Farm4Profit Podcast

For years, farmers have asked for more transparency and tools to maintain their own equipment without depending solely on dealerships. John Deere’s new Operations Center PRO Service may be the most significant answer yet. Guest Kent Brown joins the Farm4Profit team to unpack what this new system offers, why it matters, and how it reshapes the balance of power in the repair world. Listeners will le...

This Farm4Profit Podcast episode takes listeners deep into one of the most dramatic rivalries in agricultural history: the tractor wars of the 1970s and 80s . Our guest, Lee Klancher , is an award-winning author, photographer, and publisher of Octane Press , whose new book Snoopy and the Spy tells the story of International Harvester vs. John Deere during the height of the farm crisis. We explore:...

This Farm4Profit Podcast episode introduces NexOpt , a new asset management and GPS tracking system that promises to change how farmers monitor equipment, track service, and manage downtime. Our guest, Sherie Jones , Operations Manager at STEINBAUER USA , shares how NexOpt—founded in 2016—has already been adopted by industries like postal services, broadcasters, and leasing companies in Europe, an...

This Farm4Profit Podcast episode highlights the powerful connection between agriculture and athletics through the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series . Our guest, Joe Roberts , is not only the President of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board but also a third-generation Wright County farmer, Beck’s Seed dealer, and conservation advocate. Joe shares his journey from growing up on the family farm to leading farmer-fu...

This Farm4Profit Podcast episode dives deep into the world of grain marketing education with Jeff Kazin and Mike Rohlfsen , founders of Agris Academy . With 50+ years of combined grain trade experience—ranging from trading floors to farming and even pioneering Cargill’s first office in post-communist Ukraine—Jeff and Mike have seen the good, the bad, and the bizarre in global grain markets. Rather...

USE CODE  FP10 for your discount today! This Farm4Profit Podcast episode turns up the volume on innovation, entrepreneurship, and sound built for the farm. Our guest, Ryan Kanallakan , is the founder and CEO of RAK’D Audio , the company behind rugged, custom-built speakers that are redefining how farmers listen to music in the cab, shop, or out in the field. Ryan’s story highlights how a rebrand f...

This Farm4Profit Podcast episode brings a farmer-focused look at the role of company field reps and how they fit into the busy cycle of planting, protecting, harvesting, and planning for the next year. Our guest, Kylee Nodine , is a Field Marketing Manager at Corteva Agriscience , supporting crop protection teams across Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. Kylee shares what...

This special two-part Farm4Profit Podcast episode takes listeners into the high-paced, high-stakes world of custom harvesting —where crews and families crisscross the country to bring in America’s grain crops. First, we sit down with Paul Paplow, President of Paplow Harvesting & Trucking . What started in 1992 as a two-combine family operation has grown into a 10-machine fleet traveling from Texas...

In this episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, we sit down with Shay Foulk —a fifth-generation farmer, Army Ranger veteran, agronomist, consultant, and podcaster who wears many hats in agriculture. Shay grew up on a family farm in Northeast Iowa, studied agronomy at Iowa State University , and went on to serve five years in the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment , an experience that sharpened his leade...

We’re joined by Matthias Kunerth—HiTech Farmer , a fifth-generation farmer from southwest Minnesota who is making waves online by blending his family’s farming legacy with cutting-edge agricultural technology. Matthias farms corn and soybeans alongside his family, works as a sales rep for Dekalb and John Deere , and runs a drone operation. His passion for technology shines through in everything he...

We’re joined by the CEOs of Des Moines Water Works and Central Iowa Water Works , who provide a utility perspective on what it takes to ensure clean, safe drinking water for over 600,000 residents. They explain what nitrate removal looks like in practice, why one winter alone cost more than $540,000 , and how proposed new facilities could require investments of up to $183 million. From the agricul...

We welcome back Brian Scott , the Indiana farmer behind The Farmer’s Life . Brian is a fourth-generation farmer raising corn, soybeans, popcorn, and wheat on his family’s 2,400-acre operation. Farming alongside his father and grandfather, Brian not only manages the day-to-day work of no-till practices, cover cropping, and seed production but also shares it with the world through his blog and growi...

In this Farm4Profit Podcast episode, we shift gears from our usual focus on succession planning to tackle another critical piece of the future: retirement planning . While we often think of retirement in the context of W-2 workers with 401(k)s and pensions, farmers, small business owners, and self-employed professionals face very different challenges. Guest Levi Morrissey of Financial Architects,...

April Hemmes , a farmer, rancher, and ag leader whose influence spans from Franklin County, Iowa, to international policy discussions. April operates her family’s century farm—1,000 acres of corn, soybeans, and pasture—while serving on an impressive list of boards and advisory councils, including the United Soybean Board , USDA Foreign Ag Service Ag Technical Advisory Council , and multiple Iowa a...

Negotiation happens every day in agriculture—whether you’re selling used equipment, renewing a land lease, or buying seed. But too often, farmers head into these conversations without a plan. On this episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, we sit down with Attia Qureshi , an international negotiation consultant, educator, and farmer’s spouse, to learn how her Seven Elements of Effective Negotiation ca...

We start with Mike Doran —the Sale Manager who’s been at the helm of this event for years—offers an insider’s view of what it takes to make the Sale of Champions a success. From coordinating sponsors and buyers to ensuring the young exhibitors have their moment in the spotlight, Mike’s leadership has helped the IFAA grow its support from $50,000 in its first year to nearly $725,000 annually in liv...

With nitrate levels making headlines again , Mike doesn’t shy away from addressing Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy and how his team is driving long-term improvements in water quality. He also explains the real impact of the Choose Iowa branding initiative , how export tracking actually works , and why the Iowa State Fair is one of the best tools for connecting everyday Iowans with agriculture....

In this episode, we sit down with the co-founders of Map Dot Media , the agency behind viral platforms like Iowa Chill and Midwest Vs. Everybody , to explore their journey from UNI dorm rooms to campaigns with Coors Light , John Deere , and Iowa Pork Producers . They reveal how a cow breaking through a barn wall (seriously) sparked their first viral moment, why authenticity trumps polish in meme m...

In this episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Vinayak Shedekar , a research scientist at the forefront of multifunctional drainage systems in agriculture. Drain tile has long been used to remove excess water from fields, but according to Dr. Shedekar, that’s just scratching the surface. We explore how tile systems can now support irrigation , manage seasonal water needs , improve...

We sit down with Kris Thayer , a man who’s worn more hats than a tractor seat at a consignment sale. A former college wrestler from Nebraska, Kris took his competitive mindset straight into the ag world. He started at AgriVision Equipment , representing John Deere in some of the most equipment-savvy regions in the country, and hasn’t stopped moving since. Kris shares how his time on the mat taught...

In this episode of Farm4Profit, we explore the digital tools transforming the cattle industry with the innovators behind Performance Livestock Analytics . The spotlight is on two core technologies— Performance Beef and Cattle Krush —both designed to simplify the complexities of raising and marketing cattle. Performance Beef is a cloud-based cattle management software tailored for feedlot and cow-c...

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Bare , the visionary behind Century Farms Distillery —a craft distillery rooted in agricultural tradition and dedicated to producing premium farm-to-bottle spirits. Growing up on his family’s Iowa farm, Ryan learned early the value of hard work, precision, and pride in the land. After earning a degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University, Ryan...

We sit down with Mark , the founder of SimpleHedge , to discuss how his platform is changing the way farmers manage price risk. After building a successful career in the tech world—working at Meta and McKinsey —Mark turned his attention to agriculture, recognizing a gap in farmer-accessible risk management tools . Mark explains that while hedging is essential for protecting farm revenue, it’s long...

James Pieper is a first-generation farmer who’s only four years into his operation—but you’d never guess it based on the way he’s embraced both the challenges and the spotlight. Known on social media as @allaboutfarming , James takes his followers behind the scenes of day-to-day farm life, breaking down everything from planting to drainage upgrades in a relatable, easy-to-understand way. In this e...

Prioritize Your Goals Worksheet & Des Moines workshop registration links: uncommonfarms.com/succession Common Traits Webinar: Common Traits Webinar Recording Mike’s Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedowney-farmraised?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BOARBPKDWRRehBWqC62Y0Gg%3D%3D Michael C. “Mike” Downey Farm Business Coach & Succession Planning...