The Business of Agriculture Podcast

There's way more to Montana than just Yellowstone — the park AND the popular television show. Montana agriculture is diverse, productive, and as big as the Big Sky state. The state produces wheat, oats, flax, canola, camelina, lentils, peas, and more. Justin Miller, a fifth generation Montana farmer / rancher joins me to explain his farming operation that produces all those aforementioned crops. He is joined by Lance Lindbloom of 406 Agronomy to discuss Agriculture from the perspective of two native Montanans. They're no Kevin Costners, but I promise you'll be entertained and informed after hearing from these guys. Pop yourself a yellow jacket (Coors) and enjoy! Sponsored by Pattern Ag pattern.ag

Wheat prices are in record territory. Russia is reportedly seizing Ukrainian wheat and re-selling it. Africa and the Middle East might very well be starving soon, given wheat shortages. And the USA planted fewer acres of wheat last year than at any time on record, as farmers switched acreage to more profitable and higher-yielding crops. If wheat is in short supply even with high prices, is now the time to (finally) approve genetically engineered wheat? Darren Padgett, Oregon wheat producer and past chair of U.S. Wheat Associates joins Terry Wanzek, North Dakota state senator and farmer to discuss. Sponsored by Pattern Ag pattern.ag

While Ag's detractors often paint Agriculture as an environmental villain, I promote Agriculture as an environmental solution. Renewable energy, carbon sequestration, water filtration, and enviro benefit via land management are all enhanced through Agriculture. In the future we may also be a reservoir for carbon rich bio char and a supplier of alternative products — besides corn and soy — for renewable energy. Kore is a start-up company with technology they believe can work with Agriculture for energy and environmental benefit. Sponsored by Nori nori.com and Pattern Ag pattern.ag

Gas price hikes are a daily conversation and the exorbitant price of fuel is literally hyper-fueling inflation. The last time we saw conditions like this was the 1970s which gave rise to a new product — "Gasohol." From there, came the ethanol boom and biodiesel. But diesel from soybeans never really gained traction. And ethanol fueled the "no food for fuel" debates that have arisen with every food price increase. So, what is the future of Ag-based biofuel in a world pushing electric vehicles and "green energy?" Pete Meyer with S&P Global Commodity Insights delivers insights and information about the future of biofuel and frankly, it looks pretty darn good! Renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel — if you haven't heard of these two products and what they may do to the Ag landscape, listen up!! Sponsored by Nori nori.com and Pattern Ag pattern.ag

We began incessantly hearing the words "supply chain" a year after we'd already been feeling the brunt of its breakdown. In Agriculture it became noticeable when meat and milk processing plants closed or couldn't convert to a new product mix during shutdowns. Then it moved to a supply problem, meaning, we didn't think we'd have the inputs necessary to produce food. We're past some of those immediate problems but we're far from being in the clear. Much of Ag's necessities — from herbicides to machinery parts — come from overseas. What's the future look like, and will we be paying these exorbitant prices forever? Will there be shortages and high freight rates in 2023 and beyond? Andrew Bower with OEC Group joins me to discuss logistics. Sponsored by Nori nori.com and Pattern Ag pattern.ag

We began incessantly hearing the words “supply chain” a year after we’d already been feeling the brunt of its breakdown. In Agriculture it became noticeable when meat and milk processing plants closed or couldn’t convert to a new product mix during shutdowns. Then it moved to a supply problem, meaning, we didn’t think we’d have the inputs necessary to produce food. We’re past some of those immediate problems but we’re far from being in the clear. Much of Ag’s necessities — from herbicides to machinery parts — come from overseas. What’s the future look like, and will we be paying these exorbitant prices forever? Will there be shortages and high freight rates in 2023 and beyond? Andrew Bower with OEC Group joins me to discuss logistics.

Sponsored by Nori nori.com and Pattern Ag pattern.ag

2022 started off with dire predictions for production Agriculture's financial outlook. But, by mid spring the picture was changing, and by early summer a very profitable year was being predicted. Is that still the case? Are farm balance sheets going to swell? Or will interest rates and inflationary pressure on inputs create losses? Tim Koch, Chief Credit Officer for Farm Credit Services of America provides guidance on what he sees across his company's $40 billion loan portfolio. Sponsored by Nori nori.com and Pattern Ag pattern.ag

Diseases, pathogens, and parasites rob yield from our farms and unfortunately, we usually don't know we have the problem until the damage is done. But what if a soil analysis — which you are already doing for soil nutrient monitoring — could also predict pathogens so that you could treat the problem proactively? South Dakota farmer Paul Sittig and Mike Tweedy of Pattern Ag join me to discuss the company's pioneering technology that uses advanced soil analytics to get more yield by staying in front of disease problems. Is this the future of production Agriculture? Yep.

Oftentimes, environmental organizations use modern Agriculture as a target and a tool for fundraising. Worse, some organizations use their political heft to create hurdles or even do harm to our industry. But not The Nature Conservancy, according to Jack Bobo. Jack joins me to discuss how environmental groups can work with the world's most important industry to accomplish mutual objectives. He also explains the reality of misguided Ag policy such as the EU's "Farm to Fork" initiative, which essentially offshores food production to countries with terrible environmental records. Sponsored by Nori nori.com and Pattern Ag pattern.ag

California's regulatory environment is prohibitive, especially for production Agriculture which uses a lot of water and works on historically slim margins. So, what's an enterprising California farm operator to do when faced with the challenge of preserving the family ranch in light of exploding regulatory costs? That's the question Eric Bream aims to answer with new ventures. His first venture: direct to consumer citrus sales with a hook. The hook: donating a matching portion of his direct sales crop to local homeless shelters and food pantries. Eric joins me to discuss California citrus and his new endeavor. Sponsored by Nori nori.com and Pattern Ag pattern.ag