The Business of Agriculture Podcast

#podcast #DamianMason #BusinessOfAgriculture #AgricultureBusiness

Jim Smith is a Technical Swine Nutritionist with Kent Feeds. He and I met a few years back when his company hired me to speak at a national sales meeting. He's also farmer, an active Ag Tweeter, and a friend of the show. We discuss the need for more animal scientists, why livestock producers can't "save their way to prosperity," and the amazing job Animal Ag is doing at cutting antibiotic usage. We also delve into the topic of Ag's propensity for internal conflict — seems we all have haters! You'll enjoy this discussion.

Monsanto- now part of Bayer - doesn't event exist anymore. But that doesn't mean the March Against Monsanto will die. The protest will live on, the only thing that changes is the target. In this episode you'll hear why the movement against glyphosate and Monsanto persists (hint, it's very profitable for "non profits"). We discuss the Environmental Working Group's clever hit piece designed as news. All the while disguising their real motive and gaining legitimacy through willing accomplices in the media. Why does any of this matter to the Business of Agriculture? Because you're paying for these lawsuits, first off. Secondly, advocacy groups and an Ag-ignorant populace seem hell bent on ridding Ag of the world's most common herbicide.

We in the business of agriculture must do our part to foster tomorrow's leaders and workers. With school back in session this month, I thought it'd be appropriate to bring in an example of just that. A leader and worker for tomorrow's Agriculture, Jordyn Sills is my guest. A senior studying Agribusiness Management at Purdue, Ms. Sills just completed her third Ag internship. She and I discuss what we in Ag do well and where we can improve on mentoring our future. We talk Ag education, the benefits of FFA, and why we need more internships. You'll enjoy the perspective and insights from a Post Millennial's vantage point.

In this episode hear my thoughts on current events in the Business of Agriculture. We revisit the "nuisance" lawsuits against pork producers in North Carolina. Smithfield just lost it's third straight court case - and this one is reportedly gonna cost $94 million to pay off only six neighbors! What do lawsuits against Ag mean for you and what can the Business of Agriculture do to stop them? We also discuss trade issues and why I still believe we'll have better deals in place by October. Notice how much more agreeable Europe became when facing the prospect of losing US markets for cars? Finally, I close out with a lesson I shared at a recent crop field day on why you can't skimp your way to prosperity. Enjoy!

Michelle Miller a.k.a. The Farm Babe is a social media star, speaker, sheep farmer, and AgDaily contributing writer. She joins me to discuss food labeling, farming, the future, and consumer issues. We also talk about the role of communicating Ag to a non-Ag populace and whether or not the word "Agvocate" is proper terminology. This is a fun visit - join us!

Barry Aycock is a farmer, farm owner, cotton gin operator, nursing home owner, and founder of AgXplore. Barry was a farm boy who aspired to become a college professor, but some people just aren't made for a 3 hour work week! So, he worked as a cotton scout and was so good at it, he won a national award. He was recruited to help the country of Bolivia grow cotton on the edge of the jungle, and that's where he started his company. We talk about business, environmentalism, crop chemistry issues, being fined by the EPA, the future of Agriculture, and more. If you enjoy conversations with entrepreneurial types, this episode is for you!

Jim Dudlicek of Progressive Grocer and I continue our conversation about all things grocery. In part two we talk about the future of food. What's happening in the meat and dairy case? Why is the segregation of organic and "natural" food going away? Does laboratory meat have a place on consumer's plates anytime soon? And what's the grocery store of the future gonna look like? Gettin' groceries is hardly the same as it was a decade or two ago. This is a really interesting discussion and Jim's a very knowledgeable resource. Join us!

The Business of Agriculture IS the business of food. In North America, food is more than mere sustenance, food is a trend. My guest is Jim Dudlicek with Progressive Grocer. He explains what's hot and what's not in the grocery aisles. He tells us about the consumer's push for fresh, why "center store" is stagnant, and the popularity of plant -based protein. What happens at the grocery store matters to everyone in the business of agriculture!

My guest is Brandon Wipf, South Dakota farmer and member of the American Soybean Association Board of Directors. We discuss the business side of agricultural production. Brandon talks about some of his good habits and shares ideas on how you can improve yourself and your business. We also cover global trade and why he thinks TPP could be a huge economic bonus to American Ag. You'll enjoy this discussion with a sharp young Ag professional who's also a voice for Ag in D.C.