XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve Podcast

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

Farming Podcast | Maximizing Soybean ROI on $50 Fertility | XtremeAg

In 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.

Farming Podcast | The Nitrogen Challenge in Modern Ag | XtremeAg

This episode of Cutting the Curve explores the persistent challenges and emerging solutions in nitrogen management for row crop producers. Host Damian Mason is joined by Trey Cutts and Galynn Beer from Tidal Grow to discuss how traditional practices like fall-applied anhydrous ammonia contribute to nitrogen inefficiency and loss. They introduce AlignN, a foliar-applied nitrogen technology designed to improve timing, uptake efficiency, and flexibility. Backed by field trials—including at Mason's own farm—AlignN offers a practical tool to align nitrogen delivery with crop demand, reduce overall application rates, and enhance ROI, particularly in a volatile economic environment.
 
Presented by BASF

Farming Podcast | Residue Management Without the Tillage: A Biological Approach

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, northern Illinois farmer Grant Strom discusses the practical evolution of his residue management system aimed at improving soil biology and planting conditions. Strom outlines his farm’s transition from conventional tillage to reduced-till and no-till practices, driven by the challenges of managing high volumes of crop residue from higher-yielding varieties. He emphasizes the role of biological products—specifically Holganix Bio 800+ Thrive—in breaking down residue without the need for aggressive tillage. Strom details how timing, temperature, and moisture affect residue decomposition and describes measurable improvements in soil structure, microbial balance, and long-term field performance after implementing the biological program. His insights offer data-backed guidance on managing tough residue, optimizing nutrient cycling, and enhancing overall soil health without compromising yields.
 
Presented by BASF

Farming Podcast | Precision Corn Fertility Trials | XtremeAg

In 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 tissue sampling. The discussion highlights the importance of applying the right nutrients, in the right quantities, at the right time—especially under tight commodity pricing. The episode underscores the value of site-specific research, cost-efficiency, and leveraging biologicals and micros for improved ROI in corn production.

Farming Podcast | Drying Wheat and Barley Efficiently in Wet Harvest Conditions

In 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 protecting grain quality under challenging harvest conditions.
 
Presented by BASF.

Farming Podcast | Are Soil Sensors Worth The Investment? | XtremeAg

In 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 managing limited water resources or planning early-season fertility, the technology helps farmers make precise, data-driven choices that optimize inputs and protect profitability.
 
Special thanks to the people at BASF for sponsoring The Cutting The Curve Podcast.