XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve Podcast

In this episode, Damian Mason hosts a discussion with Temple Rhodes, Chad Henderson, and Nachurs agronomist Tommy Roach, focused on re-evaluating common fall fertility practices. The group addresses the economic inefficiencies and agronomic downsides of outdated fertilizer applications, particularly the tendency to broadcast fertilizer in the fall without tying it to actual nutrient demand. By breaking down the science of nutrient timing, placement, and environmental risks, the conversation encourages farmers to adopt more precise, ROI-driven fertility strategies. Insights include alternative methods, the impact of soil conditions, and how evolving from habit-based practices can improve profitability.

Know Your Seed Treatment: Why It Matters More Than Ever In modern agriculture, seed treatment has evolved from an optional layer of protection to a critical component of crop success. Yet many farmers are still in the dark about what's actually on the seed they plant. In this episode of XtremeAg’s Cutting the Curve, host Damian Mason speaks with Paul Johnson, a 30-year industry veteran and Seed Treatment Portfolio Manager at UPL, to break down the practical, economic, and agronomic reasons for paying closer attention to seed treatments. Seed Treatment: The Foundation of a Successful Crop Just as a quality home depends on a solid foundation, Johnson explains that the early-stage protection provided by seed treatments sets the tone for the rest of the season. Seed treatments act as the plant's first line of defense against below-ground and early-season threats — including fungi, insects, nematodes, and environmental stressors like cold, wet soils. A strong start often translates to more uniform emergence, improved root development, and faster canopy closure — all of which contribute to better weed suppression and nutrient uptake. Are You Getting the Right Treatment? While virtually all commercial seed arrives treated, Johnson emphasizes a key point: most growers do not know what active ingredients are included — or if those ingredients match their specific field pressures. Fungicides, insecticides (often neonics), and nematicides are common treatment categories, and even inoculants or biologicals may be applied. However, without asking detailed questions, farmers may unknowingly plant into problem-prone areas without adequate protection. Farmers often assume treatment is standard and sufficient. Johnson challenges this assumption, urging producers to work with their seed dealer or ag retailer to understand and — if needed — customize their treatment package. The Economics of Seed Treatment According to Johnson, seed treatments remain one of the most cost-effective inputs in a grower’s portfolio. For soybeans, a solid treatment package typically costs $6–9 per acre and can yield a consistent 3–5 bushel advantage — easily translating to a 4:1 or greater return on investment. For corn, the cost is often included in the base seed price, but additional nematicide or biological treatments may add $4–5 per acre. Trials conducted by farmers have even shown occasional outlier gains — in some cases, up to 20 bushels per acre — though such results are not typical. Nematode Control: The Overlooked Yield Robber One of the most under-recognized threats in soybean production is nematodes, particularly soybean cyst nematode (SCN). Despite being the top yield-limiting pest in many regions, most growers are unaware of the nematode pressure in their fields. Johnson references tools like the Soybean Cyst Coalition Network, which allows producers to check SCN presence and density by ZIP code. Treatments like UPL’s Aveo nematicide offer targeted protection, but only if the farmer knows to request them. Left unchecked, nematodes damage roots, reduce nutrient uptake, and create pathways for secondary diseases. Field-Specific Prescriptions and Timing Seed treatments are not one-size-fits-all. Johnson stresses the importance of treating seed according to specific field conditions, such as cold soils, pythium-prone areas, or known nematode hotspots. Retailers can often adjust treatment mixes or rates if asked, providing customized protection at planting. He also notes that seed treatments are most effective when applied to fresh seed close to planting. While some farmers worry about treating seed late in the season due to possible returns, modern "on-demand" treating equipment makes it easy to apply treatments only as needed — avoiding loss of investment while still getting full protection. Future Trends: Nutrient Efficiency and Biologicals Looking ahead, Johnson predicts that seed treatments will increasingly support nutrient efficiency, particularly through enhanced root development. Larger and more fibrous root systems not only improve access to water and fertility but may also enable farmers to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus application without sacrificing yield. This aligns with broader agronomic trends seen in XtremeAg trials, where farmers like Kelly Garrett experiment with fertility reductions and soil health improvements to drive ROI. Addressing Resistance Concerns Unlike foliar-applied herbicides, seed-applied products are unlikely to drive pest resistance. Johnson explains that because treatments target only the seed zone — a small, localized area around each kernel — there’s minimal environmental exposure and low selection pressure. This makes seed treatment a sustainable long-term strategy for managing pests without contributing to widespread resistance.

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, Damian Mason speaks with Tommy Roach of Nachurs and Texas farmer Todd Kimbrell about moving away from conventional fertility practices toward more efficient, cost-effective nutrient strategies. The discussion centers on reducing or eliminating fall-applied nitrogen and phosphorus, and instead using in-season applications of micronutrients like zinc, sulfur, boron, copper, and potassium acetate. Kimbrell shares his transition to foliar feeding, wide drop applications, and targeted nutrient timing. This episode emphasizes the value of rethinking traditional approaches to fertility to improve nutrient use efficiency, soil biology, and return on investment—without increasing input costs.   Presented by BASF

Farm financial success requires more than strong yields or land appreciation. In this episode, Damian Mason speaks with Jeff Janssen of JC Ag Financial Services and Iowa farmer Kelly Garrett to explore the elements of a real financial stress test. They cover critical areas like calculating true cost of production, identifying hidden expenses, and managing financial pressure through operational scale and revenue diversification. The discussion also highlights strategic decisions around grain storage, marketing risk, and preparing for conversations with lenders. This episode offers practical, actionable insights to help farmers strengthen cash flow management and improve long-term profitability.

In this episode of XtremeAg’s Cutting The Curve, host Damian Mason is joined by Kelly Garrett and TJ Kartes of Bio Till to explore how farmers can achieve better results with cover crops by moving beyond cereal rye. The discussion focuses on reducing disease risks, improving nutrient cycling, and tailoring cover crop strategies to specific cropping systems. The conversation also covers the benefits of interseeding, chemical program compatibility—especially related to atrazine—and how diverse mixes including oats, brassicas, and peas can enhance soil health, livestock feed options, and overall return on investment. Farmers are encouraged to consider both agronomic data and future regulatory trends in planning their cover crop systems.

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, Damian Mason speaks with South Dakota native Derek Skogsberg about building a modern, financially viable farming operation while living out of state. With a professional background in agronomy and agribusiness, Skogsberg shares how he returned to his family’s legacy farmland after decades in other industries, creating a business model that balances investment, operational efficiency, and generational preservation. Farming approximately 1,000 acres—half owned, half family-managed—Skogsberg details the transition from investor to operator, the importance of pro forma financials, equipment investments, hiring the right personnel, and using tools like John Deere Operations Center to farm remotely. He emphasizes treating the operation as a standalone business and offers key insights for families considering a non-traditional path to maintaining farm viability.

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, host Damian Mason is joined by Temple Rhodes and Barrett Ersek to explore the concept of "Thriveability" — a farmer-driven mindset focused on improving soil health, reducing inputs, and enhancing long-term economic outcomes. Barrett, founder of Holganix, explains how the company has shifted from selling crop inputs to becoming a partner in soil health by leveraging microbial technologies, intensive data collection, and prescriptive agronomic support. Temple shares real-world results from implementing Holganix's fall and spring biological products, including measurable gains in soil structure, water infiltration, and crop performance. The conversation highlights how integrating soil health strategies into a farming operation — paired with quantifiable metrics and optional carbon credit opportunities — can deliver immediate and long-term financial returns while improving the resilience of the land.

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, host Damian Mason discusses the results of the Economic Fertility Challenge with farmer Johnny Verell and agronomist Stephanie Zelinko. The challenge, conducted in partnership with AgroLiquid, aimed to maximize wheat yields with a $30 foliar fertility spend per acre. Johnny Verell achieved the highest yield at 114 bushels per acre and won on both yield and ROI, outperforming fellow farmers Kelly Garrett and Temple Rhodes. The discussion highlights strategies such as spoon-feeding nutrients, leveraging crop tissue testing, and aligning applications with growth stages. Despite depressed commodity prices and high input costs, targeted foliar nutrition proved to be a viable approach to maintaining yields while managing budgets.

In this episode of Cutting The Curve, Damian Mason hosts Temple Rhodes, Chad Henderson, Kevin Matthews, Joe Leslie, and agronomist Stephanie Zelinko to discuss the Economic Fertility Challenge—a collaborative in-furrow fertility trial with AgroLiquid, aiming to maximize ROI under a $40/acre fertility budget. The challenge was conducted on irrigated corn with a 300-bushel yield goal, testing varied nutrient strategies across different farms without revealing treatment identities to eliminate bias. The discussion emphasizes budget-conscious fertility planning, precision placement, and how real-world application on different soil types impacts results. Farmers share insights on phosphorus prioritization, micronutrient selection, and the efficiencies gained from targeted in-furrow applications—highlighting that agronomic effectiveness and profitability can be achieved even under financial constraints.

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, Damian Mason hosts Temple Rhodes and agronomist Rebekah Muench of Concept Agritek to address how growers can reduce phosphorus fertilizer costs without sacrificing yield. With phosphorus sources like DAP and MAP becoming prohibitively expensive, the conversation centers on improving phosphorus efficiency by unlocking tied-up nutrients in the soil, utilizing banded and seasonally timed applications, and enhancing microbial activity through residue management. Muench explains the science behind phosphorus availability and tie-up, while Rhodes shares practical methods from his own operation, including a transition to liquid fertility, pH optimization, and spoon-feeding nutrients during key growth stages. The episode offers practical, cost-saving strategies to maximize phosphorus ROI under tightening margins. Presented by BASF

In this episode of Cutting The Curve, host Damian Mason is joined by Kevin Matthews and Jeremy Geerts from SprayTec to explore the hidden costs and risks associated with foam in spray applications. Excess foam in the spray tank can reduce effective volume, distort herbicide rates, tie up active ingredients, and cause off-target environmental contamination. The conversation outlines how foam affects agronomic performance and profitability, including increased risk of weed resistance and wasted product. Jeremy provides insights into proper tank mixing practices and how SprayTec's FullTec adjuvant supports foam mitigation and water conditioning. Kevin shares real-world management tips to ensure accurate applications and improved efficacy.

In this special edition of Cutting the Curve, Damian Mason sits down with the next generation of XtremeAg contributors—Connor “Vern” Garrett, Alexander Evans, Danielle Venable, Jackson Henderson, and Layne Miles—joined by Caleb Coots of Teva Ag. The discussion centers on adaptability in agriculture: economic pressures, changes in herbicide regulations, evolving input strategies, and shifting mindsets. With real-world examples from each operation, the group explores how young ag professionals are responding to tighter margins, input bans, changing technologies, and the stress of expansion. They also challenge conventional ideas around growth, highlighting the need for operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.   Presented by TEVA

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, host Damian Mason discusses the Economic Fertility Challenge focused on cotton production with XtremeAg farmer Matt Miles and fellow contributors Kevin Matthews, Kelly Garrett, agronomist Stephanie Zelinko, and Gabe Saxon from AgroLiquid. The challenge, held on Matt Miles’ Arkansas farm, tested various foliar nutrition strategies on cotton under a strict $50 per-acre budget. With different teams applying nutrients using alternate timing and formulation methods, the goal was to evaluate return on investment (ROI) and yield efficiency in the face of tightening commodity margins. Despite differences in regional experience and field conditions, all participants emphasized strategic potassium management and spoon-fed foliar nutrition to optimize yields. Results from this collaborative trial offer valuable insights for improving nutrient efficiency and profitability, even beyond cotton.

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, XtremeAg tackles the widespread skepticism surrounding post-patent (generic) crop protection products. Host Damian Mason speaks with Brian Adams of Volunteer Ag Services and Bret Corbett of Albaugh to explore the misconceptions about generics, their formulation quality, and their role in modern farming systems. The conversation emphasizes that while not all generics are created equal, many U.S.-manufactured post-patent products undergo rigorous testing, comply with EPA standards, and often contain updated surfactants and adjuvants. The panel outlines how farmers can confidently adopt these inputs by evaluating product sourcing, compatibility, and supplier credibility—offering a cost-effective strategy in today’s challenging ag economy.

In this candid episode of Cutting the Curve, Damian Mason hosts a roundtable with members of the next generation of agriculture—Alexander Evans, Connor “Vern” Garrett, Danielle Venable, Jackson Henderson, and Layne Miles—joined by Caleb Coots of TEVA Ag. The group shares how they balance personal time with the demands of farming, how their identities are shaped by agriculture, and why building family traditions off the farm is as vital as yield goals. Topics include drag racing, falconry, parenting, mental health, generational expectations, and the pressure to embody the "farmer" identity 24/7. A thoughtful look into how young ag professionals are reshaping what it means to live and work in production agriculture today.   Presented by TEVA 

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, host Damian Mason is joined by Matt Miles and agronomist Stephanie Zelinko to break down the results of a cotton fertility challenge conducted in partnership with AgroLiquid. The trial, hosted on Matt's farm, tested three fertility programs designed by Matt, Kevin Matthews, and Kelly Garrett, each limited to a $50 foliar application budget with the goal of achieving 1,750 lbs (3.5 bales) per acre. Despite different application timings and nutrient mixes, all three programs yielded strong results, with Matt’s at 1,806 lbs, Kelly’s at 1,800 lbs, and Kevin’s at 1,724 lbs. The key differentiator was nutrient timing, especially consistent potassium and calcium delivery throughout the crop’s reproductive phase. The discussion emphasizes cotton’s high nutrient demands, the role of spoon-fed foliar treatments, and opportunities to trim costs without sacrificing yield by strategically managing application timing and product selection.

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, host Damian Mason is joined by Tennessee farmer Johnny Verell and Keith Miller from Albaugh to discuss how farmers can reduce unnecessary crop protection costs without compromising control. The conversation focuses on leveraging post-patent and rebranded legacy chemistries, improving input planning, addressing water quality factors like pH and hardness, and reevaluating fungicide, insecticide, and herbicide use based on agronomic need. As resistance grows and commodity prices stay low, the episode outlines practical, data-backed strategies to optimize input spend and maintain performance by returning to proven, cost-effective agronomic fundamentals.

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, Damian Mason talks with Todd Dale of Estes Concaves about optimizing harvest operations under variable and adverse field conditions. They discuss the agronomic and economic impacts of inconsistent moisture levels, disease pressure like tar spot and southern rust, and high-yield variability. Todd explains how upgrading to high-performance concaves—like the XPR series from Estes—can improve threshing efficiency, reduce mechanical grain damage, and significantly minimize harvest loss. He outlines how rotor loss, separator hours, and poor grain quality directly affect profitability and trade-in value. The conversation provides clear insight into how mechanical upgrades to combines can drive operational efficiency and protect margins during low commodity pricing cycles.   Presented by BASF

In this Cutting the Curve episode, XtremeAg farmers Chad Henderson, Matt Miles, and Temple Rhodes, along with AgroLiquid agronomists Gabe Saxon and Stephanie Zelinko, explore fertility strategies for maximizing double crop soybean yields. Each team worked within a $40 foliar fertility budget, customizing nutrient programs based on specific field conditions and crop goals. Applications were timed at the R3 growth stage to align with fungicide passes and minimize additional fieldwork. Despite environmental constraints—especially heat and limited growing windows—participants pursued combinations of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and micronutrients. The trial aimed to evaluate which nutrients, if any, could consistently push yields beyond the common 60–70 bushel range and toward the elusive 80-bushel target in double crop soybean systems.

In this episode of XtremeAg’s Cutting the Curve, Lee Lubbers of Gregory, South Dakota, shares his experience with innovative tile drainage strategies, including in-season installation during planting. Despite conventional wisdom warning against springtime drainage due to compaction and crop loss, Lubbers reports minimal disruption and significant yield improvements. He has installed over 3,000 acres of tile, enhancing soil structure, increasing organic matter, and reducing waterlogging. Alongside ADS representatives Cole Rath and Tim Dahl, the discussion also covers the growing role of water recycling through retention ponds, including collaborative projects that benefit wildlife and neighboring livestock operations. This episode highlights the agronomic, economic, and sustainability benefits of strategic water management.   Presented by BASF