Farm4Profit Podcast

The Latest in Spring Technology IntroductionListener left us a review on Twitter : “This was really fun to listen to, Thanks! “ Remind them how to submit questions and topic suggestions@farm4profitllcFarm4profitllc@gmail.comWhat’s working for Ag – Blake Chance @farmerman_1Probably the biggest IH enthusiast you’ll ever meet.  Graduated of Kansas State University with a degree in Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship.  Inventor of the “Quick-Pin”Describe to the listeners what it is.Why did you invent this?Have you completed the process or are you still looking for more input and feedback?When will it be ready for the market?How can listeners get in contact with you?blakejchance@gmail.comWhat could farmers be doing to plant additional profit in to each acre this spring?Introduce the guest.  Ben Pederson Owner of Sprout Ag Enterprises – Lake Mills, IA 641-592-2305ben@sproutag.com@sproutag or @Ben_C _PedersonWe are passionate about melding agriculture and technology and making them work for you. We want you to experience the financial rewards that come with applying cutting-edge technology to your operation. Our passion is making your equipment more efficient, so it works in a way that is more powerful, agronomically and financially.We are a 360 Yield Center Dealer, 360 Y-DROP & 360 Undercover Custom Applicator and provider of 360 SOILSCAN Testing Services..We are also a Precision Planting Premier Dealer. Precision Planting has been driving planter improvement and innovation for over 20 years and is now the recognized leader in the field. We can help you grow.What kind of planter technology and advancements are on the market today?On average, your Sowmaster planter will be up to 30% less expensive than leading equipment manufacturer’s comparable planters. It also has row units that are more durable and require less maintenance than competitor’s.What are you adding to this planter to make it the farmer more profitable?Mudsmith, Martin, Copperhead, Precision, High Speed, Seed Placement, Dual HybridMaintenance – are there any new ways to log, schedule, or keep records of?What should people be checking right before they head for the field?Autonomous Planting – Sabanto  (Planted beans in Iowa last Spring)How does it work?Is it safe?What does it cost?Translates to profitabilityLSW vs tracks MFWD but with 4 tracksHow the advancements from 360 are Yield Center and their Y-Drops going to help farmers achieve higher levels of profitability this Spring?What are some of the latest advancements in tillage equipment for seed bed preparation?Vertical TillageSpeed TillageAFS Soil Command Case IH (Field Cultivators, Disks, Soil Finishers)Production-quality Case IH tillage tools equipped with AFS Soil Command™ technology hit the fields for fall 2019 and spring 2020 season of use.  AFS Soil Command agronomically optimizes soil conditions through measuring, monitoring and controlling tillage tools. This advanced technology adds precision to soil management The ability to have an unskilled operator behind the wheel and know work is being done correctly, and the agronomic advantages of a correctly set machine.AFS Soil Command provides a data-driven approach to tillage. When planting, producers consider every seed in the ground — similarly, AFS Soil Command helps producers monitor and optimize soil conditions down to the square inch for tillageAFS Soil Command is designed to identify problem areas across the field and give operators the knowledge and tools to fix them. As-tilled mapping technology now records all depth settings and crumbler pressure and where they were used at one-second intervals, helping to map out potential problem areas, which can be used for future adjustments in-field for a healthier seedbed and seedbed floor.John Deere-TruSet TechnologyLate last year, Sunflower introduced the SF6830 Series high-speed rotary finisher. Its new feature is the hydraulic leveler gang composed of four wavy center blades, which can be hydraulically adjusted by the operator from zero to 10 degrees. By adjusting the angle at which these blades engage the soil, the operator has more exacting control of the tool and can match soil conditions and ground speed of the implement to achieve a smooth, even seedbed with every pass.John Deere has introduced new tillage equipment, as well. Its new 2630 Series disks and vertical tillage tools include four distinct models: 2630 disk, 2633 disk, 2635 disk and 2633 vertical tillage implement.These tools also incorporate John Deere’s precision control, TruSet Technology, which lets you make on-the-go depth and down-pressure adjustments from the cab. You can fine-tune the implement with 0.1-inch adjustments with just the touch of a button.And, the TruSet system provides the ability to execute prescriptions and document the tillage operation. So, you can run variable-depth tillage prescriptions to incorporate residue at different levels across the field or change the depth of tillage for different conditions such as lighter soils or areas of known compaction.What’s next? – What have you seen coming down the pipe?What would you say to those producers out there who don’t see the ROI for technology on their farm?For those with little technology in their operations today.  Where do you suggest they start and how?What do you see your top producing or top tier of clients doing?  Both in Tech and on their farm in generalIs there anything else you would like our listeners to learn from our conversation today?SummarizeTake notes during the interview to summarize.  Hit on how important using technology can be on the farm. Tie back the obvious to growing farm profitability.ChallengeSpell out steps for them to begin taking action. Refer to the points made by the presenter.Conference UpdateLooking for ideas for great speakersFarm4profitllc@gmail.comSubmit questions and topic suggestionsLike, Rate, Review, Share 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/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How to Deal with Difficult Employees: 10 Tips to Improve Workplace PerformanceWhen a small business has an employee who is difficult to work with, it can drain productivity and create a hostile work environment. Business owners and managers need to demonstrate leadership and deal with difficult employees directly, discussing the behavioral and performance issues and creating a clear plan moving forward to address the issues. Managers should monitor the progress of difficult employees and if the performance doesn’t improve with feedback and resources, you may need to fire the problem employee for the sake of your business’s performance and the morale of other workers.10 Ways to Deal with Difficult EmployeesAddressing issues with a difficult employee can be stressful and awkward. Follow these ten tips for managing difficult employees to make the process easier and increase your chances of improving the situation:Critique Behavior, Not PeopleIt’s important that you don’t make the conversation overly personal or emotional. The end goal is to reach a solution to the problem, not to spark a confrontation. To do that, it’s important to focus specifically on inappropriate or undesirable behavior the employee has demonstrated rather than attack them personally. There may not be negative intentions behind their negative behavior. It might stem from confusion, fear or personal problems that you aren’t aware of.Listen to FeedbackYou should have a two-way conversation with the challenging employee. Listen to their feedback so you can understand where the problem lies and acknowledge any workplace issues that might be contributing to the negative behavior. Sometimes, just feeling listened to is enough for the employee to feel better and improve their behavior.Give Clear DirectionGiving tough feedback can be a difficult task for managers, but it’s important that you give clear and specific examples of the negative behavior and explain why it’s inappropriate and how it has to change. Focusing on specific examples can help lower the employee’s defensiveness and offer useful information that can help them improve their workplace performance.Document Problematic BehaviorWhenever you witness poor performance or troubling behavior, write it down in detail so you have a record of what happened and be sure to include the date. Proper documentation not only helps you remember and refer to specific events, it also protects your company in the event that the employee is let go and decides to sue the business for wrongful termination.Consult the HR DepartmentSchedule meetings with the human resources team to discuss the situation. They can give advice on how to deal with the poor behavior, help you understand the documentation you need and provide a course of action for addressing the issue with the employee. HR will understand all the company policies and processes for handling difficult employees and terminating their employment, if necessary.Work Together Toward a SolutionThe ideal result when you discuss a difficult employee’s behavior with them is that the two of you work together to develop a solution you both agree on. Discuss the negative behavior, what the appropriate behavior looks like and then find out what the employee needs from you to improve. Agree upon a solution to the issue.Write Down ExpectationsDetail your expectations for what needs to improve and set a timeline for improvement. Write down a clear plan of action with a specific timeline and evaluation framework for measuring success. Sign the plan and have the employee sign it as well. You should both keep a copy of the document so the employee can use it to enact the plan and you can evaluate performance moving forward.Set Specific ConsequencesIt’s possible that your plan for improvement with a difficult employee will fail if you don’t set clear consequences if the behavior doesn’t change within the agreed upon timeframe. Consequences can include a formal written warning, not being eligible for promotions or bonuses and in more severe situations, termination of their employment. Employees likely won’t change their behavior unless continuing it will affect them negatively.Monitor ProgressGive your employee the time needed to correct their behavior. During that time, monitor their progress and make note of any issues or relapses. Check in as frequently as needed to get a better sense of how they’re progressing with the agreed-upon plan and intervene if they get off track. After the timeline from your plan has passed, schedule a full in-person evaluation to discuss how the situation has progressed.Recognize a Hopeless SituationWhile the goal is to improve the employee’s behavior so that your team can be more happy and productive together, realistically there will be times when that isn’t possible. If your previous interventions haven’t had the desired effect and the staff member is unwilling to change their behavior, you need to follow your company’s termination procedure and cut your losses.https://www.freshbooks.com/hub/leadership/deal-with-difficult-employees 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/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Benefit of Providing Benefits – Growers Edge and HR Interviews Like, rate, review, share, and find us on social media!What’s working for Ag – Growers Edge  www.growersedge.comIntroduce the guest.  Dan Cosgrove the CEO of Growers Edge which provides data-driven fintech solutions for the ag industryBefore joining Growers Edge in 2019, Cosgrove served as the global leader of corporate development and licensing at Corteva Agriscience. During his time at DuPont Pioneer (now part of Corteva Agriscience), he served as the vice president of business development and held various legal roles, including chief patent counsel and IP group leader. Early in his career, he was a lawyer focused on patent litigation as a partner at Zarley, McKee, Thomte, Voorhees & Sease.Growers Edge Financial, Inc. puts grower profits first by delivering grower income assurance through data-driven financial technology products, solutions and tools for the agricultural sector. Empowering farmers to adopt new technologies to increase profitability, Growers Edge solves the financial gaps of farmers by changing how agricultural inputs and services are sold, allowing them to capture more value and improve profits. Led by a proven team of crop management leaders and backed by top agtech investors, the company is headquartered in Johnston, Iowa.What got my attention was the back of your company’s business cards.  The top corner says “Where farmers’ profits are first”. What does that mean to Growers Edge and you?You have an app that is free to use.  Can you share what that app can accomplish for a farmer?Cash grain bidsLive market alerts & newsBin level trackingWeather forecastsWhere is Growers Edge headed next?Innovative financial solutionsGrain and insurance integrationFinancingSolutions for AgribusinessesIncome AssuranceChanging the way farmers buy productsMain Topic -What are benefits worth to you and your farm? Introduce the guest.  Talk about accomplishments, the qualifications, any events they may have coming up, products they pedal, and how to get in contact with them.Why would paying attention to benefits packages or providing benefits at all be something a farm operator should be considering as a factor of whole farm profitability?Typically how many hours per week must one work to get access to company benefits?  Each business can determine benefit eligibility requirements from how many hours worked constitute eligibility to what group employees it if offered to.   ACA requirements state that employees who work 30 hours a week or 130 hours a month are considered full-time for health insurance.Can part time workers receive benefits? Yes- if the employers elects to offer it.  It can be the same rate as FT or a higher rateHow much does a health insurance premium cost? (whole cost not employee share). will all vary depending upon deductible level, HMO vs. PPO, or full-insured vs. self-insured.Individual-$400.-$500Married-$800.-$1000Family-$1000-$1700How much does a dental/vision insurance premium cost? (whole cost not employee share) Dental                                   VisionIndividual            $40                                         $7-10Married                $75                                         $15-$20Family                   $105                                       $22-$26What structures are common in the work place for percentage covered by employer versus that of the employee?What have you noticed to be the most valuable “fringe” benefit to employees outside of health insurance and PTO?  Ie: health & wellness, cell phone reimbursement, etc…..  Each survey states something different but what I have found to be most consistent is Retirement benefits and flexible work schedules.What are good resources for someone who is looking at providing their employees with benefits and don’t know where to start?  Google is a wonderful thing a quick search can answer a lot of questions.  Benefits brokers can help provide information and provide expertise on different benefit options.  If we are talking to farmers I am not sure if Farm Bureau offers some of these resources or not.  Possibly FBN can help.What have you seen employers doing to gain a competitive advantage when hiring employees? Higher wages, signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement, paid family leave, paid maternity or paternity leave, professional development, student loan assistance, wellness programs, work from home, flexible work hours, on-site gym, etc.. The sky is limit hear based upon the size of the wallet of the company.Are you aware of group benefits programs for those who are self-employed?401 K contributions; explain the power of compounding interestAsk your employees what they need to get from you to make them never leave! If you are looking at providing a sign on bonus, how should you go about setting the amount?What are things even out there that are considered “benefits”?Work vehicles, child care, legal insurance, health insurance, retirement contributions, fitness incentive, charitable contribution matches, 529 plan matches, volunteer time off, over-time/double-time, employee referral bonus, new business commission, accident free bonuses, apparel, bereavement, paternity and maternity leave, beverages & snacks, …….SummarizeWhat are the ways you could use benefits to attract or retain a higher quality of help?  What could your farm do to use benefits to increase its profitability? Could you work for benefits and have part-time help for low wage work?ChallengeLet’s break our spending down on a monthly basis. Then take it over an annual income.  Are we comfortable with this or are there some things we could change in structure?Conference UpdateSubmit questions and topic suggestions 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/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tanner and David have published the conversation from after recording episode 19 with Ben Pederson a farmer from Lake Mills, Iowa. The three of them rolled right into a conversation about Tillable and shared their opinions. 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/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How to become the best customer for your salespersonIntroductionLike, Rate, Review, Share (@farm4profitllc)Read Review “Really enjoy the variety here and the information is enlightening” – RRListener feedback and questions = Contributed to farm4profitllc@gmail.comWho do you know that we could talk to about their successes in growing their farming operation? – Listener feedback question on how to get bigger and growing a farming operation.  Get better first then get bigger.What’s working for Ag – listener or farmer feedbackAle Frick - @Engineer_Farmer (Lake Creek Texas, from Central Europe, degree in mechanical engineering)What is working on your farm that you feel is helping contribute to high profitability, more efficiencies, margin management, or any other positive momentum?Tandem grain carts, custom made planter, wheat drill, metal fabricating.Is this a mentality/mindset, hobby, training, luck?Advice to on how to get started others who could see a few changes like this making a big difference on their farm?   Main Topic: What if your salesperson disliked spending time with you as much as you disliked them coming around? Could the way you behave, react, or think help the relationships you have with sales people?We aren’t insinuating that you don’t like all the sales people that you deal with, but we all know there are some that are better than others.  How about we flip the script?! Do sales people like all their customers?What could you be doing as the customer to make you their favorite customer to do business with?What happens when you are the favorite?First to get a call?Late night, odd hour service?Discounts?Honest advice?Could any of those make you more profitable?Episode #1 was titled Traits of Top Performing Farmers.  We didn’t include being a good customer, but maybe we should have.  We reached out to sales professionals and sales un-professionals around our networks and came up with some common traits of their favorite customers.  If you don’t have these traits and feel like you aren’t getting the service you deserve, maybe there are some changes that need to be made?Matt McCune @ksufearless (farmer & sales agronomist in Hays, KS & storm chaser)Return every phone call.  –and timely!Reduce lying, better to just not lie.  – helps get to the reason behind needing the answerAren’t offended by “20 questions” -  I will ask a ton of questions to find a way to do whatever they need, but sometimes I need more information to get them the answer.Are honest about delivery time frames/windows - When a farmer calls me and asks be to deliver something, I ask "when do you need this by", and quite often they will say "oh, tomorrow or the next day".  When I first started I would drop everything and go running to them; which impresses them, but was sometimes unnecessary due to their scheduling or caused a logistics issue on their farm.Realistically understand the importance of their needs - I will answer my phone ANYTIME. If it’s something that can wait until business hours please do, but I have guys call me just to talk life at 9 pm, and I am there for them.  This game is 90% mental.  Be there for your customersRespect the efforts of going above and beyond. - I have been known to deliver product at stupid odd hours.  One night a customer called me, said he didn’t realize he was low on glyphosate.  I arranged to take him a shuttle at midnight, so that i could also be spraying at first light. He was delighted and it worked out.Mitch Giese @mitch_giese  (John Deere Salesman, Sheldon, IA and farm kid.)Ones who treat me as their peer.  They share information willingly because they know that the more I know about them and their business, the better I can understand their goals and make recommendations accordingly.  Include me in their Advisory Team - They trust me to provide advice that is in their best interest.  Understand my sales position is my JOB - They allow me to make a reasonable profit because they know that sustainability of the industries supporting them is vital to their own survival and pays them back in the long run.  Aren’t confrontational - They don’t make business transactions needlessly confrontational.  They sometimes buy elsewhere if I can’t offer what they need or someone else’s offering is more attractive, but they treat me respectfully when they do. Todd Sampson @td_sampson (Insurance agent with Midwest Insurance, Nevada IA) There needs to be an openness with your sales person - so they know what is important to you.  Being able to articulate the goals of the farm today and the long-term plan of the farm’s future helps the professional have a better idea of what they can do to help make that a reality.Are open to suggestions and implement them: - Most companies will have a risk management meeting with the clients on occasion to make sure the processes and procedures to reduce risk are in place.  Contracts, employee handbooks, safety checklists, etc. are all ways that farmers and ag business companies can reduce their exposure to claims.Kacee Bohle @ConservisKacee (Regional manager for Conservis, traveler & Ag Lover)Be open minded to new things in agriculture, like technology. There are so many farmers who were successful in their prime years ago that are still thinking "this is what I have done and it worked and so I am going to keep doing that", which is not keeping them competitive.  Have a plan to change:  we know that it takes time to implement change, and those clients that understand there needs to be a plan, goals, and a timeline of implementation as well as reflection are usually more successful than those that assume things will just magically work over night.Bodie @Bkitch1Bodie (Regional Business Director for Next Level Ag, central Indiana)1.) Personable and beyond business – are just as interested in learning about me and my goals as I am about them and their goals2.) Engaged and challenging- they aren’t argumentative they are just eager to learn, but also don’t let me slide by with a poor or lazy answer.3.) Genuine in what they do and say. – being straight forward and truthfulConrad @SmithAgConrad (West Central Illinois, Sales Manager Smith Agri-Service)You can’t communicate with me enough.  If that means you need call me 3 times a day or text me 10 times a day to keep me abreast of what’s happening then do it.  My ability to plan & make efficient decision is predicated on how well the producer communicates with me. Many failures occur simply because of a breakdown in communication”.Transparency which goes hand in hand with communication right? Their expectations based on the service level they pay for should match what I can deliver. Things work well when I’ve earned a producers trust to the point where we can sit down and take an honest look at yield history, market prices, expenses & make a decisions that fit the farm.  Tom Hadley @TomHadley55  (Territory Manager for Gerinhoff heads – Southeast IA)Treat me like a family member - My favorite traits of a farmer that I have a great relationship are the ones that start off as “cold” and “hard to get to know”. After a while it turns into you are almost a family member after you break down the walls and show that you want them to be profitable with you not you making profit from them. I like to be face to face - and don’t like texting. I want to hear your voice – the tone or confidence/worry. What can I do to make your day better?They don’t dismiss early – The worst traits of most Farmers is they always have a reason why it’s not time to buy in the first minute of a conversation without the question even being brought up.  Our time is just as valuable as yours.Andrew Klein @SmartBarnOhio (Owner of Smart Barn – wireless sensors Dayton OH)First off, be nice and treat others like you want them to treat you. You’d be surprised (or maybe not surprised?) how often I’ve been mistreated on the first phone call. When I’m working with a potential customer, I always treat them kindly. But man does it get tougher if they treat me like garbage. And honestly, I avoid new business from people who are assholes, go find another asshole who wants to help you, I've got plenty of work and I'd rather work with people who like me. Second, don’t treat me like a highway robber. My prices are my prices, and while there’s some room for negotiation, I’m giving you the best deal I can afford already. If you genuinely can’t afford my product, or don’t see the value then please let’s do each other a solid and just walk away.Finally, communication! Tell me your concerns, thoughts, gripes, things you like, in a calm, adult way, and I guarantee we can figure out a win-win. I can help a lot better if we’re communicating. Honestly I always go above and beyond and think most sales people do, but if you follow the golden rule its way more likely your salesperson is going to go way above and beyond!ME (Tanner)-Aren’t afraid to tell me “NO”. – saves me time, effort, and worry if you just fill me in.  It won’t hurt my feelings, I am a professional that gets told “No” a lot.Schedule the meetings when they can. -I have more clients than just one, so my favorite ones call to schedule an apt, or if its last minute at least call to let me know they are comingMeals and Beverages not necessary, but it is a perk.  For the same reasons like to bring food the field and treat my clients to lunch.  It leaves a lasting impression. (in laws cooked lunch for mechanic)YOU (David)-Leave Online reviews – You help make me look good and ill work extra hard to make you look goodTrust me. -I will work hard and in your best interest for you.  It does me no good to hold information that would benefit you until a later time.  When I learn something I will tell you.ChallengeFigure it out, are you doing these or do you have areas to improve?  The next time you “want something” from your sales person, try using one or multiple of the suggestions.  Then let us know how it turned out! @Farm4profitllcConference UpdateIt’s on for December 4, 2020! 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/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tanner and David review an article written in Wallaces Farmer about the lessons we learned from the fields in 2019. 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/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Understanding Crop InsuranceIntroductionWhat’s happening – Steve Johnson ARC-PLC Update RECAP FROM EPISODE #11 Reminder that Steve Johnson is a Farm Management Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Has his Ph.D., Vocational Education, Colorado State University, M.S., Agricultural Education/Economics ,B.S., Agricultural Education, Iowa State University and the resident expert on all things Farm Bill.  I’d say maybe 20% to 30% of farmers have figured out ARC/PLC Decisions and are heading to the FSA office. About 50% will do what their neighbors are doing. I think the other 20% to 30% will wait until the deadline (March 2020) and see if it’s extended or just default into whatever they signed up the past 5 years (ARC-CO).Steve’s observations:Always start the ARC/PLC decision with the effective reference prices of $3.70/bu corn and $8.40/bu soybeans.  Will the MYA national cash price for the 2019 and 2020 crop years be below those prices?Use WASDE for 2019 and FAPRI for 2020 MYA national cash prices (see spreadsheet). Please link this Farm Bill Information where we’ve placed the ARC/PLC Payment Estimator, PLC Yield Update Tool and 4 videos if you missed the 80+ public meetings. <https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/info/farmbill.html>  I attached a Marshall County farm for a couple crop insurance agents on Friday, Jan. 17th. If a farmer would plug in their own numbers, they can see the interaction of national cash price and county yields.Steve’s assumptions: Thus the low corn prices in 2020 will pull more farmers to the 2-year PLC election, assuming normal county yields. Expect USDA to increase 2020 corn planted acres 2 to 4 million acres at the Feb. 20th Ag Outlook Conference which should lower the 2020 cash price projection below $3.70/bu.Since there likely won't be any PLC payments for soybeans in 2019 and 2020, ARC-CO is the overwhelming choice. Farmers will chose ARC-CO on most all soybean base acres because the projected cash price was not below $8.40/bushel I 2019 or 2020.Since most Iowa farmers will take PLC on corn base acres, they might be interested in pricing Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) for 2020. To buy SCO, the crop on that farm needs to have elected and enrolled in PLC.  SCO is a county-based revenue product can be added on to the traditional Revenue Protection product. It’s subsidized at 65% federal subsidy that make a relative “inexpensive way” to buy up to 86% total coverage.  There are some drawbacks on SCO:No indemnity payment until June following harvest.You might have yield losses on your farm, but not the county.No prevented planting benefits with SCO.SCO could fit well on seed corn acres since farmers typically buy low levels of coverage.Using Crop Insurance to where it is more than just an expense to your farm.  It doesn’t have to be “just what we have always done……”Guest Blair Brody, Sales Executive for HUB International Limited in Mason City, Iowa.Blair please share with our listeners your background, experience, and a little about HUB International Limited.Could you layout a few of the basic differences in the types of crop insurance available? The basic crop insurance product is government regulated, so what makes each provider different?Are there added coverages?  Could you explain the buy up options?Other products available?What area do you service clients in?For most of your clients (depicted area) what have you been suggesting their product mix look like?What are you most successful clients doing differently than others? With insurance choices….On their farm in general…For the listener out there who has just always doing the same thing or is early on in their farming careers what pieces of advice would you have for them?What would you share with the listener who believes insurance is just a waste of money, throwing premium down the drain?What is your take on achieving self-insurance? What does it take to get there?What are some questions our listeners should be asking their agents this year? Do you have any remaining advice or information you’d like to share with our listeners? Please remind us of the deadlines as they apply to the 2020 growing season for crop insurance.Submit questions and topic suggestionsOur next episode is focusing on being a good customer.  If you have any good stories to share with us about when you feel you were a good or great customer please let us know.  Farm4profitllc@gmail.comLike, Rate, Review, and Share! 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/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

8-Lessons Learned from 2019Tyne Morgan – AgWeb – Farm Journal12/27/20192019 will go down as one of the most challenging crop-growing journeys in history; much of that stemming from unforgiving weather.  Late planting, unforgiving conditions, leading to a wet and snowy harvest.The yield story is one many growers didn’t see coming, creating a year full of agronomic lessons that could last a lifetime.For instance, we would tell a grower not to mud corn in unless he's doing it for crop insurance. That corn stand is so crucial, make sure you get it right.Not so much to worry about the calendar but to focus on the quality of job getting done.2019 taught everyone that planting dates don’t always matter.Stop worrying about the neighbor and know what is right for your farm.If we look at planter studies and planter attachments and how we can teach the planter to dance, it's just as important on June 5 as it is on May 5 as it is on April 15Don’t get in a rush and forget about necessary planter maintenance and set up.As genetics continue to improve, the crop is a little more forgiving when it comes to weather and planting dates. The idea of getting in a panic and forcing that crop in, I don't think we have to do that anymoreBe patient and know what the hybrid’s strengths are – cold germ tests.We have the technology that allows us to plant fast and do it in marginal conditionsSee item #1  marginal is still better than mud, but the pace is faster than it used to beWith a lot of our new genetics today, the last 30 days make the cropThe whole year matters, hope and disciplineDon't never walk away from a growing crop,’ because you don't know when the next opportunity is going to come along.Some tore out a marginal crop only to get another marginal crop plantedStick to your marketing plan.  Delayed planting sprouted a bullish reaction in the markets. Once the market realized a late-planted crop could still be made, that reaction turned sour.Those with less emotion involved took advantage of what the market gave for opportunities.https://www.agweb.com/article/lessons-learned-2019-planting-dates-dont-matter 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/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ways your banker can work for you-For TannerIntroductionWhat’s working for Ag – listener or farmer feedbackNoah Wendt of A & W FarmsOrganic farmingHow can your banking relationship better benefit your farm?How can it not? The relationship should not be filled with a well I don’t know if they will keep me around for another year. Or I’m not sure my line will get renewed. Communicate early and often so there aren’t any surprises for either party.Learn more about what your banker is looking for. If you learn how to provide the information your banker needs more timely, more organized, and more accurate it should provide a more favorable response.Faster answers because it’s easier and probably gets moved to the top of the list.Better rates because each loan gets a factor for how good of a manager you are.Work with them to make sure your information is accurate. The more you learn about reading a balance sheet or putting a projected cash flow together the better you can spot mistakes.They do happen, don’t let them cost your farm time or money.Get more out of them for free! You’re already paying the interest and random fees. If you communicate clearly what your goals are for your farm a good banker will intuitively want to help you succeed.Make connections for you, share opportunities, grant loan requests, find items for sale, etc…Make sure they are a part of your advisory team (future). Leverage their education and experience to make sure your farm is positioned correctly, poised for growth, or prepared to wind down.Keep them honest. Unfortunately, repetitive relationships get into a rut for pricing, structure, and more. It doesn’t cost anything to have a relationship with another banker. Be open and set honest expectations, but those conversations can lead to interest savings, proper structure or new ideas.SummarizeKeeping your banker in the loop helps keep your farm running strong. The less surprises there are the better the experience will be. Don’t dread going into see your lender, but form a relationship of trust where you look forward to what you can gain from the meeting. If you don’t have this now, maybe you need to build a new relationship.ChallengeHow comfortable are you navigating a balance sheet or cash flow statement? Make an appointment with your banker to ask what you could provide them to help make their process go smoother. DO you consider your lender to be an advisor? Are there other lenders in the area you could network with to begin building a relationship with?Conference UpdateSubmit questions and topic suggestions 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/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Agriculture and a decade of changehttps://www.keyc.com/2020/01/01/agriculture-decade-change/?outputType=ampBy Alison Durheim | December 31, 2019 at 6:41 PM CST - Updated December 31 at 7:59 PMMachine Linking – Autonomy auto steer on tractors and combines that were really pretty new at the beginning of the decade (2002) and now they’re pretty much standard procedures out there and now those advancements continue with combine automation, automatic grain carts, and synced machinesGenetic improvement in crops and livestock also took the stage during the decade from rate of gains, to stand ability, and production potential.I don’t think most people realize that 40 percent of our 'ag’ exports were going to three countries, China, Mexico and Canada until the last couple years when we have trade issues with all three of those countries at the same time, and we definitely saw the impact it had on our grain and livestock markets,” said Thiesse.  However, we’ve opened up trade lanes with other countries until relationships repairWhile most markets saw continuous fluctuation in prices and cost of production throughout the decade, a new industry made leaps and bounds thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill.“Hemp has been something that, beginning of the decade was kind of a nasty word in most people’s mind, but by the end of the decade it’s now viewed as an alternative crop,” said Thiesse.Minimal tillage methods and the inclusion of cover crops have grown throughout the decade as farmers look to be stewards of the land and earth’s natural resources, and with trade talks and agreements rounding out the year, the decade is ending on a high note.The first iPad was released on April 3, 2010; the most recent iPad models are the seventh-generation iPad, released on September 25, 2019;In December 2015 the FAA announced that all UAVs weighing more than 250 grams flown for any purpose must be registered with the FAA and in December 2019, the FAA proposed a ruling requiring all unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to be equipped with a devise to identify them The advancements of row crop farming practices moving to high-speedHigh Speed tillage with discs and vertical tillagePlantingHorsePowerLivestock production monitoringFeed rations – automationAnimal ID cameras for habit learningHealth and wellbeingProduct sourcement – labeling 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/Farm4ProfitLLC/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.