XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve Podcast

Farming Podcast | Quebec Field Day Preview: Skip Row Corn & Yield Trials

Host Damian Mason is joined by Sam Coutu to preview the upcoming Quebec field day focused on corn yield trials. This episode breaks down how real-world, field-proven strategies are tested: skip row versus traditional corn planting, high vs. low population density, soybean fertility management, and the impact of late planting. By leveraging soil test data and cross-regional collaboration with U.S. XtremeAg members, Sam structures agronomic programs that deliver transparent results and actionable insights.
Farmers will learn how side-by-side trials and open, bilingual field panels offer both increased yield and cost-effective fertility options, especially valuable in today’s uncertain ag economy. Key topics include managing input availability, reducing population and weather risks, and making smarter seed and fertility choices. Benefit from real farm insights, data-driven decisions, and access to equipment and local dealers. If you want to optimize yield and ROI while seeing what actually works (and what doesn’t), this episode and the event are essential.

Farming Podcast | Nitrogen Reduction & Pop Trials | XtremeAg

In this special edition of Cutting The Curve, the farming podcast previews Johnny Verell's upcoming 2025 field day in Jackson, TN. Verell breaks down how he’s using nitrogen reduction strategies and corn variety trials to manage input costs while improving return per acre. With a focus on planting population trials, biological integration, and drone application in ag, he explains the benefits of split nitrogen use, hybrid-by-zone planning, and See & Spray precision. Listeners will take away insights into reducing fertilizer costs, improving hybrid ROI, and tackling field variability with a data-driven mindset.

Farming Podcast | Specialty Crop Contracts With Sesame | XtremeAg

This episode of the Cutting The Curve – farming podcast features Texas farmer Todd Kimbrell and his game-changing pivot into sesame farming. Learn how Kimbrell diversified with 1,500 acres of sesame using a specialty contract model that includes Act of God protection and logistical support. With no fertilizer and minimal inputs, he’s seeing $100+/acre returns on fields that used to sit idle after wheat harvest. Discover how dryland crop options, contract farming models, and low-input systems can drive high ROI potential, maximize idle land use, and reduce farm risk in today’s tight-margin ag economy.
 
Presented by Nachurs

Farming Podcast | Calcium Deficiency in Crops | XtremeAg

This episode of "Cutting the Curve" focuses on the critical role of calcium in crop health and nutrient uptake. Agronomic expert Tommy Roach and farmer Kelly Garrett discuss how calcium, often misclassified and overlooked in row crop management, is essential for cell strength, nitrogen uptake, and overall yield. Despite soil containing adequate levels, calcium's availability and mobility to the plant are limited due to its double positive charge and mass flow dependency, especially under drought conditions. Garrett outlines a comprehensive multi-pass application strategy using both in-furrow and foliar methods, often up to five times per season, emphasizing the use of calcium acetate and proper nutrient pairing - such as boron - to enhance uptake. They advocate for reallocating nutrient budgets to focus on micronutrient balance, supported by real-world results from SAP and tissue testing showing increased ROI and yield improvements.
 
Presented by Nachurs.

Farming Podcast | Relay Cropping: Farming Weird With Jason Mauck

In this episode of the Cutting The Curve Farming Podcast, Damian Mason and Kelly Garrett talk with Farm Weird founder Jason Mauck of Gaston, Indiana, about his innovative relay cropping system that grows wheat and soybeans together for 80–90 days. Jason seeds ultra-early wheat in 45″ bands at low rates (300–400K seeds/acre), creating windbreaks and conserving moisture. Soybeans are planted in between at about 160K seeds/acre, with canopy closure by mid-May for effective weed suppression. A single early herbicide pass suffices. This approach reduces seed, herbicide, and fertilizer inputs while improving soil health, moisture retention, and profitability—often surpassing corn in return. Jason shares his vision for relay cropping with corn, cattle, and other systems.
 
Presented by Nachurs.

Farming Podcast | Kelly's Field Day - Cover Crops, Biology & A Soybean Challenge

This episode of the Cutting The Curve – Kelly Garrett and Mike Evans preview Field Day 2025, revealing how SAP testing enables early detection of nutrient needs, helping farmers stay ahead of stress symptoms and make real-time soil fertility management decisions. By focusing on nitrogen assimilation, cover crops, and balanced nutrition, Kelly and Mike demonstrate how data-driven farming leads to measurable improvements...
This episode is presented by Nachurs

Farming Podcast | Wet Spring Crop Management Strategies

This episode of the Cutting The Curve – farming podcast tackles Yield Management in Extreme Conditions.With fields underwater and replanting happening twice in some cases, Johnny Verell and Brian Adams break down the agronomic decisions they’re making to rescue yield in a season defined by delays. Listeners will gain insights on fertility management, crop planning, and how to build spring resilience through yield protection tactics. From SAP testing to cotton risk management, this one’s packed with wet-season strategy.
 
Presented by Nachurs

Farming Podcast | Ag Career Advice for Students

This episode of the Cutting The Curve – farming podcast highlights Agriculture Education insights from Connor "Vern" Garrett, an Iowa State agronomy graduate.Garrett shares practical advice for high school graduates and young adults pursuing a future in agriculture. He explains how entering college with general education credits already completed allows students to focus earlier on core ag subjects, saving costs and enhancing learning. Drawing from his personal experience, Garrett emphasizes the importance of hands-on ag experience, networking, and personal growth that comes from time away from home. He encourages exploring diverse ag disciplines such as agronomy, animal science, or ag systems technology, while cautioning against oversaturated tracks like agricultural communications. This episode offers actionable strategies for enhancing career readiness, securing agricultural scholarships, and navigating the realities of modern agriculture with a data-driven, entrepreneurial mindset.
Presented by Nachurs.

Farming Podcast | Cotton Trials & ROI Fertility Strategies

This episode of the Cutting The Curve – farming podcast previews the June 2025 XtremeAg field day in McGehee, Arkansas, led by Matt and Layne Miles. Cotton trials are front and center this year.
The event highlights ROI fertility strategies, low-nitrogen trials, and partner-led field plots designed to cut input costs and boost yields. Listeners will hear about lessons learned from last year’s plot challenges and get a sneak peek into precision irrigation and harvesting tech that helps farmers improve farm profitability and make data-driven farming decisions.
Presented by Nachurs

Farming Podcast | Dryland Farming Strategies in Texas Heat

This episode of the Cutting The Curve – farming podcast features Todd Kimbrell sharing his strategies for growing dryland corn, cotton, and wheat in the face of extreme Texas heat.Kimbrell explains how early planting, soil conservation practices, and equipment efficiency help him farm without irrigation in unpredictable climates. Listeners will gain insight into Texas dryland farming, specialty crop diversification, and the adaptations that drive success in extreme weather farming conditions.
 
Presented by Nachurs