Paul Ehrlich Is Dead. But the "Feed the World" Panic He Unleashed In 1968 Is Still Costing Agriculture.

Stanford professor of biology Paul Ehrlich predicted mass starvation, water and food rationing in America and the disappearance of England as a country. His apocalyptic forecast for an overpopulated, food insecure world were laid out in his 1968 book "Population Bomb," then reiterated over 1,000s of media appearances for decades. None of it happened. Everything Ehrlich predicted was wrong. Today we produce 60% more calories than humanity needs — and waste a third of what we grow. We're literally discarding food surpluses 58 years after Ehrlich called for population control to reduce futurefood shortages. And the population has climbed from 3.5 billion humans on Earth to 8 billion since his book's publication. How did this happen? Because Agriculture responded to this unfounded panic exactly the way you'd expect producers to respond. We planted fencerow to fencerow and "got big or got out" as then Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz commanded, in response to the panic. Within 13 years of Ehrlich's book, we glutted the world with food crops, triggering one of the worst farm crises in American history. Much of what ails the Business of Agriculture today, began with Ehrlich's influential hysteria. Paul Ehrlich was widely written up in media this spring after his passing. The fact that none of his starvation predictions came to fruition is due to another scientist who garnered much less media: Norman Borlaug, father of the Green Revolution and Nobel Peace Prize winner. That contrast tells you everything.

The Business of Agriculture with Damian Mason is brought to you by:

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

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Agriculture prides itself on resilience, innovation, and hard work. But is the industry as willing to accept feedback as it is to overcome adversity?

In this episode of the Business of Agriculture, Damian Mason is joined by Zach Johnson, better known as the Millennial Farmer, for a candid discussion about feedback, accountability, and the blind spots that can limit both individual farms and the broader agriculture industry.

As one of farming's most recognizable voices, Zach has spent years navigating public opinion, consumer questions, and criticism from more than a million YouTube followers. He shares what he has learned about staying authentic, separating emotion from decision-making, and using feedback as a tool for growth rather than a threat.

Damian and Zach explore why agriculture sometimes struggles to acknowledge weaknesses, how the industry's strong sense of identity can create resistance to outside perspectives, and why listening to consumers may be one of the most important business skills for agriculture's future. They also tackle difficult conversations surrounding soil health, GMOs, farmer mental health, public perception, and the difference between defending agriculture and improving it.

This episode offers valuable insights for farmers, agribusiness professionals, agricultural leaders, and anyone interested in the future of food production. If you care about strengthening agriculture while remaining open to new ideas, this conversation is worth your time.

The Business of Agriculture with Damian Mason is brought to you by:

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

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Autonomous tractors and robotic farm machinery were supposed to transform American agriculture. So why has adoption been so slow? In this episode of The Business of Agriculture, Damian Mason speaks with Chad Fiechter, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, about the economic realities slowing the rollout of autonomous farm equipment. Chad explains findings from his recent research comparing autonomous machinery with conventional human-operated equipment. The discussion explores labor savings, machinery costs, operational efficiency, technology limitations, and the financial hurdles that continue to prevent widespread adoption on American farms. While the promise of labor-reducing innovation remains attractive, the economics and practical challenges are proving more difficult than many anticipated. This episode delivers a realistic look at the future of autonomous agriculture and whether robotic farm equipment can eventually become financially viable for mainstream producers.

The Business of Agriculture with Damian Mason is brought to you by:

• Ag View Solutions
• Tidal Grow Agriscience
• Nano-Yield
• Life Scientific

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

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Is American Agriculture too dependent on corn and soybean production? Probably. But what is the reasonable alternative? Business of Agriculture host Damian Mason asks Illinois farmer / businessman Marc Severson and StoneX's Ryan Moe: Is meaningful US crop diversification actually feasible? The conversation digs into the real-world economics, government policy, and market forces that keep American farmers locked into the corn-soybean rotation — and whether that's necessarily a bad thing. From ethanol mandates and crop insurance to global competition and infrastructure challenges, Marc and Ryan break down why large-scale crop diversification is harder than it sounds, and what smaller, strategic diversification moves might actually work for today's farm operations.

In this episode:

• Why reducing US corn and soybean production could simply shift market share to foreign competitors - How ethanol policy creates artificial demand that shapes the entire US crop mix
• The real infrastructure and economic barriers to transitioning to alternative crops like flax or specialty crops
• Why small-scale diversification — adding a specialty crop or livestock enterprise — may be the most realistic path forward
• The role of government subsidies and farm policy in either enabling or blocking crop diversification
• Whether you're a row crop farmer, ag entrepreneur, or ag industry professional, this episode delivers a frank, data-driven look at the future of American crop production.

The Business of Agriculture with Damian Mason is brought to you by:

• Ag View Solutions
• Tidal Grow Agriscience
• Nano-Yield
• Life Scientific

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.

Crop input costs are reaching record levels in 2026, putting added pressure on farm profitability and financial viability. In this episode of The Business of Agriculture, Damian Mason is joined by Brian Adams of Life Scientific to discuss how producers can evaluate seed, fungicides, crop protection products, and off-patent alternatives to reduce spending without compromising agronomic performance.

The Business of Agriculture with Damian Mason is brought to you by:

• Ag View Solutions
• Tidal Grow Agriscience
• Nano-Yield
• Life Scientific

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. meat consumption is at a record high despite rising grocery prices, especially for beef. Meanwhile, plant-based meat alternatives continue losing consumer interest and market share. Why are consumers still choosing real meat? Is the demand driven by protein preferences, nutrition trends, the MAHA movement, or changing perceptions about processed foods?

In this episode of The Business of Agriculture, Damian Mason speaks with Brian Earnest, Animal Protein Analyst at CoBank, about the economic, nutritional, and cultural forces driving continued demand for animal protein. They discuss beef prices, consumer purchasing behavior, protein demand trends, the decline of fake meat products, and what the future holds for livestock and meat industries.

The Business of Agriculture with Damian Mason is brought to you by:

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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.

Bayer and Corteva control a major share of the seed industry, but independent seed companies still have opportunities to compete and win. Damian Mason talks with Bob Miller, founder of Miller Hybrids in Kalona, Iowa, about how small seed companies can succeed through strong genetics, farmer-focused service, competitive pricing, and a clear focus on return on investment. Bob, a PhD plant breeder and former corporate seed industry professional, explains why he left the large-scale seed business to build an independent company focused on practical value for farmers. This episode explores seed industry consolidation, corn and soybean genetics, farmer ROI, and what consolidation means for agribusiness, growers, and the future of seed competition.

The Business of Agriculture with Damian Mason is brought to you by:

• Ag View Solutions
• Tidal Grow Agriscience
• Nano-Yield
• Life Scientific

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

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American agriculture is changing—quietly in some ways, dramatically in others. The question is not whether the industry will look different in ten years, but who will still be standing when it does.

In this episode, Damian Mason sits down with Scott Sartor of Croptell to unpack the real forces shaping the future of farming in the United States. From generational land transitions and shifting acreage decisions to the growing divide between large-scale operators and niche producers, this conversation goes beyond headlines and into what is actually happening on the ground.

The Business of Agriculture with Damian Mason is brought to you by:

• Ag View Solutions
• Tidal Grow Agriscience
• Nano-Yield
• Life Scientific

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.

Is agriculture facing a cyclical downturn, or are we witnessing a structural realignment of the global ag economy? In this episode of The Business of Agriculture, Damian Mason speaks with Illinois farmer and business advisor Mark Severson to examine the forces reshaping U.S. agriculture. Key topics include global competition from Brazil, evolving demand from China, margin compression, rising input costs, and the implications of protectionism and deglobalization. The discussion challenges traditional assumptions about agricultural cycles and explores whether long-standing boom-and-bust patterns still apply. This episode provides critical insights for farmers, agribusiness professionals, lenders, and ag investors evaluating risk, profitability, and long-term strategy in a changing agricultural landscape.

The Business of Agriculture with Damian Mason is brought to you by:

• Ag View Solutions
• Tidal Grow Agriscience
• Nano-Yield

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 the United States re-shore fresh produce production to improve food security, public health, and supply chain resilience? In this episode, Damian Mason speaks with Zeb Portanova, CEO of Agricultural Scientific, about America's growing agricultural trade deficit, the risks of foreign produce dependence, and why domestic tomato production matters for national security. With more than $300 million committed to fresh, local, organic production, Zeb explains the investment case for rebuilding U.S. specialty crop capacity and creating a healthier, more secure food system.

The Business of Agriculture with Damian Mason is brought to you by:

• Ag View Solutions
• Tidal Grow Agriscience
• Nano-Yield

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.