A Better Way To Farm Podcast

Rod Livesay
  • 4.8 (5)
  • How To
  • Updated Weekly

Low commodity prices and high interest rates are putting a squeeze on American farmers. A Better Way To Farm shows you how to maximize profit so you can farm the way you want! Visit https://abetterwaytofarm.com to use the free Farm Profit Score calculator.

  1. 372: How To Beat Yellow Flash

    1d ago

    372: How To Beat Yellow Flash

    Yellow soybeans after a glyphosate application may seem like a temporary problem, yet the yield loss can be very real. In this episode, Rod explains what causes yellow flash, why manganese plays a critical role, and how farmers can reduce stress on their soybean crop. You'll hear real-world examples, research insights, and practical strategies that can help protect yield potential and improve profitability with a simple addition to your spray program. What You'll Learn: What causes yellow flash in soybeans after glyphosate applicationsHow reducing crop stress can protect yield potentialWhy manganese is essential for healthy soybean growth Key Takeaways! Fully chelated manganese is important for compatibility and effectiveness.Every management decision either creates stress or helps the crop overcome stress.Yellow flash can reduce soybean productivity and may cost valuable bushels.Small investments in stress mitigation can lead to significant returns at harvest. 🌱🚜

    9 min
  2. 371: How To Use Foliar Feeding To Increase ROI

    Jun 16

    371: How To Use Foliar Feeding To Increase ROI

    Foliar feeding has been debated for years. Some farmers swear by it. Others are not convinced. So what separates success in Foliar Feeding from disappointment? In this episode you’ll hear from farmers across the Midwest using foliar feeding in corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. From consistent yield increases to improved crop performance across every acre, they explain what worked on their farms and why. If you have ever wondered whether foliar feeding is worth it, this episode gives you the roadmap. What You'll Learn: Why tissue testing is essentialCommon mistakes that cause foliar feeding to failThe only growth stages to spray at Key Takeaways! 🌾 Foliar feeding is about applying the right nutrients, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place.

    26 min
  3. 370: Are Micronutrients The Missing Link To Better Soil Health?

    Jun 9

    370: Are Micronutrients The Missing Link To Better Soil Health?

    What if micronutrients are more than tools for growing bigger crops…What if they play a major role in building stronger soil biology? In this episode of A Better Way to Farm, Andrew sits down with farmer and researcher Curt to talk about how micronutrients influence the living system beneath your feet.  This episode goes beyond yield and focus on creating healthier, more efficient system that works for years to come. What You'll Learn: Why zinc, manganese, and boron are critical for soil biology.How micronutrients support soil microbes and nutrient cycling.Why testing should guide every fertility decision. Key Takeaways! 🌾 Micronutrients help power the microbes that recycle nutrients, break down residue, support root growth, and improve efficiency across the farm. 🧪 The goal is not to apply more products. The goal is to understand what your field needs through proper testing and then make informed decisions that build both soil health and profitability.

    26 min

  4. Jun 2

    369: Don't Let This One Nutrient Rob Your Yield!

    Boron might be one of the most overlooked nutrients in agriculture, and it could be quietly stealing yield from your operation. In this conversation, Rod breaks down why boron plays a much bigger role than most farmers realize and why focusing only on N, P, and K may be leaving profitability behind.  You’ll learn why boron impacts pollination, root growth, sugar movement, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance. Rod also explains why timing matters more than simply applying more product and why split applications consistently outperform large single applications.  In this conversation, we cover: • Why boron is critical for crop performance • How boron affects phosphorus and potassium uptake • Why split applications win • The danger of waiting for visual deficiency symptoms • How foliar feeding strategies impact ROI If your soil test does not include boron levels, this episode may change how you look at fertility planning moving forward.

    8 min
  5. 368: Tissue Testing: Catch Problems Before They Cost You Yield

    May 26

    368: Tissue Testing: Catch Problems Before They Cost You Yield

    A crop can look healthy while still having hidden hunger. In this episode, Rod explains why tissue testing helps growers catch problems early and make better decisions before profit slips away. Let’s walk through the best timing for tissue testing in corn and soybeans, common mistakes growers make, and how simple corrections can protect bushels this season. This episode is packed with practical advice you can use this season to improve efficiency, protect yield, and make every acre produce the best ROI possible. In this episode, we cover: Why crops can lose yield even before you see a deficiencyThe key growth stages when tissue testing matters mostHow tissue testing helps protect profit instead of reacting too late Key Takeaways! 🌾 Waiting for yellow leaves is already too late. 🧪 Soil tests show potential. Tissue tests show reality. 📈 Small nutrient shortages can become expensive fast. 🚜 Better data leads to better profit.

    10 min
  6. 367: Tissue Testing: What Your Crop Is Trying To Tell You

    May 19

    367: Tissue Testing: What Your Crop Is Trying To Tell You

    Imagine walking in your field and it looks good, then later you see stress and start guessing. This episode shares why tissue testing helps you see what your plant needs right now so you can act early and protect your yield. Soil may hold nutrients, yet your plant may not be using them. Stress, water, and root issues can block uptake. Your plant is your report card. Early testing gives you a chance to fix problems before they show up and cost you yield. Keep it simple and make smart decisions in season. A small fix at the right time can protect a lot of yield and help your farm stay strong. In this episode, we cover: How tissue testing helps you stop guessing and start knowingWhen to test crops to protect yield earlyHow to take clean samples for accurate results

    18 min
  7. 366: What Most Farmers Get Wrong About Surfactants

    May 12

    366: What Most Farmers Get Wrong About Surfactants

    Surfactants can make or break your spray program. But with thousands of products on the market, many farmers are left wondering: What actually matters? What works? And what is just adding cost and confusion? In this episode, Rod breaks down the role surfactants play in: • Pre-emerge applications • Post-emerge spraying • Foliar feeding • Fungicide and insecticide passes You’ll learn why different spray situations require different approaches and why “one-size-fits-all” products can sometimes create more problems than they solve. Rod also explains: • When an MSO is necessary • Why water pH matters more than most farmers realize • The real purpose of ammonium sulfate • How anti-drift and anti-foam products work • Why coverage on the underside of the leaf is critical • How to improve chemical performance without wasting money Plus, Rod shares a simple at-home test farmers can use to evaluate surfactant performance and the affordable tool he recommends every operation should have. If you want better spray coverage, improved chemical performance, and stronger ROI from every pass across the field, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can use immediately. Questions about surfactants or spray applications? Text Karen at 641-919-5570 and the team at A Better Way to Farm will be happy to help. Remember: “Good enough is not a standard.” And in tight-margin years, details matter more than ever.

    12 min
  8. 365: Are New Farm Products Helping You Or Hurting Your Profit?

    May 5

    365: Are New Farm Products Helping You Or Hurting Your Profit?

    New products can feel exciting and confusing at the same time. In this episode, we talk about enzymes, cobalt, and moly in a simple way. Learn how to stay smart, protect your money, and grow strong crops. We focus on one big idea. Test before you invest. Start small. Learn what works on your farm. This helps you stay in control and build profit year after year. What You’ll Learn: How to stay smart when new farm products hit the marketHow cobalt and moly affect plant growth and yieldWhy too much of a good thing can hurt your crop Key Takeaway You do not need every new product to win. You need the right plan. Test your soil. Start small. Watch your results. Keep what works. This is how strong farms grow and stay profitable for years to come.

    16 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Low commodity prices and high interest rates are putting a squeeze on American farmers. A Better Way To Farm shows you how to maximize profit so you can farm the way you want! Visit https://abetterwaytofarm.com to use the free Farm Profit Score calculator.

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