In this episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, we sit down with Joe Kerns, a 30-year industry veteran and Iowa State University graduate who has worked across procurement, risk management, nutrition, hedging, livestock marketing, and operational benchmarking. Joe doesn’t sugarcoat the situation—and his perspective raises uncomfortable but necessary questions about the future of U.S. agriculture, especially pork production.

Joe explains why he believes the pork industry is on the brink of becoming “a serf to the packer,” tracing the roots back to the 1998 hog price collapse and the financial community’s push for mandatory packer contracts. The result? The negotiated cash market has collapsed from roughly 17% in 2002 to around 1% today, leaving producers without meaningful price discovery and shifting risk almost entirely onto the farm.

We also tackle the growing loss of faith in USDA reporting, including:

Corn yield overestimations that led to bad marketing decisions

The September 2024 hog supply miss that sent futures $20/head higher

Declining participation in USDA reports and what that means for accuracy

How flawed data distorts markets, hedging decisions, and producer confidence

But this episode isn’t just about problems—it’s about opportunity.

Joe outlines how producer-driven, anonymous data aggregation could flip the power dynamic back toward farmers. With enough participation, predictive analytics could unlock insights across genetics, nutrition, management, equipment, and animal health—turning farm data into a monetized advantage instead of a liability.

We also explore:

Why pork producers may actually be agriculture’s quiet sustainability success story

How efficiency gains from genetics and feed conversion are reshaping protein production

Why beef prices are likely to remain elevated—and why politics are missing the point

The hard reality behind renewable diesel, SAF, and global energy policy

What happens to independent producers if nothing changes

This is a candid, data-driven conversation about power, control, and survival in modern agriculture—and why the next decade may determine whether independence remains viable at all.

Want Farm4Profit Merch?  Custom order your favorite items today!

https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!
 

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: [email protected]

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc 

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The hosts go mic-only to say thank you to the people who make this show possible: you.

As we wrap up 2025, we take a moment to reflect on what this community has become. The Farm4Profit audience reached:

200,000+ unique listeners

1,200,000+ total downloads

660,000+ Spotify streams

10.4 million+ YouTube views in the last year

2.18 million+ long-form episode listens

43.4 million impressions and 1.3 million engagements across social media

But the numbers only tell part of the story.

In this episode, we talk about:

Our favorite podcast moments from 2025

Unexpected wins and personal highlights outside the show

Real struggles we faced this year—and what they taught us

What we’re most excited about heading into 2026

New ideas, experiments, and fun challenges we want to bring to the Farm4Profit community

We also share listener demographics that show exactly who makes up this audience:

55% farmers and farmhands

28% ag business professionals

11% ag enthusiasts

2% influencers

4% other supporters

Whether you listen from the tractor cab, the shop, the pickup, or the kitchen table—this episode is for you. Thank you for trusting us with your time, your stories, and your support.

Want Farm4Profit Merch?  Custom order your favorite items today!

https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!
 

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: [email protected]

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc 

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Diesel technology has come a long way — but with tighter emissions systems, DPFs, EGRs, and high-pressure injectors, today’s engines are also more vulnerable than most operators realize.

In this episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, we’re joined by Garth Redifer, Vice President of Sales at Power Service, a third-generation, veteran-owned diesel additive manufacturer based in Weatherford, Texas. With 17 years of hands-on diesel technology experience, Garth has worked directly on innovations like diesel injector cleaning and DPF flush solutions — and has seen firsthand where engines fail and why.

We dig into:

Why modern diesel engines are more prone to injector deposits, regen issues, and power loss

What’s really happening inside your fuel system, turbo, EGR, and DPF

Why excessive DPF regens cost you fuel, time, and engine life

How a one-tank diesel treatment can clean the entire fuel system — not just injectors

What REGENEXTEND™ technology does and how it can cut regen frequency by up to 50%

The difference between “band-aid” fuel additives and science-backed solutions

Why preventive maintenance is cheaper than waiting for warning lights and downtime

Garth also shares insights from working with truckers, farmers, logging crews, and fleets across North America — and explains why diesel fuel quality and maintenance matter more now than ever.

Whether you’re running a pickup, tractor, combine, semi, or full fleet, this episode will help you understand how to protect performance, extend engine life, and keep more money in your pocket.

Want Farm4Profit Merch?  Custom order your favorite items today!

https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!
 

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: [email protected]

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc 

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In an ag world driven by automation, efficiency metrics, and shiny new equipment, this farmer is unapologetically doing things differently — and calling it Doing It Wrong Dairy.

Tristan is a sixth-generation dairy producer in Wisconsin who believes real farming doesn’t need filters, polish, or permission. Farming on his own for more than a decade, Tristan relies heavily on 30+ year-old equipment, practices old-school animal care, and openly questions whether “modern” always means “better.”

In this episode, Tristan shares:

Growing up in a multi-species livestock operation and starting farm work at age four

Why his family exited the dairy industry in the 1990s — and why he came back

Leaving home at 17 to work on a custom wheat harvest crew and becoming a crew leader at 18

His return to Wisconsin and building a farm on his own terms

Why he leaves calves with their mothers and how it impacts herd health and behavior

Milking alternative breeds like Gyr cows and experimenting outside the mainstream

Maintaining a “retirement pasture” for cows he refuses to sell simply because production drops

Why authenticity — not perfection — is what connects people to agriculture

We also dig into the explosive growth of Doing It Wrong Dairy on social media, where Tristan’s honest, sometimes controversial content has resonated with hundreds of thousands of viewers who want to see the real side of farming — not a highlight reel.

Want Farm4Profit Merch?  Custom order your favorite items today!

https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!
 

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: [email protected]

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc 

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Farms today run more digital systems than ever before — GPS-guided equipment, grain accounting software, cloud-connected records, automated livestock and irrigation controls, and online financial tools. And that shift has put agriculture squarely into the Top 10 most-targeted industries for cyberattacks.

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Sherman, founder of TechSupport.Farm, who specializes in helping farmers and ag businesses protect their operations from online threats. Chris breaks down why farms are becoming major hacker targets, the attacks he sees most often, and the simple ways producers can safeguard their data, their money, and their equipment.

We explore real farm-level risks such as:

Phishing emails disguised as invoices, USDA notices, or dealer updates

Ransomware that locks up grain software, field maps, GPS data, or entire farm servers

Extortion scams demanding bitcoin

Attempts to infiltrate connected systems like grain dryers, feed mills, and irrigation controls

Chris explains where farm data actually lives — on equipment, in cloud systems, or in software platforms — and what farmers need to understand about data ownership, platform security, and privacy.

Then we move into practical, easy-to-apply cybersecurity steps every farm can start today:

Creating strong password policies (12+ characters)

Using password managers

Turning on two-factor authentication

Upgrading email security with spam and phishing filters

Separating home WiFi from business and equipment WiFi

Tracking who has login access

Keeping offline backups of critical files

Training your family and employees to spot digital red flags

Chris also shares real-world stories from farms he’s helped — the scams that worked, the ones that were caught in time, and the mistakes he sees repeated across operations of all sizes.

Whether you run a large operation or a small family farm, cybersecurity is now part of running the business. This episode will help you protect what you’ve built, stay ahead of threats, and keep hackers out of your data, your money, and your equipment.

Want Farm4Profit Merch?  Custom order your favorite items today!

https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!
 

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: [email protected]

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc 

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today’s Farm4Fun episode brings you straight to the porch of Braswell Family Farms, where Trey Braswell, the fourth-generation president of a well-known East-Coast egg and feed operation, walks us through his roots, his responsibilities, and the heart behind a business built for generations.

We explore how the farm began in 1943 as a small grist mill — and over 80 years and four generations later has grown into one of the largest private-label and specialty-egg producers on the East Coast, with a robust feed mill and diverse operations. 

Trey shares how he started working on the farm in high school — sweeping floors, unloading rail cars, maintaining mill bins — and later earned a business degree to come back with new ideas.

We talk about major milestones under his leadership: building new pullet and layer houses, launching pasture-raised organic egg production, rebranding to Braswell Family Farms (formerly Braswell Foods), and embedding a culture guided by faith and stewardship. 

But more than facilities and production, we dig into values: how he works to make employees feel like family, establishes a “Stewardship Team,” and leads with a mission rooted in integrity, humility, and service. 

Expect stories — the earliest years, the tough decisions, the vision for organic and cage-free eggs, and what it really means to manage a 4-generation farm business in 2025. All with the honesty and warmth of a conversation on the porch.

Whether you’re a young farmer, seasoned producer, or just curious where your eggs come from, this episode offers a real glimpse into values-driven agriculture, family legacy, and the hard work behind every carton.

Want Farm4Profit Merch?  Custom order your favorite items today!

https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!
 

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: [email protected]

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc 

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We sit down with Brad Burkhart, Market Development Specialist for Corteva Agriscience, to recap what really happened in the 2025 crop season — and what farmers should take forward into 2026.

Brad walks us through the major trends he saw at harvest: disease pressure that showed up across multiple regions, waterhemp surges creeping from edge to row, and early-season conditions that made crop protection decisions more important than ever.

We highlight the biggest “wins” of 2025, including real-world in-field results:

• Forcivo™ fungicide:
High pressure meant fungicide performance mattered. Brad shares field trial results — including one Iowa farm where combining Forcivo with Aproach® Prima delivered 49 bu/A more than untreated acres.

• Resicore® REV & Kyro™ herbicides:
Farmers leaned on flexible application windows, strong tank-mix compatibility, and long-lasting residuals. Brad shares how an Iowa grower again achieved 8 weeks of waterhemp residual with encapsulated acetochlor in Resicore REV.

• Enversa™, Sonic® Boom & Kyber® Pro soy herbicides:
Farmers needed solutions beyond dicamba. Brad highlights how Enversa and Enlist One® helped a Nebraska farm eliminate pigweed pressure — and how Sonic Boom and Kyber Pro performed with consistent, broad-spectrum activity and flexible timing up to V4/V5.

• Tolvera® herbicide for cereals:
A rare new active ingredient hit the market in 2025 — and cereal growers embraced it. Brad shares a Montana farm’s success controlling kochia, narrowleaf hawksbeard and wild buckwheat while maintaining strong rotation flexibility.

We close with actionable 2026 planning steps, including mapping problem areas, updating weed control programs, and using 2025 performance insights to maximize ROI next season.

For more information on Corteva crop protection solutions, visit Corteva.com/us.

Want Farm4Profit Merch?  Custom order your favorite items today!

https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!
 

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: [email protected]

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc 

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We sit down with Brad Burkhart, Market Development Specialist for Corteva Agriscience, to recap what really happened in the 2025 crop season — and what farmers should take forward into 2026.

Brad walks us through the major trends he saw at harvest: disease pressure that showed up across multiple regions, waterhemp surges creeping from edge to row, and early-season conditions that made crop protection decisions more important than ever.

We highlight the biggest “wins” of 2025, including real-world in-field results:

• Forcivo™ fungicide:
High pressure meant fungicide performance mattered. Brad shares field trial results — including one Iowa farm where combining Forcivo with Aproach® Prima delivered 49 bu/A more than untreated acres.

• Resicore® REV & Kyro™ herbicides:
Farmers leaned on flexible application windows, strong tank-mix compatibility, and long-lasting residuals. Brad shares how an Iowa grower again achieved 8 weeks of waterhemp residual with encapsulated acetochlor in Resicore REV.

• Enversa™, Sonic® Boom & Kyber® Pro soy herbicides:
Farmers needed solutions beyond dicamba. Brad highlights how Enversa and Enlist One® helped a Nebraska farm eliminate pigweed pressure — and how Sonic Boom and Kyber Pro performed with consistent, broad-spectrum activity and flexible timing up to V4/V5.

• Tolvera® herbicide for cereals:
A rare new active ingredient hit the market in 2025 — and cereal growers embraced it. Brad shares a Montana farm’s success controlling kochia, narrowleaf hawksbeard and wild buckwheat while maintaining strong rotation flexibility.

We close with actionable 2026 planning steps, including mapping problem areas, updating weed control programs, and using 2025 performance insights to maximize ROI next season.

For more information on Corteva crop protection solutions, visit Corteva.com/us.

Want Farm4Profit Merch?  Custom order your favorite items today!

https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!
 

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: [email protected]

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc 

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Want Farm4Profit Merch?  Custom order your favorite items today!

https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!
 

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: [email protected]

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc 

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode features a rare and powerful perspective: what it takes to lead one of agriculture’s most respected family-owned companies — when you’re not part of the family name.

We sit down with Tom Mangan, Sukup Manufacturing’s incoming CEO and the first non-family executive to hold the role in the company’s history. Tom’s background spans Fareway Stores, Endicott Clay Products, Deloitte Tax, and, since 2020, serving as Sukup’s CFO. Beginning in October 2025, he’ll step into the CEO role with Hank Norem transitioning back into the CFO seat to support the change.

Tom shares his journey from Iowa State accounting major and CPA to guiding one of ag’s most innovative, global, family-rooted brands. We explore the challenges and advantages of stepping into leadership in a multi-generational family company — from building trust, honoring legacy, and collaborating with family stakeholders to introducing new systems, tech, and approaches.

Listeners will gain insight into how non-family leaders can thrive in family-owned operations, how to create alignment across teams, and how to balance culture, performance, and long-term vision. Tom breaks down his collaborative leadership philosophy, the lessons he’s learned, and the strategies he believes matter for both large manufacturers and family farms alike.

Want Farm4Profit Merch?  Custom order your favorite items today!

https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!
 

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: [email protected]

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc 

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tax season doesn’t have to be a scramble — and today’s guests show farmers exactly how to get ahead. We’re joined by two ag-focused CPAs: Mackenzie Sprain from LattaHarris and Hannah Mann from Pioneer Accounting LLC. One brings deep ag tax expertise, the other specializes in helping farmers build cleaner records and better financial visibility — together, they give producers a complete roadmap for winning tax season before it starts.

We open with an honest look at the 2025 tax landscape: inflation pressures, high interest rates, shifting policy environments, and the growing relevance of tools like Section 180 deductions, R&D credits, conservation program rules, CRP tax treatment, and more. Mackenzie and Hannah outline how year-round planning beats last-minute spending — and why quarterly conversations with your accountant can save thousands.

From there, we dig into the power of modern recordkeeping. Tools like Ambrook allow producers to tag expenses by enterprise, monitor breakevens in real time, organize receipts, and make equipment or land decisions with clarity instead of guesswork. The CPAs share real stories of farmers who uncovered hidden savings, improved profitability, or avoided costly mistakes simply by keeping organized, digital records.

We also cover common mistakes farmers make — outdated depreciation schedules, misclassified wages, partnership changes not reported, misunderstood conservation payments, or relying on handshake agreements without tax implications in mind. Mackenzie and Hannah walk through the opportunities available for 2025: Section 179 planning, bonus depreciation limits, energy tax credits, R&D credits for agronomy trials, and strategies to minimize interest-driven tax impacts.

We close with actionable takeaways: start early, track continuously, communicate often, and use technology to transform tax planning from compliance into strategy. If you want to reduce stress, avoid surprises, and make tax season another profit tool for your operation, this episode is packed with practical, CPA-approved guidance you can apply immediately.

Want Farm4Profit Merch?  Custom order your favorite items today!

https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!
 

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: [email protected]

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc 

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.