XtremeAg member James Hepp is a first generation Iowa farmer who has been expanding his cover- cropped acres for the past three years. His motivation to continue upping his cover crop game got a shot in the arm this winter after seeing ditches filled with topsoil from the neighbor’s fall-tilled fields. James joins Integrated Ag Solutions’ Mike Evans to discuss the how, why, and when of cover cropping. He also shares the economic returns — which approach a couple hundred dollars per acre — of cov...
Mar 20, 2023•41 min
Sam Coutu wasn’t raised on a farm but he knew he wanted to work in production agriculture. He spent summers at his uncle’s dairy farm in his native Quebec then spent 3 months on a farm in Switzerland as a teenager. Today this first generation farmer operates 1,540 acres of corn, soybeans, and wheat. (Only 2% of the land in Quebec is farm ground!) Sam will be conducting XtremeAg trials using products from Spraytec and AgrotechUSA. Listen in and learn about Agriculture north of the St. Lawrence fr...
Mar 20, 2023•29 min
Nutrient reallocation is really fertilizer re-location. Kelly Garrett and Chad Henderson join Nachur's Tommy Roach and Precision Planting's Jason Webster for a panel discussion at 2023 Commodity Classic on where to put your fertilizer to get the biggest bang for your buck.
Mar 18, 2023•37 min
Kevin Matthews and Temple Rhodes talk about what they learned last season from their Phosphorus management trials with Concept AgriTek and how that is changing their approach for this season.
Mar 16, 2023•10 min
You may not think of Virginia when you think of corn but according to XA Affiliate Heath Cutrell, you should. He’s the NCGA national yield contest winner for 2022, recording a whopping 394 bushels! Heath won’t divulge all his secrets but he promises he’s here to help you up your farming game. And, like all forward thinking farmers, he’s willing to learn. Heath explains his farming operation split between Virginia and North Carolina, and how he’s already profited from advice he got from the XA gu...
Mar 08, 2023•31 min
Matt and Layne Miles talk about the Lab they are conducting this season to determine the key application in boosting row rice production. In 2023, AgroLiquid is once again teaming up with XtremeAg for large-scale, on-farm labs to improve products and in-field performance. Five XtremeAg farmers will experiment with different applications, planting practices, and methods using a myriad of AgroLiquid products.
Mar 07, 2023•17 min
In 2023, AgroLiquid is once again teaming up with XtremeAg for large-scale, on-farm labs to improve products and in-field performance. Five XtremeAg farmers will experiment with different applications, planting practices, and methods using a myriad of AgroLiquid products. In this podcast, Kevin talks about focusing on fixing his limiting factors, specifically calcium and potassium deficiencies that are prevalent in his part of the country.
Mar 07, 2023•13 min
Kelly Garrett will be teaming up with AgroLiquid to set his crop up for late season success. He acknowledges that the lack of a late season strategy in the past has resulted in significant yield loss. In 2023, AgroLiquid is once again teaming up with XtremeAg for large-scale, on-farm labs to improve products and in-field performance. Five XtremeAg farmers will experiment with different applications, planting practices, and methods using a myriad of AgroLiquid products.
Mar 07, 2023•16 min
In 2023, AgroLiquid is once again teaming up with XtremeAg for large-scale, on-farm labs to improve products and in-field performance. Five XtremeAg farmers will experiment with different applications, planting practices, and methods using a myriad of AgroLiquid products. In this podcast, Temple Rhodes talks about the importance of hitting the right crop stages.
Mar 07, 2023•15 min
James Paterson with AgrotechUSA makes a solid point, “We concentrate a lot on the shiny new things but 80% of crop production still comes down to N,P & K. So, let’s get the “P” right.” Getting the “P” right might very well mean getting the available phosphorous from your soil, into your crops. Kevin Matthews and Temple Rhodes explain why they’ve adopted in-furrow Nutricharge application as a standard practice on their farms. Turns out you may already have adequate phosphorous levels, you’re ...
Mar 07, 2023•33 min
Caleb Traugh is quite an anomaly. He’s an Agricultural consultant who didn’t grow up on a farm and he doesn’t have a degree in any Agricultural curriculum. Heck, he doesn’t have a college degree at all. This unconventional path to Agriculture affords Caleb latitude to learn without having to re-learn. Caleb runs an Ag consultancy business that he began in 2020, mostly covering farming operations in southwest Georgia, southeast Alabama, and northwest Florida. Caleb discusses peanuts, the power of...
Mar 07, 2023•31 min
Matt has said that cotton is a plant that is trying really hard to die right from the minute it emerges from the ground each spring. Matt is excited about working with AgroLiquid to find a way to move micronutrients, specifically calcium, into the cotton plant through a series of foliar passes. In 2023, AgroLiquid is once again teaming up with XtremeAg for large-scale, on-farm labs to improve products and in-field performance. Five XtremeAg farmers will experiment with different applications, pl...
Mar 06, 2023•20 min
You’ve been hearing about cover crops for a while but do you plant them on your farm? Do you want to use cover crops but aren’t sure how to best benefit from them? Are you the person who says “cover crops just won’t work where I farm?” Temple Rhodes and Matt Swanson join Kelly Garrett in a roundtable discussion about effective cover cropping — how and why they do it, what they’ve learned, species they use, and most importantly — the positive results they’re seeing because of effective cover crop...
Mar 01, 2023•41 min
Kevin and Matt talk with Mark Coots from Teva about correcting nutrient deficiencies while maintaining balance in your soil.
Feb 28, 2023•10 min
Kevin and Kelly talk about the versatility of the CapstanAg SelectShot system they trialed last season and how it can be used as a modified 2x2 system.
Feb 24, 2023•7 min
Integrated Ag Solutions’ Mike Evans began writing variable rate seeding prescriptions when both he and Kelly Garrett realized they were wasting money on seed. Too much seed was being planted in low performing soils that couldn’t possibly produce the yield necessary to justify high seeding rates. Even though Mike and Kelly both knew they needed to back off on seeding rate, they didn’t reveal that to Kelly’s dad. Why? Because many farmers stick to the “more seed = more yield” philosophy. Only prob...
Feb 23, 2023•31 min
Kevin Matthews and Matt Miles talk about biologicals and their plans for spring applied biology with Concept AgriTek's Mark Glastetter while at the 2023 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky.
Feb 22, 2023•13 min
Modifications to planter setup for better crop emergence, changes to in-furrow fertility programs, and how not to treat your wheat like a lesser crop. These are three key takeaways Matt and Layne Miles got out of being a part of XtremeAg this year. You know that XA is a learning platform designed and created to help you shorten your learning curve — well, the Miles boys learned right along with you. They share details on these subjects and how you too can apply the lessons for greater productivi...
Feb 21, 2023•22 min
American farms recorded record net farm income in 2022 — up 14% year over year to $160 billion. What does this mean as you roll into the 2023 season? What adjustments should you be making to remain profitable without being profligate in your spending in the new year? Farmers often look to spend money to expense themselves out of a tax bill but is that a good idea? Will 2023 bring another record and if so, what management decisions should you be making now? Crop inputs and machinery expenses have...
Feb 12, 2023•39 min
Sometimes you have to manage fertility for a farm that, quite frankly, you don’t know if you’ll be farming next year. This is due to development pressure, a volatile cash rent market like much of the country is experiencing at the moment, or land ownership changes. The goal is to do right by the farm ground and your own farm’s profitability to maximize returns without “mining” the soil. Chad, Kevin, and Matt Swanson provide their practices based on experience when they farm a property that might...
Feb 09, 2023•51 min
CapstanAg’s Select Shot system was trialed in 2022 by three XtremeAg guys. Kevin delivers some feedback based on his two planter comparison — one set up with the SelectShot system, one without. Results: Better utilization of crop inputs. More precise in-furrow application. And the chance to reduce product usage which saves money. CapstanAg’s Stuart Meacham joins the conversation to explain the technology. One big challenge for tomorrow’s farmer will be environmental compliance and demonstrating ...
Feb 07, 2023•45 min
Matt Swanson is an XtremeAg affiliate from western Illinois. Matt explains his farming operation — which consists of acres in the Midwest as well as Arkansas. Matt did 2022 XA trial plots involving soybean fertility experimentation with products from Nachurs and AgXplore. In this conversation, Matt touches on those trials, his business diversification initiatives, and the letter grade he gives himself on various aspects of running a successful farm. Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems with su...
Feb 03, 2023•37 min
In a previous episode, Kelly Garrett and Mike Evans discussed a lesson they learned the hard way (it cost them yield and money!) about the practice of variable rate “N” application. In this sequel, Mike and Kelly explain the soil reaction and final takeaways from their experiment with flat rate nitrogen versus their standard practice of variable-rate application. The results are remarkable. The proof is in the soil (and the yield monitor). And if you need more encouragement to stop applying your...
Jan 27, 2023•29 min
XtremeAg’s Kelly Garrett was at the forefront of profiting off carbon credits. As the carbon marketplace becomes more clearly defined and understood, the opportunity to boost revenue on farms is expanding. According to Truterra’s Mariah Murphy, there are more dollars to be deployed through Ecosystem Services than available acres. She explains how the Truterra system carbon payments can be applied to your farm. It’s simple, and on average will fetch you $12 per acre for adjusting tillage and cove...
Jan 24, 2023•41 min
You don’t think of western Tennessee as wheat country. Never the less, XA Affiliate Johnny Verell is bringing a competitive edge to the 2023 XtremeAg Wheat Wager. He takes his wheat very seriously -- something he admits the generations before him didn’t. But once he began treating wheat “like a real crop,” good things happened. Tune in to hear how Johnny maximizes yield and test weight by harvesting his wheat while it’s still wet — 25% moisture when the combines start rolling! Presented by AgXpl...
Jan 19, 2023•14 min
In Fall of 2021, Kelly stated his over-arching objective for Garrett Land & Cattle’s 2022 cropping season was stress mitigation. Turns out it was the perfect year to focus effort on reducing crop stress as the year was hot and dry. Kelly explains the practices and products he utilized and also the results. Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems.
Jan 16, 2023•19 min
Face it, wheat production is often last on the list when it comes to the love and attention you devote (or don’t!) to the golden grain. But it shouldn’t be mistreated, it should be carefully treated, especially if you want bigger yields and bigger profits. Temple Rhodes and Chad Henderson team up in this podcast to share the practices and products they utilize to grow high yield wheat. There’s a ton of information here and, frankly, these guys put in a lot of effort with their wheat. If you’re s...
Jan 11, 2023•1 hr 38 min
Successful farm operators takes the winter season to reflect on lessons learned the prior season then go about applying those lessons for greater return next season. Kevin Matthews shares his big takeaways from things he did right and things he got wrong in crop season ’22. He’s going to desiccate more soybeans, revamp his crew management strategy for next harvest, and apply better weather data for bigger results. As you listen to Kevin’s takeaways, you’re likely to see some parallels you can ap...
Jan 09, 2023•33 min
Johnny Verell left his Jackson, Tennessee farm to attend Murray State University at his grandfather’s insistence. “He said I couldn’t farm if I didn’t go to college,” Johnny says. He returned to the farm and now runs the 3rd generation operation along with his dad. The family made a major decision in 2006 when they quit cotton. Johnny explains that business decision and his operation. He also shares the 3 subjects he’s learned the most about from XtremeAg as well as the subjects on which he inte...
Jan 05, 2023•31 min
Last year, Kelly Garrett planned to plant more soybean acres than corn. He didn’t end up doing that, nor did he dabble more in soybean following soybean acres. Why did he change his cropping mix plans? Economics. Heading into 2023 it’s once again economics that are driving his decision to ramp up corn acres at the expense of beans — to the tune of a 65-35% split. Kelly explains the adjustments he’ll be making — from increased man power to managing residue and insecticide treatments — to boost ou...
Jan 03, 2023•20 min
