323: Not All Jugs Are Created Equal

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.

Sometimes the biggest shift starts with asking better questions.In this episode, you’ll hear from Preston and Charles. These two farmers got tired of doing things the same old way. They started asking questions, looking for answers, and found a better way to farm.They’ll share:• How learning just, a little more made a big difference;• Why the Fundamentals of Agronomy training helped their farms take off;• What you can do right now to improve yields without increasing your costs.These guys don’t sugarcoat it. They’ve been in the trenches and have come out with real solutions that work in the real world.

What if optimizing your foliar feeding techniques could dramatically enhance your plant health and yield? Let’s explore some foliar feeding best practices, where key preventive measures against crop burn take center stage. Here’s what you’ll learn:• Why temperature monitoring is important;• How to prevent residual chemical damage during spraying, and;• How to minimize the risk of leaf burn.If you’re ready to try something new that is working for others, you’ll want to hear this. And if you’re curious to see these strategies in action, come to one of our field days. You’ll meet real farmers, ask questions, and get ideas to take home.

Are you tired of doing the same thing every year and hoping for better results?In this episode we share simple tips from farmers who are growing more and spending less. You’ll hear how small changes can make a big difference, how learning from others can speed up your success, and how there are already be valuable nutrients deep in your soil if you know how to use them.Really, growers can learn from each other’s successes. This episode is a chance to embrace innovation and harness new strategies for ag success.Here’s what you’ll learn:• Why some fertility programs work better than others;• How farmers working together can improve results, and;• How to unlock hidden potassium in your soil.If you’re ready to try something new that is working for others, you’ll want to hear this. And if you’re curious to see these strategies in action, come to one of our field days. You’ll meet real farmers, ask questions, and get ideas to take home.**Field Day Locations**August 2 – Middletown, MOAugust 9 – Greencastle, INAugust 15 – Castalia, IAAugust 16 – Erie, ILAugust 21 – Ste. Genevieve, MOAugust 22 – Oshkosh, WIAugust 23 – Gilmore City, IASeptember 10 – Chamberlain, SDSeptember 12 – Martville, NYSeptember 13 – Milton, IA👉 Sign up: https://abetterwaytofarm.com/events

Want to grow more while spending less? This episode shows how farmers across the country are doing just that with A Better Way to Farm.We’ll talk about how using the right products (based on real soil tests) can make a big difference. You’ll hear about the hard work it takes, but also the rewards that come from doing things the right way.You’ll learn:• The science behind increasing yields;• Why testing your soil matters, and;• Ways to apply nutrients.Want to grow more while spending less? This episode shows how farmers across the country are doing just that with A Better Way to Farm.We’ll talk about how using the right products (based on real soil tests) can make a big difference. You’ll hear about the hard work it takes, but also the rewards that come from doing things the right way.You’ll learn:• The science behind increasing yields;• Why testing your soil matters, and;• Ways to apply nutrients.