In an industry driven by razor-thin margins, volatile markets, and rising input costs, mid-market cattle producers often face a simple truth: expertise matters more than luck.

In this episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, we welcome Todd Drake, CEO of Balance4Ward — a company dedicated to helping cattle feeders break out of the “daily grind” and build intentional, profitable, and sustainable operations. Balance4Ward is built on decades of real-world cattle feeding experience and a mission to empower producers with both strategy and execution.

Todd shares:

Balance4Ward’s origin story — how hands-on cattle feeding experience led to solutions for mid-market feeders rather than generic advice.

Why traditional cattle feeding models leave producers chasing short-term wins instead of building long-term strength.

How the company developed Cattle Business Systems — a transparent, coaching-based approach where producers have access to expert guidance, custom planning, and monthly check-ins.

What practical value advisory and coaching adds — from back office clarity to production decisions that preserve margins and unlock profit potential.

Why Balance4Ward combines data, people, and experience into a system that lets feeders call the shots, rather than follow generic prescription models.

The evolution of the company into feed delivery, ration formulation, onsite consulting, blended feed, and strategic coaching designed to help operations compete with the biggest players.

Whether you’re an established feeder or a producer looking to scale smarter, Todd’s insights show why a systematic, coachable approach — not guesswork — is what it takes to thrive long-term.

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Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

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Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

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From copper wire and irrigation pumps to fencing and remote electrical systems, thieves are targeting farms more aggressively than ever — driven by rising metal prices and the reality that rural law enforcement is stretched thin.

We dig into:

Why agricultural crime is surging across the U.S.

What thieves are stealing most — and why farms are uniquely vulnerable

The true cost of theft beyond scrap value (downtime, crop loss, repairs, and missed irrigation)

Why traditional tools like trail cameras and motion lights often fail in remote areas

How new technology is shifting security from reactive to proactive

Bobby also shares how real-time theft detection systems like COP-R-LOCK can pinpoint theft instantly, trigger on-site alarms, and provide alerts fast enough to actually stop criminals before the damage is done.

With repair costs ranging from $20,000 to $90,000, this conversation is about more than stolen copper — it’s about protecting your farm’s productivity, infrastructure, and long-term resilience.

Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!

https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

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In this episode of Farm4Profit, we sit down with Lance Weaver, a Texas native, former ag banker, and now business coach with Legacy Farmer, to talk about what really happens behind the scenes in agricultural lending — and what farmers need to understand to protect their operations.

After earning degrees in Ag Business and Ag Economics and spending over a decade in ag finance, Lance reached a breaking point. Despite good intentions, he realized the system wasn’t built to serve farmers the way they thought it was.

We dig into:

The moment Lance said, “I can’t do this anymore as a banker”

Why loan officers don’t always have your back in loan committee meetings

Red flags in both farm financials and bank relationships

Why balance sheets, cash flow, and production knowledge must align

The danger of confusing bank renewals with actual profitability

How farmers can start thinking — and operating — like CEOs of multimillion-dollar businesses

What Legacy Farmer does differently to help producers build clarity, structure, and long-term resilience

This episode challenges farmers to take ownership of their numbers, their leadership role, and their future — because the bank will always protect its own interests, but your farm needs someone protecting yours.

Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!

https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc

Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

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