New TV show, travel experiences, and growing season energize farmers

As they look toward spring, the XtremeAg farmers are excited about their new TV show and the growing season ahead.

Kelly Garrett - Arion, Iowa

Kelly Garrett is a fifth-generation farmer in western Iowa. Garrett farms 4,000 acres of corn, over 1,800 acres of soybeans, and 170 acres of winter wheat.

I am very excited this week for several reasons. The XtremeAg show has launched, and I couldn't be more thrilled! My family and I are extremely proud of how far XtremeAg has come, and witnessing the show's launch is truly a blessing.

The new Integrated Ag building that we constructed for retail purposes is also coming together, and we have started accepting product orders and arranging deliveries.

Another exciting event on the horizon is Commodity Classic. My family and I love attending that show, as it provides a refreshing opportunity to connect with farmers from all over and engage in one-on-one conversations with current and future members of XtremeAg. After enduring the brutally cold weather in Iowa, it will be a welcome change to visit Houston, Texas.

Sustainability programs are currently in full swing, and I am pleased to assist people with them. Sustainability has become a significant topic in almost every industry, and staying informed is crucial. Anyone interested in selling their carbon or participating in any sustainability program should contact me, and I would be more than happy to help. With the XtremeAg soil health initiative, there are two or three ways we can assist producers in capturing some sustainability dollars. XtremeAg members can reach out to me via our question forum on our website. If you are not a member, feel free to contact me through social media.

On the farm, we have sold and delivered all of our corn out of the grain bins. It's unusual for us to have all the corn sold at this time of year, but there were excellent marketing opportunities. With an 8% interest rate, we believed the best option was to convert the corn into cash to halt the interest.

Lee Lubbers - Gregory, South Dakota

Lee Lubbers is a fourth-generation farmer in Gregory, South Dakota. Lubbers Farms includes more than 17,000 acres of dryland soybeans, corn, and wheat. Lubbers says he is always trying to learn and challenge himself.

This winter feels like two seasons in one. We experienced temperatures as low as -50°F, and within a matter of days, they soared to 50°F. We were relieved to have some snow cover on our wheat during the bitter cold, but now most of it has melted off.

This week, we had a discussion with Hodgeman Drainage, the team responsible for installing our ADS tile. With the break in the weather, they are considering coming out with an ATV to map the acres we plan on tiling after the wheat harvest in July. A month ago, I wouldn't have thought that option was possible.

Our offices are nearly finished. Last week, we installed the glass for the display cases and acquired the last of the shelves.

Currently, like thousands of other producers, we find ourselves in a holding pattern due to the recent ruling on dicamba. This ruling is causing turmoil in the agricultural retail and production world. Even with ruling, there are now even more unknowns for the 2024 growing season. We have had great success with the system, using approved tips and adjuvants while following guidelines. However, considering that 75% of cotton acreage in the U.S. is dicamba varieties, a ruling like this entering a growing season is not favorable, especially when profit margins are tight or non-existent, regardless of the crop being grown. Only time will tell, as they say.

Shop projects are in full swing. Our second planter is currently undergoing maintenance, and we are also focusing on polishing and servicing the tractor that pulls it. Regardless of the age or newness of our equipment, we strive to keep it in top-notch condition both mechanically and in appearance. It's just the way we operate.

I am in the process of finalizing all the trials we will be conducting in the fields this year. Learning is a crucial part of what makes farming enjoyable.   

Kevin Matthews - East Bend, North Carolina

Kevin Matthews and his wife, Cindy, are fourth-generation farmers in East Bend and Yadkinville, North Carolina. Matthews Family Farms, Deep Creek Grain, and Precision Nutrient Management farm corn, soybeans, wheat, and barley.

This past week, I had the opportunity to visit Brazil, and it has been an amazing agricultural experience. I strongly encourage you to put Brazil Agriculture on your bucket list. While in Brazil, I noticed a few things. The infrastructure is improving rapidly to move these massive crops, although much work is still needed compared to the U.S. The equipment was without DEF; however, we did see some on-the-road tractors, especially in Parana.

The equipment offered to farmers is much smaller, compared to the U.S. Planters were notably different, using strip till and dry fertilizer along with liquid in furrow. The majority had an 18-inch row spacing for corn and soybeans, with lots of precision. However, I did notice very little hydraulic down-force, mostly air, gas shocks, and springs for down pressure.

Sprayers were built smaller than those in the U.S. for the most part, allowing for lighter machines and more adaptability for smaller farms. In Mato Grosso, you can find very large equipment. However, we did not travel there. A visit to Spraytec to see and learn about the manufacturing and research process for their products was eye-opening. The quality, cleanliness of ingredients, and knowledge of the employees were hands down impressive.

I spent a day (needed two) at the largest farm show in Brazil, Show Rural. It was very interesting to see the layout, design, and meet other farmers from around the world. This was certainly a highlight. The show is much like Farm Progress Show without in-field demonstrations. There were so many crop displays of product performance trials, reminding me of the AgPhd field day in South Dakota – just a huge source of knowledge.

We had meetings with many agronomists who say there's no question that Mato Grosso is off 20 million tons of soybeans due to drought. However, south to Parana, things get much better. We saw some decent soybeans, great soybeans, and corn at various stages from planting to V4 behind soybeans.

The hospitality, food, and cleanliness of everywhere we traveled were just amazing. I learned so much from the farmers we visited, and I extend my thanks to all who allowed us to tour their farms and fields.

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XtremeAg.farm is a team of the nation's top producers who have come together to share their experience, expertise, knowledge, and farming practices with other farmers. Members get access to exclusive content from the team as well as one-on-one support for their own farming operation. Visit xtremeag.farm for more information.