Kelly Garrett’s Iowa farm fields are saturated with calcium, whereas Kevin Matthews’ North Carolina fields are calcium deficient. Yet, they both apply a quart of calcium per acre. Why? Because calcium is a limiting factor for both farmers. Kevin and Kelly explain the role of calcium as a mover of nutrients and more importantly, talk about what they are doing to get it into the plant. Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems

Matt Miles admits, when it comes to his fertility program, he wasn’t an early adopter. “It was old school, it was easy…and easy isn’t always the best.” He’s seen the light with encouragement from his XtremeAg peers. He now uses frequent liquid fertilizer applications — in-furrow, via Y-drop, and over the top foliar. This from a farmer who relied on dry fertilizer and chicken litter only a few years ago. Matt, along with son Layne, explain their fertility program evolution. Yes, they spend more money but the cost decreases precipitously per each added bushel. Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems

Kevin Matthews is going to get through the remainder of Plant ’23 with his current planter set-up. But, he’s going to make some wholesale changes to the planter in the off-season. Why? Well for one reason, at time of recording, his planter was in the shop with two guys working on it and that’s not where planters are supposed to be in springtime. Kevin explains how he’s going to modify his planter to eliminate inefficiencies. Is your planter set up ideally for how and where you farm? Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems with support from Loveland Products.

Modern production Agriculture has moved into the data realm. Your combine collects data, your sprayer and planter might be collecting data. Hire an agronomic consultant and they’ll go about compiling data. Basically, every juncture of farming is now a data point. But how do you use these reams of data to improve your yields and efficiency without becoming overwhelmed with so much information. Temple Rhodes explains how he collects then applies data for better decision making. Presented by AgXplore

"You can’t throw good money at bad money,” says Temple Rhodes as he explains the adjustments and adaptations he is making as extreme precipitation has halted his planting. He discusses his procedure and protocols when the weather pauses planting progress for an extended time. In this episode Temple talks about planter maintenance, product mix, and preventing panic. It’s fun one — tune in! Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems with support from Loveland Products.

We talk a lot in Ag about lifestyle and legacy, but without a viable farm business there will be neither of those things. Faced with declining commodity prices, elevated input prices and a doubling of interest rates, now is the time to think creatively about your farm business. Are you sitting on old crop grain and if so why? Did you buy machinery to avoid the tax man and if so, have you thought about what that does to working capital moving forward? All indications are, you’re gonna have higher per acre cost — yield alone won’t keep you profitable. Jarod Creed of JC Marketing & Ag Financial Services provides outlook, context, and information to help you prosper. Presented by AgXplore

In Fall of 2021, Miles Farms installed drainage tile on 35 acres as a trial with ADS. Drainage tile isn’t used in the Arkansas Delta where Matt and Layne Miles farm. However, they didn’t stick plastic pipe in the ground just to be different. Their objectives: Faster farming by being able to get on the field earlier. Changing their practices to allow no-till planting on 15” rows versus raised beds. Better irrigation by reversing the flow of water when the Delta heats up (and it always does!). Matt and Layne explain the early results of their drainage and irrigation install. Presented by ADS with support from Loveland Products.

Matt and Layne Miles planted soybeans the third week of February, 2022. It was early by at least a month for them. It worked. This year, they decided to stick both soybeans and corn in the ground way early. It didn’t work out as well this go around. What was the purpose of the extremely early planting, you ask? Was it just to get the neighbors talking? Absolutely not. Matt and Layne explain why they are committed to stretching out the planting season. Presented by AgXplore

Ask 100 consumers to define “sustainable farming” and you’ll get 100 different answers. It’s time for that to change as Agricultural industry leaders are now poised to do so. Put simply, sustainable farming is a journey that incorporates technology and know-how to produce bigger yields using ever-decreasing amounts of natural resources such as water, fertility, diesel, and time. Matt Miles and Kelly Garrett join Cristian Barcan, VP of Sustainability for Rabo AgriFinance to explain real strides in production Ag’s sustainability quest. The best part: Sustainability is not at odds with modern farming, you don’t have to be a 100% cover cropper, no-tiller, organic operation, or many of the other hurdles you may have thought prevented you from being “sustainable.” The future looks bright (and profitable) for the new definition of sustainability. Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems

​Why would a progressive-minded farmer remove the 2x2 application equipment from his planters? Johnny Verell did just that — after four years of use, he removed the 2x2 from his three 24 row planters. If you’re using 2x2 or if you’re not, this is an illuminating conversation for all. Presented by Loveland Products with support from Agricen.

Kelly Garrett says, “I think we’re learning that soil depletion is less of an issue and it’s really more about soil imbalance.” Given that, we brought on SoundAg’s Director of Agronomy Jeff Divan to discus soil balance, and the often overlooked component of soil biology. Face it, we’ve been sold on the idea for decades that N,P, & K are the mother’s milk of crop production. While the macros certainly matter, we’ve focused on them so much, we’ve overlooked other critical elements of soil health. Kelly discusses his soil and sustainability epiphanies while making the case for biologicals that make existing nutrients more crop-available. Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems

In crop production we hear about the 4 R’s of inputs: The Right Rate, the Right Source, the Right Placement, and the Right Timing. When it comes to an in-furrow program, the timing is obviously at time of planting. What source and rate you’re using depends on your objective and your crop. But what about the placement of your crop inputs? Are you getting the fertility, biologicals, and other inputs precisely where they need to be for optimum yields? Likely not. Mike Evans with Integrated Ag Solutions shares experiences from crop season 2022 using the CapstanAg Select Shot system. It worked well enough that this year they’re installing SelectShot on another planter. The reasons are simple: more acres planted, less product used, fewer stops at the tender truck, no loss in yield. Mike Schwegman, Senior Precision Technician with CapstanAg explains how it works. Presented by Loveland with support from Agricen.

Chad talks to Damian about the methods he uses to balance dry and liquid fertility in his fields.

Temple Rhodes ditched the streamer bar, started using this Streamer nozzle on his wheat and increased his efficiency and yields.

Kelly installed drip irrigation 7 years ago and it completely changed they way he farms both on his drip irrigated ground and on his dry land acres too. He shares the lessons he has learned and the strides he has made since his first season with drip irrigation.

Temple Rhodes explains how he utilizes the data from soil samples and tissue sampling to choose the right micro packs and address the limiting factors on his farm.

Face it, with so many seed companies vying for your business, no seed rep will tell a farmer it’s their fault when their stand suffers. But Kelly Garrett says oftentimes it comes down to operator error. He shares his advice for avoiding a “seed failure” which might really be a planting error. Kelly also shares — based on experience — how to salvage a wounded crop without the expense of replanting. Integra’s B.J. Schaben and Mark Menke, on the other hand, say conditions at time of planting and other factors are often to blame for a bad stand. You’ll enjoy this discussion as it rekindles the debate over nature versus nurture. The big takeaway, according to Kelly is this: When your crop is amazing seed gets too much credit, when your crop underperforms, your seed takes too much of the criticism. Presented by AgXplore

We're talking about irrigation, specifically subsurface drip irrigation. You have questions, so do we. Kurt Grimm with NutraDrip is going to answer those questions because Chad Henderson is looking at the possibility of putting in subsurface drip irrigation on his Alabama farm. Does it work on all geographies? Does it Save Water? How deep is it installed? Do I need to change my farming practices?

Temple Rhodes started applying nutrients in-furrow at time of planting 12 years ago. He didn’t get everything right the first go-round but in the learning years since, he’s certainly become a believer. Last year one of Temple's experiments demonstrated a 2,500 to 3,000 corn plant emergence difference between in-furrow nutrition acres versus non in-furrow treatment. The difference, according to Temple is in the building of the foundation. “I’m building a factory within that plant and you can’t build a factory without a firm foundation." Temple and Adrian Boyd of AgXplore share lessons and thoughts on building a better plant beginning at time of planting. Presented by AgXplore

How to make sure you are putting the right amount of fertility, where your crop needs it and most importantly when it needs it. Damian Mason leads a panel discussion at the 2023 Commodity Classic with Matt Miles, Kevin Matthews, Nachurs' Tommy Roach and Luke Murrow from 360 Yield Center.

Soil survey maps are cool to look at, but they may not be completely accurate because they were done by hand decades ago. Yield maps — now spit out by your combine — are fun to look at, but it turns out they may not be completely accurate either due to lack of user re-calibration. So what should you do if you want a real good picture of what’s happening in your fields? XtremeAg affiliate Matt Swanson says you should look at SWAT soil mapping. He explains how it works, what it shows, and why you need it. Presented by AgXplore

The "#SendIt Twins", Temple Rhodes and Chad Henderson sit down with AgXplore’s Drew Parker at the 2023 Commodity Classic to discuss their key’s to success, key learnings since they first started farming, using tissue samples to stay proactive instead of reactive during the season, and a bunch more.

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 cover cropping. Presented by Loveland Products with support from Agricen.

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 from our newest affiliate “Sam Of The North!” Presented by AgXplore.

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.

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.

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 guys. In an exercise of self-betterment, Heath assigns himself a letter grade on each aspect of farming — ranging from an “A+" to a “C.” How is your report card? Listen to this! Presented by Loveland Products with support from Agricen.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 just not utilizing it. Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems.

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 plant observation, and what he hopes to contribute to as well as learn from XtremeAg. Presented by AgXplore.

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, planting practices, and methods using a myriad of AgroLiquid products.

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 cropping. Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems with support from Agricen.

Kevin and Matt talk with Mark Coots from Teva about correcting nutrient deficiencies while maintaining balance in your soil.

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.

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 problem: It’s not so. Kelly Garrett and XA Affiliate Matt Swanson discuss how they’ll reduce input costs by $15 per acre by reducing corn population without reducing their yield. Presented by Loveland Products with support from Agricen.

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.

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 productivity on your farm. Presented by AgXplore

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 — in many cases — outpaced the percentage gains in farm income. With that backdrop, as well as plenty of volatility, Kelly Garrett and his farm accountant Ben Hansen offer guidance on farm financials to prosper when the market is up (or down!). Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems with support from Agricen.

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 not be in their mix a year or two down the road. Presented by AgXplore.

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 judicious usage of inputs. The SelectShot system might help with that. Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems.

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 support from Agricen.

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 fertilizer at a flat rate, you’ll get it in this episode! Presented by AgXplore

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 cover crop practices. Truterra is also rolling out a nitrogen reduction program that can add more non-crop revenue to your bottom line. The sustainability program starts with a soil health assessment that could improve your farm AND your bottom line! Presented by Advanced Drainage Systems with support from Agricen.

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 AgXplore

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.