Farm4Profit Podcast

Andrew , founder of Tulip Valley Farms—a vibrant, immersive flower farm in the heart of Washington’s Skagit Valley . But Andrew’s path to farming is anything but traditional. From his early career as a U.S. Air Force intelligence officer to high-level roles at tech giants Amazon and Expedia , he’s built a career defined by bold pivots, community commitment, and strategic vision. Raised in Mount Ve...

We dig into how Vytelle is changing the game in cattle production. Founded in 2015, Vytelle has grown into a global force in genetic improvement , recently being ranked as the #392 fastest-growing tech company in North America by Deloitte. We begin by breaking down the basics of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and why hormone-free IVF offers cattle producers a more natural, lower-stress, and scalable...

Brian Hefty , a name synonymous with practical, farmer-first agronomic education. As co-host of Ag PhD TV and Radio , Brian shares what it’s like to grow up on a livestock and crop farm, learn from his father’s teachings, and eventually build one of the most respected agronomy platforms in agriculture alongside his brother Darren. We discuss how the Hefty Seed Company has grown to 50 locations acr...

we welcome Ethan Branscum , a farmland investment leader with a deep background in ag finance, to explore the growing intersection of agriculture and alternative investment . As Partner and Director of Farmland Investments at Sower Farmland Fund and Legacy Farmland Fund , Ethan helps manage a portfolio of properties that connect farmland owners with investors—all while prioritizing legacy, flexibi...

We step into the world of premium winegrowing with two of Sonoma County’s most respected vineyard leaders. First, we hear from Jake Terrell , Director of Vineyards at St. Francis Winery , who shares how his viticulture background and years managing vineyards like Monte Rosso have shaped his approach to sustainable farming. Jake outlines how timing, precision, and green practices drive quality grap...

Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) with Gunther Kreps of AgXplore . As farmers look for new ways to protect yield and stretch every input dollar, PGRs are rising to the top of the conversation — but what exactly are they, and how do they work? Gunther kicks things off with a clear breakdown of the science behind PGRs — from naturally occurring hormones like auxins and gibberellins to advanced syntheti...

Ron Geis , a Nebraska native turned proud Iowan, who’s spent decades advancing agriculture in multiple ways — from working in crop protection with Corteva Agriscience , to helping run a family cow-calf operation, to mentoring the next generation of ag leaders. Ron reflects on growing up on a dairy farm and how those early mornings and hard lessons shaped his outlook on life and work. He shares wha...

Scott Berden from U.S. Sugar and Brad Rucks from Everglades Equipment Group . Scott leads the precision ag program for over 255,000 acres of production at U.S. Sugar, where the company grows sugarcane, citrus, and vegetables across five counties. He manages a fleet of 350+ precision-equipped vehicles and oversees everything from GPS land leveling to real-time logistics and RTK networks. His collab...

In this episode, we go behind the scenes with two Ag Leader team members who are also active farmers — Evan Boderman and Chad Stensrud. Evan works in product management at Ag Leader, while Chad manages territory sales and support in Minnesota. But when they’re not helping other growers, they’re back on their own farms, using the very same Ag Leader tools they help develop and support. Evan and Cha...

Jesse Bounds — a farmer, hay exporter, trucking company owner, business coach, and content creator from Eugene, Oregon . Jesse’s story is one of grit, growth, and generosity. From his early days working on a grass seed farm at 16 after his parents divorced, to buying his first baler in high school, Jesse’s entrepreneurial journey is both inspiring and deeply practical. We dive into the origin and...

Darren Hefty — South Dakota farmer, co-host of Ag PhD TV and Radio , and a respected leader in both agriculture and ag business. With a legacy rooted in service, innovation, and education, Darren shares the powerful story of how he, his brother Brian, and their father built Hefty Seed Company into the 7th largest crop production firm and the 9th largest seed retailer in the U.S., now operating acr...

This episode of Farm4Profit is a double feature packed with timely information every farmer and ag business needs to hear. As a reminder - visit DPAauctions.com and Farm4Profit listeners receive 0% listing fee for the first items sold through DPA! We kick things off with Nick Helland from the Iowa Corn Growers Association , who walks us through a series of upcoming roundtable discussions taking pl...

In this episode, we visit with Orin Nusbaum from Nusbaum Farms in Bellfountain, Oregon — a grower, husband, father, and content creator who’s cultivating more than just crops. Orin gives us a glimpse into what life looks like on his diversified farm where he grows a variety of crops and provides fresh produce to local markets and his surrounding community. We explore how the farm has evolved over...

Postemergence scouting plays a critical role in protecting your yield potential, and knowing what to look for — and when — can make all the difference. In this episode, we’re joined by Joe Bolte, Market Development Specialist at Corteva Agriscience, to talk through the key things farmers should be watching for once their corn and soybeans are up and growing. Joe walks us through how to evaluate th...

https://www.youtube.com/@RushHourAg We interview Louie Zumbach , a farmer and former Iowa State Representative and County Supervisor, and Elliot Henderson , a farmer and ag communicator, about their new venture—the Rush Hour Ag podcast. They explain what inspired the show, why they felt farmers needed more accessible and engaging policy discussions , and what they’ve learned from being on both sid...

At the AgX Booth in Denver we chatted with some recent winners of the NCGA High Yield Contest to unpack what it truly takes to push corn yields to the limit. We learn about their farm background , what motivated them to enter the contest, and how their winning crop compared to their usual yields. They walk us through their hybrid selection , fertility program , and how they incorporated biological...

We get to meet Brenna Beard , a farmer at heart with roots that run deep into her family farm. Brenna opens up about working with her dad , the learning curve of jumping into farming, and what it’s like trying to juggle that with a career in ag retail . She’s authentic, quick-witted, and not afraid to speak her truth. We chat about life outside the field too—from her love of the lake life , to how...

We first talk with DPA Auctions to get a pulse on the current used machinery market . They explain how equipment values are shifting, what’s hot, and how auction trends reflect broader changes in the ag economy. Whether you’re in the market to buy, sell, or just curious about asset values, DPA offers timely insights. Next, we take a forward-looking leap with John Deere , exploring the future of au...

In this episode, we kick back with Tim Gutwein , CEO of AgXplore , to uncover the personal and professional journey that took him from rural roots to the helm of one of agriculture’s most innovative companies. Tim walks us through the early days of AgXplore , a company founded in 1999 with a mission to deliver smarter, more effective plant nutrition solutions. He shares what it was like to join th...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we welcome experts from the Purdue Extension Office to shine a light on mental health and suicide awareness in the agricultural world. Farming comes with a unique set of pressures—volatile markets, unpredictable weather, isolation, long hours—and all too often, these challenges are suffered in silence. Our guests explain why mental health is as critical as p...

In this episode, we sit down with Jesse Steffensmeier to discuss how record-keeping and farm management can be a game-changer for farmers. As the owners of Midwest Wagyu Beef , Jesse and Leah have firsthand experience balancing farm operations, financial management, and family life . Their upcoming workbook is designed to help farmers stay organized, improve efficiency, and plan for the future wit...

"Beyond the Toolbox: Exploring the Complexities of the Right to Repair Debate in Agriculture"   We acknowledge the complexity of the debate—it’s not just about farmers hacking software but a broader discussion about safety, ownership, relationships, and trust. Defining Right to Repair: Farmers’ desire to access tools, diagnostics, and manuals to repair their equipment independently. Manufacturers’...

In this quick-hit episode, we sit down with Zach Johnson (aka The Millennial Farmer ) and Just a Jackson Thing for a laid-back conversation that’s all about the love of agriculture . We talk shop—literally—with updates on Jackson’s new space, swap stories about their favorite tractors , and reflect on what keeps them passionate about creating farm content. Zach and Jackson share how social media h...

Custom harvesting is a lifestyle, a business, and an essential part of the agricultural ecosystem—and few know it better than Frederick Harvesting & Trucking. What began as a small family operation with one combine and one truck has grown into a dynamic business that travels across multiple states each year, helping farmers bring in their crops efficiently and on time. In this episode, we sit down...

Charlie from Uniondale, Pennsylvania, has built a massive following by doing what he does best— trucking with personality . With over 360k followers on TikTok and 81k on Facebook, Charlie blends the grit of hauling hazardous waste with humor, music, and daily check-ins that his fans love. His signature video intros like “Whiskey Wednesday” and “Thirsty Thursday” have become cult favorites, and his...