As fungicide season approaches, Randy Dowdy and David Hula welcome aerial applicator Matt Crabbe for a deep dive into spray application technology. Fresh off a multi-day "Operation Safe Fly" demonstration, Crabbe compares drones, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft, sharing surprising results on droplet size, spray drift, swath width, and canopy penetration. The conversation also covers weather challenges across the Corn Belt, crop conditions, disease pressure, and why proper application coverage can make or break returns in a tight-margin year. Whether you're considering drone applications or relying on traditional aerial spraying, this episode offers practical insights to help maximize every acre.

Learn More About Matt Crabbe Aviation Here: https://mattcrabbeaviation.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Randy Dowdy and David Hula compare notes from recent crop tours across the Corn Belt and discuss what they're seeing in fields from Georgia to Nebraska. From improved planting depths and stronger root development to concerns about moisture, nutrient uptake, and crown health, the duo shares practical observations that could impact yield potential throughout the growing season.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Randy Dowdy and David Hula dive into the agronomic details that separate average crops from exceptional ones. From planter setup and seed depth to fertility placement, irrigation strategies, and crop protection, the duo shares real-world observations gathered while visiting growers across Kentucky, Delaware, Georgia, and beyond.

They discuss why uniform emergence remains one of the biggest drivers of profitability, how growers are adapting to dry conditions and changing weather patterns, and why attention to detail matters more than ever in today’s high-cost environment. Randy and David also break down in-season nitrogen strategies, the importance of protecting root systems, and how irrigation can be used as a management tool far beyond simply supplying water.

Plus, the conversation touches on grower networking, learning from early adopters, managing crop stress during hot and cloudy conditions, and preparing for disease pressure later in the season.

Whether you’re planting late, side-dressing nitrogen, or evaluating fungicide timing, this episode delivers practical insights to help farmers think differently and focus on measurable improvement across every acre.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Breaking Barriers, Randy Dowdy and David Hula sit down with Todd Dale of Estes Performance Concaves for an in-depth conversation about combine performance, harvest efficiency, and protecting yield potential.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Breaking Barriers with R&D, Randy Dowdy and David Hula break down the harsh reality farmers are facing across the country right now—extreme weather swings that are already impacting the 2026 crop. From severe drought in the South to flooded fields in the North, this season is shaping up to be a story of “haves and have-nots.” With some growers stopping planting altogether due to dry conditions, while others are battling excess moisture, the challenges are stacking up fast. Despite the uncertainty, the message is clear: control what you can early, and adjust as the season unfolds.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Randy Dowdy and David Hula challenge farmers to rethink traditional practices and focus on what truly drives performance and profitability.

Too often, operations fall into routine—doing things the way they’ve always been done. But the most successful farmers separate themselves by being intentional, disciplined, and data-driven in every decision they make.

Randy and David dig into the importance of proactive management, dialing in input efficiency, and focusing on return on investment—not just yield. They also emphasize the power of mindset, accountability, and eliminating excuses by concentrating on controllable factors.

The episode reinforces that success isn’t about one big change—it’s about stacking small, consistent improvements that compound over time into major gains.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode blends technical farming strategies with personal stories from the field. Randy shares the pride and connection built through his son Easton’s hunting success, highlighting the importance of family traditions alongside farm life. David breaks down the precision practices behind high yields, including tissue sampling, early stand establishment, and overcoming equipment challenges.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, lifelong farmers and Total Acre founders Randy Dowdy and David Hula share practical agronomic insights designed to challenge farmers to think differently about productivity and profitability. While widely recognized for producing record-breaking corn and soybean yields, their true focus is maximizing profit on every acre through continual, measurable improvement.

Randy and David tackle the realities of modern farming—from the frustrations and occasional wins of new technology to the mounting pressure of rising input costs like seed, fertilizer, and equipment. The episode dives deep into the advantages of strip-till systems, sharing real-world experiences with soybeans, cover crops, fertilizer placement, and equipment setups that improve efficiency in challenging field conditions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.