Kevin Matthews has weathered multiple economic downturns in Agriculture. What’s different about this one? He discusses that with Damian Mason in this episode of Cutting the Curve. The two “middle age farm guys" provide historical context and comparison — from the PIK program to revamping CRP, what might the USDA roll out?  What tactics can farmers deploy to remain solvent in a challenging farm economy? And most importantly, is there an upside to the downturn? You bet there is! 

Could hiring a custom harvester transform your farming operation? Chad Olsen of Olsen Custom Farms and XtremeAg farmer Lee Lubbers share their insights with Damian Mason in this compelling episode. Chad’s team harvests crops across 17 states, using 90 combines and 80 semi trucks operated by 150 employees. Lee explains how partnering with Chad has boosted efficiency, freed up working capital, and reduced his farm’s financial strain. With on-farm economics tightening, could outsourcing your harvest make more sense than owning your own equipment? Tune in to explore the costs, benefits, and economic realities of custom harvesting.

Farming success hinges on precision, and this episode of XtremeAg’s Cutting the Curve Podcast dives deep into the importance of getting the right source, rate, time, and place for your crops. Host Damian Mason chats with Alabama farmer Chad Henderson, who is pushing the limits with a cutting-edge trial on double crop soybeans. Joined by Drew Ewing from Spraytec, Chad breaks down the critical strategies behind product treatments—especially when time is not on your side late in the season. Discover how the right timing and placement can make all the difference in maximizing yield. Don't miss these expert insights on fine-tuning your approach for better crop performance.

Presented by Claas

Think wheat farming can’t be profitable? Think again. Lee Lubbers, fresh off a victory in the 2024 National Association of Wheat Growers yield competition for South Dakota, joins Damian Mason to share how he hit an incredible 138.35 bushels per acre. From evolving production practices to the strategic use of products and precise timing of applications, Lee reveals the methods behind his high ROI. Tune in for actionable insights and discover how wheat might just be your next winning crop.

Humidity and temperature management inside your bins are the two most critical factors to maintaining stored grain quality, but they’re hardly the only factors. Mold, toxins, foreign material, leaks, lack of air flow, damaged seed….these are but a few of the problems farmers might face when managing their grain. In this episode, host Damian Mason gets answers on how to maintain grain quality from XtremeAg’s Johnny Verell and Superior Grain’s Dave Wehlander and Rodie Jelleberg.  

Presented by Simon Innovations

Don’t let winter weeds steal your nutrients or turn your field into a springtime nightmare. Join Damian Mason as he talks with farmer Kelly Garrett and FMC's Gail Stratman about why late fall and winter are crucial for weed management. Discover strategies to tackle winter annuals, protect your soil's productivity, and ensure cleaner fields come planting season. From targeting small weeds early to preventing massive infestations, this episode is packed with insights to keep your farm thriving year-round.

Presented by CLAAS

In production agriculture, improving fertilizer efficiency is more critical than ever, with up to 90% of applied fertility feeding the soil rather than the crop. Could activated carbon be the solution? Brad Benson and Brandon Laws of Activated Carbon Technologies join Arkansas farmer Matt Miles to share results from two years of farm trials that are reshaping how we think about soil health and fertility. Hosted by Damian Mason, this episode dives into the science and strategy behind activated carbon, exploring its potential to reduce fertilizer rates and drive better outcomes for farmers.

Presented by Simon Innovations

Fall is one of the busiest times of year for farmers, but it’s also prime time to gather insights that can drive next year’s success. In this episode, Kelly Garrett and FMC's Gail Stratman join Damian Mason to discuss how you can turn real-time observations during harvest into actionable plans that improve yield and profitability. What clues are your crops giving about soil balance, input needs, or even experimental techniques? Discover how to make harvest-time notes work for you, transforming field observations into valuable management strategies for next season’s crop. Tune in and learn how to take notes that pay off.

As 2024 unfolds, the agriculture industry faces what could be the start of several tough financial years, with farm economics taking a stark downward turn. For many in agriculture, the strains of high input costs, inflated machinery prices, and soaring interest rates are hitting home. What do these economic realities mean for the future of farming? And how does this period compare to previous downturns in agriculture?

In this episode, seasoned farmer Matt Miles joins host Damian Mason to explore the impact of economic pressures on the ag industry. They’re also joined by Steve Acker, CFO of Concept AgriTek, who shares insights on variable pricing programs for 2025, where input prices adjust based on farmers' commodity revenue—a potential game-changer in managing costs. Tune in for a candid discussion on practical strategies, financial adjustments, and survival tactics to weather the challenges ahead.

In this episode, we chat with Johnny Verell from XtremeAg, who reveals why your header transport trailer deserves more attention. Johnny shares how adding two high-speed, all-wheel-drive header trailers to his farm transformed harvest season, from speeding up field transfers to cutting down combine idle time. He also added grain tank extensions that have become a game-changer in maximizing machine efficiency. If you want to farm faster and smarter this harvest season, you won’t want to miss Johnny’s insights!

Presented by Simon Innovations