In this episode of Talk Dirt To Me, Logan Hanks and Bobby Lee are packing their bags and heading west to California for the American Farm Bureau National Convention, where they'll be performing a live podcast on Saturday, January 10th representing everyday farmers on a national stage. You can live stream it at FB.org! It's at 3pm PST.

But this episode isn't about glitz. It's about reality.

Logan breaks down what the farm economy really looks like heading into 2026, and it's not pretty. After putting pencil to paper, even with drastically cut input costs, reduced equipment expenses, and average yields, the profit margins are razor-thin, barely enough to keep most operations alive. This is the side of farming no one wants to talk about.

The guys also tackle California agriculture, sharing why they have deep respect for the farmers who choose to stay and fight for food production in a state that has made it increasingly difficult to operate. Politics may be broken, but California farmers aren't giving up.

Then things get even more interesting…

There are strong rumblings of a large government farm payment coming this fall, and Logan and Bobby break down what it could mean.

Finally, they wrap with listener questions, including one that's got people wondering:

Can you legally list a friend as the operator of your farm for a year to reset USDA beginner loan eligibility?

That question alone could change how some farms survive.

The Made in America segment this week features Fill-Rite Nozzles — rugged, American-made equipment farmers depend on when it matters most.

If you want the truth about American agriculture, not the press-release version, this episode delivers it.

Go check out Agzaga! It is the ultimate online farm store. American owned and operated. Go check out their site and get what you need. Be sure to use the code TalkDirt20 to get $20 off your order of $50 or more! Visit them at: https://agzaga.com

👉 Listen now, hit subscribe, and leave Logan and Bobby Lee a 5-star review to keep the dirt talk rolling every week!

Follow us on social media:

Talk Dirt to Me Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/talkdirtpodcast/

Bobby Lee: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=hurricane%20creek%20farms

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hurricanecreekfarm/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/c/HurricaneCreekFarms

Logan: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/LHFarmsTN

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/lo.hanks/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqYpTjKQtOMABFOc2Aw3_Ow

We wrap up 2025 the only way real farmers can, by telling the truth about what worked, what didn't, and what it actually took to survive another year in agriculture.

In this episode of Talk Dirt To Me, Logan Hanks and Bobby Lee Hanks go back through the goals we set at the beginning of 2025 and give a brutally honest breakdown of whether we hit them or missed them. From hay production to cattle performance, equipment costs, and what it really takes to keep a farm moving forward, nothing is sugar-coated.

From there, we roll straight into our 2026 game plan. We talk about increasing hay output, tightening up cattle health and death loss, cutting waste and equipment expenses, and continuing to scale up production of our homemade sauerkraut at the farm store. These aren't just goals on paper. They're the moves that decide whether a family farm grows or disappears.

Toward the end of the episode, Bobby Lee also weighs in on the recent Tucker Carlson interview about veterinary medicine, pulling back the curtain on what the public doesn't see and what those conversations get right and wrong about the realities of animal health, regulations, and modern livestock care.

We also highlight this week's Made in USA product, the Scrusher Boot Brush, a simple but essential tool for anyone who lives in mud, manure, and real work.

To everyone who's been riding with us through 2025, thank you! We hope you and your families have a strong, healthy, and prosperous 2026.

Go check out Agzaga! It is the ultimate online farm store. American owned and operated. Go check out their site and get what you need. Be sure to use the code TalkDirt20 to get $20 off your order of $50 or more! Visit them at: https://agzaga.com

👉 Listen now, hit subscribe, and leave Logan and Bobby Lee a 5-star review to keep the dirt talk rolling every week!

Follow us on social media:

Talk Dirt to Me Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/talkdirtpodcast/

Bobby Lee: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=hurricane%20creek%20farms

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hurricanecreekfarm/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/c/HurricaneCreekFarms

Logan: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/LHFarmsTN

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/lo.hanks/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqYpTjKQtOMABFOc2Aw3_Ow

Logan and Bobby Lee close out the year with one hell of a story, the track hoe buyer from hell.

Logan finally sells his Deere 200 excavator, but not before dealing with one of the most relentless, nit-picking, deal-almost-killing buyers you've ever heard of. If you've ever sold farm equipment or negotiated machinery, this story will feel painfully familiar.

We also hit listener questions, including:

• Made-in-USA company suggestions we were shocked we hadn't already featured

• A powerful message explaining how putting your farm in your wife's name could unlock major USDA and FSA advantages

• And a separate insight on how taking a year off from filing a Schedule F could potentially let you start over as a Beginning Farmer and regain access to key benefits

Logan also shares why he wonders if his New York Times interview will ever see the light of day.

Our Made-in-America spotlight this week is Mossberg Firearms, one of the most iconic American gun manufacturers still building tough, reliable firearms right here in the USA.

This is our final episode of the year; gritty, honest, and exactly how Talk Dirt To Me does it.

Go check out Agzaga! It is the ultimate online farm store. American owned and operated. Go check out their site and get what you need. Be sure to use the code TalkDirt20 to get $20 off your order of $50 or more! Visit them at: https://agzaga.com

👉 Listen now, hit subscribe, and leave Logan and Bobby Lee a 5-star review to keep the dirt talk rolling every week!

Follow us on social media:

Talk Dirt to Me Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/talkdirtpodcast/

Bobby Lee: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=hurricane%20creek%20farms

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hurricanecreekfarm/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/c/HurricaneCreekFarms

Logan: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/LHFarmsTN

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/lo.hanks/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqYpTjKQtOMABFOc2Aw3_Ow

Merry Christmas from Talk Dirt To Me, and this one isn't sugar-coated.

In our Christmas episode, Logan and Bobby Lee dive headfirst into the realities facing American farmers right now, cutting through the feel-good talking points and getting brutally honest about what actually works and what doesn't.

We start with a no-BS breakdown of crop insurance, explaining why it's not the safety net many farmers believe it is, especially for young, growing, or expanding operations without long-term APH history. We walk through the federal regulations that quietly punish growth and explain why relying on insurance alone can leave farmers exposed when they need help the most.

Next, we do something most people won't:
A live, on-air farm budget breakdown.
We compare standard high-input farming costs versus a stripped-down, lean input/equipment approach to see if farming can still be profitable in today's environment. The results may surprise you and they raise serious questions about how operations must adapt moving forward.

We also challenge listeners to stop waiting around and start making proactive changes now to survive what's coming. If you're not planning for 2026, you're already behind.

Made in America Spotlight: This episode features Hogue Grips, an American-made icon in the firearms world. Logan shares the story of his 1911 with Grim Reaper Hogue grips, while Bobby Lee questions his cartel involvement.

If you're a farmer, rancher, or someone who cares about the future of American agriculture, this episode is mandatory listening.

Go check out Agzaga! It is the ultimate online farm store. American owned and operated. Go check out their site and get what you need. Be sure to use the code TalkDirt20 to get $20 off your order of $50 or more! Visit them at: https://agzaga.com

👉 Listen now, hit subscribe, and leave Logan and Bobby Lee a 5-star review to keep the dirt talk rolling every week!

Follow us on social media:

Talk Dirt to Me Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/talkdirtpodcast/

Bobby Lee: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=hurricane%20creek%20farms

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hurricanecreekfarm/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/c/HurricaneCreekFarms

Logan: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/LHFarmsTN

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/lo.hanks/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqYpTjKQtOMABFOc2Aw3_Ow

In this week's Talk Dirt To Me episode, we're joined by a special guest: Drew Hanks, Bobby Lee's little brother, fellow veterinarian and cattleman, fresh off his trip to the 2024 National Finals Rodeo (NFR). We dive deep into everything happening in Vegas, from the arena floor drama to the behind-the-scenes issues most fans never hear about.

Drew breaks down what it was really like attending the NFR this year! We then discuss some of the latest happenings with it. Of course, we get into the Stetson Wright Night 6 debacle, the decision that shook the rodeo world, and why fans are divided about what really went down.

Drew explains the EHV-1 outbreak (horse herpes) that has hit while the NFR is happening and the biosecurity measures veterinarians and stock contractors are taking to prevent disaster. This is a rare behind-the-scenes look at rodeo animal health from someone who actually was there.

We shift gears into agriculture news and break down the newly announced $11 billion USDA farmer assistance plan.
Spoiler: we don't think it's anywhere close to a bailout.
We explain why the numbers fall short, what farmers are actually facing, and how far off Washington is from understanding the real problem on the ground.

Drew closes the show with a wild piece of ag/livestock history; his wife's family, Reese Bro. Mules, one of the most legendary names in the mule world. They've sold mules to celebrities like Tommy Lee Jones, and Drew gives us a look into the culture, breeding, and tradition behind this iconic family business.

Go check out Agzaga! It is the ultimate online farm store. American owned and operated. Go check out their site and get what you need. Be sure to use the code TalkDirt20 to get $20 off your order of $50 or more! Visit them at: https://agzaga.com

👉 Listen now, hit subscribe, and leave Logan and Bobby Lee a 5-star review to keep the dirt talk rolling every week!

Follow us on social media:

Talk Dirt to Me Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/talkdirtpodcast/

Bobby Lee: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=hurricane%20creek%20farms

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hurricanecreekfarm/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/c/HurricaneCreekFarms

Logan: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/LHFarmsTN

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/lo.hanks/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqYpTjKQtOMABFOc2Aw3_Ow

In honor of the NFR, we're bringing back one of the most badass rodeo conversations ever recorded. This is a special throwback episode from Logan's old show, because when the National Finals Rodeo is happening, there's no better time to revisit a story like this.

In this episode, Logan is joined by Tim O'Connell, the 3x World Champion Bareback Rider and one of the most dominant cowboy athletes in modern rodeo. Rodeo runs deep in Tim's blood, and you'll hear that from the very beginning of his journey.

Tim walks us through his early days as a bull rider, the pivotal wreck that made him realize bull riding wasn't his future, and the moment he shifted into the bareback world—where he ultimately became a champion. We talk about the mindset, the injuries, the physical toll, the adrenaline, and what it actually takes to compete at the highest level in rodeo.

You'll hear about:
• Tim's start in rodeo
• The brutal bull riding wreck that changed his direction
• Why bareback riding "clicked" and how he found his groove
• What the bareback rigging actually does to your body
• How elite cowboy athletes train and stay in the fight
• Insights into the rodeo lifestyle during NFR season

Tim completely opened our eyes to the reality of professional rodeo, the cowboy culture, and the grit it takes to be the best in the world. With the NFR in full swing, We figured there's no better time to bring this story back to life.

A brand new episode will still drop Friday morning, but enjoy this special NFR-week release with one of the greatest bareback riders to ever do it.

Go check out Agzaga! It is the ultimate online farm store. American owned and operated. Go check out their site and get what you need. Be sure to use the code TalkDirt20 to get $20 off your order of $50 or more! Visit them at: https://agzaga.com

👉 Listen now, hit subscribe, and leave Logan and Bobby Lee a 5-star review to keep the dirt talk rolling every week!

Follow us on social media:

Talk Dirt to Me Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/talkdirtpodcast/

Bobby Lee: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=hurricane%20creek%20farms

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hurricanecreekfarm/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/c/HurricaneCreekFarms

Logan: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/LHFarmsTN

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/lo.hanks/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqYpTjKQtOMABFOc2Aw3_Ow

In this week's episode of Talk Dirt To Me, Logan and Bobby Lee start the show talking Stranger Things plus how insanely wild 1980s movie age ratings were. You know the ones, movies rated PG that somehow slipped in nudity, language, and scenes that would 100% be R today. It's a hilarious look at how different things were back then.

Next, we jump into listener questions, beginning with a deep dive into Bobby Lee's cattle feeding ration. He breaks down exactly what he's feeding, the results he's seeing, and why he may be changing up his ration formula moving forward. Great insights for anyone running cattle or trying to improve efficiency.

From there, Logan discusses a certain man online promoting a "cheap corn hybrid" he claims is performing great… while conveniently skipping over his lengthy history of fraud, scams, and shady business practices. Farmers thinking about bargain seed will want to hear this one.

Then we dig into a hot topic:
Is it actually profitable to grow your own hay, or is it smarter to buy it?

That leads into a bigger debate:
Which would be easier to step into from scratch; managing a herd of 100 head of cattle or farming 500 acres of row crop from start to finish?
Logan and Bobby Lee compare workload, risk, equipment, cash flow, and learning curve to give a no-BS answer.

Finally, Logan shares the full story of the big buck he recently killed, including the score, and the hunt.

If you're into farming, cattle, row crop economics, hunting, rural life, or just good conversations, this episode has something for you.

Go check out Agzaga! It is the ultimate online farm store. American owned and operated. Go check out their site and get what you need. Be sure to use the code TalkDirt20 to get $20 off your order of $50 or more! Visit them at: https://agzaga.com

👉 Listen now, hit subscribe, and leave Logan and Bobby Lee a 5-star review to keep the dirt talk rolling every week!

Follow us on social media:

Talk Dirt to Me Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/talkdirtpodcast/

Bobby Lee: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=hurricane%20creek%20farms

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hurricanecreekfarm/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/c/HurricaneCreekFarms

Logan: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/LHFarmsTN

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/lo.hanks/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqYpTjKQtOMABFOc2Aw3_Ow

In this Thanksgiving episode of Talk Dirt To Me, Logan and Bobby Lee dig into the truth behind Thanksgiving food traditions and why turkey wasn't actually the star of the original feast. We talk family, food, and the surprising history behind what early Americans really ate.

We also open up about gratitude during tough times, and how even in a challenging year, farmers and rural families have more to be thankful for than we often realize.

Then we dive into listener questions, covering:

• Best corn seed brands & varieties to plant across different farms

• Marriage advice for soon-to-be newlyweds

• Why you shouldn't aim for "home runs" in farm marketing

• The importance of consistent singles and doubles to build long-term success

Our Made in the USA company of the week is ScentThief, an innovative American brand changing the game in scent control.

Whether you're sitting around the Thanksgiving table or in the tractor cab, this episode brings perspective, humor, and real-world farm wisdom.

Go check out Agzaga! It is the ultimate online farm store. American owned and operated. Go check out their site and get what you need. Be sure to use the code TalkDirt20 to get $20 off your order of $50 or more! Visit them at: https://agzaga.com

👉 Listen now, hit subscribe, and leave Logan and Bobby Lee a 5-star review to keep the dirt talk rolling every week!

Follow us on social media:

Talk Dirt to Me Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/talkdirtpodcast/

Bobby Lee: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=hurricane%20creek%20farms

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hurricanecreekfarm/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/c/HurricaneCreekFarms

Logan: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/LHFarmsTN

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/lo.hanks/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqYpTjKQtOMABFOc2Aw3_Ow