Farm4Profit Podcast

David Whitaker, Corey Hillebo, Tanner Winterhof
  • 4.8 (359)
  • Investing
  • Updated Semiweekly

Our mission is to provide farms and operators an independent and unbiased outlet for information related to increasing the profitability of their farming operation. We will be providing farms and operators of all sizes and experience levels access to the latest trends, projections, and the tools necessary to increase farming profitability. We will take each episode to deliver latest news, what's working for active farms, and a topic of focus each episode. Remember, if you aren't farming for profit you won't be farming for long.

  1. 1d ago

    He Bought 80 Acres. Then Asked Customers What to Grow.

    Tom Brown didn't grow up farming. After studying anthropology and horticulture at Kansas State, he spent roughly 15 years living and working in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where he gained experience in agribusiness development, seed production, horticulture, and helping farmers improve their operations. When he eventually returned to the United States, the desire to build a farm of his own was still there. Instead of starting with what he wanted to grow, Tom started by asking potential customers what they wanted to buy. The answer was fresh, pick-your-own peaches. He intentionally searched within a 30-minute drive of Wichita and purchased 80 acres in 2010 for $225,000.00. Today, Meadowlark includes roughly 18 acres of peaches, 17–18 acres of apples, two acres of strawberries, two acres of pumpkins, and a hard cider business.  Tom explains how agritourism changes the way a farmer thinks about everything from orchard layout and parking to crop selection and customer experience. Feedback from families helped drive Meadowlark's expansion into apples, while fallen fruit that could have become waste created an additional opportunity through hard cider. The result is a business built around multiple revenue streams rather than production alone.  The conversation also gets into the numbers. Tom uses Ambrook to help track the finances of a complicated operation with multiple enterprises and direct costs. As the orchard approaches its physical production limits, he sees future growth coming primarily from cider sales and on-farm experiences, which he believes could significantly increase gross revenue over the next five years. His biggest lesson applies well beyond specialty crops: farming changes slowly, mistakes are expensive, and “every lesson takes a year.” Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today! https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.com Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com Call/Text: 515.207.9640 Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Farm4Profit Media is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. Content is provided for informational purposes only, and we serve solely as a platform for third-party opinions. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    He Bought 80 Acres. Then Asked Customers What to Grow.

  2. 2d ago

    Your Soil Has Potassium. So Why Can’t Your Crop Get It?

    https://agxplore.com/assessment/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=us_branding_search&utm_content=us_branding_search&utm_creative=&utm_term=nitrogen%20fertilizer%E2%80%A8&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19647814938&gbraid=0AAAAABcjE32bUOUfaJpssNXD_ZsSRg9jE   Potassium is a macronutrient crops need throughout the growing season, but simply having adequate soil levels doesn't guarantee the plant can access it. The AgXplore team explains that roots only explore a portion of the soil profile and potassium movement is heavily tied to water—creating a challenge during dry late-season conditions when crop demand can still be significant. Dr. John and Ben discuss potassium acetate as a highly plant-available form and explain potassium's role in photosynthesis, stalk quality, standability, and the opening and closing of stomata. That stomatal function becomes especially important under heat and moisture stress because it affects transpiration and the plant's ability to continue moving water and nutrients. The conversation then turns to timing. AgXplore's Nutri-K provides potassium acetate, while KSB combines potassium, sulfur, boron, and biostimulants. The team says late-season applications have produced positive results across several crops and geographies. In one replicated Wisconsin trial discussed in the episode, potassium treatments improved yield by roughly 5–10 bushels, with the guests citing a minimum ROI around 6-to-1 in that trial. They also found that stacking an earlier application with a later application performed better than a single application. The bigger takeaway isn't simply to apply more potassium. It's about understanding the crop's demand curve and supplying “the right groceries at the right time.” Soil fertility still provides the foundation, but strategically timed nutrition may help keep the crop functioning and finishing stronger when environmental conditions make soil uptake more difficult. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today! https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.com Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com Call/Text: 515.207.9640 Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Farm4Profit Media is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. Content is provided for informational purposes only, and we serve solely as a platform for third-party opinions. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Your Soil Has Potassium. So Why Can’t Your Crop Get It?

  3. 4d ago

    Every Pass Has to Pay: Smarter Tillage & Fertilizer

    Does tillage make money? The answer isn't simply yes or no. The KUHN team explains why the industry is moving away from “recreational tillage” toward more calculated, specialized passes designed to solve specific problems. From managing heavy residue and correcting compaction to creating a seedbed, the goal is to understand what the field needs and then determine whether the fuel, labor, equipment, and time required can generate a return. The conversation also challenges the idea that broadcast fertilizer is simply “slinging it.” Garrick explains how modern precision spreaders control drop points, spread patterns, application rates, section control, and border spreading. KUHN's EMC system measures torque on the spinner discs every second and can respond to changing material flow, clogs, and over- or under-application to maintain the target rate.  Then the guys get into strip-till and KUHN's new 24-row 1210 Gladiator XL. Beyond reducing passes, strip-till can combine targeted tillage with concentrated fertilizer placement in the root zone. KUHN discusses trials where an 8- to 10-bushel yield gain across enough acres could potentially create a roughly two-year equipment payback, while more efficient nutrient placement may offer opportunities to rethink fertilizer rates.  Ultimately, this episode isn't about convincing every farmer to till—or not to till. It's about knowing why you're making the pass. Soil type, compaction, residue, fertility, pH, equipment, labor, timeliness, and management style all matter. The right system is the one that solves a problem on your farm and can justify its cost. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today! https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.com Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com Call/Text: 515.207.9640 Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Farm4Profit Media is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. Content is provided for informational purposes only, and we serve solely as a platform for third-party opinions. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Every Pass Has to Pay: Smarter Tillage & Fertilizer

  4. Sep 10

    Beyond the Farm: How Regan & Andrea Are Building Their Own Path

    Andrea Fleming and Regan Bieber return to Farm4Fun to share how their lives and operations have changed since their previous appearances. Regan talks about stepping back into her South Dakota family farm during the COVID era while continuing to grow The Cactus Brand, which she started in high school. Andrea shares how a plan to become a veterinarian ultimately brought her back to the Minnesota family farm, where she now combines cattle, crops, content creation, personal training, public speaking, agritourism, and a few fainting goats.  The conversation gets deeper as they discuss the growing disconnect between farmers and consumers. Andrea explains why she decided to publicly stand up for feedlots and modern livestock production rather than letting outdated images define agriculture. Both women believe farmers need to keep showing up, have conversations, and show people what agriculture actually looks like instead of simply throwing facts at them. They also talk about being women in a traditionally male-dominated industry, encouraging daughters to get involved on the farm, and giving young people the opportunity to prove what they're capable of. Andrea shares the personal story behind her message that changing plans doesn't make you a failure, while Regan explains why farming, fashion, business, and creativity don't have to fit into separate lanes. It's a fun conversation about building a life in agriculture without feeling like there's only one way to do it. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today! https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.com Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com Call/Text: 515.207.9640 Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Farm4Profit Media is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. Content is provided for informational purposes only, and we serve solely as a platform for third-party opinions. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Beyond the Farm: How Regan & Andrea Are Building Their Own Path

  5. Sep 9

    How Do You Move 23,000 Bushels of Grain Per Hour

    In this What’s Working in Ag segment, Tanner gets an up-close look at Brandt’s 16125 HP Swingaway Auger. With bins continuing to get taller and wider, Brandt says demand is growing for equipment capable of keeping up. The 16125 can move up to 23,000 bushels per hour, with Brandt recommending roughly a 300-horsepower tractor for the job. Chance explains the engineering behind Brandt’s HP—or High Performance—design, including an oversized 17-inch intake section and hopper designed to keep the main auger full and increase capacity. The Easy Swing System also allows operators to hydraulically position the heavy swing hopper from either side and control it through truck remotes or Brandt’s LeadHand App on a smartphone.  The result is serious grain-moving capacity—roughly enough to unload a 1,000-bushel truck about every five minutes. Brandt also offers 10- and 13-inch auger options, while the 16-inch model adds an A-frame undercarriage, extendable axles, heavy lift cylinders, and adjustable cables for stability when reaching larger bins. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today! https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.com Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com Call/Text: 515.207.9640 Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Farm4Profit Media is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. Content is provided for informational purposes only, and we serve solely as a platform for third-party opinions. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    How Do You Move 23,000 Bushels of Grain Per Hour

  6. Sep 7

    Thin Margins, Expensive Nitrogen & the Agronomy Decisions That Pay

    Dr. Eric Scherder of Corteva Agriscience returns to Farm4Profit to look back at the 2026 growing season and help farmers start building their 2027 agronomy plan. The conversation begins with cover crops and why simply getting seed on the ground isn't enough. From erosion and nitrate management to weed suppression and soil health, Eric explains why farmers need to know their objective, establish a good stand, and have a termination strategy before spring arrives. The discussion moves into weed management and the importance of starting clean, using multiple modes of action, and layering residuals—especially in early-planted soybeans. Eric challenges farmers to think beyond a one-size-fits-all herbicide program and use the entire agronomic toolbox, including cover crops, no-till, row spacing, crop rotation, residual herbicides, and emerging technologies like See & Spray.  With nitrogen representing one of the largest crop investments, the guys also discuss fall versus spring application, nitrogen loss, and why stabilization matters beyond the fall application window. Eric explains the science behind N-Serve and Instinct Next Gen, why keeping nitrogen in the ammonium form can help protect it from loss, and how farmers can match nitrogen practices to the logistics and realities of their individual operations.  Ultimately, the message is simple: don't treat every field the same. Use what you learned in 2026, test new ideas where they make sense, work with trusted local advisors, and build a 2027 plan around the specific challenges and opportunities on your farm. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today! https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.com Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com Call/Text: 515.207.9640 Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Farm4Profit Media is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. Content is provided for informational purposes only, and we serve solely as a platform for third-party opinions. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Thin Margins, Expensive Nitrogen & the Agronomy Decisions That Pay

  7. Sep 3

    Farm Accidents, Family & Ranching with Calli Williams of TW Angus

    Calli Williams, the Millennial Rancher, joins Farm4Fun to share the story behind TW Angus and what it takes to build a first-generation cattle operation in South Dakota. Calli grew up around cattle, 4-H, and FFA, while her husband Tate grew up without a livestock background and got his start by taking out a loan to buy a couple of heifers.  Calli explains how TW Angus balances an annual online bull sale with a growing direct-to-consumer beef business. After deciding in 2020 to stop selling calves through the sale barn, they began finishing cattle themselves and eventually expanded from freezer beef into individual retail cuts, local markets, restaurants, and now beef sticks.  The conversation also gets much more personal as Calli recounts Tate's frightening 2023 baler accident, eight surgeries in ten weeks, and the long recovery that followed. It's a powerful reminder about fatigue, farm safety, and the consequences that can come from trying to squeeze in one more job at the end of a long day.  Calli also shares how becoming one of ten members of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Trailblazer Program opened doors for media training, a CNN appearance, and even a trip to the White House. Through social media and agricultural advocacy, she's using those opportunities not only to tell agriculture's story, but to build recognition and opportunity for TW Angus and the next generation. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today! https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.com Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com Call/Text: 515.207.9640 Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Farm4Profit Media is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. Content is provided for informational purposes only, and we serve solely as a platform for third-party opinions. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Farm Accidents, Family & Ranching with Calli Williams of TW Angus

  8. Sep 2

    200-Bushel Corn at $14? Understanding the Opportunity

    Greg Schreiner of Quick Organics returns with some major updates, including collaboration with USDA around the Common Organic System Plan and new tools designed to simplify one of the biggest headaches in organic farming: recordkeeping. Quick Organics now combines its Organic System Plan tools with an activity tracker and digital filing cabinet, allowing producers to document field activities, seed labels, cultivation dates, and certification records from their phones.  But this conversation isn't about convincing every farmer to go organic. It's about helping the "organic curious" understand whether it could make financial sense for a portion of their operation. Greg tackles concerns about yield loss and explains why he believes 180–200+ bushel organic corn combined with organic premiums can create compelling gross revenue potential. They also break down the equipment needed to make the transition, including tine weeders, rotary hoes, cultivators, manure sources, and GPS technology. Greg estimates a producer could potentially assemble the additional equipment needed for under $75,000 and explains why starting with 80 or 160 acres may make more sense than transitioning an entire farm at once. Finally, Greg explains the three-year organic transition window, why timing the transition matters, and how producers may be able to position their third crop for organic pricing when the process is planned correctly. With conventional margins under pressure, this episode explores whether adding organic production could become another tool for diversifying revenue and improving the farm's overall bottom line. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today! https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.com Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com Call/Text: 515.207.9640 Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Farm4Profit Media is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. Content is provided for informational purposes only, and we serve solely as a platform for third-party opinions. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    200-Bushel Corn at $14? Understanding the Opportunity
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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
359 Ratings

About

Our mission is to provide farms and operators an independent and unbiased outlet for information related to increasing the profitability of their farming operation. We will be providing farms and operators of all sizes and experience levels access to the latest trends, projections, and the tools necessary to increase farming profitability. We will take each episode to deliver latest news, what's working for active farms, and a topic of focus each episode. Remember, if you aren't farming for profit you won't be farming for long.

Information

  • Creator
    David Whitaker, Corey Hillebo, Tanner Winterhof
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    623
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Farm4Profit Podcast

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