326: Fix This First: Why PH Changes Everything

In this episode, we take on a big question many farmers face: Should I bale and sell my cornstalks? It might look like quick cash, but Rod lays out the real value of what’s leaving your field in nutrients, organic matter, and future yield potential.If you want to keep more profit in your pocket and protect your soil for years to come, this episode is a must-listen.🌱 What You’ll Learn:• Why residue is a soil-builder, not a burden;• The real cost of selling cornstalks; and• How to make residue work for you.

Today we’re talking about something that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves … lime. When your soil’s pH is off, your nutrients don’t work the way they should.In this episode, we’ll talk about why lime matters, when to apply it, and how to make sure you’re applying the right kind for your soil.🌱 What You’ll Learn:• Why fixing your pH is step one to getting more out of your fertilizer dollars;• Why fall is the best time to apply lime; and• How to tell if your lime is good quality and what to avoid.

If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there…Here’s the truth: guessing on your fertilizer programs is costing you money. Maybe you’ve been doing things the same way for years…150 pounds of this, 200 pounds of that and hoping for the best. However, hope doesn’t build profits. Soil testing does.In this episode, you’ll hear:• Why repeating the same old fertility plan is leaving yield and profit on the table;• Why fall testing saves you both money and headaches come spring; and• How spending money on a test can bring back profits.👉 Want help getting started? Text Karen at 641-919-5570 and let’s make sure your farm has the map it needs to succeed.

N, P, and K are your biggest fertility expense but what if what you’re applying never reaches the crop? Rod and Dr. Richard Mulvaney share how to cut costs and boost yields by using what’s already in your soil.In this episode, you’ll learn the truth about N, P, and K and what you can do to stop wasting money.💡 Here’s what you’ll discover:• 🌱 Nitrogen secrets: learn how to apply less and protect your bottom line;• 💧 Phosphorus power: there’s more P in your soil than you think. Discover the key to unlocking it.; and• 🥔 Potassium paradox: More K isn’t always better. Find out when apply fertilizer helps and when it hurts.🎧 Tune in and see how you can save money and increase yield because there’s always a better way to farm.

Ever wonder why some farm products are dirt cheap while others cost more?Here’s the truth: not all products are created equal. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on micronutrients, sugar, and other inputs to show you why the cheapest jug may be the most expensive mistake you’ll ever make.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:• Why weak chelation wastes your money (and how to spot it);• How to use sugar the smart way for real results; and• The mindset that builds profits and protects your farm’s future.If you’re tired of wasting money on “one-size-fits-all” solutions and want to build a farm that lasts for generations, this episode is for you.

Are you paying for nitrogen that never even makes it into your crop? Over applying means run off that goes straight into rivers, drinking water, and out of your pocket. It’s a growing problem for farmers. However, you don’t have to settle. You can grow high yields with less nitrogen, protect your ground, and your profits.In this episode, we get real about:• Why more nitrogen doesn’t always mean more yield;• The best ways to manage N so every pound pays you back; and• How small changes can save you $40–50 per acre without losing yield.The bottom line: if we manage our nitrogen better, we win twice—more profit in our pocket and cleaner water for our families.

Let’s cut to the chase…are you really getting a return from that dry broadcast? It’s time to take an honest look. Farming costs are going up, margins are getting tighter, and the old “just throw more out there” approach isn’t cutting it anymore.In this episode, we walk through why dry broadcast became popular, what the problems with it are, and what you can do right now to improve profits.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:• Why “easy” isn’t always the same as “effective”;• How fertilizer tie-up and poor placement steal your ROI; and• Why relying only on NPK keeps you stuck.Markets, weather, and prices are out of your control—but your fertility program isn’t.

How do we make money on the farm when costs keep going up and the weather keeps changing?In this episode, we talk about the choices that can make or break your season. We’ll cover how to fight tough diseases like southern rust and tar spot, and what to do when drought or floods hurt your crop.Here’s what you’ll learn:• Why using a full system works better than just piling on more N, P, and K;• How boron and calcium can be just as important for healthy plants; and• What steps you can take to keep diseases from stealing your yields.

Want to know what’s really driving the fertilizer market?In this episode, I sit down with Josh Linville, who has spent more than 20 years working in the fertilizer industry. He helps us make sense of the ups and downs farmers are facing right now. We’ll talk about why soil testing matters, how to make use of micronutrients, and ways to stay profitable without depending only on the same old fertilizer programs.Here’s what you’ll learn:• Simple ways to handle the corn-to-fertilizer price ratio;• How Chicago corn prices affect your bottom line; and• Why China has such a big influence on the phosphate market.If you’re ready for real answers that can help your farm, this episode is for you. And if you’d like to see these ideas in action, come join us at a field day. You’ll have the chance to meet other farmers, ask questions, and leave with a plan that works.

Can farmers transform volatility into opportunity? As we confront soaring costs, erratic markets, and unpredictable weather, let’s explore how strategic inputs and data-driven techniques can safeguard yields and maximize profits. You’ll learn:• How to optimally use resources like nitrogen;• The importance of relying on proven strategies; and• What you can do right now to balance productivity with cost management.We believe that today's challenges can indeed become tomorrow's stepping stones to sustainable growth.