Farm4Fun with Chuck Weldon: Farming, Mental Health, Harvest Challenges, and the Power of Friendship
Farming isn't always about yields, equipment, or commodity prices. Sometimes, the most important conversations happen when farmers sit down, share a few laughs, and talk honestly about what's happening in their lives.
That's exactly what happened when the Farm4Profit® crew welcomed back Chuck Weldon of Gallatin, Missouri, for a Farm4Fun episode recorded at Husker Harvest Days.
Chuck wears more than a few hats. He's a corn and soybean farmer, contract hog producer, country radio personality known as "Chuck Wagon," and part owner of Whitetail Fix Hunting TV. He's also passionate about CrossFit, deer hunting, and connecting with people through social media.
What started as a lighthearted reunion turned into a conversation about rising farm expenses, the economics of hog production, corn harvest strategies, agricultural equipment, and something far more personal: mental health in agriculture.
The episode reminds us that behind every farming operation is a person dealing with challenges that don't always show up on a balance sheet.
A Farm4Fun Reunion at Husker Harvest Days
If you've listened to Farm4Fun before, you know that things don't always go according to plan.
This episode was no exception.
The crew had already spent nearly ten minutes catching up with Chuck before David realized nobody had actually pressed the record button.
With beers already open and plenty of stories to share, everyone started over.
The conversation quickly picked up where it left off, covering Chuck's busy schedule, his love of CrossFit, his radio career, and the progress of the 2026 corn and soybean harvest.
Between farming, raising hogs, radio work, and outdoor television, Chuck has built a lifestyle that keeps him constantly moving.
But as the conversation revealed, staying busy doesn't mean life is always easy.
The Reality of Farming in 2026: Rising Costs and Tight Margins
One of the biggest themes throughout the episode is the financial pressure facing farmers.
From fuel and equipment to insurance and building maintenance, Chuck describes an operating environment where nearly every expense seems to be moving in the wrong direction.
For producers managing multiple agricultural enterprises, those increases can add up quickly.
Why Chuck Still Uses PTO-Driven Grain Dryers
While many farming operations have transitioned to larger, high-capacity grain drying systems, Chuck continues using PTO-driven GT batch dryers.
The equipment has limitations, particularly when it comes to capacity, but Chuck sees value in its ability to help him begin corn harvest earlier.
He estimates his diesel and propane drying costs at approximately 15 cents per bushel.
That figure represents Chuck's reported operating experience, not an industry-wide drying cost estimate. Actual grain drying expenses vary depending on moisture levels, fuel prices, equipment efficiency, and other operating factors.
For Chuck, the decision isn't solely about maximizing dryer capacity. It's about creating flexibility during harvest.
Getting corn out of the field earlier can help spread out the workload, reduce scheduling pressure, and improve his chances of finishing before deer hunting season.
It's a practical example of how farmers make equipment decisions based on the specific needs of their operations rather than simply purchasing the newest technology.
Diesel Prices and the Cost of Fieldwork
Fuel expenses are another significant concern.
Chuck shares that a recent purchase of 2,000 gallons of fuel cost him more than a 4,000-gallon purchase had the previous year.
That comparison illustrates the price pressure he experienced between purchases, although it shouldn't be interpreted as a broader measure of national diesel price trends.
For farmers, fuel costs influence more than transportation. They affect tillage, planting, harvesting, manure application, and nearly every other field operation.
The crew discusses how these pressures influence farm management decisions and why producers are constantly evaluating which passes across a field are necessary.
When margins are tight, operational efficiency becomes increasingly important.
Contract Hog Farming: Is Building a New Hog Barn Still Profitable?
Chuck's farming operation also includes contract hog production, and the conversation offers a firsthand look at the challenges of operating finishing facilities.
Contract hog production can provide farmers with an additional source of income, but it also requires significant investments in buildings, equipment, labor, maintenance, and infrastructure.
Chuck explains why the economics of constructing a new hog confinement barn have become increasingly difficult.
Insurance, Equipment, and Aging Infrastructure
Several expenses stand out in Chuck's discussion:
Rising building insurance costs.
Higher prices for replacing fans, feeders, and other barn equipment.
Aging concrete slats that require maintenance or replacement.
The substantial capital investment needed to construct new facilities.
Ongoing labor and animal care responsibilities.
These expenses create challenges for producers trying to determine whether a new barn can generate enough cash flow to justify the investment.
Even existing facilities require continuous maintenance to remain safe and operational.
Chuck's experience highlights an important consideration for livestock producers: The long-term profitability of a contract livestock facility depends on more than the original construction cost or contract payment.
The Everyday Challenges of Raising Hogs
The conversation also gets into some of the less glamorous realities of livestock production.
Chuck shares stories about dealing with animal health challenges, moving large market-ready hogs, and the physical hazards of working inside a finishing barn.
These experiences provide a reminder that raising livestock requires patience, attention to detail, and a willingness to handle unpredictable situations.
For listeners outside of agriculture, it's a glimpse into the daily responsibilities that come with producing pork.
For fellow livestock producers, it's likely a conversation that feels familiar.
Mental Health in Agriculture: Chuck Weldon Shares His Personal Story
The most meaningful part of the episode comes when Chuck opens up about a difficult period in his personal life.
Following his divorce, Chuck experienced severe depression and suicidal thoughts.
Rather than avoiding the subject, he chose to talk publicly about what he had been going through.
His decision sparked conversations with people who were facing similar struggles, including many men who had never openly discussed their mental health.
Why Talking About Mental Health Matters in Farming
Agriculture is an industry built around independence, responsibility, and hard work.
Farmers are accustomed to solving problems, managing uncertainty, and pushing through difficult circumstances.
But personal challenges don't always have straightforward solutions.
Chuck's experience illustrates how difficult it can be to acknowledge emotional struggles, especially when someone is used to being the person others depend on.
After sharing his story on social media, Chuck began receiving messages from strangers, fellow farmers, and agricultural content creators.
Many told him they were experiencing similar challenges.
Others simply wanted him to know that he wasn't alone.
What began as an incredibly difficult personal experience eventually became an opportunity to connect with and support others.
A Friendship That Made a Difference
One of the most memorable stories from the episode involves fellow agricultural creator Mike Burkhart.
During a particularly difficult period in Chuck's life, Mike drove several hours simply to check on him.
There wasn't a business opportunity, promotional event, or financial incentive behind the visit.
It was one friend making sure another friend was okay.
That simple act of showing up left a lasting impression on Chuck.
He credits his faith, family, friendships, and the people who reached out to him with helping him navigate that chapter of his life.
His story reinforces something that can easily get overlooked in agriculture: Strong relationships are just as important to personal well-being as strong management practices are to a farming operation.
Breaking the Silence Around Men's Mental Health
Chuck's willingness to share his experiences has also helped create opportunities for others to talk about their own challenges.
For some people, reaching out to a friend or admitting they're struggling can feel uncomfortable.
But conversations like this one demonstrate why those connections matter.
You don't have to have all the answers to support someone.
Sometimes, listening, checking in, or making the effort to show up can make a meaningful difference.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts in the United States, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Support is available 24 hours a day.
Corn Harvest Equipment: Chuck's Experience with Maya Corn Heads
Beyond the personal conversations, the episode includes plenty of equipment talk.
Chuck discusses his continued experience operating corn heads from Maya Corn Heads.
After previously demonstrating a 12-row head and operating an eight-row chopping model, he's using an eight-row non-chopping Maya head for the current season.
Why Chuck Continues Using Maya Corn Heads
Chuck explains that he continues paying to use the equipment because he sees value in its performance.
One of the features he discusses is how the corn heads handle challenging crop conditions, particularly down corn.
Lodged or down corn can create difficult harvesting conditions, increasing the potential for crop losses and slowing field operations.
Chuck believes the equipment offers advantages in those situations based on his experience.
These observations reflect his individual assessment, not independent comparative performance testing.
Residue Management and Tillage Decisions
The conversation also explores the differences between chopping and non-chopping corn heads.
Residue management can influence tillage decisions, soil conditions, and the preparation required for the next growing season.
Different systems offer tradeoffs depending on crop conditions, soil types, equipment availability, and management preferences.
With diesel and machinery expenses placing additional pressure on operating budgets, decisions about tillage and residue management carry financial consequences.
For Chuck, equipment choices are ultimately about finding systems that work for his farm rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
Agricultural Policy, Fuel Prices, and Finding Common Ground
As the crew discusses rising farm expenses, the conversation naturally turns toward agricultural policy and politics.
Fuel markets, government decisions, and broader economic conditions all have the potential to influence farm profitability.
The group shares perspectives on political division and the need for practical approaches that support agricultural producers.
While individual political opinions may differ, the underlying concern is familiar to many farmers: maintaining financially sustainable operations in an increasingly expensive business environment.
The discussion also reinforces the value of evaluating policies based on their practical effects on producers rather than political affiliation alone.
CrossFit, Country Radio, Deer Hunting, and the Fun Side of Farming
Of course, it wouldn't be Farm4Fun without a healthy dose of humor.
Between the serious conversations, Chuck and the crew find plenty of opportunities to laugh.
The episode includes stories about CrossFit-related emergency room visits, hog manure lagoons, country radio, deer hunting, and friendships formed through social media.
Chuck's life outside the field is nearly as busy as his farming operation.
His work as country radio personality Chuck Wagon and his involvement with Whitetail Fix Hunting TV reflect his interests beyond production agriculture.
These conversations are part of what makes Farm4Fun different from a traditional agricultural business podcast.
Farmers are more than the crops they grow, the livestock they raise, or the equipment they operate.
They have hobbies, families, friendships, challenges, and stories worth sharing.
And sometimes, those stories offer the most valuable lessons of an entire episode.
Key Takeaways from This Farm4Fun Episode
1. Rising operating expenses are forcing farmers to evaluate every decision. Fuel, insurance, equipment, and facility maintenance all influence the long-term financial sustainability of an operation.
2. Older equipment can still provide value when it fits the farm. Chuck's continued use of PTO-driven grain dryers demonstrates why practical performance and operational flexibility matter.
3. Contract hog production requires careful financial planning. Construction costs, insurance, infrastructure replacement, and maintenance can make the economics of new facilities challenging.
4. Equipment decisions should reflect individual farming conditions. Chuck's experience with Maya Corn Heads illustrates how crop conditions and residue management preferences influence machinery choices.
5. Mental health deserves open conversations in agriculture. Chuck's willingness to discuss depression and suicidal thoughts shows why reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek support matters.
6. Genuine friendships can make a meaningful difference. Mike Burkhart's decision to drive several hours to check on Chuck is a powerful example of what showing up for someone can look like.
7. There's more to farming than farming. Maintaining relationships, enjoying hobbies, and finding opportunities to laugh can be important parts of life in agriculture.
Final Thoughts: Farming Is Hard, but Nobody Has to Face Life Alone
There are plenty of reasons this Farm4Fun episode is worth listening to.
You'll hear real conversations about corn harvest, hog production, rising farm costs, agricultural equipment, and the challenges of managing a diversified operation.
You'll also hear stories that are funny, unpredictable, and occasionally a little outrageous.
But the conversation that stays with you is Chuck Weldon's willingness to speak openly about one of the most difficult periods of his life.
Farming is challenging enough when everything is going according to plan. Add personal struggles, financial pressure, or unexpected setbacks, and the weight can become overwhelming.
Chuck's story is a reminder that asking for help is important, meaningful friendships matter, and nobody should feel they have to navigate difficult times entirely on their own.
That's what makes this episode more than another conversation about agriculture.
It's a conversation about the people behind it.
Listen to the full Farm4Fun episode with Chuck Weldon and hear the stories, laughs, and meaningful moments firsthand.
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