In this episode of the Growers Mineral Podcast, we sit down with Jerry Stutzman, a Missouri-based farmer with deep experience in row cropping, pasture management, and non-conventional farming practices. Jerry shares his journey—from raising commercial chickens in Kentucky to transitioning into more pasture-based operations in Missouri.

Learn why Jerry believes in thinking outside the box, what led him to Growers Mineral Solutions, and how he's navigating today’s agricultural challenges with a practical, open-minded approach.

🟢 Topics Covered:

Row crop vs. pasture-based farming
Starting with commercial poultry
Why timing is key in cattle farming
Partnering with Growers Mineral Solutions
Lessons from years of adapting and experimenting

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In this episode, host Jim Halbeisen is joined by Chris Kohls in the field with longtime Growers customer Jeff Miller and district manager Loren Scherping. They discuss drone foliar feeding, the importance of forage quality, calcium applications, and how Growers Mineral fits into real-world farming practices.

🔹 Topics include:
• 125+ years of family dairy farming
• Feeding Growers to dairy cows
• Pop-up fertilizer and seed placement
• Using drones for foliar feeding
• High-calcium lime and soil health
• Transitioning from dairy to beef
• Minnesota weather and crop conditions
• Fresh meat market & cattle pricing

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In this episode of the Growers Mineral Podcast, we sit down with Keith Shutt, a lime spreader and independent operator based in Minto, North Dakota, just south of the Canadian border. Keith shares how he built his business around applying sugar beet lime and why calcium is still one of the most misunderstood elements in modern agriculture—especially in high pH calcareous soils like those found in the Red River Valley.

We discuss:

• How Keith got started in lime spreading
• The science and strategy behind applying 10 tons per acre
• Why soil tests can be misleading in calcareous regions
• How calcium affects soil structure, oxygen levels, and crop health
• The role of Growers Mineral Solutions in improving nutrient uptake and yield
• Real-world results from ND farms using lime and low-input systems

Whether you're a farmer, agronomist, or just curious about improving soil health, this conversation offers valuable insight into how balancing calcium can transform both your soil and your bottom line.

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🎙 From the Barn to the Field: Eddie Jantzi on Forage Quality, Calcium, and Simpler Farming

In this episode, we head north to Ontario to visit with long-time Growers user and dairyman Eddie Jantzi. Eddie shares what it's like managing a 65-cow dairy operation and how he's simplified his crop program without sacrificing results.

We talk: ✅ Why forage quality matters more than yield
✅ How phosphorus showed up in his forage without applying any
✅ Using eggshells as a local calcium source
✅ The role of RO water in foliar feeding
✅ His corn and hay rotation strategy
✅ Reducing nitrogen while keeping yields strong
✅ Why he hasn’t sprayed for pests in years

If you're a dairy farmer, agronomist, or just curious about sustainable crop nutrition, this episode is full of practical insight.

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In this episode, we sit down with Gerald Hursh, a long-time Growers customer and Lancaster County farmer with deep roots in both crop production and custom spraying. Gerald shares stories from his recent flood relief trip to Kentucky, offers practical tips for frost protection, and weighs in on the challenges and changes in modern agriculture—from nitrogen overuse to the bird flu outbreak affecting poultry growers.

With decades of experience, Gerald talks about:

The economics of farming in PA, where land goes for up to $60K an acre
How his church group stepped up to help flood victims
Why dry fertilizer might be hurting more than helping
His longtime use of Growers Mineral Solutions
And the quiet but serious impacts of Avian Flu

Whether you're a Growers customer or just interested in honest farm talk from the field, this episode is full of real-world insight.

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In this episode, Jim Halbeisen and James Schiltz break down the science, strategy, and real-world success behind foliar feeding—a core part of the Growers Program.

You’ll learn:
✅ Why phosphorus fuels plant energy
✅ How calcium improves soil structure and biology
✅ When and how to apply foliar sprays for maximum effect
✅ Why water quality matters (and how to use the jar test)
✅ Real examples from growers using foliar feeding to overcome stress, drought, and poor soil

Whether you're growing sweet corn, peaches, or row crops—this episode explains how foliar feeding doesn’t just feed the plant, it powers up the entire soil system.

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In this episode, we sit down with Ohio farmer Mike Bulcher, whose family has used the Growers program since 1958. Mike shares how a chance encounter with soil expert Doc Tiedjens changed everything—introducing a radical idea at the time: “If you don’t like your soil, you can change it.”

From applying lime at surprising rates to foliar feeding techniques and soil biology, Mike walks us through decades of practical experience on his corn, soybean, hay, and cattle farm. He explains why Growers remains his go-to fertilizer—and how the results continue to speak for themselves.

If you're a farmer looking to improve your soil health, reduce input costs, and hear from someone who’s done it for generations, this episode is for you.

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Growers Mineral April Call | Calf Barn Setup, Frost Protection, High-Brix Strawberries & More

In this month’s Growers Mineral Conference Call, we cover real-world results and insights from the field just in time for spring. Mike Bulcher and his son Chad share their experience raising over 300 bottle calves using a low-stress, group-feeding setup—and how Growers Mineral Solutions fits into their feeding protocol. Chad breaks down vaccination schedules, feeding routines, and how he's building toward full-time farming.

Later, Phil Neal highlights the success of Ohio vegetable and berry grower Joel Burns, who’s using RO water, high-calcium lime, and foliar applications of Growers to achieve outstanding quality in strawberries, spinach, sweet corn, and more. Hear how Joel is getting 28% Brix sweet corn and premium produce that's flying off the shelves.

Bruce Stephens closes out the episode with an update on chlorine dioxide as a potential low-cost, non-toxic fungicide alternative. Plus, Jim Halbeisen and Marty Whitsitt discuss the latest on frost protection and what growers can do to protect their crops during unpredictable spring weather.

Topics Covered:

• Raising bottle calves with Growers Mineral
• Frost protection strategies for peaches and strawberries
• High-Brix sweet corn and strawberries using RO water and foliar feeding
• Real results from the field with Growers Mineral Solutions
• Chlorine dioxide as a fungicide alternative
• Soil health and calcium management

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