David and Sandy Hula receiving the Decade of Dominance Lifetime Achievement Award on the Main Stage at Farm Progress 2025.
When you hear the name David Hula, world-record corn yields come to mind. His reputation for pushing corn beyond 600 bushels per acre earned him the Decade of Dominance Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Farm Progress Show.
But behind every yield record is a deeper story. For Hula, it’s about his family’s commitment to Renwood Farms, where generations have farmed the fertile ground along the James River in Virginia. It’s about faith, family, and lessons learned through trial and error. And it’s about the relationships that have shaped his farming journey.
In the season finale of the Total Acre Podcast, David sat down with Chad Scebold to share what he’s learned along the way, and what growers everywhere can take to the field.
Weather, Harvest, and the Reality of Farming
Hula opened with the classic contrast of farming—expecting one thing, but getting another. It can be frustrating to start thinking about all of the things a farmer can’t control, but the key isn’t frustration—it’s learning to adapt and focus on what you can control.
He described cool mornings, unexpected pollination challenges, and the patience required to wait out high-moisture corn. It was a reminder farming should always start with humility, because no matter the technology, Mother Nature still holds the trump card.
Success is a Team Effort
For Hula, farming is generational. His grandfather pushed yields to 100 bushels. His father hit 200. And today, Hula’s relentless drive—fueled by competitors like Randy Dowdy—has pushed yields beyond 600. Each step forward is built on the backs of innovators before him.
The lesson? No grower succeeds alone. It takes trusted advisors, and vendors willing to innovate side by side. Despite his world-record yields, Hula is quick to deflect credit.
“It’s not me. It’s the team. The good Lord, my family, and the partners—John Deere, Pioneer, BASF, Valley, Brandt, and the Total Acre family. They’ve all been part of this journey.”
Push for Better
One of Hula’s strongest messages is not to settle for “good enough.” He believes growers must demand excellence—of themselves and of their partners.
From asking companies for better hybrids, to testing new products in the field, Hula’s competitive edge comes from pushing vendors to raise their own game.
“As producers, it’s our job to push these guys too. There’s no reason to settle for subpar.”
ROI, Resilience, and Relationships
High yields matter, but Hula reminds growers that ROI drives sustainability. In downturns and volatile markets, efficiency and resilience become even more critical.
“This is the third downturn I’ve farmed through,” he shared. “We’re going to persevere. Every grower wants more than just yield—they want to improve their return. That’s what Total Acre is about.”
For Hula, ROI often comes down to networking with other growers, conversations at Crop Tours, End-of-Year Meetings, or Grower Clinics. Ideas shared across the fence line can spark breakthroughs that make the difference between red ink and black.
Be a Student of the Crop
If there’s one phrase Hula lives by, it’s this: be a student of the crop.
That means:
Walking fields instead of judging from the road.
Pulling soil and tissue samples to understand yield-limiting factors.
Observing where yield is captured—and where it’s lost.
“Too many guys just get in a rush during harvest. They need to stop the combine, take a soil sample in a good spot and a poor spot. Understand why. Then go do better.”
There’s no silver bullet to farming, he emphasizes. Improvement comes from having a systematic approach to learning and applying insights year after year.
Why Total Acre Matters
The Total Acre system is built on this very principle: data + community. Through real-world field trials, cutting-edge YMS software, and a grower-to-grower network, members gain access to information that shortens the learning curve and improves ROI.
Whether it’s testing new genetics, adjusting fertility, or simply learning from a peer across the country, Total Acre equips growers not just to farm, but innovate on their operations.
Looking Ahead
As Hula looks to 2026 and beyond, he’s energized by the new genetics, equipment, and practices coming online. But he’s just as excited about the growers in the Total Acre community—and the potential they’ll unlock together.
“Sometimes it’s not about farming. It’s about relationships, faith, and helping each other succeed.”
The Takeaway
At the end of the first season of the Total Acre Podcast, Hula left growers with a challenge:
Observe. Learn. Push yourself, your vendors, and your peers. Become a student of the crop. Because in farming, as in life, the greatest yields come when we grow together.