Farm4Profit Podcast

Farm4Profit Podcast

Our mission is to provide farms and operators an independent and unbiased outlet for information related to increasing the profitability of their farming operation. We will be providing farms and operators of all sizes and experience levels access to the latest trends, projections, and the tools necessary to increase farming profitability. We will take each episode to deliver latest news, what's working for active farms, and a topic of focus each episode. Remember, if you aren't farming for profit you won't be farming for long.

Episodes

July 17, 2025 69 mins

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 episode, James shares how he went from...

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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 Lead 

(O): 618.372.7431 (M): 319.361.2409

 

Mi...

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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 Vernon, Andrew returned home after years ...

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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 alternative to traditional embryo pr...

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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 across 12 states, making it the 7th large...

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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, flexibility, and profitability.

Ethan shares h...

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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 grape production. He also discusses his ro...

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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 synthetic formulations used in modern ag. We ...

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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 what it’s been like to witness — and cont...

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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 collaboration with Everglades Equipment Gro...

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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 Chad share their farming backgrounds, t...

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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 expansion of Jesse Bounds Trucking, w...

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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 across 50 locations in 12 states.

Darren...

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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 place across Iowa. These conversations a...

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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 time — including planting 10 acres o...

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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 the effectiveness of your preemergenc...

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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 sides of the ag-politics fence. We talk abo...

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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 biologicals, foliar feeds, and plant growth regul...

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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 she deals with assumptions people make ...

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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 autonomous tractors and the current auto...

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