Farming

There’s a lot to consider heading into any new crop year but especially as we prepare for 2022 with record run-ups in input prices, lack of input inventory, Covid marketplace impacts, and uncertainty. One consideration always in play is whether or not to alter the crop rotation. XtremeAg farmer, Chad Henderson explains why he’s staying the course in 2022 with his usual crop acreage splits.

Chad brought his combines into the shop this week to get them ready for wheat harvest in June. He walks through a few of the maintenance items he looks for.

Lee Lubbers brought his notes on the lessons gleaned from last year that he thinks all of us can apply for a more prosperous 2022.

Farmers tend to focus on production, which is important but production alone won’t guarantee profitability. That’s why business-minded operators devote energy to the other sources of farm revenue — crop insurance and government programs — and integrate them with crop marketing to achieve farm profitability. Bryce Guse and Jared Clark with Silveus Financial explain.

Fertilizer and diesel prices are up considerably. Meanwhile farms are under increasing environmental pressure. These forces combine to create a real opportunity for manure utilization via drip irrigation. Drip irrigation, as we’ve discussed in previous episodes, is a more efficient means of delivering moisture to your crop. But drip is also a very effective means of nutrient management which saves time, machinery hours, and diesel all while eliminating the soil compaction common with manure application.

Kelly is always looking for the next greatest thing to increase efficiency at planting time and he thinks he may have found it in a new system from CapstanAg called SelectShot. In the process of installing the precision in-furrow delivery system, Kelly breaks it down with CapstanAg's Brian Bentz.

Matt Miles is trying out a new crop that is not only a harvestable cash crop but also serves as a cover crop for regenerating the soil over the winter. He talks about his first stand of yellow peas.

Winter is a good time to reflect back on what the prior farming season taught us and how we can apply those lessons for success in the new year. Alabama farm operator and XtremeAg co-founder Chad Henderson discusses some of his 2021 investments and ventures. He also covers the business and personal lessons he’s applying for a more prosperous 2022. From installing drainage (for the first time!), to practicing patience as a manager, Chad has plenty of lessons to share from the year that was.

Kevin Matthews is always looking for a way to improve upon how he does what he does on his North Carolina farming operation. In 2021 he implemented changes in how he plants, how he sprays, and how he harvests. Looking ahead to crop year 2022, he discusses how he’ll perfect his newly implemented changes. Remember, if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten. And that simply won’t do for an XtremeAg producer!