Farming the Countryside with Andrew McCrea

What are techniques you can adopt that are proven ways to increase your ROI? We take a look at the latest Practical Farm Research data and what it shows us over several years of trials. What practices have proved to pay off year after year and what are the emerging trends to be aware of? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We often think that success in farming is measured by the number of acres we farm or the number of livestock we raise. That isn’t necessarily wrong, but Josh Payne helps us look at agriculture from a different perspective, maximizing the profit per acre and creating a multitude of opportunities along the way. We call it “get big or get weird” and I think you’ll find his ver...

The bottom line is what determines our profit or loss. How can you determine what acres are losing the most money and what changes you can make to get the best ROI on every acre? We visit with a farmer who uses a variety of precision ag tools to help maximize profits each part of every field. No matter how many acres you farm or what technology you use, there are tips each of us can use. See omnys...

What can we expect for our weather the rest of this winter and into spring and summer? We talk about the 2025 LRC pattern and what it shows we can expect for the coming weeks and how that might impact this season’s crops. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What should agriculture expect from President Trump’s second term? Will we see similar trade policies to those from 2016 to 2020? Brian Grete will provide an outlook for agriculture in 2025, plus share his thoughts on how to best position your operation for profits in a grain market with tight margins. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we conclude 2024, we look ahead to 2025 with an outlook on the soybean market and ways on the industry’s top producers is getting more from his crop. Plus we take a look at things we can do next year to improve our grazing programs to improve efficiency and profits in the beef business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many have given their careers to improving farming and the industry of agriculture. This story is about a group of people who literally gave their lives in World War II to help save the world from famine. I think you’ll find the story fascinating just as I did! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Bennett has an eye for the overlooked stories in agriculture. His writings have become fan favorites with his blend of intriguing stories – everything from true-crime to treasures uncovered on family farms. This interview brings the usual interesting mix of topics, including farming’s unique tie to the Civil War and today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At Thanksgiving we pause to count our blessings and remember the importance of helping others. This group lives that mission everyday and all of us in farm country can learn and apply what they have to share. It’s the work of Farm Rescue that we feature on our Thanksgiving edition of the show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At Thanksgiving we pause to count our blessings and remember the importance of helping others. This group lives that mission everyday and all of us in farm country can learn and apply what they have to share. It’s the work of Farm Rescue that we feature on our Thanksgiving edition of the show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of this year’s crop is out of the field and in the bin. What did we learn in 2024 to help us for the future? What are the challenges and opportunities as we look to next year? We talk with two farmers in national leadership positions who discuss what they see on the horizon.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The strategy for crop farmers in 2025 may not be how to make a profit, but rather how to lose less money? What can we do to protect the cash and assets we have? What are some of the costs that we can reduce and are there preferred tactics to implement in our current market situation? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Neiffer provides some of the tax strategies we need to keep in mind before year-end. Learn what things can we do to benefit our personal and business bottom line both now and for the future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The presidential election is upon us and most consider the outcome to be a toss-up. In a moment I’ll take you to a time when the outcome of the race was considered wrapped up and the public awoke to find a very different outcome.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us live in rural and agricultural America and the success of our small towns ultimately spells the success of our schools, local businesses and civic organizations. But what do you do to help a town that seems to be vanishing, taking all of those important pieces of the community with it? I’ll take you to a place that perhaps looks at economic development a little differently and all of us...

How will equipment change to meet the demands of farming in the future? Two young researchers based in Illinois known as the “Soil Sisters” are helping shape those changes and supplying farmers with the data they need to stay ahead on their operations. We’ll meet them and their important research.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Clay is back and brings with him many thought provoking ideas that can have an impact locally and globally. We discuss the push to grow more with less and how we get there. We discuss everything from school bonds vs. food bonds to potential changes in the farm bill of the future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many acres of pasture ground have been converted to row crops. Is there a future for grazing cattle? What could you do to make those pastures more profitable so that raising livestock makes sense? We explore technology that helps ranchers better evaluate the decisions they make and how to get more out of the acres that are grazed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most cattle producers put up hay to feed during the year, but do you really need to do so? Eric Bailey says there’s a better way to feed cattle that can increase profitability and better utilize forages. We discuss the changes we should consider to run a more efficient operation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crop margins are tight and every bushel counts. How do you make sure you get every kernel possible out of the field? We talk about pro harvest tips that will help us get the maximum out of our fields.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Higher interest rates and lower commodity prices have put pressure on machinery prices. So is the time to make a deal? Machinery Pete is tracking the data and he says this may be the sweet spot to make a trade. We discuss what segments of the market are falling the fastest and where prices remain strong.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parts of northern Iowa and southern Minnesota were hard hit with too much rain early this season. We talk with farmer Lisa Peterson about her crop and where she’s seeing people tightening their budgets. Plus we talk about what it takes to come back to the farm, especially when no one expects you to make the move. How do you navigate conversations with your siblings so you maintain harmony maintain...

Pro Farmer Crop Tour recently concluded and it appears a record harvest may be on the way. With lower commodity prices this fall, how should we look to market our grain? Is it the time to sell, store, or take another position in the market. We take a look at the big crop and what to do with it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It appears that the U.S. will grow a very good, if not record crop this year. However, lower prices have decreased crop margins, making it more difficult to pencil a profit. How is that trend, as well as higher interest rates, impacting land and rental values? Are there signs of weakness? What other areas of the farm economy are being impacted by current trends? We talk about ways to operate with...

The cattle market continues to move steadily higher, reaching record setting prices. That leaves many people asking how long this trend can continue and what producers should do to protect their gains and prepare for the future. We’ll touch on those topics and much more.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.