Darren Hefty — South Dakota farmer, co-host of Ag PhD TV and Radio, and a respected leader in both agriculture and ag business. With a legacy rooted in service, innovation, and education, Darren shares the powerful story of how he, his brother Brian, and their father built Hefty Seed Company into the 7th largest crop production firm and the 9th largest seed retailer in the U.S., now operating across 50 locations in 12 states.

Darren walks us through his early days on the farm, starting at just 7 years old in the farrow-to-finish hog operation, making auction decisions with his dad at 10, and managing hired help by age 13. His passion for agriculture was matched by an early sense of responsibility — a trait that continues to define his leadership today..

You’ll also hear about the upcoming Ag PhD Field Day on July 31 in Baltic, South Dakota, now available for streaming on AcresTV, and why the mission of Ag PhD remains focused on serving farmers first.

Whether you’re a farmer, ag business owner, or just someone looking to learn from one of the industry's most experienced and grounded voices, this episode is full of real-world perspective, ag innovation, and leadership lessons you won’t want to miss.

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This episode of Farm4Profit is a double feature packed with timely information every farmer and ag business needs to hear.

As a reminder - visit DPAauctions.com and Farm4Profit listeners receive 0% listing fee for the first items sold through DPA!

We kick things off with Nick Helland from the Iowa Corn Growers Association, who walks us through a series of upcoming roundtable discussions taking place across Iowa. These conversations are designed to bring farmers and stakeholders together to talk about the issues that matter most — from conservation and carbon to trade and transportation. Nick explains how the feedback from these sessions will help shape Iowa Corn’s policy direction and strengthen the voice of agriculture at both the state and national level.

Then, we transition into a deep dive on the 2025 equipment market with Luke Stamp from DPA Auctions. We ask Luke the questions that are on every farmer's mind:

Are we seeing more or fewer sales compared to last year?

Is the market stronger or weaker?

What’s the current demand for new vs. used equipment?

Luke doesn’t hold back — he talks about who’s buying, who’s selling, and where the real opportunities are in 2025. We also uncover what makes certain sales stand out, the best advice for buyers and sellers, and how factors like interest rates, China relations, PUKs, and Farm Bill chatter could shift the landscape. If you're considering selling equipment or looking to buy in the months ahead, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.

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In this episode, we visit with Orin Nusbaum from Nusbaum Farms in Bellfountain, Oregon — a grower, husband, father, and content creator who’s cultivating more than just crops. Orin gives us a glimpse into what life looks like on his diversified farm where he grows a variety of crops and provides fresh produce to local markets and his surrounding community.

We explore how the farm has evolved over time — including planting 10 acres of oats in fall 2022, a crop that may have been a first for the operation — and how he navigates the unpredictability of farming, like this past season’s surprise combine fire. Orin also shares how his family plays an active role on the farm: his wife, kids, and even the dog stay involved in everything from harvest to road trips to answering calls when things get busy.

Celebrating 20 years of marriage, Orin and his wife have built a life around faith, family, and farming. Their teamwork, especially during harvest and hay season, is something that truly sets Nusbaum Farms apart. We talk social media, small-town support, and why it’s so important to be present — both online and in the rows. If you love stories about families growing food, navigating challenges, and doing it all together, this episode is for you.

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Postemergence scouting plays a critical role in protecting your yield potential, and knowing what to look for — and when — can make all the difference. In this episode, we’re joined by Joe Bolte, Market Development Specialist at Corteva Agriscience, to talk through the key things farmers should be watching for once their corn and soybeans are up and growing. Joe walks us through how to evaluate the effectiveness of your preemergence herbicide program and explains how to identify early signs of weed escapes, insect pressure, and disease threats like tar spot.

We also explore how weather patterns, herbicide timing, and canopy development influence scouting decisions and treatment options. Joe introduces two of Corteva’s latest postemergence herbicide offerings — Kyro® for corn and Enversa™ for soybeans — and explains how they provide flexible tank-mix options and help manage herbicide-resistant weed populations. Whether you’re walking your fields, using drones, or leveraging scouting apps, Joe shares practical tips to help you stay proactive instead of reactive.

From stand counts and weed ID to fungicide application timing, this episode is packed with agronomic insights designed to help you make better in-season decisions. Don’t miss this conversation on how to keep your fields clean and your yields protected as the season progresses.

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https://www.youtube.com/@RushHourAg

We interview Louie Zumbach, a farmer and former Iowa State Representative and County Supervisor, and Elliot Henderson, a farmer and ag communicator, about their new venture—the Rush Hour Ag podcast.

They explain what inspired the show, why they felt farmers needed more accessible and engaging policy discussions, and what they’ve learned from being on both sides of the ag-politics fence. We talk about how current and proposed local, state, and federal policies are shaping what farmers can grow, how they grow it, and how profitable their operations can be.

We also dig into their personal stories—how growing up in agriculture, working in public service, and staying connected to rural communities shapes their approach to advocacy. Plus, they share how they balance facts with fun and encourage more farmers to understand and participate in the political process.

Whether you’re policy-curious or a seasoned follower of farm bills and budgets, this episode will help you better understand why ag policy is ag profit—and how voices like yours matter more than ever.

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At the AgX Booth in Denver we chatted with some recent winners of the NCGA High Yield Contest to unpack what it truly takes to push corn yields to the limit. We learn about their farm background, what motivated them to enter the contest, and how their winning crop compared to their usual yields.

They walk us through their hybrid selection, fertility program, and how they incorporated biologicals, foliar feeds, and plant growth regulators to unlock every ounce of potential in the field. From variable-rate planting and precision nutrient applications to scouting techniques and drone use, this grower blends old-school effort with new-school tech.

We also hear the lessons they’ve learned—the mistakes made, key takeaways, and small tweaks that can help any farmer boost their productivity. And of course, we explore the competitive edge: how intense the contest is, what it feels like to win, and what comes next in the pursuit of even bigger yields.

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Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

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We get to meet Brenna Beard, a farmer at heart with roots that run deep into her family farm. Brenna opens up about working with her dad, the learning curve of jumping into farming, and what it’s like trying to juggle that with a career in ag retail.

She’s authentic, quick-witted, and not afraid to speak her truth. We chat about life outside the field too—from her love of the lake life, to how she deals with assumptions people make about her because she’s a young woman in ag. Oh, and if you're wondering—yes, we get into boyfriend talk too.

As someone building a presence online, Brenna also shares her take on what kind of social media messaging today’s ag voices should be putting out there—and how we can stay real while still being positive for the next generation of farmers.

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Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

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Call/Text: 515.207.9640

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We first talk with DPA Auctions to get a pulse on the current used machinery market. They explain how equipment values are shifting, what’s hot, and how auction trends reflect broader changes in the ag economy. Whether you’re in the market to buy, sell, or just curious about asset values, DPA offers timely insights.

Next, we take a forward-looking leap with John Deere, exploring the future of autonomous tractors and the current automation technology already transforming how we harvest. From auto path steering to real-time yield monitoring, automation inside combines is quietly revolutionizing ag operations—reducing fatigue, increasing precision, and helping producers maximize every acre.

Our guests from John Deere explain how autonomy is not about replacing the farmer, but empowering them to do more with less. It’s not science fiction—it’s already happening, and this episode explains how, why, and what’s next.

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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

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Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

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