Breaking Barriers with R&D
Lifelong farmers and founders of Total Acre, Randy Dowdy and David Hula share their Breaking Barriers agronomic insights to challenge farmers to think differently. While known for growing record-breaking corn and soybean yields, their primary focus is maximizing profits on every acre. Learn from the duo to focus on continual, measurable improvement on your farm.
The answers to which hybrids, products and practices paid off may already be in your fields. The trick is stopping long enough to find them, say David Hula and Randy Dowdy.
Yield champions Randy Dowdy and David Hula saw hybrid performance differ significantly this season in the same fields under the same management practices. Their evaluation process went beyond yield and can help corn growers working on their seed decisions for 2027.
From combine automation to upgrades on a 13-year old planter, Virginia farmer David Hula shares the technologies he’s testing to protect yields and unlock the next generation of crop production.
Family partnership, peer groups and open-door networking have shaped Jake Drozd’s belief that farmers get better together.
David Hula and Randy Dowdy explain why precise seed spacing is no longer a requirement just for high corn yields.
He says a simple ratchet strap and an open-furrow diagnostic strategy help him achieve the best planting depth and seed germination.
From planting depth to using low-salt in-furrow products, David Hula and Randy Dowdy detail management practices that help drive uniform, rapid emergence and early growth.
From rethinking plant populations and fertility to SCO/ECO coverage, the two high-yield farmers share their plans for managing ongoing volatility.