The Business of Agriculture Podcast

What determines the nutrient value of meat? Dr. Stephan Van Vliet of Utah State University joins Damian Mason and Iowa farmer Kelly Garrett to explore how soil health, animal diet, and agricultural practices influence the nutritional profile of beef. Discover why not all steaks are created equal, whether grass-fed is truly better than grain-fed, and how flavor connects to nutrient density. This episode dives deep into food systems, lab testing, and whether producers will be rewarded for nutrient-rich meat. A must-listen for agribusiness professionals and progressive livestock producers.

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.

What does the next generation of agricultural professionals need to succeed in today's rapidly evolving industry? In this milestone 400th episode of The Business of Agriculture, Damian Mason is joined by Tanner Winterhof and Corey Hillebo from Farm4Profit to share critical insights for young people entering the ag sector. Drawing from decades of experience, these seasoned ag professionals discuss how technology, business acumen, and adaptability have reshaped farming—and what tomorrow's leaders must understand to thrive. This episode offers practical advice, industry foresight, and a candid conversation about preparing successors in the world's most essential business.

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.

With U.S. corn production projected to hit record highs in 2025, demand questions loom. NCGA CEO Neil Caskey joins Damian Mason to explore the outlook for corn exports, ethanol markets, and the push for sustainable aviation fuel. With domestic livestock numbers down, will global trade and green energy be enough to absorb the surplus? Caskey discusses recent market wins in Britain and India, why ethanol remains critical, and why he stays optimistic about corn'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.

America's health challenges are increasingly linked to diet, nutrition, and widespread confusion about what truly constitutes healthy food. As consumers face a constant barrage of conflicting information about their groceries, the roles of food producers, processors, and the broader agricultural industry have never been more important. In this episode, Damian Mason speaks with Natalie Kovarik and Tara Vanderdussen of Discover Ag to discuss how the Business of Agriculture can support healthier lifestyles through responsible food production and clear consumer education. Explore the challenges and opportunities facing the food industry as it works to meet evolving health expectations, dispel nutrition myths, and provide solutions that benefit both consumers and the agricultural economy.

Key Topics Covered:

• The connection between food production and national health trends
• Addressing consumer confusion about nutrition and grocery choices
• How agribusiness leaders can support healthier food systems
• The evolving role of agriculture in meeting health-conscious consumer demands

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.

What happens when tech billionaires attempt to disrupt agriculture without understanding its fundamentals? In this episode, Damian Mason is joined by agtech experts Rhishi Pethe and Walt Duflock to analyze high-profile failures in agricultural innovation—highlighting ventures like Larry Ellison's experimental farm in Hawaii and the struggles of Beyond Meat. Together, they explore the risks of "billion-arrogance"—where immense wealth and success in unrelated industries lead to misguided investments in farming and food systems. The discussion emphasizes the importance of aligning innovation with real agricultural challenges, economic sustainability, and the needs of producers and consumers alike. Essential listening for agribusiness professionals, ag investors, and anyone involved in food system innovation, this episode underscores the need for practical, problem-solving approaches to agtech development.

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.

The good news: Private equity investors are interested in investing in the Business of Agriculture. The bad news: The money is not flowing into fake meat or controlled environment Ag businesses. What is hot? Premium dairy, pet food, and anything fermented. Why? Because those categories offer private equity investors what they want — higher margins, growth, pricing power, differentiation, and added value. Dan Zelazik with Ascendant Partners, a boutique investment bank specializing in food and Agriculture explains how and what capital markets are investing in Ag.

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.

"The next day after a lightning storm, it's always greener. That term is called green lightning and that's what we set out to do." So says Travis Potter, founder of Green Lightning, a company with a product allowing farmers to make their own nitrogen at a much -reduced price than retail. The other benefits: elimination of synthetic nitrogen, no salt, and no yield penalty. Damian Mason asks the hard questions with the company founder who is joined by Michigan farmer Matt Vanderhyde who's using this technology.

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.

What if free trade isn't really free? Tariffs are a distortion to free market economics. The only problem: We don't have a free market economy as countries prop up and protect their native industries with restrictive rules on — or even entirely against — imports. In this episode of The Business of Agriculture, Damian Mason digs into the numbers (our trade deficit is equal to Holland's entire economy), the impact on consumer purchases (it might be overstated), and why manufacturing (much like Agriculture) matters for national security. Damian delivers pointed perspective on the trade turmoil and closes by asking American Agriculture, "When will you finally learn your lesson about China?"

🎯 Key Topics:

• Trade protectionism vs. free market economics
• U.S. trade deficit and global competitiveness
• Tariffs, consumer impact, and market dynamics
• Agriculture and manufacturing as national security pillars
• Strategic risks of over-reliance on China

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 equipment is among the largest capital investments on American farms—yet much of it sits idle for most of the year. With rising interest rates and pressure on farm income, optimizing machinery utilization is more important than ever. In this episode, Damian Mason is joined by Martyn Gross, founder of AgShared (https://agshared.com), to discuss a new digital platform designed to improve farm profitability through peer-to-peer equipment rentals. AgShared enables farmers and ag dealers to generate income from underused machinery, while providing cost-effective rental options to other producers. Explore how this "Airbnb model" for ag equipment is driving efficiency, increasing cash flow, and offering practical solutions for modern farm management.

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 trade is undergoing a fundamental transformation. After decades of increasing globalization, countries are pivoting toward protectionist policies to safeguard domestic industries. In this episode, international agribusiness consultant Todd Thurman joins Damian Mason to explore the resurgence of tariffs and trade restrictions—and what this shift means for the future of global commerce. Topics include the demographic and economic forces driving deglobalization, historical context behind tariff use, and the implications for U.S. agriculture and international trade. Learn why trade wars may no longer be temporary disruptions, but instead a long-term feature of global economic policy.

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.