Author, historian, and ag storyteller Lee Klancher joins Farm4Profit for an incredible deep dive into the history of four-wheel-drive tractors, the horsepower race, and the innovators who transformed modern agriculture.

After previously discussing Cold War agricultural espionage surrounding his book Snoopy and the Spy, Lee returns with a brand-new project exploring the rise of 4WD tractors and the intense competition that shaped the farm equipment industry.

This episode uncovers the untold stories behind:

Lee also shares behind-the-scenes insights from filming Tractor Wars 2, the new PBS documentary series following up on the original Tractor Wars project. The conversation explores how mechanization transformed American agriculture during the 1920s and 1930s and why the rapid rise of tractors changed farming forever.

The episode finishes with a discussion on today’s technology race — autonomy, AI, and robotics — and whether modern agriculture is entering a new version of the horsepower wars.

If you love tractor history, Big Iron, innovation stories, or the personalities that shaped agriculture, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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In this What’s Working in Ag segment the Farm4Profit crew sits down with Corteva technical and fungicide specialists to discuss one of the biggest topics facing growers today: protecting yield in a tight-margin environment.

The conversation focuses on how weed control, insects, and disease pressure all work together — and why cutting corners on crop protection can end up costing farmers far more in lost yield potential. Corteva experts Eric and Madison explain why starting clean with effective herbicide programs remains critical, especially as growers continue adapting to early soybean planting and evolving resistance challenges.

The episode dives into:

The discussion also highlights Corteva’s newest fungicide, Forcivo™, and how modern fungicide technology is being combined with predictive tools and Pioneer genetics to help growers better manage disease pressure and protect bushels.

If you’re making crop protection decisions for the 2026 season, this episode delivers practical insight on how to think through herbicides, fungicides, insects, and profitability in a challenging farm economy.

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In this episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, Corey sits down with Zach Smith (The Stock Cropper), James Epp, and Matt Boerman — better known as The Lobe Rangers — for a candid and in-depth conversation about the future of agriculture, conservation practices, and what farmers can do to improve profitability while protecting soil and water resources.

The group shares how The Lobe Rangers started as a simple Snapchat conversation between frustrated farmers who wanted to discuss poor farming practices, erosion, nitrogen management, and conservation solutions happening across Iowa’s Des Moines Lobe region. What began as a private peer group quickly evolved into a growing movement focused on honest conversations around agriculture, sustainability, and practical solutions that work at scale.

The discussion covers:

The Lobe Rangers explain how they’ve implemented conservation systems on their own operations while still maintaining profitability and efficiency. They also discuss the realities of public perception, working with Des Moines Water Works, and why communication between farmers, consumers, and policymakers is critical moving forward.

This episode is a raw, honest, and thought-provoking discussion about balancing production agriculture with long-term sustainability while keeping family farms profitable for future generations.

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Mike brings a unique perspective to the conversation—not only as a producer, but also through his involvement with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, where he serves as chairman of the Business Issues Policy Committee. That combination of boots-on-the-ground experience and industry-level insight gives him a well-rounded view of the challenges and opportunities facing cattle producers today.

We start with the story of Schwarck Farms—how the operation began, how it has evolved over the years, and what decisions have shaped its current structure. Like many operations, it hasn’t stayed static. Changes in markets, costs, and industry dynamics have required constant adjustment and a willingness to rethink how things are done.

From there, we dig into decision-making. Mike shares how his approach has changed over time and why today’s producers need to be more strategic than ever. With volatility in markets, shifting regulations, and unpredictable weather, the margin for error is smaller. Having the right tools, advisors, and mindset can make the difference between staying ahead or falling behind.

A key part of that conversation is his involvement with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. Mike emphasizes the importance of being engaged—not just on your own farm, but within your community and industry organizations. Those connections help producers stay informed, influence policy, and ultimately make better decisions at the farm level.

We also spend time talking about the next generation of cattle producers. Mike shares what he sees as the biggest challenges for young farmers today and the skills they’ll need beyond just raising livestock. Business management, marketing, and relationship-building are all becoming just as important as traditional production knowledge.

Finally, we dive into cattle marketing. In a constantly changing market environment, timing and strategy matter more than ever. Mike explains how his marketing approach has evolved, what factors he pays closest attention to, and the common mistakes he sees producers making when margins get tight.

This episode is a practical conversation about adapting, staying involved, and making smarter decisions in the cattle business—whether you’re just getting started or looking to improve your current operation.

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Harvest efficiency has always been one of the biggest profit drivers on the farm—but it’s also been one of the hardest things to measure accurately.

In this What’s Working in Ag segment from Commodity Classic, we sat down with Marcel from Bushel Plus to talk about a simple idea that’s making a major impact: actually measuring grain loss instead of guessing.

For years, farmers relied on rough estimates—counting kernels on the ground, making visual judgments, or simply trusting experience. But as combines become more advanced with automation, sensors, and data systems, the need for accurate, real-world calibration has never been more important.

That’s where Bushel Plus comes in.

Their SmartPan system allows operators to safely and quickly measure exactly what’s coming out the back of the combine. With a remote-controlled drop pan, farmers can capture a sample during harvest, separate the grain from residue, and calculate true loss in just a few minutes. No guesswork. No unsafe methods. Just real numbers.

And those numbers matter.

Even a small amount of grain loss—just a couple bushels per acre—can add up to significant dollars across an operation. In many cases, farmers are surprised at how much they’re actually losing. Once they see it, they can’t unsee it—and more importantly, they can fix it.

The impact goes beyond just saving grain. Reducing loss also means fewer volunteer crops, less need for additional passes or herbicide, and better overall field management.

What makes this even more relevant today is the integration with modern combine technology. With John Deere’s recent partnership and endorsement, SmartPan is now being used to “ground truth” combine automation systems—helping machines calibrate properly and hit target loss levels more accurately.

Whether you’re running the latest high-tech combine or an older machine, the concept is the same: you can’t manage what you don’t measure.

And for many farmers, this tool pays for itself almost immediately—sometimes within the first few fields.

The bottom line: harvest is too important—and margins are too tight—to leave bushels in the field. Tools like this are helping farmers capture more of what they’ve already worked all season to grow.

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Today we’re diving into the latest advancements in hay equipment with a focus on round baler technology and how it’s helping farmers improve efficiency, consistency, and overall bale quality.

From automation to data tracking, hay production is evolving fast—and the newest innovations are designed to reduce operator fatigue while delivering more uniform, higher-quality bales.

One of the standout features is Weave Automation, which allows the baler to guide itself along the windrow. With a hitch that can swing side-to-side, the system automatically weaves across the windrow during bale formation. The result is more consistent bale shape and density, less need for constant steering, and a lower risk of pulling in dirt or debris.

Beyond automation, today’s balers are equipped with advanced sensors that measure moisture and weight in real time. Operators can monitor conditions directly from the cab, making better decisions on the go. This data can also be uploaded into the John Deere Operations Center, giving farmers the ability to track bale performance, monitor trends, and document field activity over time.

Moisture management continues to be a critical factor in hay quality, and baler-mounted testers now provide real-time readings during operation—helping reduce spoilage risk and improve storage outcomes.

Upstream from the baler, windrowing and mowing equipment are also becoming more advanced. Self-propelled windrowers, merger attachments, integrated cameras, and in-cab controls allow operators to fine-tune their process and create ideal windrows for baling. These systems, combined with data tracking, help optimize cutting schedules and improve dry-down timing.

All of this is connected through tools like JDLink and the John Deere Operations Center, where farmers can monitor machine performance, track field work, and make more informed decisions based on real data.

The bottom line: hay production is no longer just about getting across the field—it’s about precision, consistency, and using technology to maximize quality and efficiency every step of the way.

www.johndeere.com

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Instead of chasing scale, the Witte family leaned into trucking, building a nationwide refrigerated logistics company. Then in the mid-2000s, they made another shift—this time back to cattle, but with a completely different focus: quality over quantity.

Today, Witte Beef Co. is built around producing Prime-grade beef comparable to top steakhouses across the country—while maintaining control over nearly every input along the way.

In this episode, we cover:

This is a masterclass in adapting to markets, controlling your system, and building a premium product in agriculture.

www.johndeere.com

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In this What’s Working in Ag segment, we sat down with the Ambrook team to break down how they’re building accounting software specifically for agriculture—and why so many producers are making the switch.

Ambrook isn’t just bookkeeping—it’s about understanding your operation at a deeper level.

From splitting out enterprises like cow-calf, hay, or trucking… to tracking receipts in real time… to generating tax-ready reports without digging through piles of paper—this platform is designed for how farmers actually operate.

In this episode, we cover:

If you’ve ever wondered which part of your farm is actually making money—or if one enterprise is subsidizing another—this is a tool worth paying attention to.

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Sarah shares her powerful personal story and how it led to the creation of The RedShirt Foundation after losing her son Vincent in 2021. What started from tragedy has turned into a mission to ensure no family faces these struggles without support, tools, and hope.

We also dive into LivingWorks ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), a globally recognized, evidence-based program that teaches everyday people how to step in, have difficult conversations, and help someone stay safe in critical moments.

In this episode, we cover:

This episode isn’t just about awareness—it’s about action, tools, and creating stronger communities across agriculture.

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https://www.maizevalley.com/

Today, Maize Valley Farms in Hartville, Ohio is something completely different:

With agritourism, direct-to-consumer sales, events, a winery, brewery, and seasonal attractions, the farm has transformed into a diversified business that often outperforms traditional row crop income.

In this Farm4Fun episode, Bill shares:

This is a story about resilience, reinvention, and finding profitability outside the traditional ag playbook.

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