Global grain markets are oversupplied, trade routes are shifting, and U.S. Agriculture faces increasing challenges from geopolitical tensions and aggressive global competitors. Joe Vaclavik—market analyst and host of Grain Markets and Other Stuff—joins Damian Mason to examine the pressures facing America's export-driven Ag model. They discuss commodity prices, global trade disruption, and the real economic forces reshaping U.S. agriculture. Expect honest insights, grounded analysis, and zero sugar-coating. A must-listen for agribusiness professionals seeking to understand what lies ahead.

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:

• NewFields Ag | https://newfieldsag.com
• Redox Bio-Nutrients | https://www.redoxgrows.com
• Harvest Returns | https://www.harvestreturns.com

Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary.

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

Agricultural producers excel at production but often struggle with promotion—especially in direct-to-consumer (DTC) markets. In this episode, business growth strategist Brian Frankel joins Damian Mason to break down the five essential steps in a consumer's buying decision. They explore motivational factors, perceived value, customer expectations, and the mindset shift required to sell effectively to modern consumers. Whether launching a DTC brand or improving outreach, this episode delivers actionable insights for farm-based entrepreneurs and agribusiness professionals.

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:

• NewFields Ag | https://newfieldsag.com
• Redox Bio-Nutrients | https://www.redoxgrows.com
• Harvest Returns | https://www.harvestreturns.com

Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary.

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

Can seafood by-products help feed the future of agriculture? Damian Mason speaks with Norm Davy, President of Tidal Grow, about SeaPhos—a liquid fertility product made from up-cycled seafood waste. In 2025, Damian trialed the product on his Indiana farm and shares firsthand insights. This episode explores sustainable ag inputs, nutrient cycling, crop protection innovations, and the business hurdles startups face in entering the agricultural input space. Discover how environmental sustainability is driving new solutions in soil health, plant nutrition, and farming's future.

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:

• NewFields Ag | https://newfieldsag.com
• Redox Bio-Nutrients | https://www.redoxgrows.com
• Harvest Returns | https://www.harvestreturns.com

Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary.

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

Despite making up 97% of U.S. farms, family operations often struggle with internal dysfunction. Andy "Caygeon" Junkin of Stubborn.farm joins Damian Mason to explain why many family farms face challenges such as poor communication, generational conflict, and lack of clear business structure. They explore the gap between public admiration and private mismanagement—and how these issues can be solved before it's too late. Learn how farm families can transition from emotional gridlock to sustainable, profitable businesses.

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:

• NewFields Ag | https://newfieldsag.com
• Redox Bio-Nutrients | https://www.redoxgrows.com
• Harvest Returns | https://www.harvestreturns.com

Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary.

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

Agricultural input costs have surged by over 40% in recent years, squeezing farm profit margins. Damian Mason is joined by Steve Nicholson, Global Strategist at Rabobank, to examine the complex drivers behind high fertilizer, chemical, fuel, and equipment costs. Together, they explore global supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, geopolitical risks, and the structural changes reshaping ag input pricing. This episode offers expert analysis on why costs remain elevated and what the future holds for farm economics. A must-listen for ag professionals seeking strategic insight.

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:

• NewFields Ag | https://newfieldsag.com
• Redox Bio-Nutrients | https://www.redoxgrows.com
• Harvest Returns | https://www.harvestreturns.com

Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary.

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

A surge of new crop input products has entered the market, but do they deliver measurable value to farmers? In this episode, Damian Mason talks with Randy Barker, CEO of INTENT, about what it truly takes for a crop input product to succeed. From navigating R&D and regulatory hurdles to understanding grower adoption and ROI, this conversation covers the full commercialization journey in today's competitive and cost-conscious ag environment. Discover what makes or breaks AgTech ventures—and why many may not survive in an era of tight margins and cautious investment.

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:

• NewFields Ag | https://newfieldsag.com
• Redox Bio-Nutrients | https://www.redoxgrows.com
• Harvest Returns | https://www.harvestreturns.com

Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary.

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

Beef prices are at record highs—and they may stay elevated well into the next decade. In this episode, Damian Mason outlines 10 compelling reasons to remain bullish on beef despite the traditional cattle cycle. From the collapse of fake meat alternatives to the rise of the MAHA (Meat At Home Again) movement, from shifting consumer economics to evolving land use, this episode explores why U.S. beef has a strategic edge in the protein marketplace. Ideal for cattle producers, ag investors, and protein market analysts, this discussion examines demand trends, competitive advantages, and the future of beef consumption.

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:

• NewFields Ag | https://newfieldsag.com
• Redox Bio-Nutrients | https://www.redoxgrows.com
• Harvest Returns | https://www.harvestreturns.com

Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary.

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

Agrihoods—residential communities built around working farms—are on the rise across the U.S., blending suburban convenience with rural aesthetics. In this episode, Damian Mason speaks with Steve Bruere, president of The Peoples Company and developer of Middlebrook, Iowa's first agrihood. They explore whether agrihoods are just a trendy real estate gimmick or a viable model for sustainable community living. With over 200 such developments nationwide, could your region be next?

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:

• NewFields Ag | https://newfieldsag.com
• Redox Bio-Nutrients | https://www.redoxgrows.com
• Harvest Returns | https://www.harvestreturns.com

Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary.

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

U.S. farms have relied on fertilizer over-application for decades—but that era is ending. Regulatory pressures are mounting in key agricultural states like Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, where political and public concerns over nutrient runoff are prompting new rules for nutrient management plans. In this episode, Damian Mason speaks with Nick Musser of Moss Fertilizer Service and Pat Larson of NewFields Ag to examine the future of fertility practices in American agriculture. Learn how modern agronomics, precision application, and product innovation can reduce environmental impact without sacrificing yield. This is an essential conversation for farm operators, ag retailers, and anyone navigating the intersection of productivity, profitability, and sustainability.

Key topics:

• Nutrient management regulations in agriculture

• Economic impact of fertilizer overuse

• Sustainable fertility practices

• Future of fertilizer technology

• Agronomic tools to maintain yield with fewer inputs

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:

• NewFields Ag | https://newfieldsag.com
• Redox Bio-Nutrients | https://www.redoxgrows.com
• Harvest Returns | https://www.harvestreturns.com

Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary.

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

In 2024, Canada ranked as the United States' second-largest agricultural export market, just behind Mexico. Despite widespread attention on China, its importance as an ag customer is declining, making North American trade relationships more vital than ever. Damian Mason welcomes Shaun Haney of Real Ag Radio for an in-depth conversation on U.S.-Canada agricultural trade, shifting global markets, and the case for building a North American trade "fortress." This episode explores strategic trade alignment, market access, and the future of ag exports in a rapidly changing global economy.

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:

• NewFields Ag | https://newfieldsag.com
• Redox Bio-Nutrients | https://www.redoxgrows.com
• Harvest Returns | https://www.harvestreturns.com

Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary.

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.