Breaking Barriers with R&D
Contributors and lifelong farmers, Randy Dowdy and David Hula, share their Breaking Barriers agronomic insights that challenge farmers to think differently.
Episodes
How do you choose the right hybrids, maximize yield potential and make better decisions with your harvest data? On this episode of Breaking Barriers with R&D, Randy Dowdy and David Hula welcome Alex Peterson of Pioneer to discuss the science and strategy behind higher-yielding crops.
The conversation explores phantom yield loss in corn, the impact of harvest moisture on test weight, and why yield monitor data doesn't always tel...
On this episode of Breaking Barriers, Randy Dowdy and David Hula discuss the decisions that can make or break a growing season, from establishing successful cover crops to selecting the right corn hybrids for next year.
The conversation covers cover crop planting methods, managing weed pressure, and why proper seed-to-soil contact matters. Randy and David also share lessons from this year's hybrid performa...
Randy Dowdy and David Hula sit down for another wide-ranging conversation about harvest, crop performance and the lessons they’re taking into next season. With corn harvest underway, the pair discuss strong yields, genetics and fungicide performance, managing grain handling challenges and what this year’s crop is teaching them.
They also dive into an intriguing question: Can wheat be planted with a precision planter ins...
Potassium is often overlooked compared with nitrogen, but it plays a critical role in water management, nutrient movement, photosynthesis, stalk strength and overall crop performance. In this episode of Breaking Barriers with R&D, Randy Dowdy and David Hula are joined by Dr. Karl Wyatt, Director of Agronomy at Nutrien, for a deep dive into potassium and potash management.
The discussion covers soil testing, base saturation vs. ...
Randy Dowdy and David Hula dive into the challenges farmers are seeing in the field, from long and drooping ear shanks to inconsistent planting depth and hybrid performance. They discuss why farmers should look beyond yield when selecting seed, the importance of planter setup and emergence, and how harvest timing, soybean maturity and desiccation can help protect yield and grain quality. Plus, the two share insights from recent fie...
Randy Dowdy and David Hula discuss what farmers should be looking for as harvest approaches, from inconsistent planting depth and weed pressure to disease, ear development, hybrid selection and crop stress.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode of Breaking Barriers with Randy Dowdy and David Hula covers the latest crop conditions across the country, while also taking a deep dive into Pioneer's 100 years of innovation with special guest Gabe Bathen.
The conversation begins with field updates from Georgia and Virginia, where Dowdy and Hula discuss early corn harvest, soybean progress, irrigatio...
On this episode of Breaking Barriers, Randy Dowdy and David Hula share observations from their latest field visits across Nebraska, Iowa, Virginia, and Georgia, highlighting the mid-season decisions that can make or break profitability. The duo explains why late herbicide applications may be costing soybean yield potential, how tissue sampling reveals hidden crop stress, and why protecting early flowers is critical for maximizing r...
As fungicide season approaches, Randy Dowdy and David Hula welcome aerial applicator Matt Crabbe for a deep dive into spray application technology. Fresh off a multi-day "Operation Safe Fly" demonstration, Crabbe compares drones, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft, sharing surprising results on droplet size, spray drift, swath width, and canopy penetrati...
In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Randy Dowdy and David Hula compare notes from recent crop tours across the Corn Belt and discuss what they're seeing in fields from Georgia to Nebraska. From improved planting depths and stronger root development to concerns about moisture, nutrient uptake, and crown health, the duo shares practical observations that could impact yield potential throughout th...
In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Randy Dowdy and David Hula dive into the agronomic details that separate average crops from exceptional ones. From planter setup and seed depth to fertility placement, irrigation strategies, and crop protection, the duo shares real-world observations gathered while visiting growers across Kentucky, Delaware, Georgia, and beyond.
They discuss why uniform emergence remains one of the...
On this episode of Breaking Barriers, Randy Dowdy and David Hula sit down with Todd Dale of Estes Performance Concaves for an in-depth conversation about combine performance, harvest efficiency, and protecting yield potential.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of Breaking Barriers with R&D, Randy Dowdy and David Hula break down the harsh reality farmers are facing across the country right now—extreme weather swings that are already impacting the 2026 crop. From severe drought in the South to flooded fields in the North, this season is shaping up to be a story of “haves and have-nots.” With some growers stopping planting altogether due to dry conditio...
In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Randy Dowdy and David Hula challenge farmers to rethink traditional practices and focus on what truly drives performance and profitability.
Too often, operations fall into routine—doing things the way they’ve always been done. But the most successful farmers separate themselves ...
This episode blends technical farming strategies with personal stories from the field. Randy shares the pride and connection built through his son Easton’s hunting success, highlighting the importance of family traditions alongside farm life. David breaks down the precision practices behind high yields, including tissue sampling, early stand establishment, and overcoming equipment challenges.
See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...
In this episode of Breaking Barriers, lifelong farmers and Total Acre founders Randy Dowdy and David Hula share practical agronomic insights designed to challenge farmers to think differently about productivity and profitability. While widely recognized for producing record-breaking corn and soybean yields, their true focus is maximizing profit on every acre through continual, measurable improvement.
Randy and David tackle th...
In this episode, Randy and David discuss shifting weather patterns and planting readiness, global market challenges as Brazil surpasses the U.S. in production, and the mounting pressure of soft commodity prices. They tackle the growing concern around corn seed shortages and how limited hybrid availability is impacting even the most experienced growers.
Special guest David Simpson breaks down strategic crop insurance decisions, incl...
In the latest episode of Breaking Barriers with R&D, Randy Dowdy and David Hula tackle a variety of topics this week ranging from weather challenges, farm management, weather challenges, and much more. This episode offers plenty of invaluable takeaways.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, Randy and David unpack how farmers are approaching 2026 with a sharper eye on cost control—rethinking fertilizer rates, evaluating underperforming land, and navigating sudden commodity market swings. They also discuss real-world preparedness, from bracing for severe winter weather and power outages to ensuring families and farms are ready when conditions turn extreme.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...
In this episode of Breaking Barriers with R&D, the duo digs into the fundamentals reminding us that success still starts with the basics. From dialing in soil pH and fertility without overspending, to why planter performance remains the biggest untapped opportunity on most farms, Randy and David break down where measurable improvements really come from. They share real-world examples of equipment inspections, planter upgrades, ...
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