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A Better Way To Farm Podcast

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

Recent Episodes

388: This Small Change Can Move Your Farm Forward

388: This Small Change Can Move Your Farm Forward

September 15, 2026 20:40

This episode shares an Iowa farmer's journey of making small changes, learning more, and improving step by step. From better soil testing to better fertilizer use and new ways to apply products, each improvement helped move the operation forward.


What You'll Learn:


  • How to improve your farm even when you cannot do everything you want 
  • How better planning and soil testing can help you make better decisions
  • Why small changes can lead to big improvements over time


387: Making The Switch To Liquid Fertility - Iowa Farmer Interview

387: Making The Switch To Liquid Fertility - Iowa Farmer Interview

September 8, 2026 14:21

Sometimes better farming starts with one simple decision: be willing to change.

In this episode, we sit down with an Iowa farmer who grew up farming the traditional way. As he started managing his own ground, he began exploring no till, cover crops, and a different approach to fertility. The results gave him plenty of reasons to keep going.

What You'll Learn:

✓ How changing fertility practices helped improve farm yields

✓ Why no till and cover crops can improve soil structure and water infiltration

✓ How liquid fertility can complement a soil health system

386: How Much Is The Traditional Farming System Costing You

386: How Much Is The Traditional Farming System Costing You

September 1, 2026 19:25

In this episode, we talk about upcoming field days and why hands on learning matters so much. We share what farmers can see in the field, from liquid fertilizer systems and drones to root pits, soil testing, and real-world crop trials.


What You'll Learn:


  • How deep roots can access nutrients beyond the normal soil sample
  • Why field trials can reveal lessons for the next crop
  • How better nutrient management can improve efficiency and long-term soil health
385: You Didn't Come This Far To Stop Here

385: You Didn't Come This Far To Stop Here

August 25, 2026 42:35

Sometimes the biggest test isn't choosing between right and wrong. It's choosing between something good and what God has called you to do.


In this episode, Rod walks us through Numbers 32 and the story of Reuben and Gad, who found good land and wanted to settle there before reaching the Promised Land.

384: How To Add Income To The Farm Without Adding More Acres

384: How To Add Income To The Farm Without Adding More Acres

August 20, 2026 20:59

A farm is more than acres and equipment. It is a business, a family, and a legacy.


In this episode, Rod sits down with Kayla to talk about growing up in the family business, the lessons that shaped her, and what it takes to build a stronger future for farmers and their families.


So, how do you create enough opportunity for the next generation to come home?


The message is simple: you don't have to follow someone else's blueprint. Find what works for your farm, your family, and your future.


What You'll Learn:


  • Why every job on the farm and in the business matters
  • How education and leadership can strengthen a farm business
  • Why adding revenue streams can create opportunities for the next generation


383: If Plant And Pray Is Your Farm Plan, Listen To This

383: If Plant And Pray Is Your Farm Plan, Listen To This

August 18, 2026 8:17

High input costs, high interest, and uncertain markets are putting more pressure on farmers than ever. So how do you protect the farm when you can't control the price of grain, the weather, or interest rates?


You start with what you can control.


In this episode, Rod challenges farmers to stop relying on "plant and pray" and start looking closely at what each input is doing for the farm. The goal isn't simply to grow more bushels. 


It's to grow profitable bushels.


What You'll Learn:


  • Why chasing yield alone doesn't guarantee profit
  • How knowing your numbers can change farm decisions
  • How small decisions today can help protect the farm for the next generation


382: The 2027 Decisions That Could Make Or Break Your Farm

382: The 2027 Decisions That Could Make Or Break Your Farm

August 11, 2026 12:51

Every season brings a new list of products promising bigger yields. They sound impressive. The real question is simple: will it make you money?


In this episode, Rod encourage farmers to look past the marketing and dig into the numbers. He explains why field days, soil testing, and real field results can help farmers make better decisions for 2027.


What You'll Learn:


  • Why there is no one silver bullet for higher yields
  • How to question new products before spending money
  • How field days and grower results can lead to better ROI


381: What Every Farmer Needs To Do Before Meeting The Banker

381: What Every Farmer Needs To Do Before Meeting The Banker

August 4, 2026 24:57

Farming is more than raising a crop. It's building a business that can support your family today and for generations to come.


In this episode, we sit down with Illinois farmer and banker Isaac to discuss farming from both sides of the table. We talk about improving return on investment, making better input decisions, and why lenders value farmers who have a clear plan for improving profitability.


What You'll Learn:


  • What lenders look for when evaluating farm operations
  • How better input decisions improve ROI


380: The Biggest Mistake Farmers Are Making Right Now

380: The Biggest Mistake Farmers Are Making Right Now

July 30, 2026 6:57

The markets are looking stronger, and advice is coming from every direction. It can be hard to know what is worth your money and what is just another sales pitch.


In this episode, Rod shares why every product is not right for every field or every growth stage. He explains how reading the label, understanding your crop, and making informed decisions can protect your wallet and improve your profits.


What You'll Learn:


  • How to avoid spending money on products that do not fit your crop stage
  • What to look for before adding products to your spray pass


Key Takeaway!


🌱 The best results come from using the right product at the right time.



379: Before You Spray Fungicide, Listen To This

379: Before You Spray Fungicide, Listen To This

July 28, 2026 20:04

The finish line matters just as much as the starting line. A strong crop can still lose yield if late-season nutrition is ignored.


In this episode, we discuss how soil testing, tissue testing, and targeted foliar nutrition help farmers make the right decisions during the final stages of the growing season. We explain why guessing with nutrients costs money, how to support crops through pollination and grain fill, and why healthy plants are better equipped to handle disease.


What You'll Learn:


  • Why tissue testing takes the guesswork out of late-season nutrition
  • Which nutrients matter most during pollination and grain fill
  • How healthy crops are better equipped to fight disease


Key Takeaway!


🌱 The best harvests aren't left to chance. They're built by making good decisions all season long, especially in the fourth quarter.