XtremeAg: Cutting The Curve Podcast

Hosted by XtremeAg

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Episodes

421

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

XtremeAg’s Cutting the Curve Podcast, one of the best farming podcasts in America, hosted by Damian Mason. In each episode, top American farmers share their proven strategies for boosting crop yields and improving farm ROI. Learn from farming experts who provide tips on regenerative agriculture, new farm equipment, fertilizer recommendations, agronomy and farm efficiency. Whether you want to improve your crop yield for corn or soybeans, explore sustainable farming practices, or optimize your nutrient management, the Cutting the Curve Podcast delivers insights you can apply to your farming operation today. Stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of agriculture. https://www.xtremeag.farm/podcasts

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 1, 202627 min

That Won't Work Here! Or Will It? | The Granary

“That won’t work here.” It might be one of the most common phrases in farming—and one of the most dangerous. Damian Mason joins Matt Miles, Chad Henderson, and Todd Kimbrell to talk about what happens when farmers challenge conventional wisdom and try something anyway. From Y-drops and liquid fertility to cover crops, strip-till, planter setups, and pushing planting dates, they’ve all seen ideas dismissed because they supposedly wouldn’t work in a particular region. Sometimes the skeptics were right. Other times, those “crazy” ideas changed the way they farm. The guys dig into regional differences, learning from other growers, managing risk, and why being willing to fail is part of finding the next thing that works. After all, there’s only one good way to find out whether “that won’t work here” is actually true. Presented by Nachurs .

August 18, 202630 min

Are Nutrient Regulations Coming for Farmers? | The Granary

Are nutrient regulations headed for American agriculture? Damian Mason sits down at The Granary table with Kelly Garrett, Todd Kimbrell, and Tommy Roach to dig into a topic farmers may want to get ahead of. From nitrate concerns in Iowa and Nebraska to phosphorus issues around Lake Erie and the Chesapeake Bay, the guys discuss why nutrient management is attracting more attention—and what future regulation could actually look like. Pounds-per-acre limits? Water monitoring? Application restrictions? More recordkeeping? But regulation isn’t the only reason to rethink fertility. The conversation turns to nutrient use efficiency, cutting unnecessary nitrogen, drainage tile, soil mineralization, and the dollars that leave the farm every time nutrients leave the field. Can farmers maintain yield while applying less—and could better nutrient management actually improve the bottom line? Pull up a chair. This one gets into the water, the soil, the regulations, and, naturally, a little manure. This episode is presented by Nachurs .

July 31, 202640 min

Farming Podcast | Regenerative Farming's 3rd Iteration | XtremeAg

Kelly Garrett is joined by Iowa's Lobe Rangers —Matt Bormann, Zack Smith, and James Hepp—to discuss what they call regenerative farming's third iteration: dramatically reducing synthetic nitrogen and phosphorus while maintaining yield and improving profitability. Moving beyond cover crops and no-till, the conversation explores on-farm nitrogen trials, nutrient management strategies, Iowa State research on reducing nitrate loss, and the emerging opportunities surrounding the 45Z tax credit. The group emphasizes that reducing fertilizer inputs is first and foremost a business decision that can improve return on investment while delivering environmental benefits as a byproduct.

July 14, 202625 min

Farming Podcast | Reduce Nitrogen, Lower Your Carbon Score, and Capture 45Z Money—Here's How

Reducing synthetic nitrogen is becoming increasingly important as the USDA's updated 45Z carbon intensity calculator places greater weight on nitrogen use. XtremeAg is testing how far nitrogen rates can be reduced while maintaining yield through on-farm trials featuring Agricen's N-FINITY. Kelly Garrett is evaluating nitrogen programs ranging from 140 to 45 pounds per acre. The combination of lower fertilizer costs and potential 45Z tax credit eligibility makes nitrogen efficiency one of the biggest financial opportunities for corn growers.

July 5, 2026Episode 237 min

Farming Podcast | Is Your Farm Structure Costing You Money? New ARC & PLC Payment Rules Explained

Many farmers focus on maximizing crop yields, but far fewer realize their farm business structure could affect how much they receive from USDA safety net programs. In this episode, Kelly Garrett sits down with Jared Creed of JC Ag Financial Services to discuss the changes made by the One Big Beautiful Bill, including the new $155,000 payment limitation per eligible individual for ARC and PLC programs. They explain how entity structure, C corporations, and ownership arrangements can impact government payments, why larger farming operations should review their eligibility, and what producers need to know before the mid-July deadline.

July 1, 202622 min

Farming Podcast | R-Stage Fertility for Higher Yields | XtremeAg

In this episode of XtremeAg’s Cutting the Curve, Damian Mason interviews agronomist Mike Evans of Calibrated Agronomy about the importance of R-stage fertility management in corn and soybeans. The discussion focuses on why growers should reserve part of their fertility budget for reproductive growth stages, when nutrient demand is highest and yield potential can still be influenced. Evans explains the value of sap analysis for identifying nutrient deficiencies, discusses timing considerations for corn and soybean fertility applications, highlights key nutrients such as potassium, boron, sulfur, and zinc, and outlines practical application methods including aerial, drone, ground rig, and pivot fertigation. The conversation emphasizes measuring results, adapting programs to local conditions, and making informed fertility decisions that improve yield and profitability.

June 28, 202630 min

Farming Podcast | Are You Ready for the 45Z Credit? | XtremeAg

USDA has released key guidance for the 45Z Clean Fuel Tax Credit, bringing farmers closer to receiving payments for regenerative farming practices. Ryan Pearcy of ARVA joins XtremeAg founder Kelly Garrett to explain how ethanol and biodiesel plants can reduce their carbon intensity (CI) scores by sourcing grain from farmers using practices such as no-till, cover crops, and reduced synthetic fertilizer. Farmers who qualify could see an estimated $30–$40 per acre in additional value, with even greater opportunities for operations that already have low CI scores. While Treasury must still finalize implementation rules, producers are encouraged to calculate their carbon intensity score now through the USDA FDCIC. Click Here to Find Your CI Score with the USDA's Calculator

May 17, 202628 min

Farming Podcast | Fungicide, Fertilizer, Fuel, and Finances — How to Make It All Work

Damian Mason and Art Graves of Vive Crop Protection discuss how farmers can manage fungicide , fertilizer, fuel, and financial pressure without sacrificing crop performance. The episode covers fungicide timing, planting-time decisions, V5 applications, disease risk from residue and soil pathogen load, and ways to reduce input costs while protecting yield potential.

April 27, 202625 min

Farming Podcast | Can Soil Data Lower Farm Taxes? | XtremeAg

This episode explains how Section 180 of the tax code may allow farmers and landowners to deduct a portion of soil fertility value from taxable income after buying or inheriting farm ground. Gunnar Bodvarsson and Austin Koch of Earth Optics join Damian Mason to outline the information required, including soil data, purchase details, and agronomic analysis, and explain how a report can be used by a CPA to support the deduction.

April 19, 202615 min

Farming Podcast | Plant Health Strategies to Reduce Crop Inputs | XtremeAg

Agronomist Jared Cook of Calibrated Agronomy discusses why profitable crop production starts with healthy plants rather than reactive crop treatments. He explains that strong soil biology, balanced fertility, and proper water management allow crops to resist stress and disease naturally, reducing the need for costly inputs. Cook emphasizes that farmers should move beyond symptom-based agronomy and instead use a complete agronomic toolbox focused on plant health from the soil up. He shares an example from an Idaho dairy farm that spent heavily trying to correct crop problems with inputs before discovering that improving plant health fundamentals provided a far more cost-effective solution.