Podcast — Innovation
Hay Kings: Policy Parity & The 95% Succession with Mike Stefan (Episode 107)
In this episode of the Hay Kings podcast, Jon Paul Driver explores the radical management strategies of the Stefan Hay Company in New York. Operating in a high-moisture environment that requires intensive tiling and a low-debt approach, the Stefans offer a masterclass in modernizing the family farm.
The discussion centers on two critical pillars: farm policy and transition planning. Mike Stefan shares his 95/5 succession model, in which he transferred nearly all LLC ownership to his sons in their early 20s to avoid the stagnation that can occur when the next generation waits too long to build equity. On the policy front, the conversation offers a neutral look at the divide between hay and row crops. They weigh the benefits of a free-market approach against the need for parity, suggesting that improved insurance programs—rather than distorting direct payments—may be the key to a level playing field for the nation’s third-largest crop.
🎙 Hosted by Jon Paul Driver
🤝 Sponsored by Krone — Dedicated to Hay and Forage Producers
🔗 Listen at hay-kings.com
Hay Kings: HayCon to Hay Exports (S9:E2)
Jesse Bounds joins Jon Paul Driver to talk about HayCon 2025 in Las Vegas, the state of the hay export market, and why connection and adaptability matter more than ever.
Hay Kings: Turning a Wet Start Into a Winning Forage Season (S8:E11)
🎧 Episode 99 of the Hay Kings Podcast
📲 Stream now on Spotify, Apple, or your favorite podcast app
In this episode of the Hay Kings Podcast, forage consultant Daniel Olson joins host Jon Paul Driver to dissect the fallout from a disastrous first cutting in the Northeast. They explore practical, proactive steps for dairy producers including tighter harvest intervals, crop diversification, and fiber digestibility management. This is a must-listen for anyone managing forage quality under unpredictable weather.
🎙 Hosted by Jon Paul Driver
🤝 Sponsored by Krone - Dedicated to Hay and Forge Producers
🔗 Listen: hay-kings.com
#HayKings #DairyConsulting #ForagePlanning #Krone #Agronomy #DairyNutrition
Hay Kings: Baling the Hard Stuff (S8:E7)
What do you do when your hay gets so sugary it turns to concrete inside the baler? Stefan Hollmann joins host Jon Paul Driver to talk about high-sugar hay challenges, frost-damaged canola, and why chamber liners are a must in South Australia.
📲 Stream now on Spotify, Apple, or your favorite podcast app
#HayKings #ForageFarming #BalingHay #Krone #HayExport #CanolaHay #ForageTech #AustraliaAg
Sponsored by Krone -Dedicated to Hay and Forage Producers. To learn more about Krone visit KRONE-na.com
Hay Kings: 100,000 Bales Later (S8:E6)
On this episode of the Hay Kings Podcast, host Jon Paul Driver sits down with Stefan Hollmann, a seasoned baler operator who took his skills from a family farm in Germany to the demanding fields of South Australia. Stefan shares his mastery of high-density baling in some of the world’s toughest conditions. With over 100,000 bales under his belt, Stefan offers real-world insights into machine setup, twine technology, and why pre-season maintenance is critical to success.