332: Cover Crops: When They Work and When They Don't

With rising costs and tighter margins heading into 2026, so today were walking through the real numbers and simple steps that help farmers keep more money in their pockets while still growing strong crops. This episode lays out the practical, proven ways to cut waste, boost efficiency, and make every acre pay.🌱 Here’s What You’ll Learn:• Why soil testing is the fastest way to stop wasting fertilizer• How to use nitrogen correctly so less is lost and more is made in yield• Why lime and pH should come before big P and K spendingIf you want real advice that actually works (& not old ways of thinking that cost you money) this episode is for you.

In this episode, Rod and Curt dig into something big… the untapped nutrients beneath the soil surface. After deep soil testing this year, we’ve proven there are thousands of pounds of nutrients just waiting for roots to find them. If you want more profit per acre without spending more money, this is the episode for you.🌱 Here’s What You’ll Learn:• The simple shifts that help crops grow deeper• How improving soil health creates a highway for roots to access more nutrients• What deep soil tests reveal about nitrogen, sulfur, calcium, and other big-ticket nutrientsThis episode will challenge the way you think about fertility… in the best way possible.

In this episode, we talk with Ryan Wolf. He shares practical tips that can make your soil healthier and your yields higher. You’ll hear real talk about what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid costly mistakes.🌱 What You’ll Learn:• Smart ways to manage moisture, weeds, and nutrients• Why timing and management matter way more than seed choice• How to make cover crops part of a soil health plan

Today, Roger Wright joins us to unpack what’s really happening in the grain markets. Soybean Prices just hit a 13-month high, and Roger explains what that means, why China’s buying matters, and what you can do right now to lock in profit and protect profit.This episode is packed with simple, clear advice to help you make smart moves for your farm.🌱 What You’ll Learn:• How to know when it’s time to sell your beans;• How to use “put options” to protect profits; and• A step-by-step plan to protect yourself in a wild market.

Today we’re talking about the hidden cost of baling cornstalks. Is it really worth it? Or are you losing more than you gain?In this episode, we break down real numbers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to show just how much nutrient value you’re giving away when you haul off those stalks.🌱 What You’ll Learn:• Why cornstalks are worth more than you think;• How much N, P, and K you really lose when you bale and sell; and• Why managing residue right beats selling it cheap.This one’s not about judging anyone…it’s about helping you make smart choices that keep your farm profitable and your soil healthy for years to come.

Is your soybean program plant them, spray them, cut them, and complain about them? If that’s your plan, you’re leaving money on the table.In this episode, we break down how higher management and a few simple changes can turn average yields into 80 or even 100s. From soil testing to foliar feeding, you’ll learn the steps that separate average from awesome.🌱 What You’ll Learn:• How a soil test is like your GPS for better yields;• The simple nutrient tweaks that can boost profit per acre; and• The difference foliar feeding can make.

Don’t let residue steal your profits! Learn how to turn your leftover stalks into nutrient gold with one easy recipe that really works.🌱 What You’ll Learn:• When and how to spray for best results;• Why residue can help or hurt your yields; and• How to recycle nutrients and save on fertilizer.

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.