Ep. 217: Christmas Special: Safety Net Truths, Farm Budgets, and Hard Decisions for 2026
Release Date: 12/19/2025
Talk Dirt to Me
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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In this weeks Talk Dirt To Me, Logan breaks down what it was like being filmed for a national documentary with Real News No Bullshit, giving a behind-the-scenes look at how the story came together and what it means for American agriculture. The guys dive into some major differences between Tennessee and California on the wild taxes and more! We also talk about internet haters, but not in the way you think. Logan and Bobby explain how trolls actually boost the algorithm, helping farmer content reach thousands more people. And when someone calls them “dumb,” Bobby Lee being a licensed...
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In this week’s episode of Talk Dirt to Me, Logan and Bobby Lee dive into a totally new world as they sit down with Tim McGreevy, CEO of USA Pulses. If you’ve ever wondered what pulses actually are, or why farmers across the country are adding them into their rotations. This conversation is a game changer. Tim breaks down everything from what pulses are (lentils, chickpeas, dry peas, and more) to how they’re grown, harvested, and marketed. Logan and Bobby Lee ask the hard-hitting farmer questions: What does it cost per acre? What kind of return can you expect? How do pulses perform...
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In this week’s Talk Dirt To Me, we open with a hard-hitting conversation every patriot needs to hear. Have we lost our American identity? Once upon a time, we all stood united under one flag. Today, it feels like that unity’s slipping away. But make no mistake, we’re still proud to be Americans, and we’re not afraid to say it loud! After diving deep into that discussion, we read a batch of listener emails covering everything from China trade deals and their real impact on current farm prices, to a Canadian cattleman’s startup costs, and even a listener asking, “What are the...
info_outlineMerry 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.
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