Dirt On Our Boots

Cutting maize and grass over about 1000ha for 70 dairy farmsnear Hamiliton, Jeremy knows a thing or two about keeping the wheels turning when the pressure is on. In this episode he explains to us what a grass-to-grass service is. How he makes the numbers work when his forage harvester depreciate $1500a day and what it’s like employing UK farm kids to drive his tractors for the summer. Growing up the son of UK agricultural machinery dealer through to now running his own contracting business in New Zealand, Jeremy has a wealth of knowledge about agriculture and business. He opens up to us about why the dealer is so important and why that was a massive part of swapping his fleet of New Hollands for Valtra's and Fendt's. We go into detail as to why they have fallen in love with Scandinavian design, and as to why the Valtra's have been the most reliable machinery he’s ever had on his business.https://jacksoncontracting.co.nz/

Mike Goodenough, a contract farm director in Oxfordshire, shares the gritty reality of running 2,800 hectares with just four Fendt tractors and five staff. From rising costs and failing GPS to why comfort matters more than horsepower, Mike doesn’t hold back.

Missouri farmers Kayla and Jason built their quality hay business from the ground up,starting with old equipment and constant repairs. In this episode of our podcast,we dive into their journey as a determined couple with a big vision, and how Massey Ferguson machinery has been a game-changer in boosting their farm's output.Now producing 50,000 small square bales a year, Kayla and Jason are a true inspiration for future first-generation farmers. Kayla has been sharing their journey on her YouTube channel, Chronicles of Kayla, and continues to inspire her growing audience of over 43,000 followers.Follow Kayla & Jason : Chronicles of Kayla - YouTube00:00Introduction to the Wazorek Family Farm02:52 TheJourney of Hay and Cattle Farming06:05Transitioning to Full-Time Farming09:07Quality Hay Production and Market Demand11:46Innovations in Hay Handling Equipment14:58Challenges and Rewards of Farming Life19:30 TheImpact of Farming on Community and Livestock22:04Raising the Next Generation of Farmers23:50 FirstGeneration Farmers: Challenges and Triumphs29:14 TheEvolution of Farming Equipment30:52Future Aspirations in Farming35:06 TheRole of Social Media in Agriculture39:08 TheEssence of Farming: Passion and Commitment

Between milking 115 cows of his own, helping on the family’s other farms and running feed mill as well as an ag dealership, Dwayne has his hands full, while understanding what it’s like to be on both sides of the buying decision. Dwayne takes us through the challenges of running a small farm in the modern world, where equipment prices have more than doubled while the value of his product has stayed flat. As well as how he ended up running a ag dealership, the pitfalls of forgetting the smaller customers, and why renting machinery can be a great way to introduce customers to new machinery they may never have thought of buying before.

Ellen Rydbeck is a 5th generation farmer who inherited the 250ha organic farm from her mother. Having graduated from university with a degree in Supply Chain Management, she worked around the world in different IT and consultancy companies. In 2019 she decided it was time to head back to her roots and went to work for her mother on the farm, before becoming the sole owner and manager of the farm in 2020. In this Dirt on our Boots podcast episode we talk about the power of mothers as senior advisors, the challenges in sustainable farming, and why farm machinery is not designed for women. Do you hate PTO shafts and want to know more about our PTO Tool? Find out more here - PTO Tool

Raising about 40 momma and baby cows as a part-time farmer on about 80 acres, Caleb talks to us about what his journey has been like purchasing his own land and starting his own operation. Using his day job in the town to support his farms growth, he’s working to ensure he has something to pass down to the next generation.   Having grown up in a family which has been working on the land since the American Revolution, farming has been a big part of his life. Caleb talks openly about the challenges and stresses of making the investments needed to get up and running and the importance of having great people around to guide, mentor and help through the journey. As well as how share farming has helped him to be able to afford the investment.

Chad, a man who vowed to never farm, and married someone who felt the same. Yet, here they are farming 4500-acres (1800 hectares) in Minnesota.  Celebrating 75 years of family farming, Chad shares the journey of innovation and bold decision-making that sets the farm apart. He reveals his experience with different tractor manufacturers and why his bond with Fendt tractors is like nothing else he's known before.