatively about your farm business. Are you sitting on old crop grain and if so why? Did you buy machinery to avoid the tax man and if so, have you thought about what that does to working capital moving forward? All indications are, you’re gonna have higher per acre cost — yield alone won’t keep you profitable. Jarod Creed of JC Marketing & Ag Financial Services provides outlook, context, and information to help you prosper.
Presented by AgXplore

Drainage AND Subsurface Irrigation Using The Same Pipe?

In Fall of 2021, Miles Farms installed drainage tile on 35 acres as a trial with ADS. Drainage tile isn’t used in the Arkansas Delta where Matt and Layne Miles farm. However, they didn’t stick plastic pipe in the ground just to be different. Their objectives: Faster farming by being able to get on the field earlier. Changing their practices to allow no-till planting on 15” rows versus raised beds. Better irrigation by reversing the flow of water when the Delta heats up (and it always does!). Matt and Layne explain the early results of their drainage and irrigation install.
Presented by ADS with support from Loveland Products.

Pushing The Early Planting Envelope in Arkansas

Matt and Layne Miles planted soybeans the third week of February, 2022. It was early by at least a month for them. It worked. This year, they decided to stick both soybeans and corn in the ground way early. It didn’t work out as well this go around. What was the purpose of the extremely early planting, you ask? Was it just to get the neighbors talking? Absolutely not. Matt and Layne explain why they are committed to stretching out the planting season.
Presented by AgXplore

Redefining & Repossessing Sustainable Farming

Ask 100 consumers to define “sustainable farming” and you’ll get 100 different answers. It’s time for that to change as Agricultural industry leaders are now poised to do so. Put simply, sustainable farming is a journey that incorporates technology and know-how to produce bigger yields using ever-decreasing amounts of natural resources such as water, fertility, diesel, and time. Matt Miles and Kelly Garrett join Cristian Barcan, VP of Sustainability for Rabo AgriFinance to explain real strides in production Ag’s sustainability quest. The best part: Sustainability is not at odds with modern farming, you don’t have to be a 100% cover cropper, no-tiller, organic operation, or many of the other hurdles you may have thought prevented you from being “sustainable.” The future looks bright (and profitable) for the new definition of sustainability.
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems

WHY DID JOHNNY VERELL TAKE THE 2X2 OFF HIS PLANTERS?

​Why would a progressive-minded farmer remove the 2x2 application equipment from his planters? Johnny Verell did just that — after four years of use, he removed the 2x2 from his three 24 row planters. If you’re using 2x2 or if you’re not, this is an illuminating conversation for all.
Presented by Loveland Products with support from Agricen.

Re-Thinking Soil Fertility, Biology & Balance

Kelly Garrett says, “I think we’re learning that soil depletion is less of an issue and it’s really more about soil imbalance.” Given that, we brought on SoundAg’s Director of Agronomy Jeff Divan to discus soil balance, and the often overlooked component of soil biology. Face it, we’ve been sold on the idea for decades that N,P, & K are the mother’s milk of crop production. While the macros certainly matter, we’ve focused on them so much, we’ve overlooked other critical elements of soil health. Kelly discusses his soil and sustainability epiphanies while making the case for biologicals that make existing nutrients more crop-available.
Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems

Saving Fertility Inputs & Time with the Right Placement

In crop production we hear about the 4 R’s of inputs: The Right Rate, the Right Source, the Right Placement, and the Right Timing. When it comes to an in-furrow program, the timing is obviously at time of planting. What source and rate you’re using depends on your objective and your crop. But what about the placement of your crop inputs? Are you getting the fertility, biologicals, and other inputs precisely where they need to be for optimum yields? Likely not. Mike Evans with Integrated Ag Solutions shares experiences from crop season 2022 using the CapstanAg Select Shot system.
It worked well enough that this year they’re installing SelectShot on another planter. The reasons are simple: more acres planted, less product used, fewer stops at the tender truck, no loss in yield. Mike Schwegman, Senior Precision Technician with CapstanAg explains how it works.
Presented by Loveland with support from Agricen.