XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve Podcast

This XtremeAg Cutting the Curve episode, hosted by Damian Mason, explores nitrogen use efficiency from agronomic, economic, and environmental perspectives. Kelly Garrett shares how his farm reduces synthetic nitrogen inputs by leveraging soil mineralization and testing, while Scott Lay of Agricen discusses how N-Finity, a biological nitrogen efficiency tool, enhances soil performance through three key modes of action: mineralizatio...

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, the XtremeAg team dives into the “Economic Fertility Challenge” focused on growing 100-bushel soybeans using only $50 worth of post-applied fertility products. With fertility prescriptions designed by XtremeAg members and applied across irrigated and double-crop soybean plots in North Carolina, the challenge tests practical ROI strategies under varying field conditions. Participants include Kev...

This episode of Cutting the Curve explores the persistent challenges and emerging solutions in nitrogen management for row crop producers. Host Damian Mason is joined by Trey Cutts and Galynn Beer from Tidal Grow to discuss how traditional practices like fall-applied anhydrous ammonia contribute to nitrogen inefficiency and loss. They introduce AlignN, a foliar-applied nitrogen technology designed to improve timing, uptake efficien...

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, northern Illinois farmer Grant Strom discusses the practical evolution of his residue management system aimed at improving soil biology and planting conditions. Strom outlines his farm’s transition from conventional tillage to reduced-till and no-till practices, driven by the challenges of managing high volumes of crop residue from higher-yielding varieties. He emphasizes the role of biological...

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, XtremeAg farmers Kelly Garrett, Matt Miles, and Johnny Verell—alongside AgroLiquid’s Stephanie Zelinko and Aarron Stahl—discuss the Economic Fertility Challenge focused on growing high-yield corn with a constrained post-applied fertility budget of $60 per acre. Each farmer approached the challenge differently: Kelly emphasized micronutrient balance guided by SAP testing; Johnny opted for higher...

In this episode of XtremeAg Cutting the Curve, Johnny Verell and Rodie Jelleberg of Superior Grain Equipment explain how to adapt grain drying systems for wheat, barley, and canola amid high humidity and persistent rain. Verell details how his western Tennessee operation dried two-thirds of their wheat crop to preserve test weight, prevent dockage, and plant double-crop soybeans earlier. Jelleberg offers insight from the Upper Midw...

In this episode of Cutting the Curve, host Damian Mason discusses real-world applications of soil moisture and weather monitoring technology with Jacob Appleberry of Live Oak Agronomy and Nick Emanuel, founder of CropMetrics and now with CropX. The episode focuses on integrated soil sensors and weather stations used across 18,000 acres, providing key insights into irrigation timing, fertility planning, and root development. Applebe...

In this episode of XtremeAg’s Cutting The Curve, host Damian Mason is joined by Randy Coffee and Trevor Van Loo of Superior Grain Equipment to explore the economics and strategy behind expanding or upgrading on-farm grain systems. They address the growing need for storage driven by increasing yields and limited commercial capacity, even amid low commodity prices. The discussion highlights opportunities to offset investment costs th...

In this episode of the Cutting The Curve farming podcast, Chad Henderson and Chase Garner share how to reduce spray water volume without losing coverage or control. By combining water pH adjustment, optimized chemistry, and adjuvant use with crop oil, they achieve low GPA spraying of just 3–6 gallons per acre instead of the traditional 15–20. They explain nozzle selection tips, spray pressure management between 20–28 PSI, and dropl...

In this episode of Cutting The Curve, the XtremeAg team takes on the challenge of how to grow wheat for just $30 per acre—without giving up yield or quality. Hosted by Damian Mason, the discussion features AgroLiquid’s Stephanie Zelinko and Gabe Saxon, along with farmers Kelly Garrett, Temple Rhodes, and Johnny Verell. Their goal? Reach 120-bushel yields while maximizing efficiency.

You'll hear how these growers used late-season fo...

This episode of the Cutting The Curve farming podcast features Damian Mason and Chad Henderson in a forward-looking discussion on the future of farming. They examine how agriculture can solve its recruitment challenges, engage youth in ag, and remain culturally relevant in an era of rapid change. Highlighting Gen Z farming values, social media in farming, and succession concerns, the episode offers strategies to build sustainable a...

Host Damian Mason is joined by Sam Coutu to preview the upcoming Quebec field day focused on corn yield trials. This episode breaks down how real-world, field-proven strategies are tested: skip row versus traditional corn planting, high vs. low population density, soybean fertility management, and the impact of late planting. By leveraging soil test data and cross-regional collaboration with U.S. XtremeAg members, Sam structures ...

In this special edition of Cutting The Curve, the farming podcast previews Johnny Verell's upcoming 2025 field day in Jackson, TN. Verell breaks down how he’s using nitrogen reduction strategies and corn variety trials to manage input costs while improving return per acre. With a focus on planting population trials, biological integration, and drone application in ag, he explains the benefits of split nitrogen use, hybrid-by-zone...

This episode of the Cutting The Curve – farming podcast features Texas farmer Todd Kimbrell and his game-changing pivot into sesame farming. Learn how Kimbrell diversified with 1,500 acres of sesame using a specialty contract model that includes Act of God protection and logistical support. With no fertilizer and minimal inputs, he’s seeing $100+/acre returns on fields that used to sit idle after wheat harvest. Discover how dryland...

This episode of "Cutting the Curve" focuses on the critical role of calcium in crop health and nutrient uptake. Agronomic expert Tommy Roach and farmer Kelly Garrett discuss how calcium, often misclassified and overlooked in row crop management, is essential for cell strength, nitrogen uptake, and overall yield. Despite soil containing adequate levels, calcium's availability and mobility to the plant are limited due to its double p...

In this episode of the Cutting The Curve Farming Podcast, Damian Mason and Kelly Garrett talk with Farm Weird founder Jason Mauck of Gaston, Indiana, about his innovative relay cropping system that grows wheat and soybeans together for 80–90 days. Jason seeds ultra-early wheat in 45″ bands at low rates (300–400K seeds/acre), creating windbreaks and conserving moisture. Soybeans are planted in between at about 160K seeds/acre, with ...

This episode of the Cutting The Curve – Kelly Garrett and Mike Evans preview Field Day 2025, revealing how SAP testing enables early detection of nutrient needs, helping farmers stay ahead of stress symptoms and make real-time soil fertility management decisions. By focusing on nitrogen assimilation, cover crops, and balanced nutrition, Kelly and Mike demonstrate how data-driven farming leads to measurable improvements...

This ep...

This episode of the Cutting The Curve – farming podcast tackles Yield Management in Extreme Conditions. With fields underwater and replanting happening twice in some cases, Johnny Verell and Brian Adams break down the agronomic decisions they’re making to rescue yield in a season defined by delays. Listeners will gain insights on fertility management, crop planning, and how to build spring resilience through yield protection tacti...

This episode of the Cutting The Curve – farming podcast highlights Agriculture Education insights from Connor "Vern" Garrett, an Iowa State agronomy graduate. Garrett shares practical advice for high school graduates and young adults pursuing a future in agriculture. He explains how entering college with general education credits already completed allows students to focus earlier on core ag subjects, saving costs and enhancing lea...