In this Farm4Fun episode, Zach Hefty and multi-time Farm4Profit favorite Tony Reed return to the show to preview the upcoming Ag PhD Field Day while sharing honest updates on one of the most challenging growing seasons many farmers have experienced.

The conversation begins with spring planting struggles, including Tony's incredible 15-plus inches of rainfall, multiple rounds of replanting, and fields ranging from freshly planted corn to chest-high corn—all within the same operation. Meanwhile, Zach discusses the opposite challenge in South Dakota: dry conditions and hoping for timely rains before Field Day.

The discussion then shifts to Ag PhD Field Day and what has made it one of agriculture's biggest educational experiences.

Topics include:

• Why Ag PhD Field Day is completely free to attend
• Research plots showcasing the latest agronomic practices
• Hands-on demonstrations with new equipment and technology
• High-yield farmer presentations from across North America
• "Crazy Trials" that test unconventional farming ideas
• Opportunities to interact with leading agricultural content creators
• Product demonstrations and ride-and-drive experiences
• Why education—not sales—is the focus of the event
• The logistics behind feeding more than 10,000 attendees
• Building an event that combines education, networking, and entertainment

The episode also includes plenty of laughs as the crew discusses anniversary gifts, old farm trucks, Cameo videos, Beater with a Heater, weather forecasting, and Tony Reed's legendary podcast appearances.

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Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

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Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

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In this What's Working in Ag segment, Tanner and Mikaya Spires from Spray Drone Network join Farm4Profit to explain how their platform is helping connect growers with qualified, licensed drone applicators across the country. What started as a simple question—"How do I find a reliable spray drone operator?"—has quickly grown into a nationwide network serving farmers, applicators, dealers, and industry professionals.

The discussion covers:

• How Spray Drone Network was created
• The rapid growth of spray drone applications across agriculture
• Why licensing and professionalism matter
• What farmers should ask before hiring a drone applicator
• The difference between being a drone pilot and being a professional applicator
• Finding qualified operators by location and application type
• Cover crops, fungicides, herbicides, specialty crops, and more
• The business side of running a drone application operation
• New opportunities for young entrepreneurs entering agriculture
• Education, training, and community-building within the drone industry
• The role of technology, software, and logistics in successful drone operations

Tanner and Mikaya also discuss the challenges facing new operators, including equipment setup, application knowledge, chemical handling, business management, and customer expectations. Their mission is simple: help grow the spray drone industry while ensuring farmers have access to trustworthy and qualified operators.

Whether you're a farmer looking for aerial application options, a custom applicator considering drones, or someone curious about the future of precision agriculture, this episode provides an inside look at one of the fastest-growing segments in ag technology.

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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

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

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Farm4Profit Media is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. Content is provided for informational purposes only, and we serve solely as a platform for third-party opinions. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk.

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The conversation explores the often-unseen world of product testing, field validation, software development, and farmer feedback that goes into launching new technology. Jared shares his unique role as a product tester, explaining how Ag Leader evaluates new products before they ever reach a customer's farm and how real-world farmer feedback helps shape final product decisions.

The group discusses:

• What ZRow is and how it improves corn head guidance during harvest
• Why row guidance still matters in a world of RTK and precision GPS
• How Ag Leader integrates with existing row sensing systems
• The product testing process from concept to commercial launch
• Ag Leader's internal "hackathon" innovation program
• Common challenges encountered during product development
• How farmer cooperators help validate new technology
• The evolution of precision agriculture since Ag Leader's yield monitor origins
• Why user interface and simplicity matter just as much as technology
• The importance of data collection and data utilization
• How AgFiniti connectivity is changing support and decision-making
• The future of autonomy, machine guidance, and precision farming
• Why today's successful producers must embrace innovation and continuous improvement

Beyond the technology discussion, the episode delivers a bigger message about modern agriculture: farms can no longer rely on "the way we've always done it." As margins tighten and operations become more complex, the producers who effectively leverage data, technology, and decision-making tools will be best positioned for long-term success.

Whether you're a technology enthusiast, an early adopter, or simply curious about how new precision ag tools are developed, this episode offers a fascinating look behind the scenes at one of agriculture's most influential technology companies.

Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!

https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc

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Farm4Profit Media is not a financial, legal, or tax advisor. Content is provided for informational purposes only, and we serve solely as a platform for third-party opinions. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.