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Inside an Organic Row Crop Operation: Markets, Mistakes & Mindset with Reece Klug [episode 79]


header graphic Hidden Opportunities in Hard Times: A Conversation with Kim Barker [episode 76]

Listen to Inside an Organic Row Crop Operation: Markets, Mistakes & Mindset with Reece Klug on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Your platform of choice  



At a time when conventional row crop margins are under heavy pressure, John sits down with Reece Klug to explore a very different path. Reece farms with his family in eastern Nebraska, running both conventional and organic acres alongside a feedlot operation. In this conversation, they dig into what an organic row crop operation actually looks like in practice, beyond the buzzwords and assumptions.


Reece shares how their operation transitioned acres into organic production, the mistakes they made along the way, and the mindset shift required to move away from input-driven systems toward biology, rotations, and management. They discuss soil health changes over time, integrating cover crops and grazing, certification requirements, and how organic grain markets really work. With real numbers and honest comparisons, this episode highlights why organic production has dramatically improved profitability per acre for their operation, even through challenging market cycles.


In this episode, Inside an Organic Row Crop Operation: Markets, Mistakes & Mindset with Reece Klug, we cover: 

  • What the three-year organic transition really looks like in practice

  • Yield changes, input reductions, and how profitability compares to conventional crops

  • How cover crops and grazing fit into an organic row crop system

  • Organic grain markets, pricing, and working directly with buyers

  • Certification requirements, audits, and record-keeping realities


Meet Reece:

Reece is an organic corn, soybean, wheat, and alfalfa farmer near Columbus, Nebraska. He also helps his family's feedlot operation and manages the family farm. He uses cover crops for grazing and weed management in the organic rotation. He started the organic journey in 2019 and has transitioned some acres to organic every year.

  

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More about the Ranchonomics podcast:  

Welcome to Ranchonomics, where we empower you to build a better ranch and transform your operation into a thriving business. This podcast is brought to you by Ranch Right LLC, and together we will look at essential strategies, mindsets, and processes needed to take command of your financials and master the business metrics that make all the difference. If you are ready to start winning at ranching, then you are in the right spot. 


With each episode of Ranchonomics, you will hear inspiring success stories, gain simple yet powerful financial literacy tips, and listen to insightful interviews with industry experts and real-life practitioners. 


Whether you are a seasoned rancher or just starting out, we believe that managing a ranch shouldn't mean drowning in paperwork or missing out on valuable opportunities. Our mission is to help you see the link between your daily ranching operations and your financials that allow you to go from chaos to clarity and achieve your goals. 


Join us as we explore the intersection of ranching and finance, helping you understand your numbers and make informed decisions that propel your business forward. 

Subscribe now and start your path to a more profitable, less stressful ranching experience with Ranchonomics. It's time to harness the full potential of your operation. 

 

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