The Business of Agriculture Podcast

From a backyard hobby to a vertically integrated quail operation, Manchester Farms now produces 80,000 Pharaoh quail per week and distributes processed birds and quail eggs nationwide. Brittney Miller, whose family started the business over 50 years ago, shares the company's evolution, production scale, and insights into specialty poultry markets. Damian Mason explores the operational efficiencies, niche marketing strategies, and challenges of running one of the largest quail farms in the U.S.

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.

Food allergies and intolerances now affect over 80 million Americans—with millions more choosing food avoidance based on lifestyle or dietary trends. What does this surge in selective eating mean for agriculture, food production, and consumer behavior? Dylan McDonnell, CEO of Foodini, joins Damian Mason to explore how ingredient awareness, medical diagnoses, and even lawsuits are reshaping what people eat—and how it's grown. Tune in to understand the future of food, labeling, and consumer expectations in an age of dietary selectivity.

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 the popular narrative, American agriculture is not feeding the world—nor, increasingly, itself. With 40% of U.S. corn diverted to ethanol production and a persistent $50 billion agricultural trade deficit, systemic inefficiencies are being exposed. Damian Mason is joined by Joe Maxwell of Farm Action to examine the disconnect between production agriculture and food supply, the impact of policy mandates, and the path toward a more food-focused, self-reliant agricultural model. This episode explores reform, opportunity, and the urgent need to reframe the role of U.S. agriculture in domestic and global food systems.

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 industry dynamics are under scrutiny: Cattle prices are dropping, imports are rising, and major packers like Tyson are scaling back operations. Is market consolidation hurting U.S. producers? Damian Mason speaks with Hyrum Egbert to analyze current trends, including packer power, price pressure, plant closures, and the role of imports. This is a must-listen for livestock producers, ag economists, and anyone invested in the future of American beef.

Key topics covered:

• Tyson's plant closure and capacity cutbacks
• Trump-era beef policy and price messaging
• The rise in beef imports and its impact on U.S. ranchers
• Market consolidation in meat packing
• Long-term implications for beef producers and consumers

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.

Livestock manure remains one of the most undervalued tools in American agriculture. Despite its rich nutrient profile, soil health benefits, and potential to reduce fertilizer costs, manure is used on less than 10% of U.S. cropland. Meanwhile, synthetic fertilizer prices continue to climb. In this episode, Damian Mason speaks with Iowa farmer Kellie Blair and University of Minnesota manure specialist Dr. Nancy Bohl Bormann to discuss why it is time to reevaluate manure's role in crop fertility strategies. The conversation explores manure's contribution to nitrogen and phosphorus needs, its impact on soil biology, and the logistical and regulatory factors limiting broader adoption.

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.

Sorghum is a drought-tolerant, high-protein, non-GMO grain with impressive versatility—from livestock feed to human consumption and even liquor production. Yet, despite these strengths, U.S. sorghum acres are shrinking, and prices remain below production costs. In this episode, Damian Mason speaks with Adam York, CEO of Kansas Sorghum Producers, to explore why sorghum remains undervalued in global markets. They examine challenges in sorghum branding, demand, and perception, and what the industry must do to elevate this under appreciated crop.

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.

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.