The Business of Agriculture Podcast

The number of farming operations in the U.S. has dipped below 2 million for the first time since we became a developed nation. Peak farm — meaning the year we had the most operations — occurred in 1935 when we had 6.8 million farms with a farming population of 32 million. Of a national population of approximately 128 million, that means one in four Americans farmed.

Today, a few more than 3 million (about 1% of our current population) operate 1.9 million farming operations. Approximately five percent of America’s farms shut down or exit the business each year. Why do smaller farming entities close up shop? Is the trend reversible? Does it matter to our food system, our customers, or our national psyche? Brian Reisinger, author of Land Rich, Cash Poor joins Damian Mason for a lively discussion about Agricultural consolidation, the reasons for it, and what can be done to retain smaller farming operations. The big question: Does it matter or is consolidation just the natural flow of a maturing industry?

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

Netafim, a subsurface drip irrigation maker, is teaming up with corporations eager to offset their water consumption. Through their Corporate Partnership Program, Netafim secures commitments from outside corporations to fund 50% or more of the cost of new irrigation installation on farms. Similar to carbon offset programs you may have heard about, in this arrangement farm owners agree to put in water efficient systems to reduce their irrigation load.  Large companies — from Google to Dr. Pepper — subsidize the on-farm project. Netafim North America President Mike Hemman explains the arrangement and shares his views of the future of corporate sustainability spending.  

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

What happens if Robert F. Kennedy, the self-described “extreme environmentalist” who rails against “factory farms,” is in charge of the Department of Agriculture? The trust fund heir turned environmental lawyer turned politician led the first lawsuits against Monsanto, and he’s on the record as saying we can end diabetes with organic food. Those are just a few of the alarm bells Damian Mason and his guest, Dr. Josh Miller cite in this discussion about misguided political movements and their impact on the Business of Agriculture.

If you don’t think this could happen, know this:

Robert F. Kennedy released video on October 14th standing in front of the USDA building in Washington, DC stating, "When @DonaldJTrump gets me inside the USDA, we're going to give farmers an off-ramp from the current system that destroys soil, makes people sick, and harms family farms.” This is part of RFK Junior’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign coinciding with the Trump campaign.

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

Will we get a new Farm Bill and if so, what will it look like? Damian Mason asks those questions and plenty more of his guest, Roger Cryan, Chief Economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation. Dr. Cryan and Damian provide a brief history of farm legislation (it dates back to the 1930’s) as well as a look ahead at what a future farm bill might include. Based on current administrative sentiment, anything involving “climate smart Agriculture” is in, as are nutrition programs, and permanent programs such as crop insurance. What’s not going to be a part of future farm legislation? Listen and find out!

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

The International Longshoremen’s Association announced that they had reached an agreement to end their strike on the evening of October 3rd. This episode of The Business of Agriculture was already recorded and set for release on October 7. Given the tenuous state of affairs between the ports, shippers, and the union — along with the fact the agreement is temporary — I believe this topic and my take on it is still relevant and timely.

Please give it a listen, especially paying attention to the historical comparison. We’ve been here before in the late 1970s and early ’80s. Strikes, job loss fears, inflation, commodity glut, low Ag prices, global conflict, trade spats... The similarities are eery.

Team those issues with an increasingly aggressive China whose economy is rapidly slowing along with political turmoil on the home front and things look a little dicey. Troubles on the trade front aren’t going away as protectionist policies are likely to ramp up. Watch or listen to this and be prepared!

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

Explore the rise of corn ethanol in the United States in this insightful episode of The Business of Agriculture. Prior to the Renewable Fuels Standard of 2004, corn ethanol was a niche market. Fast forward to today, and nearly 40% of U.S. corn production is dedicated to ethanol. Join host Damian Mason as he interviews Geoff Cooper, CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, to discuss the impact of this booming industry.

Discover how American agriculture has evolved, with 12% more corn acres planted since 2004 and a significant increase in bushels produced per acre. How sustainable is this trend? What does the future hold for ethanol over the next 20 years?

Tune in to gain valuable insights into the economic and environmental implications of corn ethanol. Don’t miss out—subscribe to The Business of Agriculture today!

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

The Business of Agriculture is all about producing food, fuel, and fiber. We’re damn good at it. What we’re not so good at is promoting our products. In a marketplace that’s oversupplied on just about every Agricultural commodity, differentiation, promotion, branding, and marketing are more important than ever. Maureen Ballatori, CEO of Agency 29 — an Agriculture focused advertising firm — agrees and sometimes disagrees with Damian Mason’s 5 reasons Agricultural promotion flops.

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

Are livestock producers unfairly targeted by climate activists for their environmental impact? Do consumers face unjust guilt trips over their meat, milk, and egg choices? In this episode of The Business of Agriculture, we dive into the debate surrounding livestock and greenhouse gas emissions.

Join host Damian Mason and UC-Davis animal scientist Frank Mitloehner as they separate fact from fiction. Discover why the claim that "cow farts" are a major climate issue might be more propaganda than reality. Frank Mitloehner reveals the true impact of livestock on greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting that livestock are responsible for only 11% of global emissions and just 4% in the U.S.

Will political actions against livestock production, similar to those seen in Europe, become a trend? Frank’s insights suggest otherwise. Plus, learn why livestock will continue to play a crucial role in human nutrition, with 98% of U.S. refrigerators stocked with animal-based products.

Tune in for a factual and engaging discussion on the real numbers and future of livestock production.

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

Two areas of increasing concern for production Agriculture: Water utilization and labor availability. Farmblox is a farm automation company connecting equipment and in-field sensors to a producer’s phone. Imagine a future with less time spent monitoring or guessing, and more time adjusting, based on real time information. Sustainability, labor saving, and improved yields through technology using artificial intelligence on farms….that’s the future according to Farmblox CEO, Nathan Rosenberg.

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

In this episode, we dive into the world of pulses—edible seeds from the legume family, including lentils, dry beans, and chickpeas (also known as Garbanzo beans). Discover why pulses are becoming a crucial part of the food industry, driven by rising consumer demand for plant-based protein, increasing protein needs in developing economies, longer shelf life, and impressive drought resistance.

Join Lionel Kambeitz from Above Foods as he talks with Damian about his Canadian company's expansion into U.S. pulse production and processing. With the growing interest in pulse farming and consumption, this episode highlights a promising trend in the business of agriculture.

Tune in to learn how pulses are shaping the future of sustainable agriculture and plant-based diets!

The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.