The Farmer's Greatest Asset Podcast
The Farmer's Greatest Asset podcast is dedicated to supporting and empowering farmers by recognizing that their greatest assets are the knowledge, experience, mind and health. Hosted by husband-and-wife duo Jesse and Dr. Leah, this podcast combines their unique backgrounds to provide valuable insights. Together, they explore topics that help farmers thrive both personally and professionally. Tune in for a blend of practical advice, real conversations, while having a little fun along the way as they talk about all thing's agriculture and family.
Episodes
Fall harvest is in full swing as we navigate recent rains and explore grain bagging as a cost-effective storage solution to avoid excessive commercial storage fees. We're implementing this method to circumvent the 24 cents per bushel plus monthly charges that significantly impact our already tight profit margins.
• Storage costs at local elevators have increased to 24 cents per bushel for the first three...
Harvest season has officially begun in Southeast Iowa with unusually dry conditions causing corn to dry down faster than expected. We share our experiences with equipment preparations, plot tour takeaways, and our approach to maintaining balance during this busy time.
• Currently harvesting corn at surprisingly low moisture levels in mid-September
• Field conditions are very dry with minimal rain in the f...
We discuss final harvest preparations including our new grain cart scale app for improved inventory tracking, and reflect on insights from the Farm Wives Club event about finding joy beyond productivity.
• Equipment preparations complete with preventative maintenance thanks to our trusted mechanic
• New bluetooth scale app will document bushels hauled and storage locations for better inventory management<...
Southern rust is significantly impacting corn yields this season with up to 40 bushel differences between treated and untreated fields, making fungicide applications a solid ROI despite high input costs.
• Corn prices remain similar to 1970s levels while production costs have increased dramatically
• Questioning conventional nitrogen application rates with potential for lower rates if balanced nutrition i...
A medical emergency with Jesse's mother reveals an unsettling truth: most families don't know each other's wishes for end-of-life care or who's authorized to make decisions when someone can't speak for themselves.
• Advanced directives allow you to make your own decisions in advance rather than burdening others with making them for you
• The designated power of attorney doesn&apos...
The countdown to harvest begins as we return from a successful but scorching State Fair where our kids showed their home-raised cattle and Henry lived his fitting dream.
• Kids earned reserve breed championships with their self-raised shorthorn and simmental heifers
• State Fair heat reached 95 degrees with heat index over 100, requiring gallons of water daily
• Henry spent weeks fitting champion anim...
We're heading to the Iowa State Fair with 4-H cattle and breeding heifers, continuing a family tradition that spans generations for Jesse while creating new memories for our entire family.
• Comparing state fair experiences: Jesse has attended almost every year of his life, while Dr. Amy first attended in 2005
• Evolving accommodation strategies from hotels to campers to Airbnb houses
• Navigatin...
Family connections remain vital despite our busy lives, especially as older generations age and health challenges arise for loved ones.
• Summer is flying by, with county fairs marking the end of the season and family reunions filling our calendars
• Both hosts come from large farming families – with 15-16 siblings in their parents' generations
• Only a small fraction of family members still farm...
Jesse and Dr. Leah discuss farming conditions in Iowa after significant rainfall, then share insights about nutritional supplements and their role in maintaining optimal health.
• Recent weather in Southeast Iowa has brought 2.5-4 inches of rain, creating potential challenges for soybeans which dislike wet conditions
• Using drones to apply special nutrition mixes during grain fill stage to improve yield ...
After months on a modified ketogenic diet, we share our personal journeys with giving up sugar and carbohydrates, exploring both the challenges and life-changing health benefits we've experienced.
• Sugar is the most addictive substance humans consume, and breaking its grip requires complete elimination for at least 2-3 months
• Ketosis is a state where your body burns fat instead of sugar for fuel, ...
Jesse and Leah reflect on how their relationship has evolved over 19 years of marriage, from surviving the chaos of early careers and parenthood to finding deeper connection through everyday moments.
• Finding quality time together has transformed from quarterly weekend getaways to valued truck rides and morning coffee conversations
• When feeling disconnection in relationships, look inward first to see h...
We reflect on our county fair memories while preparing for this year's Lee County Fair in Iowa, where our son will show a heifer he's raised from birth. Fair traditions have evolved over time, but the values of hard work, responsibility, and personal growth remain central to the 4-H and FFA experience.
• The show industry has changed drastically since our childhood, becoming more specialized and sep...
Summer on the farm brings a whirlwind of activity as we balance baling, spraying, fair preparation, and finding moments to connect as a family amid the busy season. The weight of sustaining our agricultural legacy weighs heavily as we navigate the challenges of modern farming and explore ways to diversify and strengthen our operation.
• Feeling the rush of summer farm activities while trying to make time for ...
In this hot and humid Iowa summer, we share updates on our hay making, crop conditions, and innovative approaches to foliar feeding crops with precise nutrient mixtures. We discuss how we're transitioning to drone technology for better application of nutrients while reducing compaction and crop damage.
• Corn is looking good at V10 stage and standing over 6½ feet tall
• Moving to drone technology for...
Jesse and Dr. Leah share their "Coffee on the Porch" conversation covering farm updates, personal reflections, and practical health tips for agricultural families.
• Discussing the satisfaction of haymaking season and the nostalgia of fresh-cut hay smell
• Comparing the surprising growth difference between expensive hybrid soybeans and simple garden green beans
• Practicing gratitude as a to...
Jesse and Leah reflect on the invaluable lessons learned from their fathers that have shaped who they are as farmers and as people. Despite being busy with hay baling during Father's Day weekend, they take time to honor the wisdom that's been passed down through generations on their family farms.
• Hard work as a foundational value that both sets of parents instilled in them
• Finding balance be...
Jesse and Dr. Leah share updates from their farm life, discussing their new high tunnel greenhouse project and the seasonal transition from planting to summer maintenance. They explore the physical and mental health benefits of growing your own food, getting your hands in the dirt, and connecting with the natural world.
• Installation of a 3,100 square foot high tunnel greenhouse after receiving an NRCS grant...
Farm life means constantly juggling seasonal pressures with family needs while battling self-imposed time constraints. Jesse and Dr. Leah explore the mental and physical toll of the farming mindset that everything must be done immediately and perfectly.
• Spring brings overwhelming task lists: side dressing corn, spraying, preparation for hay season, and equipment maintenance
• The self-imposed pressure c...
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and today we discuss practical strategies for farmers, ranchers, and anyone who's been running on empty during busy seasons. We share our personal experiences with burnout and stress while offering seven simple, research-backed steps to improve mental wellness.
• Morning sunlight exposure within the first hour of waking resets circadian rhythms and boosts mood
• ...
We explore the deep emotional connection farmers have to their land and the importance of legacy planning to preserve family farms for future generations.
• Farmland represents more than monetary value—it carries the blood, sweat, and tears of previous generations
• Creating a mission statement and core values provides clarity for farm succession planning
• Open communication between family members h...
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