XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve Podcast

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 

Farming Podcast | Cotton Fertility Timing Trial | XtremeAg

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, host Damian Mason is joined by Matt Miles and agronomist Stephanie Zelinko to break down the results of a cotton fertility challenge conducted in partnership with AgroLiquid. The trial, hosted on Matt's farm, tested three fertility programs designed by Matt, Kevin Matthews, and Kelly Garrett, each limited to a $50 foliar application budget with the goal of achieving 1,750 lbs (3.5 bales) per acre. Despite different application timings and nutrient mixes, all three programs yielded strong results, with Matt’s at 1,806 lbs, Kelly’s at 1,800 lbs, and Kevin’s at 1,724 lbs. The key differentiator was nutrient timing, especially consistent potassium and calcium delivery throughout the crop’s reproductive phase. The discussion emphasizes cotton’s high nutrient demands, the role of spoon-fed foliar treatments, and opportunities to trim costs without sacrificing yield by strategically managing application timing and product selection.

Farming Podcast | Are You Overspending On Crop Protection?

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, host Damian Mason is joined by Tennessee farmer Johnny Verell and Keith Miller from Albaugh to discuss how farmers can reduce unnecessary crop protection costs without compromising control. The conversation focuses on leveraging post-patent and rebranded legacy chemistries, improving input planning, addressing water quality factors like pH and hardness, and reevaluating fungicide, insecticide, and herbicide use based on agronomic need. As resistance grows and commodity prices stay low, the episode outlines practical, data-backed strategies to optimize input spend and maintain performance by returning to proven, cost-effective agronomic fundamentals.

Farming Podcast | Reduce Harvest Loss With Better Concaves | XtremeAg

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, Damian Mason talks with Todd Dale of Estes Concaves about optimizing harvest operations under variable and adverse field conditions. They discuss the agronomic and economic impacts of inconsistent moisture levels, disease pressure like tar spot and southern rust, and high-yield variability. Todd explains how upgrading to high-performance concaves—like the XPR series from Estes—can improve threshing efficiency, reduce mechanical grain damage, and significantly minimize harvest loss. He outlines how rotor loss, separator hours, and poor grain quality directly affect profitability and trade-in value. The conversation provides clear insight into how mechanical upgrades to combines can drive operational efficiency and protect margins during low commodity pricing cycles.
 
Presented by BASF

Farming Podcast | Double Crop Soybean Fertility Strategies | XtremeAg

In 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 consistently push yields beyond the common 60–70 bushel range and toward the elusive 80-bushel target in double crop soybean systems.

Farming Podcast | In-Season Tile Drainage Strategies for Better Yields

In 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 the agronomic, economic, and sustainability benefits of strategic water management.
 
Presented by BASF

Farming Podcast | Machinery Market Trends 2025 | XtremeAg

In 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 increasing importance of autonomy and repair support as farmers weigh capital expenditures in an uncertain economic climate.
 
Presented by BASF

Farming Podcast | How Is AI Changing Ag Operations? | XtremeAg

In 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 takeaways include the need for balanced adoption, integration challenges, and the importance of maintaining agronomic expertise alongside new technologies.

Farming Podcast | Farming With Purpose: Soil Health, Legacy & Sustainability

In 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.
Presented by BASF

Farming Podcast | Soil Health & Nitrogen Efficiency | XtremeAg

This 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 credits, and the need to proactively adapt to evolving regulatory expectations.
 
Presented by BASF