We start with Mike Doran —the Sale Manager who’s been at the helm of this event for years—offers an insider’s view of what it takes to make the Sale of Champions a success. From coordinating sponsors and buyers to ensuring the young exhibitors have their moment in the spotlight, Mike’s leadership has helped the IFAA grow its support from $50,000 in its first year to nearly $725,000 annually in livestock sales, scholarships, and awards. Then, Joe Stien , a young leader who not only captured Reser...
Aug 14, 2025•54 min•Ep. 518
With nitrate levels making headlines again , Mike doesn’t shy away from addressing Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy and how his team is driving long-term improvements in water quality. He also explains the real impact of the Choose Iowa branding initiative , how export tracking actually works , and why the Iowa State Fair is one of the best tools for connecting everyday Iowans with agriculture. We dig into hot-button topics like crop conditions, biosecurity in pork and beef, rural workforce de...
Aug 11, 2025•52 min•Ep. 517
In this episode, we sit down with the co-founders of Map Dot Media , the agency behind viral platforms like Iowa Chill and Midwest Vs. Everybody , to explore their journey from UNI dorm rooms to campaigns with Coors Light , John Deere , and Iowa Pork Producers . They reveal how a cow breaking through a barn wall (seriously) sparked their first viral moment, why authenticity trumps polish in meme marketing, and what it takes to turn a loyal regional audience into a profitable brand. You'll hear h...
Aug 07, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 516
In this episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Vinayak Shedekar , a research scientist at the forefront of multifunctional drainage systems in agriculture. Drain tile has long been used to remove excess water from fields, but according to Dr. Shedekar, that’s just scratching the surface. We explore how tile systems can now support irrigation , manage seasonal water needs , improve water quality , and even contribute to conservation efforts . Dr. Shedekar explains the concept of ...
Aug 04, 2025•53 min•Ep. 515
We sit down with Kris Thayer , a man who’s worn more hats than a tractor seat at a consignment sale. A former college wrestler from Nebraska, Kris took his competitive mindset straight into the ag world. He started at AgriVision Equipment , representing John Deere in some of the most equipment-savvy regions in the country, and hasn’t stopped moving since. Kris shares how his time on the mat taught him grit, discipline, and the power of work ethic—lessons that now drive his success in multiple ag...
Jul 31, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 514
In this episode of Farm4Profit, we explore the digital tools transforming the cattle industry with the innovators behind Performance Livestock Analytics . The spotlight is on two core technologies— Performance Beef and Cattle Krush —both designed to simplify the complexities of raising and marketing cattle. Performance Beef is a cloud-based cattle management software tailored for feedlot and cow-calf producers. It digitizes feed management, health records, cost-of-gain tracking, and market prep—...
Jul 28, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 513
In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Bare , the visionary behind Century Farms Distillery —a craft distillery rooted in agricultural tradition and dedicated to producing premium farm-to-bottle spirits. Growing up on his family’s Iowa farm, Ryan learned early the value of hard work, precision, and pride in the land. After earning a degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University, Ryan spent over 15 years refining oil and producing ethanol before circling back to his agricultural roo...
Jul 24, 2025•42 min•Ep. 512
We sit down with Mark , the founder of SimpleHedge , to discuss how his platform is changing the way farmers manage price risk. After building a successful career in the tech world—working at Meta and McKinsey —Mark turned his attention to agriculture, recognizing a gap in farmer-accessible risk management tools . Mark explains that while hedging is essential for protecting farm revenue, it’s long been confusing, expensive, and out of reach for most producers. SimpleHedge aims to fix that , prov...
Jul 21, 2025•42 min•Ep. 509
James Pieper is a first-generation farmer who’s only four years into his operation—but you’d never guess it based on the way he’s embraced both the challenges and the spotlight. Known on social media as @allaboutfarming , James takes his followers behind the scenes of day-to-day farm life, breaking down everything from planting to drainage upgrades in a relatable, easy-to-understand way. In this episode, James shares how he went from city kid to Southern Minnesota farmer, inspired by hands-on tr...
Jul 17, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 511
Prioritize Your Goals Worksheet & Des Moines workshop registration links: uncommonfarms.com/succession Common Traits Webinar: Common Traits Webinar Recording Mike’s Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedowney-farmraised?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BOARBPKDWRRehBWqC62Y0Gg%3D%3D Michael C. “Mike” Downey Farm Business Coach & Succession Planning Lead (O): 618.372.7431 (M): 319.361.2409 Mike Downey of UnCommon Farms to talk all things su...
Jul 14, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 510
Andrew , founder of Tulip Valley Farms—a vibrant, immersive flower farm in the heart of Washington’s Skagit Valley . But Andrew’s path to farming is anything but traditional. From his early career as a U.S. Air Force intelligence officer to high-level roles at tech giants Amazon and Expedia , he’s built a career defined by bold pivots, community commitment, and strategic vision. Raised in Mount Vernon, Andrew returned home after years in the corporate world to invest in his roots—literally. With...
Jul 10, 2025•57 min•Ep. 508
We dig into how Vytelle is changing the game in cattle production. Founded in 2015, Vytelle has grown into a global force in genetic improvement , recently being ranked as the #392 fastest-growing tech company in North America by Deloitte. We begin by breaking down the basics of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and why hormone-free IVF offers cattle producers a more natural, lower-stress, and scalable alternative to traditional embryo programs. Through Vytelle ADVANCE , producers can collect eggs we...
Jul 07, 2025•53 min•Ep. 507
Brian Hefty , a name synonymous with practical, farmer-first agronomic education. As co-host of Ag PhD TV and Radio , Brian shares what it’s like to grow up on a livestock and crop farm, learn from his father’s teachings, and eventually build one of the most respected agronomy platforms in agriculture alongside his brother Darren. We discuss how the Hefty Seed Company has grown to 50 locations across 12 states, making it the 7th largest crop protection retailer and 11th largest seed dealer in th...
Jul 03, 2025•57 min•Ep. 506
we welcome Ethan Branscum , a farmland investment leader with a deep background in ag finance, to explore the growing intersection of agriculture and alternative investment . As Partner and Director of Farmland Investments at Sower Farmland Fund and Legacy Farmland Fund , Ethan helps manage a portfolio of properties that connect farmland owners with investors—all while prioritizing legacy, flexibility, and profitability. Ethan shares his personal path from his upbringing and education at the Uni...
Jun 30, 2025•55 min•Ep. 505
We step into the world of premium winegrowing with two of Sonoma County’s most respected vineyard leaders. First, we hear from Jake Terrell , Director of Vineyards at St. Francis Winery , who shares how his viticulture background and years managing vineyards like Monte Rosso have shaped his approach to sustainable farming. Jake outlines how timing, precision, and green practices drive quality grape production. He also discusses his role in revising the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices ,...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 504
Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) with Gunther Kreps of AgXplore . As farmers look for new ways to protect yield and stretch every input dollar, PGRs are rising to the top of the conversation — but what exactly are they, and how do they work? Gunther kicks things off with a clear breakdown of the science behind PGRs — from naturally occurring hormones like auxins and gibberellins to advanced synthetic formulations used in modern ag. We explore how PGRs stimulate or suppress specific plant responses...
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 503
Ron Geis , a Nebraska native turned proud Iowan, who’s spent decades advancing agriculture in multiple ways — from working in crop protection with Corteva Agriscience , to helping run a family cow-calf operation, to mentoring the next generation of ag leaders. Ron reflects on growing up on a dairy farm and how those early mornings and hard lessons shaped his outlook on life and work. He shares what it’s been like to witness — and contribute to — the evolution of crop protection technology throug...
Jun 19, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 502
Scott Berden from U.S. Sugar and Brad Rucks from Everglades Equipment Group . Scott leads the precision ag program for over 255,000 acres of production at U.S. Sugar, where the company grows sugarcane, citrus, and vegetables across five counties. He manages a fleet of 350+ precision-equipped vehicles and oversees everything from GPS land leveling to real-time logistics and RTK networks. His collaboration with Everglades Equipment Group and John Deere has helped U.S. Sugar remain at the forefront...
Jun 16, 2025•46 min•Ep. 501
In this episode, we go behind the scenes with two Ag Leader team members who are also active farmers — Evan Boderman and Chad Stensrud. Evan works in product management at Ag Leader, while Chad manages territory sales and support in Minnesota. But when they’re not helping other growers, they’re back on their own farms, using the very same Ag Leader tools they help develop and support. Evan and Chad share their farming backgrounds, the challenges of managing dual careers, and what makes their far...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 500
Jesse Bounds — a farmer, hay exporter, trucking company owner, business coach, and content creator from Eugene, Oregon . Jesse’s story is one of grit, growth, and generosity. From his early days working on a grass seed farm at 16 after his parents divorced, to buying his first baler in high school, Jesse’s entrepreneurial journey is both inspiring and deeply practical. We dive into the origin and expansion of Jesse Bounds Trucking , where every truck — including his iconic refurbished 1986 Peter...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 499
Darren Hefty — South Dakota farmer, co-host of Ag PhD TV and Radio , and a respected leader in both agriculture and ag business. With a legacy rooted in service, innovation, and education, Darren shares the powerful story of how he, his brother Brian, and their father built Hefty Seed Company into the 7th largest crop production firm and the 9th largest seed retailer in the U.S., now operating across 50 locations in 12 states. Darren walks us through his early days on the farm, starting at just ...
Jun 05, 2025•53 min•Ep. 498
This episode of Farm4Profit is a double feature packed with timely information every farmer and ag business needs to hear. As a reminder - visit DPAauctions.com and Farm4Profit listeners receive 0% listing fee for the first items sold through DPA! We kick things off with Nick Helland from the Iowa Corn Growers Association , who walks us through a series of upcoming roundtable discussions taking place across Iowa. These conversations are designed to bring farmers and stakeholders together to talk...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 497
In this episode, we visit with Orin Nusbaum from Nusbaum Farms in Bellfountain, Oregon — a grower, husband, father, and content creator who’s cultivating more than just crops. Orin gives us a glimpse into what life looks like on his diversified farm where he grows a variety of crops and provides fresh produce to local markets and his surrounding community. We explore how the farm has evolved over time — including planting 10 acres of oats in fall 2022, a crop that may have been a first for the o...
May 29, 2025•42 min•Ep. 496
Postemergence scouting plays a critical role in protecting your yield potential, and knowing what to look for — and when — can make all the difference. In this episode, we’re joined by Joe Bolte, Market Development Specialist at Corteva Agriscience, to talk through the key things farmers should be watching for once their corn and soybeans are up and growing. Joe walks us through how to evaluate the effectiveness of your preemergence herbicide program and explains how to identify early signs of w...
May 26, 2025•47 min•Ep. 495
https://www.youtube.com/@RushHourAg We interview Louie Zumbach , a farmer and former Iowa State Representative and County Supervisor, and Elliot Henderson , a farmer and ag communicator, about their new venture—the Rush Hour Ag podcast. They explain what inspired the show, why they felt farmers needed more accessible and engaging policy discussions , and what they’ve learned from being on both sides of the ag-politics fence. We talk about how current and proposed local, state, and federal polici...
May 22, 2025•57 min•Ep. 494
At the AgX Booth in Denver we chatted with some recent winners of the NCGA High Yield Contest to unpack what it truly takes to push corn yields to the limit. We learn about their farm background , what motivated them to enter the contest, and how their winning crop compared to their usual yields. They walk us through their hybrid selection , fertility program , and how they incorporated biologicals, foliar feeds , and plant growth regulators to unlock every ounce of potential in the field. From ...
May 19, 2025•49 min•Ep. 493
We get to meet Brenna Beard , a farmer at heart with roots that run deep into her family farm. Brenna opens up about working with her dad , the learning curve of jumping into farming, and what it’s like trying to juggle that with a career in ag retail . She’s authentic, quick-witted, and not afraid to speak her truth. We chat about life outside the field too—from her love of the lake life , to how she deals with assumptions people make about her because she’s a young woman in ag. Oh, and if you'...
May 15, 2025•53 min•Ep. 492
We first talk with DPA Auctions to get a pulse on the current used machinery market . They explain how equipment values are shifting, what’s hot, and how auction trends reflect broader changes in the ag economy. Whether you’re in the market to buy, sell, or just curious about asset values, DPA offers timely insights. Next, we take a forward-looking leap with John Deere , exploring the future of autonomous tractors and the current automation technology already transforming how we harvest. From au...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 491
In this episode, we kick back with Tim Gutwein , CEO of AgXplore , to uncover the personal and professional journey that took him from rural roots to the helm of one of agriculture’s most innovative companies. Tim walks us through the early days of AgXplore , a company founded in 1999 with a mission to deliver smarter, more effective plant nutrition solutions. He shares what it was like to join the company in 2006 as Director of Sales , helping scale it from just five employees and $2 million in...
May 08, 2025•35 min•Ep. 489
In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we welcome experts from the Purdue Extension Office to shine a light on mental health and suicide awareness in the agricultural world. Farming comes with a unique set of pressures—volatile markets, unpredictable weather, isolation, long hours—and all too often, these challenges are suffered in silence. Our guests explain why mental health is as critical as physical health, especially in rural communities where stigma and limited resources can make asking f...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 490
