Under The Covers

In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James celebrate county fair week with a look back at their 4-H days: livestock projects, static exhibits, fair memories, and the lessons that stuck around long after the ribbons were handed out. Growing up in the Greenbrier 4-H Club, the guys talk about the impact of long-time club leaders, how 4-H clubs changed over the years, and the shift from boys’...

In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James dig into hairy vetch and the idea of growing your own nitrogen. Hairy vetch is a winter-hardy legume with the potential to provide serious nitrogen ahead of corn, but like most things in farming, it comes with a few “well, it depends” moments. The guys talk through what makes hairy vetch exciting, what makes it tricky, and why variety selection m...

In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James talk cows…or more accurately, Bill explains cows while James asks the questions. James recently went all in on the cow business with two semi-loads of black cows. This episode turns into a real-world conversation about systems, management styles, and lessons learned over the years. From calving seasons and bull selection to grazing management and...

In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James sit down at the cribbage board to talk cattle, grazing, and why more farmers may be looking at livestock differently in the years ahead. The guys break down how they each manage cattle in completely different systems. They cover everything from grazing corn stalks and cover crops to utilizing small grains and warm-season annuals to stretch feed a...

In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James sit down at the cribbage board to discuss what happened in the warehouse this spring and what we think it means for agriculture overall. From launching a new alfalfa line (yes, named after legendary tractor models) to expanding our turf and forage lines the guys break down what’s been happening at Iowa Cover Crop . But this episode goes beyond se...

Bill and James continue their talk about oat season for 2026. Oats don’t always get much attention in Iowa agriculture, but they’ve earned a spot in our system. In this episode, Bill and James break down what it actually takes to grow oats. From planning and planting to figuring out where they fit in the rotation, this is a real-world look at what’s working, what’s not, and why oats might be worth...

Bill and James talk about oat season for 2026. Oats don’t always get much attention in Iowa agriculture, but they’ve earned a spot in our system. In this episode, Bill and James break down what it actually takes to grow oats. From planning and planting to figuring out where they fit in the rotation, this is a real-world look at what’s working, what’s not, and why oats might be worth a second look....

Piggybacking off Bill’s trip to the Iowa Farm Expo, this episode is simply about money on the farm. Some things are an easy yes. Others? You’ll think about them for months… maybe years… and still not pull the trigger. In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill Frederick and James Holz talk through some of their spending decisions on their farms. Equipment, inputs, and everything in between. Learn w...

The 2026 Practical Farmers of Iowa Conference is in the books. In this episode of Under the Covers, we talk about what actually stuck with us after PFI. Not a play-by-play recap, just the conversations, themes, and ideas we’re still thinking about weeks later. We cover: • How we explain the Practical Farmers of Iowa Conference to someone who’s never been • What makes PFI different from other ag co...

If you live in Iowa, you’ve probably heard the headlines. When Central Iowa Water Works turned on its nitrate removal system in January, it caught attention across the state. Winter operation is rare. Nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers were elevated. And once again, Iowa water quality and agriculture were in the news. In this episode of Under the Covers , we slow the conversation...

If you’ve ever wondered what real conversations between farmers actually sound like… this is it. Welcome to Under the Covers, a podcast hosted by Bill Frederick and James Holz, founders of Iowa Cover Crop. We’re two Midwest farmers who built an independent seed business and decided that recording our constant banter and frequent disagreements was a good idea. This episode sets the stage. We talk a...