Épisodes

  • From the Cornfield to the Checkered Flag: Ethanol Wins Every Race

    From the Cornfield to the Checkered Flag: Ethanol Wins Every Race
    Aug 20 2026

    Farm4Profit heads to Iowa Speedway for the Iowa Corn 350 powered by Ethanol with Craig Floss, CEO of Iowa Corn, and Eric Petersen, President of Iowa Speedway, to talk NASCAR, ethanol, corn demand, and what’s ahead for racing in Iowa.

    The conversation dives into why Iowa Corn continues to invest in NASCAR as a way to promote ethanol beyond the farm audience. NASCAR has raced on E15 since 2011, providing a high-performance example of ethanol in action while helping Iowa Corn reach consumers and build demand for one of Iowa farmers’ biggest products.

    Craig shares the bigger picture for ethanol, including growing exports to countries around the world, opportunities in Southeast Asia, and the continued push for greater access to E15 and eventually higher ethanol blends. The group also discusses Iowa Corn’s work around high-ethanol farm equipment and why creating additional ethanol demand could have a meaningful impact on corn markets and farm profitability.

    Eric gives listeners a look behind the scenes at Iowa Speedway, including three consecutive NASCAR sellouts, plans for a complete track repave, and the exciting news that NASCAR will return to Iowa over Independence Day weekend in 2027. He explains what goes into rebuilding a racing surface and the massive amount of work required to turn a facility with only nine full-time employees into a major NASCAR venue.

    From international ethanol markets to 700-horsepower race cars, this episode shows how Iowa Corn is using motorsports to connect farmers with consumers, demonstrate ethanol performance, and ultimately create more demand for corn. As Craig puts it, no matter which driver takes the checkered flag, ethanol and Iowa corn farmers win every race.

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    Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

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    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.


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    44 min
  • Every Kernel Counts: Measuring Combine Loss

    Every Kernel Counts: Measuring Combine Loss
    Aug 19 2026

    But how many actually know what those kernels are worth?

    In this episode of What's Working in Ag, Shianne from BranValt explains how the SmartPan harvest loss system helps farmers move beyond visual estimates and accurately measure the grain leaving the back of the combine.

    The discussion covers how the magnetic SmartPan captures real-time grain samples, how the accompanying app converts those samples into bushels, percentages, and dollars, and why calibrating your combine's loss sensors is critical for making informed adjustments during harvest.

    Using real-world examples, the Farm4Profit crew walks through soybean and corn scenarios showing how relatively small harvest losses can quickly become thousands of dollars across an operation. The conversation also explores balancing grain quality with harvest speed, automation, and why "you can't manage what you don't measure."

    Topics include:

    • Combine harvest loss
    • SmartPan technology
    • Grain loss monitoring
    • Harvest efficiency
    • Combine calibration
    • Soybean harvest
    • Corn harvest
    • Precision agriculture
    • John Deere automation
    • Yield preservation
    • Harvest ROI
    • Farm profitability
    • Grain loss calculations
    • Precision harvesting

    If you're looking for one of the fastest ways to improve profitability without buying another acre, this episode demonstrates why measuring harvest loss should be part of every harvest routine.

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    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

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    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.


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    16 min
  • Former Traders Reveal How Grain Merchants Really Think

    Former Traders Reveal How Grain Merchants Really Think
    Aug 17 2026
    Most farmers spend countless hours trying to grow another five bushels per acre. Mike Rolfsen and Jeff Kazin believe there may be an even bigger opportunity waiting after harvest. The Agris Academy co-founders return to Farm4Profit to explain why merchandising—not market prediction—is where many producers leave money on the table. Drawing on decades of experience trading commodities and managing physical grain businesses at Cargill, they explain how successful grain companies approach risk, logistics, negotiations, and marketing far differently than most farms. One of the biggest themes throughout the conversation is that grain marketing isn't about predicting prices—it's about managing risk. Mike and Jeff explain why commercial grain companies hedge rather than speculate, and why farmers should think more like professional risk managers than market forecasters. Instead of trying to outguess the futures market, producers should focus on the controllable parts of merchandising that consistently add value year after year. The discussion also explores what life inside one of the world's largest grain companies actually looks like. While many people imagine traders constantly buying and selling futures contracts, Mike and Jeff explain that most of their time was spent optimizing logistics, transportation, physical grain movement, basis opportunities, and operational details that collectively create significant value. They then introduce Agris Academy, the education platform they founded to teach farmers the merchandising skills they believe are missing from traditional agricultural education. Unlike brokerage firms or advisory services, Agris Academy focuses entirely on helping producers understand grain marketing mechanics, negotiation strategies, basis, carry, storage economics, and risk management principles that can be applied to any farming operation. Throughout the episode they discuss: Why hedging should never be confused with speculation.The psychology behind futures markets.How margin calls actually work.Why documenting marketing decisions improves long-term discipline.Why every farm's marketing plan should match its own financial situation instead of following someone else's advice. One of the biggest takeaways is their concept of creating a "knowledge asset." While farms continually invest in land, machinery, and buildings, Mike and Jeff argue that merchandising education creates an asset that can benefit multiple generations. Once the skills are learned, they become part of the operation's long-term competitive advantage and can be passed down just like any physical asset. The conversation also dives into one of agriculture's biggest capital decisions: grain storage. Mike and Jeff explain why the economics of permanent grain bins have changed dramatically, why many large farms are now using grain bags as flexible storage, and how understanding carry, basis, and storage costs often matters more than simply adding more bins. They also discuss treating on-farm storage like a commercial elevator instead of simply holding grain until later in the year. Another important topic is cost of production. While understanding production costs remains critical for managing the farm business, Mike and Jeff explain why the futures market doesn't care what any individual producer's breakeven happens to be. Instead, successful marketers focus on managing risk, understanding merchandising opportunities, and maximizing basis and carry opportunities available in their local markets. The episode also covers: Negotiation strategies farmers can immediately apply.Why every marketing plan should be documented.Learning to think like an elevator.Separating farm performance from speculative trading.Why women often excel at grain merchandising.Building marketing confidence through repetition and small steps instead of large speculative bets. To wrap things up, Mike and Jeff share several entertaining stories from their international trading careers—including stolen vegetable oil, disappearing sugar shipments, homemade liquor in Eastern Europe, and why, after working around the globe, they still believe the United States remains one of the best places in the world to farm. If you've ever wondered how professional grain merchandisers think—or how to make more money without growing more bushels—this episode delivers practical insights you can begin applying immediately. 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.comShareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.comEmail address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.comCall/Text: 515.207.9640Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5XqwFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/...
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    59 min
  • Mike Naig: The Pressure Farmers Are Feeling and the Next Opportunity

    Mike Naig: The Pressure Farmers Are Feeling and the Next Opportunity
    Aug 13 2026
    In this episode of Farm4Profit, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig returns to the studio for a conversation that covers nearly every major issue impacting producers today. Mike begins by sharing how he balances his role as Secretary of Agriculture with remaining involved in his family’s fourth-generation northwest Iowa farm. He discusses growing up around corn, soybeans, and hogs, how the family operation has evolved, and why having one foot in production agriculture continues to shape the way he approaches his job. The conversation quickly turns to one of agriculture’s biggest uncontrollable variables: weather. Iowa farmers have dealt with derechos, excessive rainfall, flooding, drought, and increasingly severe weather events. Mike explains why risk management, infrastructure, crop resilience, and better monitoring tools are becoming even more important as producers try to manage events they simply cannot control. The crew also talks openly about the mental and financial pressure farmers are feeling. Tight margins, extreme weather, policy uncertainty, and growing public criticism of agriculture are all piling up at the same time. Mike says he has noticed increasing frustration among producers who feel they are being blamed for problems while already operating under significant financial stress. Water quality becomes a major part of the discussion. Mike breaks down Iowa’s nutrient reduction efforts, progress on phosphorus, ongoing nitrate challenges, and the state’s new “Farm to Faucet” approach. That effort includes increased nitrate treatment capacity, expanded water monitoring, conservation funding, cover crop incentives, streamside buffers, and more than $50 million targeted toward conservation practices in the Greater Des Moines Watershed over the next 12 years. The group also tackles one of Iowa’s most controversial conversations: whether agriculture is being unfairly blamed for cancer rates in the state. Mike stresses that the issue is complex and should be driven by research rather than politics. He points to known risk factors including radon, smoking, alcohol use, obesity, and sun exposure while also supporting continued research into environmental and genetic factors. From there, the episode moves into biofuels and new revenue opportunities. Mike discusses Iowa’s growing use of E15, the economic benefits ethanol provides consumers, the potential of 45Z, and why future clean-fuel programs could create additional revenue streams for farmers if measurement and reporting requirements can be made practical. One of the biggest opportunities Mike sees for Iowa is cattle. With the U.S. cow herd at historically low levels, Mike believes Iowa has room to grow beef production—especially by identifying row crop acres that are underperforming because of slope, erosion, wetness, or poor soil productivity and converting those acres into pasture or forage. He explains how the state’s cattle and conservation programs are already helping connect landowners with livestock producers while supporting fencing, water access, pasture establishment, and even virtual fencing. That conversation naturally leads into the next generation of agriculture. Mike and the Farm4Profit crew discuss how livestock can create a realistic entry point for young producers who may have labor and ambition but lack capital. They explore ideas around financing, conservation incentives, access to land, custom farming, direct-to-consumer agriculture, specialty crops, and off-farm income as ways to create more opportunities for young people to build a future in agriculture. Mike also shares his view that profitability has to remain at the center of every agricultural conversation. Conservation, technology, diversification, and policy only work if the farm itself can remain financially viable. He discusses input costs, market development, trade, Farm Bill uncertainty, E15, and the many pieces that have to come together for producers to succeed. The episode also looks ahead to Iowa’s changing political landscape, Mike’s 2026 reelection campaign, the role of the Secretary of Agriculture, animal disease preparedness, food safety, pesticide regulation, and why Iowa agriculture remains one of the state’s greatest economic strengths. The conversation ends with a question Farm4Profit hears everywhere: How does a young person get into farming? Mike’s answer is simple—there is no golden ticket. But there are more paths than ever. Livestock, direct-to-consumer sales, custom application, drones, seed sales, specialty crops, custom farming, and other farm-adjacent businesses can all provide a foothold. His message: farming has never been easy to enter, but agriculture should work to make sure it doesn’t become unnecessarily harder. This episode is a wide-ranging look at where Iowa agriculture stands today—and what farmers, policymakers, and rural communities need to think about next. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom...
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    1 h et 10 min
  • Agronomy Analogies Every Farmer Will Remember

    Agronomy Analogies Every Farmer Will Remember
    Aug 12 2026

    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

    Gunther Kreps and Dr. John Murphy teach with Walmart parking lots, old pickup trucks, M&M's, jawbreakers, extending radio antennas, Legos, and ibuprofen.

    In this entertaining What's Working in Ag episode, the AgXplore team shares some of their favorite analogies that have helped thousands of growers better understand soil fertility, nutrient availability, plant physiology, and crop nutrition.

    Instead of memorizing technical terms, listeners will finally understand:

    • Why cation exchange capacity (CEC) is like the size of a parking lot.
    • How base saturation determines whether nutrients have a place to "park."
    • Why chelated nutrients behave like M&M's instead of jawbreakers.
    • How boron functions like an old vehicle's power antenna.
    • Why every nutrient matters when building a crop—just like every brick matters when building a wall.
    • How tiny amounts of plant growth regulators can have massive biological impacts.

    The conversation also explores why storytelling is one of the most effective teaching tools in agriculture and how simplifying complex science leads to better agronomic decisions on the farm.

    Whether you're new to crop nutrition or have been farming for decades, this episode will leave you looking at your soil tests—and your crop—completely differently.

    Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!

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    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

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    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.
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    13 min
  • AI, Fiber & the Future of Rural Connectivity

    AI, Fiber & the Future of Rural Connectivity
    Aug 10 2026

    For over 125 years, Farmers Mutual Telephone Company (FMTC) has helped connect rural Iowa—first with telephones, then cable television, cellular service, broadband internet, and now preparing for what may become agriculture's next major infrastructure investment: AI computing.

    In this episode, Kevin shares how a small rural telephone company evolved into a modern broadband provider and why Iowa's independent telecommunications companies have been uniquely positioned to bring fiber internet to rural communities long before much of the country caught up. He explains how fiber optic networks work, why broadband is becoming just as essential as electricity, and why nearly every modern technology—from cellular service to Starlink—ultimately depends on fiber somewhere along the journey.

    The conversation then turns toward one of the fastest-growing topics in technology: artificial intelligence. Kevin explains why AI is creating unprecedented demand for computing power, what massive data centers mean for energy and infrastructure, and why he believes the future isn't giant facilities consuming thousands of acres—but rather distributed micro data centers that could fit on a single lot while serving customers around the world.

    The hosts also tackle concerns many farmers have about large data centers, including land use, energy consumption, and local economic impact. Kevin discusses how smaller AI computing facilities could create new opportunities without removing productive farmland while giving farmers more control over their own data. The discussion explores whether producers could someday "farm data" just like they market grain—owning, storing, and deciding when and how to monetize one of their operation's fastest-growing assets.

    Along the way, you'll also hear:

    • How the internet actually reaches your farm
    • Why symmetrical upload and download speeds matter
    • The differences between fiber, cellular, and Starlink
    • The future of precision agriculture and AI
    • Why protecting farm data may become just as important as protecting grain in the bin
    • Whether fiber optics will ever be replaced

    If you've ever wondered how technology is reshaping agriculture—or where rural America fits into the AI revolution—this episode offers a fascinating look at what's coming next.

    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

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    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.


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    1 h et 8 min
  • How One Dealer Is Changing Farm Equipment Service Forever

    How One Dealer Is Changing Farm Equipment Service Forever
    Aug 6 2026

    In this episode, Tanner and Dave sit down with Stacy Anthony, CEO and co-founder of Ag Revolution, to discuss how his company is reshaping equipment sales and service across the Midwest. After spending 27 years with John Deere rebuilding dealerships and later creating one of the nation's largest agricultural equipment export businesses, Stacy set out to build something entirely different.

    He shares the story behind launching Ag Revolution, why the company invested in a fleet of more than 60 mobile service trucks instead of additional brick-and-mortar dealerships, and how servicing equipment directly on the farm is helping producers reduce downtime and keep operations moving.

    The conversation also dives into the evolution of Fendt and Massey Ferguson, what separates premium equipment from dependable value-focused machinery, how dealership culture impacts customer experience, and why building long-term relationships—not just selling equipment—has been the foundation of Ag Revolution's rapid growth.

    Along the way, Stacy reflects on his career traveling to 27 countries exporting farm equipment, receiving recognition at the White House, and the leadership lessons he learned from working with farmers around the world.

    Whether you're evaluating your next machinery purchase, interested in dealership trends, or simply enjoy hearing stories from leaders who are challenging the status quo, this episode offers a fascinating look at where agricultural equipment is headed.

    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

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    Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

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    25 min
  • Customer #10 Shares Nine Years of Saving Time & Improving Profits

    Customer #10 Shares Nine Years of Saving Time & Improving Profits
    Aug 5 2026

    Farm4Profit sat down with Carl, one of Performance Livestock Analytics' earliest customers, to hear how the platform has evolved from a simple recordkeeping tool into a critical management system for his custom feeding business.

    Carl explains how switching from paper records eliminated hours of office work, improved billing accuracy, simplified relief feeding, and gave nutritionists, veterinarians, and cattle owners real-time access to important production data.

    The conversation also explores how digital records improve decision-making, why accurate data builds stronger customer relationships, and how emerging AI tools could shape the future of feedlot management.

    Topics include:

    • Custom feedlot management
    • Performance Livestock Analytics
    • Feed truck automation
    • Digital feeding records
    • Relief feeding
    • Customer reporting
    • Elanco Benchmark
    • Feedlot profitability
    • Cattle data management
    • AI in livestock production
    • Current cattle market outlook
    • Building long-term customer trust

    If you're looking to improve efficiency, reduce paperwork, and make more informed decisions in your cattle operation, Carl's firsthand experience demonstrates how technology can become one of the most valuable tools on the 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

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    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.
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    6 min