The Business of Agriculture Podcast

China's rise over the past 25 years reshaped global economics—but what lies ahead for agriculture? Ian Lahiffe, agriculture consultant in China, offers a bold, optimistic forecast. He explains how China may remain economically powerful, less reliant on the West, and more self-sufficient in food and energy. But he also warns of an emboldened China, prepared for economic conflict. This episode explo...

Water is the most critical—and increasingly scarce—input in the Business of Agriculture. Yet, it is rarely given true economic value until it becomes limited. In this episode, Damian Mason is joined by Val King of the North Coast Water Association to discuss how water access is transforming the future of American farming. They explore the economic, environmental, and regulatory challenges tied to...

Is it time to radically reform American agriculture policy? In this compelling episode, Damian Mason speaks with Agritopia author Dave Savage, who outlines his bold vision for a more resilient and equitable rural economy. Savage critiques major pillars of the current farm system—including crop insurance subsidies, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and tax-deferred land exchanges—arguing that...

In an ever-changing Agricultural marketplace, opportunities arise that didn't exist just a decade or two ago. The internet, along with a more diversified and demanding consumer, provide viable business options. But these ventures need money to flourish and these businesses might not be a fit for traditional bank lending. That's where alternative financing can allow Agricultural business ideas to g...

Face it, the word "sustainable" has been so overused as marketing jargon, it's become meaningless. But what if farmers could accurately measure their sustainability? What if Agriculture could communicate our sustainability to customers with verifiable numbers? Then — the cherry on top — what if we could profit from our sustainability practices by differentiating products by degrees of sustainabili...

What would a ban on Glyphosate mean for American agriculture and food production? Damian Mason speaks with Michelle Klieger of Stratagerm Consulting, who recently completed a comprehensive study on the economic and labor impacts of eliminating Glyphosate—America's most widely used herbicide. Michelle shares the staggering implications for crop yields, labor shortages, and consumer food prices. Thi...

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 ep...

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...

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 et...

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...

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 "bil...

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...

"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 har...

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 econo...

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 improv...

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. Topic...

In today's low-margin farming environment, efficiency is everything. From maximizing nutrient availability to reducing inputs while increasing yields, growers are under pressure to do more with less. That's where startups like NewFields Ag come in. This innovative company is tackling the challenge right from the planter box, using biological solutions derived from agricultural byproducts. In this...

Is farmland the ultimate investment? In this insightful episode, Damian sits down with Robert Andjelic, Canada's largest private farmland owner, to explore the future of agricultural real estate. Despite having no farming background, Robert now owns 250,000 acres of prime Canadian farmland—mostly in Saskatchewan, with holdings in Manitoba and Alberta. After leaving the commercial real estate secto...

The agriculture industry is at a turning point, with nearly two-thirds of U.S. farmers over 55 and many surpassing 65. As farming faces massive capital demands and generational shifts, what does the future hold? Adam Lasch, a self-made, first-generation Wisconsin farmer, joins Damian to explore the financial hurdles, demographic changes, and innovations shaping modern farming. Discover how the nex...

The Agriculture industry has long relied on synthetic fertilizers, chemical inputs, and over-applied fertility—not by choice, but by necessity. Now, with biologicals, bio-nutrients, and precision application technology, farmers have better alternatives. Colton Moon, president of Redox BioNutrients, joins Damian to explore how soil health, crop nutrition, and sustainability are driving the shift aw...

With Robert F. Kennedy Jr. now confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services, his longstanding commitment to organic food is taking center stage. A vocal advocate for transforming the American food system, RFK Jr. believes organic agriculture could be the key to solving major health issues—going as far as claiming it could eliminate diabetes. But what would happen if American farmers were pu...

Fermented foods are trending, and sauerkraut is having a moment! In this episode of The Business of Agriculture, host Damian Mason dives deep into the world of fermentation with Jorge Azevedo, CEO of Fermented Food Holdings. They discuss why ultra-processed foods are falling out of favor, the growing demand for probiotics, and why FFH moved to Wisconsin—home to serious sauerkraut expertise. Plus,...

For years, money flowed into Ag tech—until the tap ran dry. But there's one area still attracting outside investment: farmland. Ben Gordon and Brian Grundtner from Fractal join Damian to discuss the evolving landscape of capital in agriculture. Their company is pioneering a model where investor funds help farmers acquire land, creating new opportunities for growth. Tune in to explore the financial...

Is agriculture ready to pivot from maximizing yields to prioritizing nutrient-rich, health-focused food production? Join Damian in a thought-provoking discussion with Iowa farmer and Ag entrepreneur Kelly Garrett and Ag venture capitalist Carter Williams. Explore the future of farming as surpluses rise, America's health declines, and consumers demand better nutrition. With terms like "food as medi...

From FarmCon 2025, Damian Mason sits down with three experts to tackle the biggest issues in American agriculture: trade, tariffs, biofuel, markets, Ag Tech, and the Farm Bill. Kevin Van Trump of the Van Trump Report dives into global agriculture markets and the key drivers of change. Roland Fumasi with RaboResearch highlights three must-watch trends—trade, Farm Bill impacts, and the surprising ef...