Under the Covers is a farmer-led agriculture podcast hosted by Bill Frederick and James Holz, Iowa farmers and founders of Iowa Cover Crop.
Each episode is recorded during a game of cribbage. When the game ends, the episode ends.
We’re working Midwest farmers who built an independent seed business rooted in practical farming and sustainable agriculture. The unfiltered conversations we’ve had for years, in the seed shed, at the farm gate, and over a few pond beers, are now on the record.
This show is about modern agriculture, the real decisions, tradeoffs, and debates shaping farming today.
We talk about:
Midwest farming and row crop agriculture
Regenerative agriculture and soil health
Cover crops
Water quality and land stewardship
Small grains, forages, alfalfa, turf, and native seeding
Cattle, grazing systems, and pasture management
Farm profitability and business strategy
Rural economics and agricultural policy
Some episodes are light.
Some will tackle harder issues.
All of them are grounded in the reality of actual working Iowa farms.
We don’t script it.
We won’t always agree.
We sort it out as we go.
It’s honest farm talk, all our cards on the table.
Follow us on social media @iowacovercrop
Explore plans to use crop residue, cover crops, stockpiled forage, and supplemental feed to extend the grazing season. Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss the next hand. Also, if you have enjoyed the podcast, leave us a review and share this episode to your support! Find us on social media in between episodes on: Facebook: https://facebook.com/iowacovercrop Instagram: @iowacovercrop X: @iacovercrop YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iowacovercrop Learn more about Iowa Cover Crop a...
24 Sept 2026
Farming, Finance & Risk
Explore how bankers, insurance agents, and farmers view agricultural risk differently and give the guests room to ask honest questions about conservation. Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss the next hand. Also, if you have enjoyed the podcast, leave us a review and share this episode to your support! Find us on social media in between episodes on: Facebook: https://facebook.com/iowacovercrop Instagram: @iowacovercrop X: @iacovercrop YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iowacovercro...
10 Sept 2026
James Reports Back: Results of his first calving season
Welcome back to Under the Covers, the unscripted podcast hosted by Bill and James, the founders of Iowa Cover Crop. In this episode, James looks back on his first year transitioning from traditional feedlot management to try his hand at pasture calving. He breaks down the steep learning curve of managing 52 cows, sharing everything from unexpected events (like a cow struck by lightning) to the ultimate rewards of getting his fifth-grade son involved in the herd's day-to-day life. Highli...
27 Aug 2026
Cover Crop Selection 101
If you’ve ever asked, “What cover crop should I plant?” this episode is for you. Bill and James walk through the questions every farmer should ask before picking a species or blend. From erosion control and weed suppression to grazing and soil health, they explain how your goals, crop rotation, application method, and management plan all influence the right recommendation. The guys also break down the three major cover crop families—grasses, legumes, and brassicas—discuss where each fits, tal...
31 Jul 2026
Farm to Faucet and the Nitrate News Cycle
Water quality is back in the headlines, and this week Bill and James dig into why. The guys discuss the latest nitrate news, how water quality has become a major issue in Iowa’s governor’s race, and what the Farm to Faucet cost-share program could mean for farmers. They also talk about stacking conservation incentives, whether today’s programs are too complicated, and how they’d redesign conservation policy if given the chance. As always, the conversation doesn’t stay on track for long. Alon...
16 Jul 2026
Aerial Cover Crop Seeding
In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James talk aerial cover crop seeding: how it works, why timing matters, and why airplanes have become such an important tool for getting cover crops planted ahead of harvest. The guys walk through the process from the farmer’s side: send in a map, choose the seed, and let the Iowa Cover Crop team handle the logistics, including loading planes with the beloved “unicorn” tender truck. They also cover the pros and cons of aerial application, from spe...
2 Jul 2026
County Fair Memories & Life Lessons
In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James celebrate county fair week with a look back at their 4-H days: livestock projects, static exhibits, fair memories, and the lessons that stuck around long after the ribbons were handed out. Growing up in the Greenbrier 4-H Club, the guys talk about the impact of long-time club leaders, how 4-H clubs changed over the years, and the shift from boys’ and girls’ clubs to co-ed groups, with a detour through some classic club names along the way. ...
18 Jun 2026
Growing Your Own Nitrogen With Hairy Vetch
In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James dig into hairy vetch and the idea of growing your own nitrogen. Hairy vetch is a winter-hardy legume with the potential to provide serious nitrogen ahead of corn, but like most things in farming, it comes with a few “well, it depends” moments. The guys talk through what makes hairy vetch exciting, what makes it tricky, and why variety selection matters more than people might think. They also discuss their own cover crop trials comparing di...
4 Jun 2026
First Year with Cows: James Asks, Bill Answers
In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James talk cows…or more accurately, Bill explains cows while James asks the questions. James recently went all in on the cow business with two semi-loads of black cows. This episode turns into a real-world conversation about systems, management styles, and lessons learned over the years. From calving seasons and bull selection to grazing management and toxic fescue, the conversation turns into a real-world discussion between someone just getting s...
21 May 2026
Warm Season Grazing: Our Plans for This Year
In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James sit down at the cribbage board to talk cattle, grazing, and why more farmers may be looking at livestock differently in the years ahead. The guys break down how they each manage cattle in completely different systems. They cover everything from grazing corn stalks and cover crops to utilizing small grains and warm-season annuals to stretch feed and extend the grazing season. A big part of the conversation centers around warm-season grazing m...
7 May 2026
From the Seed Shed: Is grazing back?
In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James sit down at the cribbage board to discuss what happened in the warehouse this spring and what we think it means for agriculture overall. From launching a new alfalfa line (yes, named after legendary tractor models) to expanding our turf and forage lines the guys break down what’s been happening at Iowa Cover Crop. But this episode goes beyond seed sales. The conversation turns toward the bigger shift they’re seeing in agriculture right now: ...
23 Apr 2026
All Things Oats Part 2
Bill and James continue their talk about oat season for 2026. Oats don’t always get much attention in Iowa agriculture, but they’ve earned a spot in our system. In this episode, Bill and James break down what it actually takes to grow oats. From planning and planting to figuring out where they fit in the rotation, this is a real-world look at what’s working, what’s not, and why oats might be worth a second look. If you’ve been thinking about small grains, this is a good place to start. Subscr...
9 Apr 2026
All Things Oats
Bill and James talk about oat season for 2026. Oats don’t always get much attention in Iowa agriculture, but they’ve earned a spot in our system. In this episode, Bill and James break down what it actually takes to grow oats. From planning and planting to figuring out where they fit in the rotation, this is a real-world look at what’s working, what’s not, and why oats might be worth a second look. If you’ve been thinking about small grains, this is a good place to start. Subscribe to the show...
26 Mar 2026
Easy Yes, Hard No: Farm Spending Decisions
Piggybacking off Bill’s trip to the Iowa Farm Expo, this episode is simply about money on the farm. Some things are an easy yes. Others? You’ll think about them for months… maybe years… and still not pull the trigger. In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill Frederick and James Holz talk through some of their spending decisions on their farms. Equipment, inputs, and everything in between. Learn what we’re comfortable spending money on, what we hesitate on, and what that probably says about...
12 Mar 2026
What We Learned at the Practical Farmers of Iowa Conference 2026
The 2026 Practical Farmers of Iowa Conference is in the books. In this episode of Under the Covers, we talk about what actually stuck with us after PFI. Not a play-by-play recap, just the conversations, themes, and ideas we’re still thinking about weeks later. We cover: • How we explain the Practical Farmers of Iowa Conference to someone who’s never been • What makes PFI different from other ag conferences • Themes we kept hearing in hallway conversations • A few moments that stayed with us •...
26 Feb 2026
Nitrates in Iowa’s Waterways: Context, History, and What It Means for Farmers
If you live in Iowa, you’ve probably heard the headlines. When Central Iowa Water Works turned on its nitrate removal system in January, it caught attention across the state. Winter operation is rare. Nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers were elevated. And once again, Iowa water quality and agriculture were in the news. In this episode of Under the Covers, we slow the conversation down. We talk about: The history and context behind Des Moines Water Works and Iowa farmersWhat ac...
12 Feb 2026
Farmers, Cribbage, and Cover Crops: Why We Started This Podcast
If you’ve ever wondered what real conversations between farmers actually sound like… this is it. Welcome to Under the Covers, a podcast hosted by Bill Frederick and James Holz, founders of Iowa Cover Crop. We’re two Midwest farmers who built an independent seed business and decided that recording our constant banter and frequent disagreements was a good idea. This episode sets the stage. We talk about: - How Iowa Cover Crop got started - What our farms look like today - Why we decided to st...
13 Aug 2025
The Ground Game of Cover Crop Seeding
What’s the best way to seed a cover crop? It depends. In this episode of Under the Covers, Bill and James break down the pros and cons of the most common ground application methods, including drills, high-clearance seeders, fertilizer spreaders, and vertical tillage. They discuss where each method shines, where each falls short, and how to match your application strategy to your goals, labor, equipment, and budget. The conversation also dives into favorite drills, lessons learned after years ...
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