The Growers Mineral Podcast

In this April 2026 Growers Mineral Conference Call ,  the call opened with Norman Mahin joining from his farm in Kansas, where he shared his experience with the Growers program. Daniel Wolf from Wisconsin followed, speaking on the dairy industry and how it ties into the beef market, including insights on beef-on-dairy and its relevance for producers today. Dave Armstrong closed out the conversatio...

In this March 2026 Growers Mineral Conference Call , the discussion centers on farmer-led experimentation, soil biology, and practical fertility strategies. Growers from the Upper Midwest share experiences from their dairy and forage operations, discussing calcium management, biological soil activity, and ongoing field trials. The conversation also highlights ways farmers are reducing reliance on...

In this February 2026 Growers Mineral Conference Call, the discussion centers on southern crop production, highlighting real-world challenges from extreme cold weather and how growers are adapting using the Growers program. Featuring operations in Georgia and Florida, the call explores strawberry and blueberry production, frost management strategies, and how calcium-based fertility supports plant...

In this December 2025 Growers Mineral Conference Call, team members share real-world experiences from the field, highlighting blueberry production success, nutrition-based disease management, and the importance of understanding live soil pH. The conversation focuses on how proper calcium management and informed soil decisions can reduce risk and improve long-term farm performance. Topics covered i...

In this January 2026 Growers Mineral Conference Call, growers and customers from across the country share how the Growers program supports diverse operations, from nurseries and residential landscapes to dairy and vegetable production. The call highlights long-term results, real-world applications, and how calcium-based management supports plant and animal performance. Topics covered include: 0:00...

In this November 2025 Growers Mineral Conference Call , producers from across New York and the Northeast share updates on pumpkins, Christmas trees, vegetables, grain crops, and dairy. They highlight how calcium management, the Growers program, and smart rotations are helping them navigate one of the most weather–extreme seasons in years. Topics covered include: 0:00 – Russell Bobel: call kickoff,...

In this October 2025 Growers Mineral Conference Call , farmers and industry voices from across the U.S. discuss regional crop conditions, calcium applications, and the economics of sustainable soil health. Topics covered include: 0:00 – Russell Bobel: call kickoff & new “listen later” option for Amish and Mennonite communities 2:02 – Jim Halbeisen: fall lime applications, calcium-to-magnesium...

In this September 2025 Growers Mineral Conference Call, farmers and industry voices from across the U.S. share real-world experiences, crop updates, and market insights. Topics covered include: 00:22– Fertilizer costs & Growers’ approach to soil biology 06:45 – Tyler Cameron (ND): no-till, sugar beet lime & Growers program success 14:44 – Daniel Wolf (WI): forage quality, corn silage high-...

In this episode of the Growers Mineral Podcast, National Sales Manager Chris Kohls sits down with Markus Weber, a fruit tree nursery owner and district manager based in Ontario, Canada. Originally from the Black Forest in Germany, Markus shares his journey to North America and how he built a successful nursery focused on growing food—not just plants. Markus explains why micronutrients and balanced...

Sales manager Chris Kohls hands Jim Halbeisen a stack of the most‑asked field questions—and they don’t hold back. In this deep‑dive episode you’ll learn: Why Growers Mineral isn’t certified “organic.” Jim explains the urea roadblock and why food‑/tech‑grade inputs still keep heavy metals ultra‑low. How one balanced formula works on every crop. Hear how plants take what they need and pass the rest...

In this episode, southeast-Georgia growers Bob & Jesse Merck join Jim Halbeisen and Chris Kohl to break down how calcium nutrition, balanced soil biology, and water chemistry turned rain-soaked frustration into record yields, 5-month shelf life, and a you-pick stand that sells out as soon as the gates swing open. 🌱 Episode Highlights Soft-Berry Fix – Adding 2 tons/acre of high-cal lime + week...

In this episode of the Growers Mineral Podcast, we talk with Dennis Grove from Maryland’s Eastern Shore. With decades of experience as a farmer, poultry producer, and Growers rep, Dennis shares his insights on everything from nutrient management plans and phosphorus restrictions to the rise of compost and calcium sources like paper mill lime. We explore how Maryland’s strict farming regulations im...

In this episode of the Growers Mineral Podcast, we talk with Pennsylvania-based father-son duo Lowell and Wendell Grove, longtime farmers and trusted Growers reps. Hosted by Jim Halbeisen, this down-to-earth conversation covers everything from reducing nitrogen inputs and using alternative lime sources, to navigating today’s cattle markets and running farm equipment auctions. Lowell first started...

Jim Halbeisen Answers Your Questions – Growers Mineral Q&A In this Q&A session, Jim Halbeisen answers some of the most common questions we get from farmers, agronomists, and curious listeners. Topics include: The best dilution ratio for hand-spraying Growers How (and why) to do a jar test before spraying Using aragonite and calcium in your fertility program Where biochar fits in with the G...

What happens when you get the water right? In this episode, Jim Halbeisen sits down with Matt Gooding to talk about the critical role water plays in nutrient uptake, foliar feeding, and crop response. They cover what they’re seeing in the field this season, how timing makes or breaks a foliar application, and why moisture management is more than just watching the weather. Whether you’re managing d...

In this episode of the Growers Mineral Podcast, we sit down with Jerry Stutzman, a Missouri-based farmer with deep experience in row cropping, pasture management, and non-conventional farming practices. Jerry shares his journey—from raising commercial chickens in Kentucky to transitioning into more pasture-based operations in Missouri. Learn why Jerry believes in thinking outside the box, what led...

In this episode, host Jim Halbeisen is joined by Chris Kohls in the field with longtime Growers customer Jeff Miller and district manager Loren Scherping. They discuss drone foliar feeding, the importance of forage quality, calcium applications, and how Growers Mineral fits into real-world farming practices. 🔹 Topics include: • 125+ years of family dairy farming • Feeding Growers to dairy cows •...

In this episode of the Growers Mineral Podcast , we sit down with Keith Shutt , a lime spreader and independent operator based in Minto, North Dakota , just south of the Canadian border. Keith shares how he built his business around applying sugar beet lime and why calcium is still one of the most misunderstood elements in modern agriculture—especially in high pH calcareous soils like those found...

🎙 From the Barn to the Field: Eddie Jantzi on Forage Quality, Calcium, and Simpler Farming In this episode, we head north to Ontario to visit with long-time Growers user and dairyman Eddie Jantzi . Eddie shares what it's like managing a 65-cow dairy operation and how he's simplified his crop program without sacrificing results. We talk: ✅ Why forage quality matters more than yield ✅ Ho...

In this episode, we sit down with Gerald Hursh, a long-time Growers customer and Lancaster County farmer with deep roots in both crop production and custom spraying. Gerald shares stories from his recent flood relief trip to Kentucky, offers practical tips for frost protection, and weighs in on the challenges and changes in modern agriculture—from nitrogen overuse to the bird flu outbreak affectin...

In this episode, Jim Halbeisen and James Schiltz break down the science, strategy, and real-world success behind foliar feeding—a core part of the Growers Program. You’ll learn: ✅ Why phosphorus fuels plant energy ✅ How calcium improves soil structure and biology ✅ When and how to apply foliar sprays for maximum effect ✅ Why water quality matters (and how to use the jar test) ✅ Real examples...

In this episode, we sit down with Ohio farmer Mike Bulcher , whose family has used the Growers program since 1958. Mike shares how a chance encounter with soil expert Doc Tiedjens changed everything—introducing a radical idea at the time: “If you don’t like your soil, you can change it.” From applying lime at surprising rates to foliar feeding techniques and soil biology, Mike walks us through dec...

Growers Mineral April Call | Calf Barn Setup, Frost Protection, High-Brix Strawberries & More In this month’s Growers Mineral Conference Call, we cover real-world results and insights from the field just in time for spring. Mike Bulcher and his son Chad share their experience raising over 300 bottle calves using a low-stress, group-feeding setup—and how Growers Mineral Solutions fits into thei...

In this episode, Jim Halbeisen connects with Terry and Stephen Norris—Growers Mineral reps on the NC/SC border. They dive into the early start to the 2025 season, calcium’s critical role in soil health, and the importance of balancing magnesium levels to open up tight soils. With dry weather already setting in, they share insights on deep ripping, foliar feeding, and strip testing to keep crops th...

In this episode, Jim Halbeisen sits down with central Iowa farmer David Armstrong, who’s been using the Growers Mineral program for over 30 years. David shares why he believes feeding the soil biology is the key to healthier crops, better cattle performance, and long-term sustainability. Hear firsthand how he uses 2x2 and in-furrow application, why available calcium matters more than total calcium...