Breaking Barriers with R&D

In this episode of Breaking Barriers with R&D, lifelong farmers and Total Acre founders Randy Dowdy and David Hula tackle one of the biggest threats to your yield: crop disease. From early detection of Southern Rust and tar spot to maximizing kernel weight through strategic nutrition and management, this episode is packed with actionable insights to protect and improve your bottom line. Discov...

In this powerful episode of Breaking Barriers with R&D, lifelong farmers and Total Acre founders Randy Dowdy and David Hula dive deep into the agronomic realities behind record-breaking yields—and why chasing bushels isn’t the ultimate goal. Instead, it’s all about maximizing profitability per acre through data-driven decisions, proactive management, and real-world field expe...

In this episode of Breaking Barriers with R&D, Randy Dowdy and David Hula sit down with Marion Calmer, a fourth-generation farmer, seasoned independent on-farm researcher, and founder of Calmer Corn Heads. Calmer shares how his innovative BT Chopper transforms residue management in no-till systems by accelerating cornstalk breakdown, improving soil health, and boosting nutrient cycling. The co...

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Total Acre founders Randy Dowdy and David Hula unpack key agronomic lessons from recent field visits in Kentucky and Michigan—where heat stress and planter issues are top of mind. They break down persistent crop management challenges, including inconsistent planting depths and the impact of tight tassel wrap on corn performance. Learn how targeted fertil...

In this episode of Breaking Barriers with R&D , Total Acre founders Randy Dowdy and David Hula dig deep into strategies that move the needle on farm profitability. From spreading risk with smart hybrid splits to proactively managing disease threats like tar spot, they share hands-on insights every farmer can apply. Discover why genetic observation matters, how cover crops improve soil health,...

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Total Acre founders Randy Dowdy and David Hula are joined by Matt Crabbe of Crabbe Aviation, who brings 40 years of aerial application experience to the table. Together, they explore how precision agriculture is evolving—from post-tassel fungicide strategies and one-acre grid sampling to the critical role of pilot-farmer communication. Learn why airplane...

In this week’s episode of Breaking Barriers with R&D, lifelong farmers and Total Acre founders Randy Dowdy and David Hula dive into the latest agronomic strategies to help you achieve higher yields and better profits. Hear their insights on why experimenting with different farming practices — from precision planting to timely pest control — is key to overcoming unpredictable...

In this insightful episode of Breaking Barriers with R&D , David Hula is joined by farmers Caleb Wolters and Alex Harrell, the three share agronomic breakthroughs that challenge conventional thinking. They discuss how precision singulation during soybean planting can increase yields by up to 64%, highlight the latest advancements in drone spraying technology for cost-effective farming, and del...

In this episode of Breaking Barriers with R&D, Randy Dowdy and David Hula dive into the critical steps farmers must take to push boundaries in modern agriculture. Renowned for their record-breaking corn and soybean yields, the duo shifts the spotlight to their true mission—driving profit on every acre through data-driven, disciplined farming. This week, they unpack the essentials of asse...

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, we dig into the details that drive better yields—from optimizing planting equipment and closing systems to managing compaction and crop timing with GDUs. Hear real-world insights on strip tilling, nutrient placement, and why on-farm trials are key to farming smarter, not harder. Lifelong farmers and founders of Total Acre, Randy Dowdy and David Hula shar...

In this episode of Breaking Barriers with R and D, Randy Dowdy and David Hula dive into the latest innovations shaping modern agriculture. From emerging technologies to ongoing challenges, they explore how today’s farmers are leveraging science and strategy to push yield boundaries. The duo breaks down the impact of seed depth and shares how data-driven planting strategies can unlock maximum...

Welcome to the debut episode of "Breaking Barriers," a new podcast hosted by yield champions Randy Dowdy and David Hula. Breaking Barriers is all about giving growers timely, practical insights to increase profitability. In this inaugural episode, we sit down with Nebraska farmer Randy Hughes, who opens about how he manages pivots and water resources, and how the Total Acre program transformed his...