The Business of Agriculture Podcast

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: 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 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.

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: 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.

Low commodity prices continue to pressure farm profitability and reshape the structure of modern agriculture. As consolidation accelerates across the industry, a critical question emerges: are large consolidated farms part of the solution? In this episode, Damian Mason is joined by Illinois farmer, business owner, and consultant Marc Severson to examine whether large-scale farming operations create economic efficiencies that improve margins, strengthen market signals, and stabilize agricultural commodity prices. The discussion challenges agriculture's long-standing preference for the small family farm model and evaluates how government payment limitations, subsidy structures, surplus production, and economies of scale influence The Business of Agriculture. Are small-scale commodity producers unintentionally contributing to persistent low-price environments? Do larger operations improve cost structures and market discipline? This episode provides a candid, data-driven conversation about consolidation, farm economics, and the future of agricultural production. Designed for agribusiness professionals, producers, policy leaders, and agricultural economists seeking strategic insight into farm structure and commodity markets. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Harvest Returns 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.

A generational collapse in Agriculture is no longer hypothetical—it is a growing reality. With land values surging, profit margins tightening, and federal policy favoring legacy operations, new and aspiring farmers face enormous barriers to entry. In this hard-hitting episode, Damian Mason is joined by Iowa farmer Elliott Henderson and Minnesota farmer Lance Petersen to discuss the policy shifts needed to revitalize rural America and secure the future of farming. In this episode: Why current policy favors incumbents over new entrants How subsidies and crop insurance shape the ag economy The economics behind farm consolidation What young and beginning farmers need to succeed Policy solutions that could prevent a generational implosion This is a vital conversation for policymakers, ag professionals, and anyone concerned about the sustainability of U.S. Agriculture. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Harvest Returns 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.

GLP-1 weight loss medications are transforming American diets—and agriculture must adapt. Damian Mason and ag consultant Todd Thurman explore how widespread adoption of these appetite-suppressing drugs, soon to be more accessible as pills, could reduce national calorie consumption by up to 25%. The shift away from sugar and alcohol, paired with new federal dietary guidelines favoring whole foods and plant-based proteins, signals a massive disruption in food production and consumer demand. What sectors win? Which ones lose? This episode breaks down the agricultural, economic, and societal implications of a thinner America. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Harvest Returns 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.

What lies ahead for American agriculture? In this forward-looking episode, Damian Mason is joined by nine agribusiness professionals from The Business of Ag Success Group to share 10 bold predictions for the industry through 2026 and beyond. Topics include: The future of government subsidies Automation and robotics in specialty crops The next big opportunity for ethanol Consolidation in ag machinery The rise of data centers and impact on farmland values Tyson's potential exit from beef processing California's shifting role in global food production If you are a stakeholder in production agriculture, agribusiness, or food supply chains, this episode delivers valuable insight into the trends and disruptions shaping the future of U.S. agriculture. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Harvest Returns | https://www.harvestreturns.com/ Tidal Grow Agriscience | https://www.tidalgrowag.com/ Nano-Yield | https://www.nano-yield.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.