Farm4Profit Podcast

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The Dryshod story starts well before the Dryshod name. Brad Hahn explains that he and his business partners had previously worked with the Muck Boot product line, while their partner Jim Donahue was the original creator behind Muck Boots. After their relationship with the brand ended in 2017, they called Jim about designing a new product. His response? He had been waiting years for the opportunity and already knew what he wanted to do differently. Dryshod launched with roughly 20–25 products and has since expanded to around 100 SKUs.
The conversation explores how rubber-neoprene boots evolved and what Dryshod says it changed in its designs. Brad walks through features including aggressive outsole designs intended to shed mud, heel kicks for easier removal, larger toe bumpers, EVA midsoles for shock absorption, internal shanks for support, four-way-stretch neoprene and Hydracoat, a treatment designed to keep the neoprene exterior from absorbing water and contaminants.
They also get into one of the biggest challenges with waterproof footwear: keeping feet comfortable. Brad explains how Dryshod uses air-mesh and moisture-management liners to create air movement inside a boot even though neoprene itself doesn't breathe. The newer Dereva outsole takes inspiration from athletic footwear and, according to Brad, removes roughly a pound of weight from a pair compared with older sole technology while maintaining durability.
From cattle lots and muddy fields to hunting, construction, oil fields and commercial fishing, the crew talks through how different jobs require different footwear—and why fit, support and traction matter when you're on your feet all day. Brad estimates roughly 55% of Dryshod's business is farm/ag-related and discusses specialized safety-toe and commercial products as well. The episode wraps with a simple piece of advice for anyone shopping for boots: take them out of the box, try them on and pay attention to fit, arch support and cushioning rather than choosing on price alone.

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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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Maya's U.S. story began when co-owner Justin Bruch discovered the corn head while farming in Ukraine and brought one back to Iowa. Rick Nelson eventually tried the head on his own family farm, became impressed with its construction and harvesting performance, and bought into the business around 2014. More than a decade later, Rick says the basic row-unit design has remained largely unchanged because the fundamentals were already right.
One of the biggest differences is the longer row unit. Maya can run the head flatter—around a 15- to 17-degree angle—and use longer snapping rolls operating around 500–550 RPM. Rick explains that the larger working area allows the plant to be pulled through the deck plates more slowly, which can reduce butt shelling compared with a shorter row unit that has to operate faster. Maya also manufactures most of its gearboxes and row-unit components in-house, which Rick credits for the head's durability and quality control.
Maintenance is another major selling point. Maya calls it an “annual maintenance head.” Beyond routine attention to components such as the combine drive-shaft U-joints and folding hinge points, Rick says a properly serviced head can generally run through the season without daily row-unit greasing. Its chopping option is designed for lower maintenance as well, with angled chopping action intended to reduce horsepower requirements while distributing residue evenly across the field.
Corey also shares his experience harvesting completely flattened corn after the 2020 Iowa derecho. Instead of installing a traditional corn reel, Maya's down-corn units replace selected snouts with units containing an additional gathering chain that runs up the center of the snoot. Farmers can install them only on the rows necessary, retain the ability to fold the head, and remove or resell the units afterward. Rick emphasizes that Maya isn't simply a down-corn head—the system is an added layer of “cheap insurance” when wind, disease, or other conditions put a standing crop on the ground.
Ultimately, Rick encourages farmers to evaluate total cost of ownership, not just purchase price. Maya offers a three-year unlimited-acre warranty, and Rick says he knows of multiple 16-row heads with more than 30,000 acres that have yet to replace a gearbox, row unit, or knife roller. His explanation of the philosophy behind the head is straightforward: it's built without planned obsolescence—“built how it used to be” and how he believes equipment should be built.

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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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FBN Finance was built around the idea that agricultural borrowers should have more of the transparency and convenience consumers have when shopping for financing. Dan explains that FBN combines a digital application process and visible pricing with agricultural credit professionals who understand the complexities of farm operations. That becomes increasingly important as farmers navigate higher borrowing costs and become more cautious about how much debt their operations can sustainably support.
For farmers with a farmland loan approaching a rate reset or balloon, Dan's advice starts before shopping for another lender: read the documents you already signed. Understand when the rate resets, whether there's a cap, what rate it would reset to today, and whether you can move between variable- and fixed-rate products. Starting early gives borrowers more time to compare alternatives and avoid getting trapped by deadlines, fees, or unfavorable terms.
The conversation also explores buying farmland in today's environment. Strategic parcels may only become available once in a generation, but higher rates make cash flow and leverage increasingly important. Farmers hoping to purchase their first or next farm can improve their readiness by maintaining an updated balance sheet, filing tax returns promptly, checking their credit, knowing all of their assets and debts, and developing realistic projections based on today's commodity prices—not optimistic assumptions. FBN also offers prequalification options so a borrower can be positioned to move quickly when the right property becomes available.
For operations already feeling financial pressure, the discussion gets more difficult but practical: evaluate whether every piece of equipment is necessary, understand profitability on owned and rented acres, examine grain-marketing opportunities, and prioritize the most expensive debt. Dan's recurring message is that time creates options. Whether you're refinancing, trying to buy the neighboring farm, or attempting to right-size an over-leveraged operation, addressing the situation early generally gives you more choices than waiting until a payment or maturity date forces the decision.

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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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Dan takes the guys inside his Northeast Iowa dairy, where his family milks nearly 200 Holsteins with three Lely A5 robots, an automated Lely Vector feeding system, and a Lely Calm calf feeder. Dan explains why automation isn't simply about replacing labor—it's about efficiency, lifestyle and allowing a relatively small dairy to produce millions of pounds of milk with very few employees. His philosophy is simple: technology won't turn a bad manager into a good one, but it can help turn a good manager into a great one.
They also discuss dairy genetics, beef-on-dairy calves, profitability and Dan's approach to agricultural advocacy. With an audience that extends well beyond agriculture, Dan believes farmers shouldn't be afraid of difficult conversations. His approach is “brutally honest transparency”—showing consumers what actually happens on a farm rather than assuming they can't handle uncomfortable truths about food production.
Then Dan shares the story that changed his family. While spot planting a wet field, Dan unknowingly pulled forward while his father was in front of the planter. When Dan looked in the mirror, he saw his dad on the ground and heard him barely say, “I got run over. Call 911.” What followed included an ambulance ride, Life Flight, emergency surgery, two weeks in the ICU and a long rehabilitation from devastating injuries. Dan shares the guilt, fear and “what ifs” surrounding the accident, while reminding farmers how quickly familiarity and routine around equipment can become dangerous.
Out of an experience that nearly ended in tragedy came an unexpected gift: Dan says his relationship with his dad is now the best it has ever been. His takeaway is one that extends far beyond farm safety—don't wait for something terrible to happen to say the things that matter.

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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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Farm margins are tight, but there are still programs designed to help producers invest in energy efficiency and infrastructure. Bethany from GDS Associates says EQIP continues to fund projects, while REAP had been paused as changes were made under the new administration. At the time of the interview, GDS said they were hearing REAP was expected to reopen in the fall.
One of the biggest takeaways is understanding the difference between the programs—and not starting too soon. With EQIP, Bethany advises producers not to change anything until they've received approval. REAP can offer more flexibility once a complete application is officially in the system. EQIP generally works from a defined list of eligible energy improvements, while REAP can accommodate a broader range of projects and technologies.
Those projects can include everything from high-efficiency grain dryers and replacing PTO augers with electric grain legs to dump pits, dairy robots, manure systems, poultry barn improvements, solar, wind, digesters, and geothermal. GDS stresses that not every technology makes financial sense on every farm, so the first step should be evaluating the economics rather than chasing a grant simply because money may be available.
GDS also provides energy audits, feasibility work, and grant writing. Before a farmer spends the money to pursue an application, the team can use USDA's scoring process to estimate how competitive the project may be. In several states, GDS says it even has funding available to provide some of these services at no cost. The goal is simple: determine whether the project makes financial sense, identify available assistance, and help farmers keep more money in their operation.

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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.